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
ٱلْيَوْمَ تُجْزَىٰ كُلُّ نَفْسٍۭ بِمَا كَسَبَتْ ۚ لَا ظُلْمَ ٱلْيَوْمَ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ سَرِيعُ ٱلْحِسَابِ
This Day every soul will be recompensed for what it earned. No injustice today! Indeed, Allāh is swift in account.
قُلْ أَغَيْرَ ٱللَّهِ أَبْغِى رَبًّا وَهُوَ رَبُّ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ ۚ وَلَا تَكْسِبُ كُلُّ نَفْسٍ إِلَّا عَلَيْهَا ۚ وَلَا تَزِرُ وَازِرَةٌ وِزْرَ أُخْرَىٰ ۚ ثُمَّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكُم مَّرْجِعُكُمْ فَيُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمْ فِيهِ تَخْتَلِفُونَ
Say, "Is it other than Allāh I should desire as a lord while He is the Lord of all things? And every soul earns not [blame] except against itself, and no bearer of burdens will bear the burden of another. Then to your Lord is your return, and He will inform you concerning that over which you used to differ."
وَٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلْمَوْعُودِ
And [by] the promised Day
إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَعَنَ ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ وَأَعَدَّ لَهُمْ سَعِيرًا
Indeed, Allāh has cursed the disbelievers and prepared for them a Blaze.