فَٱدْخُلُوٓا۟ أَبْوَٰبَ جَهَنَّمَ خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا ۖ فَلَبِئْسَ مَثْوَى ٱلْمُتَكَبِّرِينَ 29
Translations
So enter the gates of Hell to abide eternally therein, and how wretched is the residence of the arrogant.
Transliteration
Faddkhulū abwāba jahannama khālidīna fīhā, falabissa mathwan al-mutakabbirīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah commands the arrogant to enter the gates of Hell as eternal inhabitants, concluding that Hell is an evil abode for the proud and haughty. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that this verse highlights the severe punishment awaiting those who rejected Allah's signs and displayed arrogance in their disbelief. The mention of multiple 'gates' (abwāb) suggests the varied degrees of torment awaiting different categories of the arrogant, as referenced in Surah Al-A'raf (7:40-41).
Revelation Context
This verse appears within the broader Meccan context of Surah An-Nahl, which addresses the deniers of the Oneness of Allah and those who turned away from His clear signs. The immediate context (verses 27-29) depicts the conversation between Allah and those who rejected Him, where they are ordered to enter Hell as a consequence of their persistent pride and rejection of the truth.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'Whoever has an atom's weight of arrogance in his heart will not enter Paradise.' (Sahih Muslim 91). Additionally, the Prophet warned that 'The proud and the haughty will be gathered on the Day of Resurrection as small as ants in the sight of people' (Sunan At-Tirmidhi 2492).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah serves as a stern warning that arrogance and rejection of Allah's guidance lead to eternal damnation, urging believers to cultivate humility before Allah and acceptance of His truth. In modern times, it reminds us that worldly status and self-conceit are temporary illusions that pale before Divine justice on the Day of Reckoning.
Related Ayahs
ٱلَّذِينَ تَتَوَفَّىٰهُمُ ٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ طَيِّبِينَ ۙ يَقُولُونَ سَلَـٰمٌ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱدْخُلُوا۟ ٱلْجَنَّةَ بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ
The ones whom the angels take in death, [being] good and pure; [the angels] will say, "Peace be upon you. Enter Paradise for what you used to do."
وَلَكُمْ فِيهَا جَمَالٌ حِينَ تُرِيحُونَ وَحِينَ تَسْرَحُونَ
And for you in them is [the enjoyment of] beauty when you bring them in [for the evening] and when you send them out [to pasture].
أَفَأَمِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ مَكَرُوا۟ ٱلسَّيِّـَٔاتِ أَن يَخْسِفَ ٱللَّهُ بِهِمُ ٱلْأَرْضَ أَوْ يَأْتِيَهُمُ ٱلْعَذَابُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ
Then, do those who have planned evil deeds feel secure that Allāh will not cause the earth to swallow them or that the punishment will not come upon them from where they do not perceive?
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِـَٔايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ لَا يَهْدِيهِمُ ٱللَّهُ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ
Indeed, those who do not believe in the verses of Allāh - Allāh will not guide them, and for them is a painful punishment.