وَرَءَا ٱلْمُجْرِمُونَ ٱلنَّارَ فَظَنُّوٓا۟ أَنَّهُم مُّوَاقِعُوهَا وَلَمْ يَجِدُوا۟ عَنْهَا مَصْرِفًا 53
Translations
And the criminals will see the Fire and will be certain that they are to fall therein. And they will not find from it a way elsewhere.
Transliteration
Wa ra'a al-mujrimun an-nar fa-zannū annahum muwāqiūhā wa lam yajidū anha masrifā
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the scene on the Day of Judgment when the criminals and disbelievers will see the Fire of Hell and become certain they will fall into it, yet find no way to escape or turn away from it. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that this moment represents the ultimate helplessness of those who rejected Allah's signs—their certainty of punishment comes too late, after all opportunities for repentance have passed. The word 'masrif' (escape route or diversion) indicates the complete absence of any refuge or alternative.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Kahf is Meccan and primarily addresses the polytheists of Mecca regarding themes of faith, patience, and the inevitable Day of Judgment. This ayah appears in the broader eschatological context of the surah, depicting scenes of the Hereafter to warn the disbelievers and encourage believers to hold firm to their faith.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said regarding the Fire: 'The Fire breathes twice—once in winter and once in summer' (Sahih Bukhari 3260). Additionally, 'On the Day of Resurrection, the disbelievers will wish they were dust' (Surah An-Naba 78:40), reflecting the regret described in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah serves as a powerful reminder that our choices in this world determine our eternal destination, and that the realization of truth after death—when repentance is no longer accepted—brings only despair. Believers should use this as motivation to sincerely seek Allah's guidance now, while the door to repentance remains open.
Related Ayahs
فَلَا يَسْتَطِيعُونَ تَوْصِيَةً وَلَآ إِلَىٰٓ أَهْلِهِمْ يَرْجِعُونَ
And they will not be able [to give] any instruction, nor to their people can they return.
وَجِا۟ىٓءَ يَوْمَئِذٍۭ بِجَهَنَّمَ ۚ يَوْمَئِذٍ يَتَذَكَّرُ ٱلْإِنسَـٰنُ وَأَنَّىٰ لَهُ ٱلذِّكْرَىٰ
And brought [within view], that Day, is Hell - that Day, man will remember, but how [i.e., what good] to him will be the remembrance?
يَوْمَ لَا يُغْنِى مَوْلًى عَن مَّوْلًى شَيْـًٔا وَلَا هُمْ يُنصَرُونَ
The Day when no relation will avail a relation at all, nor will they be helped -
يَوْمَ يَسْمَعُونَ ٱلصَّيْحَةَ بِٱلْحَقِّ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ يَوْمُ ٱلْخُرُوجِ
The Day they will hear the blast [of the Horn] in truth. That is the Day of Emergence [from the graves].