وَعَدَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْمُنَـٰفِقِينَ وَٱلْمُنَـٰفِقَـٰتِ وَٱلْكُفَّارَ نَارَ جَهَنَّمَ خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا ۚ هِىَ حَسْبُهُمْ ۚ وَلَعَنَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ ۖ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ مُّقِيمٌ 68
Translations
Allāh has promised the hypocrite men and hypocrite women and the disbelievers the fire of Hell, wherein they will abide eternally. It is sufficient for them. And Allāh has cursed them, and for them is an enduring punishment.
Transliteration
Wa'ada Allahu al-munafiqina wa-al-munafiqati wa-al-kuffara nara jahannama khalidina fiha. Hiya hasbuhum. Wa la'anahum Allah. Wa lahum adhab muqim.
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah has promised the hypocrites (both men and women) and the disbelievers the Fire of Hell, wherein they shall dwell eternally. Hell-fire is sufficient for them as punishment, and Allah has cursed them with a permanent and lasting torment. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that this ayah specifically addresses the severity of hypocrisy—a state worse than open disbelief in some respects—combined with outright disbelief, and the certainty of their punishment without any hope of redemption.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah At-Tawbah (Chapter 9), a Medinan surah revealed in the latter part of the Prophet's life, primarily addressing the issue of hypocrites (munafiqun) in Medina who pretended faith while harboring disbelief. The surah extensively criticizes the hypocrites who refused to participate in the Battle of Tabuk and made excuses. This specific ayah reinforces the divine promise of punishment for those who combine hypocrisy with disbelief.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, 'The hypocrite is like a sheep between two flocks—he follows whichever way they go' (Sahih Bukhari). Additionally, the Prophet stated that the greatest sin after shirk is hypocrisy (munafiqah), as it corrupts the foundation of faith itself.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers of the gravity of hypocrisy—claiming faith outwardly while harboring disbelief inwardly—and serves as a stern warning to examine one's sincerity in faith. For modern readers, it emphasizes that genuine belief requires internal conviction and consistency between belief and action, not merely external conformity.