فَأُمُّهُۥ هَاوِيَةٌ 9
Translations
His refuge will be an abyss.
Transliteration
Fa-ummuh-u hawyah
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah states that the mother (place of refuge or home) of the disbeliever on the Day of Judgment is Hawiyah, one of the names of Hell. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi interpret 'mother' (umm) metaphorically as the final abode or destination, emphasizing that Hell becomes the ultimate refuge for those who reject faith. The ayah emphasizes the certainty and inescapability of Hell for the disbelievers on the Day of Resurrection.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Qari'ah describes the Day of Judgment and its terrifying events in vivid detail. This ayah appears in the concluding section of the surah, which contrasts the fates of the believers (whose deeds are weighty) and disbelievers (whose deeds are light). The surah was revealed in Mecca to warn the polytheists about the inevitable consequences of rejecting Allah's message.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) mentioned the names and descriptions of Hell in various hadiths. Related to themes of Hell's severity: Sahih Muslim 2844 describes the vastness and intensity of Hell. Additionally, hadiths about the weightiness of deeds on the Day of Judgment (Sahih Bukhari 498) relate contextually to this ayah's theme.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that rejecting faith leads to irreversible consequences; one's ultimate destination is determined by their choices in this life. Modern readers should reflect on the gravity of their beliefs and actions, understanding that accountability before Allah is absolute and inescapable.