نَزَّاعَةً لِّلشَّوَىٰ 16
Translations
A remover of exteriors.
Transliteration
Nazzaatan lil-shaw-a
Tafsir (Explanation)
This phrase describes Hell (Jahannam) as 'snatching away the skin' or 'plucking the scalp,' emphasizing its intense and painful nature. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari interpret 'nazzaah' (snatching/plucking) and 'al-shawaa' (the outer skin or scalp) as depicting the severe punishment and torment that will befall the inhabitants of Hell, demonstrating the Qur'an's vivid descriptions of the consequences of rejecting faith.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Al-Ma'arij, a Meccan surah that emphasizes the reality of the Hereafter, Divine judgment, and the contrast between the righteous and the disbelievers. The surah uses graphic imagery to convince the Meccan pagans of the certainty of resurrection and accountability, as this was a primary point of contention during the early Meccan period.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said regarding Hell: 'The Fire of the sons of Adam is one of seventy parts of the Fire of Hell' (Sahih Bukhari 3265). This hadith complements the ayah by contextualizing worldly suffering in relation to the actual punishment of Hell.
Themes
Key Lesson
This vivid imagery serves as a powerful reminder that rejection of faith and moral transgression carry severe eternal consequences, encouraging believers to maintain steadfast obedience to Allah and remain cognizant of the gravity of the Hereafter.