هَـٰذَا ۚ وَإِنَّ لِلطَّـٰغِينَ لَشَرَّ مَـَٔابٍ 55
Translations
This [is so]. But indeed, for the transgressors is an evil place of return -
Transliteration
Haadhaa wa-inna lil-ttaghheena lasharru ma-aabin
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah concludes the description of Paradise for the righteous by affirming that while the believers have the best of abodes, the transgressors and rebels against Allah have the worst of returns and final destinations. Ibn Kathir notes that 'ma-aab' (place of return) refers to the final abode in the Hereafter, emphasizing the stark contrast between the eternal rewards of the obedient and the eternal punishment of those who rejected Allah's guidance.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the latter portion of Surah Sad, which is a Meccan surah dealing with themes of belief, disbelief, and the final judgment. The surah contrasts the states of the righteous and the wicked, and this particular ayah serves as a concluding statement emphasizing the justice of Allah's division between the two groups on the Day of Judgment.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The best of you are those who have the best character,' (Tirmidhi) - relating to who attains the best abode. Additionally, Surah At-Taubah 9:72 contains a similar theme: 'Allah has promised the believing men and believing women gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they abide eternally.'
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that Allah's justice ensures that the righteous will be rewarded with the best of dwellings while those who transgress and reject guidance will face the worst outcome, encouraging adherence to Islamic principles and discouraging rebellion against Allah's commands.
Related Ayahs
إِذْ يَتَلَقَّى ٱلْمُتَلَقِّيَانِ عَنِ ٱلْيَمِينِ وَعَنِ ٱلشِّمَالِ قَعِيدٌ
When the two receivers [i.e., recording angels] receive, seated on the right and on the left.
مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ ۖ قَالُوا۟ ضَلُّوا۟ عَنَّا بَل لَّمْ نَكُن نَّدْعُوا۟ مِن قَبْلُ شَيْـًٔا ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ يُضِلُّ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ
Other than Allāh?" They will say, "They have departed from us; rather, we did not used to invoke previously anything." Thus does Allāh put astray the disbelievers.
وَٱمْتَـٰزُوا۟ ٱلْيَوْمَ أَيُّهَا ٱلْمُجْرِمُونَ
[Then He will say], "But stand apart today, you criminals.
وَلِكُلٍّ دَرَجَـٰتٌ مِّمَّا عَمِلُوا۟ ۖ وَلِيُوَفِّيَهُمْ أَعْمَـٰلَهُمْ وَهُمْ لَا يُظْلَمُونَ
And for all there are degrees [of reward and punishment] for what they have done, and [it is] so that He may fully compensate them for their deeds, and they will not be wronged.