خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا لَا يُخَفَّفُ عَنْهُمُ ٱلْعَذَابُ وَلَا هُمْ يُنظَرُونَ 88
Translations
Abiding eternally therein. The punishment will not be lightened for them, nor will they be reprieved,
Transliteration
Khālidīna fīhā lā yukhaffafu 'anhumu al-'adhābu wa lā hum yunẓarūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the eternal punishment of disbelievers in Hell, emphasizing that their torment will neither be reduced nor will they be granted respite or delay. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi interpret this as a definitive statement about the permanence and unrelenting nature of divine punishment for those who reject faith and persist in disbelief, highlighting both the justice and severity of Allah's judgment.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Ali 'Imran's discussion of the consequences of rejecting divine signs and the fate of disbelievers. The broader context (verses 85-88) addresses those who reject Islam despite clear knowledge, emphasizing that such rejection carries grave eternal consequences. This theme recurs throughout the Medinan surahs as the Muslim community faced opposition from various groups.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said regarding the people of Hell: 'A time will come upon the people of Hell that they will hope for relief, but they will find no relief.' (Sahih Muslim 2851). Additionally, the Quran emphasizes in 5:37 that disbelievers will wish to exit Hell but cannot, reinforcing this ayah's meaning.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah serves as a sobering reminder of the gravity of rejecting divine guidance and the reality of accountability in the afterlife. For believers, it reinforces the importance of gratitude for faith and steadfastness, while offering a warning about the eternal consequences of turning away from truth despite clear understanding.
Related Ayahs
وَسِيقَ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّقَوْا۟ رَبَّهُمْ إِلَى ٱلْجَنَّةِ زُمَرًا ۖ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا جَآءُوهَا وَفُتِحَتْ أَبْوَٰبُهَا وَقَالَ لَهُمْ خَزَنَتُهَا سَلَـٰمٌ عَلَيْكُمْ طِبْتُمْ فَٱدْخُلُوهَا خَـٰلِدِينَ
But those who feared their Lord will be driven to Paradise in groups until, when they reach it while its gates have been opened and its keepers say, "Peace be upon you; you have become pure; so enter it to abide eternally therein," [they will enter].
۞ وَإِذَا وَقَعَ ٱلْقَوْلُ عَلَيْهِمْ أَخْرَجْنَا لَهُمْ دَآبَّةً مِّنَ ٱلْأَرْضِ تُكَلِّمُهُمْ أَنَّ ٱلنَّاسَ كَانُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا لَا يُوقِنُونَ
And when the word [i.e., decree] befalls them, We will bring forth for them a creature from the earth speaking to them, [saying] that the people were, of Our verses, not certain [in faith].
وَقُلِ ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ سَيُرِيكُمْ ءَايَـٰتِهِۦ فَتَعْرِفُونَهَا ۚ وَمَا رَبُّكَ بِغَـٰفِلٍ عَمَّا تَعْمَلُونَ
And say, "[All] praise is [due] to Allāh. He will show you His signs, and you will recognize them. And your Lord is not unaware of what you do."
نَارٌ حَامِيَةٌۢ
It is a Fire, intensely hot.