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
أَفَرَءَيْتَ ٱلَّذِى تَوَلَّىٰ
Have you seen the one who turned away
وَمِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ مَن يَقُولُ ءَامَنَّا بِٱللَّهِ فَإِذَآ أُوذِىَ فِى ٱللَّهِ جَعَلَ فِتْنَةَ ٱلنَّاسِ كَعَذَابِ ٱللَّهِ وَلَئِن جَآءَ نَصْرٌ مِّن رَّبِّكَ لَيَقُولُنَّ إِنَّا كُنَّا مَعَكُمْ ۚ أَوَلَيْسَ ٱللَّهُ بِأَعْلَمَ بِمَا فِى صُدُورِ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ
And of the people are some who say, "We believe in Allāh," but when one [of them] is harmed for [the cause of] Allāh, he considers the trial [i.e., harm] of the people as [if it were] the punishment of Allāh. But if victory comes from your Lord, they say, "Indeed, We were with you." Is not Allāh most knowing of what is within the breasts of the worlds [i.e., all creatures]?
وَٱلَّذِينَ يُؤْتُونَ مَآ ءَاتَوا۟ وَّقُلُوبُهُمْ وَجِلَةٌ أَنَّهُمْ إِلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ رَٰجِعُونَ
And they who give what they give while their hearts are fearful because they will be returning to their Lord -
قَالُوا۟ بَلْ أَنتُمْ لَا مَرْحَبًۢا بِكُمْ ۖ أَنتُمْ قَدَّمْتُمُوهُ لَنَا ۖ فَبِئْسَ ٱلْقَرَارُ
They will say, "Nor you! No welcome for you. You, [our leaders], brought this upon us, and wretched is the settlement."