دُحُورًا ۖ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ وَاصِبٌ 9
Translations
Repelled; and for them is a constant punishment,
Transliteration
Duhūran wa lahum `adhābun wāṣib
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the repulsion (duhūr) cast upon the devils who attempt to eavesdrop on the heavens, and their punishment of a lasting, continuous torment (adhāb wāṣib). According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, the 'duhūr' refers to the stones and shooting stars (shihāb) that drive away the devils, while 'wāṣib' (ever-lasting) emphasizes the relentless nature of their punishment in this life and the next. This is part of the broader narrative establishing divine protection of the heavenly realm from satanic interference.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears within Surah As-Saffat's discussion of the cosmic order and divine authority, specifically in the passage (37:6-10) describing how Allah has adorned the lower heaven with stars and protected it from rebellious devils. The context is Meccan, addressing polytheists who attributed divine knowledge to the jinn and devils, thereby refuting their false beliefs about unseen matters.
Related Hadiths
The concept relates to Surah Al-Jinn (72:8-9) where Allah describes the protection of the heavens: 'We have sought to reach the heaven, but found it filled with mighty guards and burning flames.' Also relevant is the hadith in Sahih Bukhari regarding the Prophet's account of how devils are repelled from hearing divine revelation.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that Allah has established a perfect cosmic order with impenetrable boundaries, protecting sacred knowledge from satanic corruption, which should strengthen our trust in Allah's wisdom and encourage us to seek guidance only from the Quran and Sunnah rather than superstitious beliefs about the unseen.
Related Ayahs
وَأَنتَ حِلٌّۢ بِهَـٰذَا ٱلْبَلَدِ
And you, [O Muḥammad], are free of restriction in this city
وَحِفْظًا مِّن كُلِّ شَيْطَـٰنٍ مَّارِدٍ
And as protection against every rebellious devil
وَلَوْلَا فَضْلُ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيْكَ وَرَحْمَتُهُۥ لَهَمَّت طَّآئِفَةٌ مِّنْهُمْ أَن يُضِلُّوكَ وَمَا يُضِلُّونَ إِلَّآ أَنفُسَهُمْ ۖ وَمَا يَضُرُّونَكَ مِن شَىْءٍ ۚ وَأَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْكَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ وَٱلْحِكْمَةَ وَعَلَّمَكَ مَا لَمْ تَكُن تَعْلَمُ ۚ وَكَانَ فَضْلُ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيْكَ عَظِيمًا
And if it was not for the favor of Allāh upon you, [O Muḥammad], and His mercy, a group of them would have determined to mislead you. But they do not mislead except themselves, and they will not harm you at all. And Allāh has revealed to you the Book and wisdom and has taught you that which you did not know. And ever has the favor of Allāh upon you been great.
قُلْ مَن يَكْلَؤُكُم بِٱلَّيْلِ وَٱلنَّهَارِ مِنَ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ۗ بَلْ هُمْ عَن ذِكْرِ رَبِّهِم مُّعْرِضُونَ
Say, "Who can protect you at night or by day from the Most Merciful?" But they are, from the remembrance of their Lord, turning away.