عَلَى ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ غَيْرُ يَسِيرٍ 10
Translations
For the disbelievers - not easy.
Transliteration
'Ala al-kafirina ghayru yasir
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah means "upon the disbelievers [it is] not easy" and refers to the punishment or burden that will befall those who reject faith. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir interpret this as referring to the severity of the punishment awaiting the disbelievers on the Day of Judgment, emphasizing that their reckoning will be neither light nor simple. The phrase underscores the certainty and weight of divine justice for those who persistently deny the truth.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Muddaththir is an early Meccan chapter that addresses the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) during the early years of his mission when he faced intense opposition from the Quraysh. This ayah appears in the context of warning the disbelievers about the consequences of their rejection, forming part of the surah's broader theme of accountability before Allah on the Day of Judgment.
Related Hadiths
The theme is related to hadith in Sahih Muslim where the Prophet (peace be upon him) described the severity of the Day of Judgment and how disbelievers will face difficult punishment. Additionally, hadiths in Sunan Ibn Majah emphasize that no punishment is easy or insignificant when it comes from Allah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that rejection of divine guidance carries serious consequences and that Allah's justice is absolute and inescapable. For the faithful, it serves as reassurance that wrongdoing and disbelief will not go unanswered, while also encouraging steadfastness in faith despite worldly opposition.
Related Ayahs
وَقَالَتْ أُولَىٰهُمْ لِأُخْرَىٰهُمْ فَمَا كَانَ لَكُمْ عَلَيْنَا مِن فَضْلٍ فَذُوقُوا۟ ٱلْعَذَابَ بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَكْسِبُونَ
And the first of them will say to the last of them, "Then you had not any favor over us, so taste the punishment for what you used to earn."
قَالَ أَمَّا مَن ظَلَمَ فَسَوْفَ نُعَذِّبُهُۥ ثُمَّ يُرَدُّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّهِۦ فَيُعَذِّبُهُۥ عَذَابًا نُّكْرًا
He said, "As for one who wrongs, we will punish him. Then he will be returned to his Lord, and He will punish him with a terrible punishment [i.e., Hellfire].
وَأَصْحَـٰبُ ٱلْمَشْـَٔمَةِ مَآ أَصْحَـٰبُ ٱلْمَشْـَٔمَةِ
And the companions of the left - what are companions of the left?
أَيَحْسَبُ ٱلْإِنسَـٰنُ أَن يُتْرَكَ سُدًى
Does man think that he will be left neglected?