إِنَّ ٱلْمُنَـٰفِقِينَ فِى ٱلدَّرْكِ ٱلْأَسْفَلِ مِنَ ٱلنَّارِ وَلَن تَجِدَ لَهُمْ نَصِيرًا 145
Translations
Indeed, the hypocrites will be in the lowest depths of the Fire - and never will you find for them a helper -
Transliteration
Inna al-munafiqīna fī ad-darki al-asfali mina an-nāri wa-lan tajida lahum nāsīrā
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah declares that hypocrites (munafiqun) will occupy the lowest level of Hell, emphasizing their severe punishment and degradation. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi explain that hypocrites receive harsher punishment than open disbelievers because they combined disbelief with deception and betrayal of the Muslim community. The statement "you will never find for them any helper" underscores their complete abandonment and isolation on the Day of Judgment.
Revelation Context
Surah An-Nisa was revealed in Medina during a period when hypocrites were prevalent in the Muslim community, particularly those who outwardly professed Islam while harboring doubt or hostility. This ayah is part of a broader passage (4:138-145) addressing the characteristics and ultimate fate of hypocrites, warning the believers against their influence.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The greatest sin is to associate partners with Allah, and the next is hypocrisy' (related in various forms). Also relevant is the hadith in Sahih Bukhari where the Prophet described hypocrites as having certain identifying characteristics, emphasizing that hypocrisy is among the gravest spiritual diseases.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that outward conformity without sincere faith is the gravest spiritual deception, and believers must guard against hypocrisy in their own hearts while maintaining vigilance against those who would undermine the community from within. It reminds us that ultimately, no one can help us except Allah, making sincere faith and genuine commitment essential.
Related Ayahs
وَإِذَا لَقُوا۟ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ قَالُوٓا۟ ءَامَنَّا وَإِذَا خَلَوْا۟ إِلَىٰ شَيَـٰطِينِهِمْ قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّا مَعَكُمْ إِنَّمَا نَحْنُ مُسْتَهْزِءُونَ
And when they meet those who believe, they say, "We believe"; but when they are alone with their evil ones, they say, "Indeed, we are with you; we were only mockers."
يُنَادُونَهُمْ أَلَمْ نَكُن مَّعَكُمْ ۖ قَالُوا۟ بَلَىٰ وَلَـٰكِنَّكُمْ فَتَنتُمْ أَنفُسَكُمْ وَتَرَبَّصْتُمْ وَٱرْتَبْتُمْ وَغَرَّتْكُمُ ٱلْأَمَانِىُّ حَتَّىٰ جَآءَ أَمْرُ ٱللَّهِ وَغَرَّكُم بِٱللَّهِ ٱلْغَرُورُ
They [i.e., the hypocrites] will call to them [i.e., the believers], "Were we not with you?" They will say, "Yes, but you afflicted yourselves and awaited [misfortune for us] and doubted, and wishful thinking deluded you until there came the command of Allāh. And the Deceiver [i.e., Satan] deceived you concerning Allāh.
وَمِنْهُم مَّن يَقُولُ ٱئْذَن لِّى وَلَا تَفْتِنِّىٓ ۚ أَلَا فِى ٱلْفِتْنَةِ سَقَطُوا۟ ۗ وَإِنَّ جَهَنَّمَ لَمُحِيطَةٌۢ بِٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ
And among them is he who says, "Permit me [to remain at home] and do not put me to trial." Unquestionably, into trial they have fallen. And indeed, Hell will encompass the disbelievers.
وَإِن يَكُن لَّهُمُ ٱلْحَقُّ يَأْتُوٓا۟ إِلَيْهِ مُذْعِنِينَ
But if the right is theirs, they come to him in prompt obedience.