وَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ لَهُمْ نَارُ جَهَنَّمَ لَا يُقْضَىٰ عَلَيْهِمْ فَيَمُوتُوا۟ وَلَا يُخَفَّفُ عَنْهُم مِّنْ عَذَابِهَا ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِى كُلَّ كَفُورٍ 36
Translations
And for those who disbelieve will be the fire of Hell. [Death] is not decreed for them so they may die, nor will its torment be lightened for them. Thus do We recompense every ungrateful one.
Transliteration
Wa alladhina kafaroo lahum naru jahannama la yuqda AAalayhim fayamutoo wa la yukhaffafu AAanhum min AAadhabiha; kadhalika najzee kulla kafoor.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the eternal punishment of the disbelievers in the Hellfire, emphasizing that they will neither be allowed to die to escape their torment nor will their punishment be reduced. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir explain that this perpetual suffering is the divine recompense for those who persistently rejected Allah's signs and refused to believe. Al-Qurtubi emphasizes that the word 'kafoor' (ungrateful/disbeliever) encompasses not only those who reject faith outright but also those who reject Allah's blessings and signs.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Fatir is a Meccan surah addressing the polytheists of Mecca who rejected the message of Prophet Muhammad. This ayah fits within the broader context of the surah's theme of reminding people of Allah's creative power and the ultimate accountability in the Hereafter. The warning about the hellfire serves as a deterrent to those who turn away from the truth.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said regarding the inhabitants of Hell: 'The people of the Fire will remain in the Fire as long as the heavens and earth endure, except as your Lord wills.' (Sahih Muslim 185). Additionally, the Quran mentions in 2:39 that those who disbelieve will have the severest punishment.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah serves as a powerful reminder of the gravity of rejecting Allah's message and the ultimate accountability that awaits all souls. For believers, it reinforces the importance of maintaining faith, gratitude, and obedience, while for those who have strayed, it presents an urgent call to repentance before the opportunity is lost.