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
يَـٰبُنَىَّ إِنَّهَآ إِن تَكُ مِثْقَالَ حَبَّةٍ مِّنْ خَرْدَلٍ فَتَكُن فِى صَخْرَةٍ أَوْ فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ أَوْ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ يَأْتِ بِهَا ٱللَّهُ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَطِيفٌ خَبِيرٌ
[And Luqmān said], "O my son, indeed if it [i.e., a wrong] should be the weight of a mustard seed and should be within a rock or [anywhere] in the heavens or in the earth, Allāh will bring it forth. Indeed, Allāh is Subtle and Aware.
لَا يُسْـَٔلُ عَمَّا يَفْعَلُ وَهُمْ يُسْـَٔلُونَ
He is not questioned about what He does, but they will be questioned.
يَوْمَ لَا يُغْنِى مَوْلًى عَن مَّوْلًى شَيْـًٔا وَلَا هُمْ يُنصَرُونَ
The Day when no relation will avail a relation at all, nor will they be helped -
وَلَوْ تَرَىٰٓ إِذْ وُقِفُوا۟ عَلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ ۚ قَالَ أَلَيْسَ هَـٰذَا بِٱلْحَقِّ ۚ قَالُوا۟ بَلَىٰ وَرَبِّنَا ۚ قَالَ فَذُوقُوا۟ ٱلْعَذَابَ بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَكْفُرُونَ
If you could but see when they will be made to stand before their Lord. He will say, "Is this not the truth?" They will say, "Yes, by our Lord." He will [then] say, "So taste the punishment for what you used to deny."