أَفَمَنْ حَقَّ عَلَيْهِ كَلِمَةُ ٱلْعَذَابِ أَفَأَنتَ تُنقِذُ مَن فِى ٱلنَّارِ 19
Translations
Then, is one who has deserved the decree of punishment [to be guided]? Then, can you save one who is in the Fire?
Transliteration
Afaman haqqa alayhi kalimatu al-adhabi afaanta tunqidhu man fi al-nar
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah poses a rhetorical question challenging the Prophet (peace be upon him) regarding those upon whom the word of punishment has been decreed—can he rescue them from the Fire? According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this addresses the reality that Allah's decree of punishment upon certain individuals is absolute, and no one, not even the Prophet, has the power to alter Allah's judgment or save the condemned from Hell. The ayah emphasizes divine justice and the futility of human intervention against Allah's predetermined decree for those who have earned His punishment through their rejection and disbelief.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the Meccan period of Surah Az-Zumar, which addresses the themes of tawhid (monotheism), the Day of Judgment, and divine decree. The broader context discusses the different categories of people—believers, disbelievers, and those in between—and their ultimate destinations. This particular verse responds to those who might mistakenly believe the Prophet has power to save anyone from punishment regardless of their deeds and faith.
Related Hadiths
Related to the theme of divine decree: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, 'Everyone will be facilitated toward that for which he was created' (Sahih Bukhari 6594). Also relevant: 'The most cautious of my ummah regarding what Allah has forbidden is the most knowledgeable about what Allah has permitted' (Tirmidhi), illustrating how knowledge of divine law leads to understanding of Allah's justice.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches Muslims that while the Prophet is honored as an intercessor, ultimate salvation depends on one's own faith, repentance, and righteous deeds—no external person can save another from the consequences of rejecting Allah's guidance. It should inspire believers to take responsibility for their spiritual state and not rely on false hopes of intercession without personal effort toward obedience and faith.
Related Ayahs
وَسِيقَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓا۟ إِلَىٰ جَهَنَّمَ زُمَرًا ۖ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا جَآءُوهَا فُتِحَتْ أَبْوَٰبُهَا وَقَالَ لَهُمْ خَزَنَتُهَآ أَلَمْ يَأْتِكُمْ رُسُلٌ مِّنكُمْ يَتْلُونَ عَلَيْكُمْ ءَايَـٰتِ رَبِّكُمْ وَيُنذِرُونَكُمْ لِقَآءَ يَوْمِكُمْ هَـٰذَا ۚ قَالُوا۟ بَلَىٰ وَلَـٰكِنْ حَقَّتْ كَلِمَةُ ٱلْعَذَابِ عَلَى ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ
And those who disbelieved will be driven to Hell in groups until, when they reach it, its gates are opened and its keepers will say, "Did there not come to you messengers from yourselves, reciting to you the verses of your Lord and warning you of the meeting of this Day of yours?" They will say, "Yes, but the word [i.e., decree] of punishment has come into effect upon the disbelievers."
قُلْ يَـٰقَوْمِ ٱعْمَلُوا۟ عَلَىٰ مَكَانَتِكُمْ إِنِّى عَـٰمِلٌ ۖ فَسَوْفَ تَعْلَمُونَ
Say, "O my people, work according to your position, [for] indeed, I am working; and you are going to know
وَبَدَا لَهُمْ سَيِّـَٔاتُ مَا كَسَبُوا۟ وَحَاقَ بِهِم مَّا كَانُوا۟ بِهِۦ يَسْتَهْزِءُونَ
And there will appear to them the evils they had earned, and they will be enveloped by what they used to ridicule.
وَسِيقَ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّقَوْا۟ رَبَّهُمْ إِلَى ٱلْجَنَّةِ زُمَرًا ۖ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا جَآءُوهَا وَفُتِحَتْ أَبْوَٰبُهَا وَقَالَ لَهُمْ خَزَنَتُهَا سَلَـٰمٌ عَلَيْكُمْ طِبْتُمْ فَٱدْخُلُوهَا خَـٰلِدِينَ
But those who feared their Lord will be driven to Paradise in groups until, when they reach it while its gates have been opened and its keepers say, "Peace be upon you; you have become pure; so enter it to abide eternally therein," [they will enter].