كَذَٰلِكَ ٱلْعَذَابُ ۖ وَلَعَذَابُ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ أَكْبَرُ ۚ لَوْ كَانُوا۟ يَعْلَمُونَ 33
Translations
Such is the punishment [of this world]. And the punishment of the Hereafter is greater, if they only knew.
Transliteration
Kathalika al-adhabu wa la-adhabu al-akhirati akbaru law kanu ya'lamun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah concludes the narrative of the People of the Garden, declaring that the worldly punishment they experienced was a sign and warning, but the punishment of the Hereafter is far greater and more severe. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that this verse serves as a stark reminder that earthly calamities are minor compared to the eternal consequences of rejecting Allah's signs, intending to motivate believers to heed warnings and disbelievers to repent while they still have opportunity.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears at the conclusion of Surah Al-Qalam's narrative about the wealthy garden owners who denied the Day of Judgment and mistreated their workers. The surah uses this parable as a Meccan discourse to warn the disbelievers of Mecca about the consequences of rejecting divine signs and the certainty of the Hereafter.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The fire of the Dunya (worldly life) is one of seventy parts of the Fire of the Hereafter' (Sahih Bukhari 3360). Additionally, the Quran states in 9:38: 'The punishment of the Hereafter is far more severe and lasting' emphasizing the comparison made in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should recognize that worldly trials and punishments are minor wake-up calls compared to the eternal consequences in the Hereafter, and this knowledge should inspire greater mindfulness of our actions and closer adherence to Allah's guidance before it is too late.