وَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَكَذَّبُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَآ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ أَصْحَـٰبُ ٱلنَّارِ خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا ۖ وَبِئْسَ ٱلْمَصِيرُ 10
Translations
But the ones who disbelieved and denied Our verses - those are the companions of the Fire, abiding eternally therein; and wretched is the destination.
Transliteration
Wa-alladhina kafaroo wa-kadhdhabo bi-ayatina olaika ashabo an-nari khalideena fiha wa-bi'sa al-maseer
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the final destination of those who reject faith and deny Allah's signs—they shall be inhabitants of the Fire, dwelling therein eternally, and what an evil destination it is. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, the dual description of disbelief (kufr) and denial (takdhib) emphasizes both the rejection of truth and the active opposition to it, making their punishment just and certain. Al-Qurtubi notes that the phrase 'khalideena fiha' (abiding therein) is an explicit statement of eternal punishment, reflecting the Quranic principle that eternal disbelief merits eternal consequences.
Revelation Context
Surah At-Taghabun is a Medinan chapter that addresses the fundamental contrast between believers and disbelievers. This particular ayah concludes a thematic section about the Day of Judgment and serves as a stark warning within the broader message of the surah, which emphasizes mutual loss and gain on the Day of Resurrection.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The Fire has seventy thousand reins, and each rein is pulled by seventy thousand angels' (Sunan Ibn Majah). Additionally, 'Whoever dies while associating partners with Allah shall enter the Fire' (Sahih Bukhari), which relates to the consequence of kufr mentioned in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah serves as a sobering reminder that rejection of divine truth is not a trivial matter but carries eternal consequences, urging believers to reflect on their acceptance of Allah's guidance and to recognize the gravity of disbelief. For modern readers, it reinforces the importance of sincere engagement with faith and the urgency of not delaying repentance and turning toward Allah.