حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا فَتَحْنَا عَلَيْهِم بَابًا ذَا عَذَابٍ شَدِيدٍ إِذَا هُمْ فِيهِ مُبْلِسُونَ 77
Translations
Until when We have opened before them a door of severe punishment, immediately they will be therein in despair.
Transliteration
Hatta idha fatahna alayhim baban dha adhabin shadeedin idha hum feehi mublisoon
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the punishment of the disbelievers when Allah opens upon them a gate of severe torment—at that moment they fall into complete despair and hopelessness (mublisoon). According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this refers to the Day of Judgment when the deniers of truth will suddenly face the consequences of their rejection, with no opportunity to escape or repent. The term 'mublisoon' emphasizes their utter despondency and loss of all hope, a state that marks the point of no return.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Al-Mu'minun, which details the characteristics of true believers and contrasts them with the fate of disbelievers. The surah emphasizes how those who reject the signs of Allah and persist in their denial will eventually face divine punishment. This particular ayah illustrates the sudden and inescapable nature of accountability on the Day of Judgment.
Related Hadiths
The concept is reinforced in a hadith reported in Sahih Muslim where the Prophet (peace be upon him) described how the disbelievers will wish to return to the world to do good deeds when they see their punishment, but it will be too late. Additionally, Surah Al-Mu'minun 23:99-100 immediately follows with a similar theme of regret and hopelessness at the time of death.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah serves as a powerful reminder that rejection of divine truth carries grave consequences, and that the opportunity for repentance is limited to this worldly life. For believers, it reinforces the urgency of sincere faith and righteous conduct while still in this temporary existence.
Related Ayahs
وَيْلٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ لِّلْمُكَذِّبِينَ
Woe, that Day, to the deniers.
وَيَـٰقَوْمِ ٱعْمَلُوا۟ عَلَىٰ مَكَانَتِكُمْ إِنِّى عَـٰمِلٌ ۖ سَوْفَ تَعْلَمُونَ مَن يَأْتِيهِ عَذَابٌ يُخْزِيهِ وَمَنْ هُوَ كَـٰذِبٌ ۖ وَٱرْتَقِبُوٓا۟ إِنِّى مَعَكُمْ رَقِيبٌ
And O my people, work according to your position; indeed, I am working. You are going to know to whom will come a punishment that will disgrace him and who is a liar. So watch; indeed, I am with you a watcher, [awaiting the outcome]."
وَعَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ هَادُوا۟ حَرَّمْنَا مَا قَصَصْنَا عَلَيْكَ مِن قَبْلُ ۖ وَمَا ظَلَمْنَـٰهُمْ وَلَـٰكِن كَانُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَهُمْ يَظْلِمُونَ
And to those who are Jews We have prohibited that which We related to you before. And We did not wrong them [thereby], but they were wronging themselves.
فَأَنجَيْنَـٰهُ وَأَهْلَهُۥٓ إِلَّا ٱمْرَأَتَهُۥ كَانَتْ مِنَ ٱلْغَـٰبِرِينَ
So We saved him and his family, except for his wife; she was of those who remained [with the evildoers].