يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ قُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَكُمْ وَأَهْلِيكُمْ نَارًا وَقُودُهَا ٱلنَّاسُ وَٱلْحِجَارَةُ عَلَيْهَا مَلَـٰٓئِكَةٌ غِلَاظٌ شِدَادٌ لَّا يَعْصُونَ ٱللَّهَ مَآ أَمَرَهُمْ وَيَفْعَلُونَ مَا يُؤْمَرُونَ 6
Translations
O you who have believed, protect yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is people and stones, over which are [appointed] angels, harsh and severe; they do not disobey Allāh in what He commands them but do what they are commanded.
Transliteration
Ya ayyuha alladhina amanu quu anfusakum wa ahlikum naran waqoduha alnnasu wa alhjijarat alayha malaaikah ghilazun shidadun la yaAAsuun allaha ma amarahum wa yafAAluun ma yuammarun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah commands believers to protect themselves and their families from the Fire of Hell, which is fueled by people and stones, guarded by stern and mighty angels who never disobey Allah's commands. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that this protection is achieved through obedience to Allah's commands, teaching family members Islamic principles, and establishing righteous conduct in the home. The description of the angels as 'ghilaz shidad' (harsh and strong) underscores the severity of Hell's punishment and the power of those who execute Allah's will.
Revelation Context
Surah At-Tahrim (Chapter 66) is Medinan and addresses the Prophet's wives regarding their conduct, but this final ayah extends the message to all believers. The surah's context involves household management and obedience to Allah, and this ayah generalizes the principle of spiritual responsibility to all families, emphasizing that protection from Hell begins at home with proper Islamic guidance and conduct.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Each of you is a guardian and is responsible for his charges' (Sahih Bukhari). Additionally, 'The best of you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best among you to my family' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi) relates to the family's role in spiritual protection.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers are entrusted as guardians of their families' spiritual wellbeing and must actively teach and model Islamic values to protect their loved ones from Hell. This ayah transforms the concept of family from a social unit into a spiritual responsibility, reminding modern readers that true protection comes through fostering an environment of faith, righteousness, and obedience to Allah's commands.
Related Ayahs
قَدْ فَرَضَ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمْ تَحِلَّةَ أَيْمَـٰنِكُمْ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ مَوْلَىٰكُمْ ۖ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَلِيمُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ
Allāh has already ordained for you [Muslims] the dissolution of your oaths. And Allāh is your protector, and He is the Knowing, the Wise.
وَمَرْيَمَ ٱبْنَتَ عِمْرَٰنَ ٱلَّتِىٓ أَحْصَنَتْ فَرْجَهَا فَنَفَخْنَا فِيهِ مِن رُّوحِنَا وَصَدَّقَتْ بِكَلِمَـٰتِ رَبِّهَا وَكُتُبِهِۦ وَكَانَتْ مِنَ ٱلْقَـٰنِتِينَ
And [the example of] Mary, the daughter of ʿImrān, who guarded her chastity, so We blew into [her garment] through Our angel [i.e., Gabriel], and she believed in the words of her Lord and His scriptures and was of the devoutly obedient.
إِن تَتُوبَآ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ فَقَدْ صَغَتْ قُلُوبُكُمَا ۖ وَإِن تَظَـٰهَرَا عَلَيْهِ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ مَوْلَىٰهُ وَجِبْرِيلُ وَصَـٰلِحُ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ۖ وَٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ بَعْدَ ذَٰلِكَ ظَهِيرٌ
If you two [wives] repent to Allāh, [it is best], for your hearts have deviated. But if you cooperate against him - then indeed Allāh is his protector, and Gabriel and the righteous of the believers and the angels, moreover, are [his] assistants.
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّبِىُّ جَـٰهِدِ ٱلْكُفَّارَ وَٱلْمُنَـٰفِقِينَ وَٱغْلُظْ عَلَيْهِمْ ۚ وَمَأْوَىٰهُمْ جَهَنَّمُ ۖ وَبِئْسَ ٱلْمَصِيرُ
O Prophet, strive against the disbelievers and the hypocrites and be harsh upon them. And their refuge is Hell, and wretched is the destination.