يَوْمَ يُسْحَبُونَ فِى ٱلنَّارِ عَلَىٰ وُجُوهِهِمْ ذُوقُوا۟ مَسَّ سَقَرَ 48
Translations
The Day they are dragged into the Fire on their faces [it will be said], "Taste the touch of Saqar."
Transliteration
Yawma yushabun fi an-nari ala wujuhihim dhooqu massa saqar
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the punishment of the disbelievers on the Day of Judgment, when they will be dragged into the Fire of Hell upon their faces, and they will be commanded to taste the torment of Saqar (Hell). Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that the phrase 'taste the touch of Saqar' indicates both the physical and spiritual anguish of Hell's punishment, with the dragging upon their faces symbolizing complete humiliation and degradation before their final torment.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Al-Qamar (The Moon), a Meccan surah focused on the reality of the Day of Judgment and warnings to the disbelievers. The broader context of the surah emphasizes the certainty of the Hour and the consequences of rejecting the Message, particularly addressing the Quraysh who mocked the Quran and denied resurrection.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The Fire will devour the flesh but the skin will be renewed every time so that they may taste the punishment,' narrated in Sunan Ibn Majah and Tirmidhi. Also, the Prophet described Hell's severity in multiple hadiths in Sahih Bukhari and Muslim regarding the punishment of the disbelievers.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah serves as a stark reminder of accountability before Allah and the serious consequences of rejecting faith and guidance; it should motivate believers to strengthen their relationship with Allah, seek His mercy, and warn others about the reality of the Afterlife with compassion and sincerity.
Related Ayahs
وَإِلَىٰ ثَمُودَ أَخَاهُمْ صَـٰلِحًا ۗ قَالَ يَـٰقَوْمِ ٱعْبُدُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ مَا لَكُم مِّنْ إِلَـٰهٍ غَيْرُهُۥ ۖ قَدْ جَآءَتْكُم بَيِّنَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ ۖ هَـٰذِهِۦ نَاقَةُ ٱللَّهِ لَكُمْ ءَايَةً ۖ فَذَرُوهَا تَأْكُلْ فِىٓ أَرْضِ ٱللَّهِ ۖ وَلَا تَمَسُّوهَا بِسُوٓءٍ فَيَأْخُذَكُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ
And to the Thamūd [We sent] their brother Ṣāliḥ. He said, "O my people, worship Allāh; you have no deity other than Him. There has come to you clear evidence from your Lord. This is the she-camel of Allāh [sent] to you as a sign. So leave her to eat within Allāh's land and do not touch her with harm, lest there seize you a painful punishment.
مَا كَانَ لِلْمُشْرِكِينَ أَن يَعْمُرُوا۟ مَسَـٰجِدَ ٱللَّهِ شَـٰهِدِينَ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِهِم بِٱلْكُفْرِ ۚ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ حَبِطَتْ أَعْمَـٰلُهُمْ وَفِى ٱلنَّارِ هُمْ خَـٰلِدُونَ
It is not for the polytheists to maintain the mosques of Allāh [while] witnessing against themselves with disbelief. [For] those, their deeds have become worthless, and in the Fire they will abide eternally.
أَلَمْ تَرَ كَيْفَ فَعَلَ رَبُّكَ بِعَادٍ
Have you not considered how your Lord dealt with ʿAad -
وَيَجْعَلُونَ لِلَّهِ مَا يَكْرَهُونَ وَتَصِفُ أَلْسِنَتُهُمُ ٱلْكَذِبَ أَنَّ لَهُمُ ٱلْحُسْنَىٰ ۖ لَا جَرَمَ أَنَّ لَهُمُ ٱلنَّارَ وَأَنَّهُم مُّفْرَطُونَ
And they attribute to Allāh that which they dislike [i.e., daughters], and their tongues assert the lie that they will have the best [from Him]. Assuredly, they will have the Fire, and they will be [therein] neglected.