وَظِلٍّ مِّن يَحْمُومٍ 43
Translations
And a shade of black smoke,
Transliteration
Wa dhillin min yahmmoom
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes one of the torments of the inhabitants of Hell—a shadow or shade that comes from smoke (yahmmoom), which is black, foul smoke that provides no comfort or relief, unlike shade which normally brings comfort. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir explain that yahmmoom refers to the dark, suffocating smoke that rises from the Fire, emphasizing the paradox that even the 'shade' in Hell is a punishment rather than a mercy. This stands in stark contrast to the 'shade' promised to the righteous in Paradise (56:30), highlighting the complete reversal of conditions between the two realms.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Al-Waqi'ah, a Meccan surah that vividly describes the Day of Judgment and the contrasting fates of the inhabitants of Paradise and Hell. The broader context (56:40-56) details the punishments awaiting the disbelievers, serving as a warning to the polytheists of Mecca about the inevitable consequences of rejecting faith.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The people of Hell will be in the Fire, and the Fire will be consuming them. Whenever their skins are burnt, We shall give them other skins' (Sahih Muslim 2806). This hadith elaborates on the unending torments mentioned in Quranic descriptions of Hell, including the smoke described in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds us that all apparent comforts and mercies in this life come from Allah alone, and that rejection of His guidance leads to states where even relief becomes torment; it should motivate believers to seek Allah's mercy through obedience and righteous deeds.