Al-Muddaththir · Ayah 41

عَنِ ٱلْمُجْرِمِينَ 41

Translations

About the criminals,

Transliteration

'An al-mujrimīn

Tafsir (Explanation)

This phrase, appearing in Ayah 74:41, refers to 'concerning the criminals' or 'about the guilty ones,' and is part of the question the blessed inhabitants of Paradise ask about those in Hell. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this reflects the concern of the righteous for those who rejected faith, demonstrating that even in Paradise, the believers maintain awareness of the fate of the disbelievers. The phrase emphasizes the sharp distinction between the two groups and the eternal consequences of one's choices in this world.

Revelation Context

Surah Al-Muddaththir is a Meccan surah revealed during the early period of Prophet Muhammad's mission, addressing themes of accountability and the afterlife. This particular ayah appears within the passage describing the scene in Paradise (74:39-48), where the inhabitants of Paradise inquire about the criminals in Hell, underscoring the reality of divine justice and the permanent separation between the righteous and the wicked.

Related Hadiths

The hadith in Sahih Muslim (2865) from Abu Sa'id al-Khudri describes the intercession of the Prophet and believers on behalf of their relatives in Hell, which relates thematically to the concern shown in this ayah. Additionally, Surah Al-A'raf (7:49) contains a parallel passage where the people of Paradise address those in Hell, reinforcing this Quranic theme.

Themes

Divine JusticeThe AfterlifeAccountabilityDistinction between believers and disbelieversThe Reality of Paradise and Hell

Key Lesson

This ayah reminds us that our choices in this life have eternal consequences, and that righteousness in this world grants us awareness and concern even in the hereafter. It should motivate believers to live consciously, remembering that the fate of the criminals serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of faith, obedience, and moral rectitude.

0:00
0:00

Related Ayahs

3:88Ali 'Imran

خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا لَا يُخَفَّفُ عَنْهُمُ ٱلْعَذَابُ وَلَا هُمْ يُنظَرُونَ

Abiding eternally therein. The punishment will not be lightened for them, nor will they be reprieved,

4:168An-Nisa

إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَظَلَمُوا۟ لَمْ يَكُنِ ٱللَّهُ لِيَغْفِرَ لَهُمْ وَلَا لِيَهْدِيَهُمْ طَرِيقًا

Indeed, those who disbelieve and commit wrong [or injustice] - never will Allāh forgive them, nor will He guide them to a path,

39:7Az-Zumar

إِن تَكْفُرُوا۟ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَنِىٌّ عَنكُمْ ۖ وَلَا يَرْضَىٰ لِعِبَادِهِ ٱلْكُفْرَ ۖ وَإِن تَشْكُرُوا۟ يَرْضَهُ لَكُمْ ۗ وَلَا تَزِرُ وَازِرَةٌ وِزْرَ أُخْرَىٰ ۗ ثُمَّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكُم مَّرْجِعُكُمْ فَيُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ عَلِيمٌۢ بِذَاتِ ٱلصُّدُورِ

If you disbelieve - indeed, Allāh is Free from need of you. And He does not approve for His servants disbelief. And if you are grateful, He approves [i.e., likes] it for you; and no bearer of burdens will bear the burden of another. Then to your Lord is your return, and He will inform you about what you used to do. Indeed, He is Knowing of that within the breasts.

37:18As-Saffat

قُلْ نَعَمْ وَأَنتُمْ دَٰخِرُونَ

Say, "Yes, and you will be [rendered] contemptible."