وَكَذَٰلِكَ حَقَّتْ كَلِمَتُ رَبِّكَ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓا۟ أَنَّهُمْ أَصْحَـٰبُ ٱلنَّارِ 6
Translations
And thus has the word [i.e., decree] of your Lord come into effect upon those who disbelieved that they are companions of the Fire.
Transliteration
Wa-kadhalika haqat kalimu rabbika alallathina kafaroo annahum ashhabu an-nar
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms that Allah's decree (word) has been justly executed upon those who disbelieve, that they are destined for the Fire. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir explain that this is a divine law (Sunnah of Allah) that has been established—those who reject faith inevitably face punishment. Al-Qurtubi emphasizes that 'haqat' (has been justified/confirmed) indicates the certainty and inevitability of this divine verdict.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Ghafir, which discusses the contrast between believers and disbelievers. The surah emphasizes themes of divine mercy for the believing servants and inevitable punishment for those who reject Allah's signs. This particular ayah reinforces the certainty of divine justice and the consequences of kufr (disbelief).
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'The Fire will say to the believer: Pass by, and your light has extinguished your heat' (Sahih Bukhari 4579). Also related is the hadith in Sahih Muslim about the certainty of Paradise and Hell as ultimate destinations based on one's faith and deeds.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers of the absolute justice of Allah's verdicts and the inescapable consequences of rejecting divine guidance. It should inspire believers to strengthen their faith and warn against complacency, as the outcome of one's choices is sealed by Allah's perfect knowledge and justice.
Related Ayahs
تَدْعُونَنِى لِأَكْفُرَ بِٱللَّهِ وَأُشْرِكَ بِهِۦ مَا لَيْسَ لِى بِهِۦ عِلْمٌ وَأَنَا۠ أَدْعُوكُمْ إِلَى ٱلْعَزِيزِ ٱلْغَفَّـٰرِ
You invite me to disbelieve in Allāh and associate with Him that of which I have no knowledge, and I invite you to the Exalted in Might, the Perpetual Forgiver.
يَوْمَ لَا يَنفَعُ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ مَعْذِرَتُهُمْ ۖ وَلَهُمُ ٱللَّعْنَةُ وَلَهُمْ سُوٓءُ ٱلدَّارِ
The Day their excuse will not benefit the wrongdoers, and they will have the curse, and they will have the worst home [i.e., Hell].
فَلَمَّا جَآءَهُم بِٱلْحَقِّ مِنْ عِندِنَا قَالُوا۟ ٱقْتُلُوٓا۟ أَبْنَآءَ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ مَعَهُۥ وَٱسْتَحْيُوا۟ نِسَآءَهُمْ ۚ وَمَا كَيْدُ ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ إِلَّا فِى ضَلَـٰلٍ
And when he brought them the truth from Us, they said, "Kill the sons of those who have believed with him and keep their women alive." But the plan of the disbelievers is not except in error.
قَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱسْتَكْبَرُوٓا۟ إِنَّا كُلٌّ فِيهَآ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ قَدْ حَكَمَ بَيْنَ ٱلْعِبَادِ
Those who had been arrogant will say, "Indeed, all [of us] are in it. Indeed, Allāh has judged between the servants."