فَٱعْتَرَفُوا۟ بِذَنۢبِهِمْ فَسُحْقًا لِّأَصْحَـٰبِ ٱلسَّعِيرِ 11
Translations
And they will admit their sin, so [it is] alienation for the companions of the Blaze.
Transliteration
Fa'atarafū bidhanbihim fasuhqan li-aṣḥābi as-sa'īr
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the inhabitants of Hell acknowledging and confessing their sins on the Day of Judgment, after which a curse of destruction (suhq) befalls them. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi interpret this as the moment when the people of Hell realize the consequences of their disbelief and sinful deeds, yet their confession comes too late for redemption. The word 'suhq' literally means being far removed or cast away, emphasizing their ultimate destruction and distance from Allah's mercy.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Al-Mulk, a Meccan surah that emphasizes Allah's absolute sovereignty and the reality of the Day of Judgment. The broader context (verses 1-11) describes the creation of the heavens and earth, and then shifts to depicting the fate of disbelievers who will regret their rejection of truth when they enter the Fire.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The people of Hell will not die therein to be relieved from punishment, nor will the punishment be lightened for them' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 2558). Additionally, Surah As-Sajdah 32:20 relates similarly: 'As for those who have believed and done righteous deeds, they will be in the gardens of Paradise, honored.'
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that while confession of sins in this life, coupled with sincere repentance and good deeds, can lead to Allah's forgiveness, such confession in the Hereafter will be useless. It underscores the urgency of turning to Allah in this life before the opportunity is lost forever.
Related Ayahs
قَالَ ٱذْهَبْ فَمَن تَبِعَكَ مِنْهُمْ فَإِنَّ جَهَنَّمَ جَزَآؤُكُمْ جَزَآءً مَّوْفُورًا
[Allāh] said, "Go, for whoever of them follows you, indeed Hell will be the recompense of [all of] you - an ample recompense.
قَدْ كَانَتْ ءَايَـٰتِى تُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْكُمْ فَكُنتُمْ عَلَىٰٓ أَعْقَـٰبِكُمْ تَنكِصُونَ
My verses had already been recited to you, but you were turning back on your heels.
لَا تَحْسَبَنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَفْرَحُونَ بِمَآ أَتَوا۟ وَّيُحِبُّونَ أَن يُحْمَدُوا۟ بِمَا لَمْ يَفْعَلُوا۟ فَلَا تَحْسَبَنَّهُم بِمَفَازَةٍ مِّنَ ٱلْعَذَابِ ۖ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ
And never think that those who rejoice in what they have perpetrated and like to be praised for what they did not do - never think them [to be] in safety from the punishment, and for them is a painful punishment.
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا وَٱسْتَكْبَرُوا۟ عَنْهَا لَا تُفَتَّحُ لَهُمْ أَبْوَٰبُ ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَلَا يَدْخُلُونَ ٱلْجَنَّةَ حَتَّىٰ يَلِجَ ٱلْجَمَلُ فِى سَمِّ ٱلْخِيَاطِ ۚ وَكَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِى ٱلْمُجْرِمِينَ
Indeed, those who deny Our verses and are arrogant toward them - the gates of Heaven will not be opened for them, nor will they enter Paradise until a camel enters into the eye of a needle [i.e., never]. And thus do We recompense the criminals.