قِيلَ ٱدْخُلُوٓا۟ أَبْوَٰبَ جَهَنَّمَ خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا ۖ فَبِئْسَ مَثْوَى ٱلْمُتَكَبِّرِينَ 72
Translations
[To them] it will be said, "Enter the gates of Hell to abide eternally therein, and wretched is the residence of the arrogant."
Transliteration
Qila idkhulu abwaba jahannama khalidina fiha, fa-bi'sa mathwa al-mutakabbirin
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the entry of the arrogant into Hellfire, where they will dwell eternally. Classical scholars like Al-Qurtubi and Ibn Kathir emphasize that the plural 'gates' (abwab) may indicate different levels of punishment or that they are driven into Hell from all directions, symbolizing the complete and inescapable nature of their punishment. The final phrase condemns arrogance (takabbur) as the root cause of their damnation, making Hell an evil and despicable dwelling place for those who rejected Allah's signs and exalted themselves.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Az-Zumar, a Meccan surah that extensively discusses the themes of Tawhid (monotheism), the Day of Judgment, and the consequences of arrogance and disbelief. The broader context (verses 71-72) depicts the scene on the Day of Judgment when the disbelievers and arrogant are cast into Hell, serving as a vivid warning to the Meccan idolaters who rejected the Prophet Muhammad's message.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'No one will enter Paradise who has an atom's weight of arrogance in his heart' (Sahih Muslim 91). Additionally, the Prophet emphasized: 'Arrogance is rejecting the truth and despising people' (Sahih Muslim 91), directly connecting takabbur to disbelief and rejection.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah serves as a powerful reminder that arrogance toward Allah and His message leads to the worst possible outcome—eternal punishment in Hell. Believers should cultivate humility before Allah, reject arrogance, and accept His signs with open hearts, recognizing that true honor lies in submission to the Divine, not in worldly pride or self-exaltation.
Related Ayahs
فَإِنْ أَعْرَضُوا۟ فَقُلْ أَنذَرْتُكُمْ صَـٰعِقَةً مِّثْلَ صَـٰعِقَةِ عَادٍ وَثَمُودَ
But if they turn away, then say, "I have warned you of a thunderbolt like the thunderbolt [that struck] ʿAad and Thamūd.
وَإِذْ قَتَلْتُمْ نَفْسًا فَٱدَّٰرَْٰٔتُمْ فِيهَا ۖ وَٱللَّهُ مُخْرِجٌ مَّا كُنتُمْ تَكْتُمُونَ
And [recall] when you slew a man and disputed over it, but Allāh was to bring out that which you were concealing.
وَٱمْتَـٰزُوا۟ ٱلْيَوْمَ أَيُّهَا ٱلْمُجْرِمُونَ
[Then He will say], "But stand apart today, you criminals.
مَّنِ ٱهْتَدَىٰ فَإِنَّمَا يَهْتَدِى لِنَفْسِهِۦ ۖ وَمَن ضَلَّ فَإِنَّمَا يَضِلُّ عَلَيْهَا ۚ وَلَا تَزِرُ وَازِرَةٌ وِزْرَ أُخْرَىٰ ۗ وَمَا كُنَّا مُعَذِّبِينَ حَتَّىٰ نَبْعَثَ رَسُولًا
Whoever is guided is only guided for [the benefit of] his soul. And whoever errs only errs against it. And no bearer of burdens will bear the burden of another. And never would We punish until We sent a messenger.