يَطُوفُونَ بَيْنَهَا وَبَيْنَ حَمِيمٍ ءَانٍ 44
Translations
They will circulate between it and scalding water, heated [to the utmost degree].
Transliteration
Yatūfūna baynaha wa bayna hamīm ānin
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the inhabitants of Hell moving back and forth between the fire of Hell and boiling water. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi, the word 'hamīm' refers to extremely hot water, and 'ānin' means boiling or intensely heated. The constant movement between these two forms of punishment illustrates the comprehensive nature of torment in the Hereafter, with no respite or escape from suffering.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Ar-Rahman's vivid depiction of the Day of Judgment and the conditions of both Paradise and Hell. The surah was revealed in Medina to remind believers of divine mercy contrasted with divine punishment, serving as a warning about the consequences of rejecting God's signs. The descriptions of Hell's punishment follow detailed descriptions of Paradise's blessings, emphasizing the stark contrast between the two eternal abodes.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The people of Hell will be thrown into Hell and it will say: Is there any more? Until the Lord puts His foot in it, then it will say: Enough, enough.' (Sahih Bukhari 4848). Additionally, Surah Al-Hajj 22:20 describes similar boiling water being poured over sinners' skins, reinforcing this theme throughout the Quran.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah serves as a powerful reminder that rejecting divine guidance has severe consequences, encouraging believers to remain steadfast in faith and obedience. For modern readers, it emphasizes the importance of heeding God's warnings and living righteously, as the Hereafter is a reality with real and eternal consequences.
Related Ayahs
يَقْدُمُ قَوْمَهُۥ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ فَأَوْرَدَهُمُ ٱلنَّارَ ۖ وَبِئْسَ ٱلْوِرْدُ ٱلْمَوْرُودُ
He will precede his people on the Day of Resurrection and lead them into the Fire; and wretched is the place to which they are led.
ثُمَّ إِنَّ لَهُمْ عَلَيْهَا لَشَوْبًا مِّنْ حَمِيمٍ
Then indeed, they will have after it a mixture of scalding water.
كُلَّمَآ أَرَادُوٓا۟ أَن يَخْرُجُوا۟ مِنْهَا مِنْ غَمٍّ أُعِيدُوا۟ فِيهَا وَذُوقُوا۟ عَذَابَ ٱلْحَرِيقِ
Every time they want to get out of it [i.e., Hellfire] from anguish, they will be returned to it, and [it will be said], "Taste the punishment of the Burning Fire!"
۞ وَإِن تَعْجَبْ فَعَجَبٌ قَوْلُهُمْ أَءِذَا كُنَّا تُرَٰبًا أَءِنَّا لَفِى خَلْقٍ جَدِيدٍ ۗ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ بِرَبِّهِمْ ۖ وَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ ٱلْأَغْلَـٰلُ فِىٓ أَعْنَاقِهِمْ ۖ وَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ أَصْحَـٰبُ ٱلنَّارِ ۖ هُمْ فِيهَا خَـٰلِدُونَ
And if you are astonished, [O Muḥammad] - then astonishing is their saying, "When we are dust, will we indeed be [brought] into a new creation?" Those are the ones who have disbelieved in their Lord, and those will have shackles upon their necks, and those are the companions of the Fire; they will abide therein eternally.