خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهِ ۖ وَسَآءَ لَهُمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ حِمْلًا 101
Translations
[Abiding] eternally therein, and evil it is for them on the Day of Resurrection as a load -
Transliteration
Khalideen feehi wa saa'a lahum yawma al-qiyamati himlan
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes those who disbelieve and reject Allah's signs as being eternally punished in Hell, with their burden of sins becoming a grave and burdensome weight on the Day of Judgment. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir interpret this as emphasizing both the eternal nature of punishment for disbelievers and the overwhelming weight of their accumulated transgressions when they stand before Allah for accountability. The word 'himlan' (burden/weight) signifies not just physical heaviness but the spiritual and moral gravity of their rejection and wrongdoing.
Revelation Context
Surah Taha is a Meccan surah revealed during the early period of Islam when believers faced severe persecution. This ayah appears within a section describing the fate of those who turn away from Allah's message despite clear proofs, relating to the broader Meccan theme of warning disbelievers about the consequences of rejecting divine guidance and the certainty of the Day of Judgment.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'The heaviest thing placed on the scale on the Day of Judgment is good character' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi), which by contrast underscores the lightness or heaviness of deeds. Additionally, 'Whoever believes in Allah and does righteous deeds will have no fear' (20:112 nearby context) relates thematically to the fate of disbelievers mentioned in 20:101.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers of the serious consequences of turning away from Allah's guidance and the immense weight of unrepented sins on the Day of Judgment, serving as a powerful deterrent against disbelief while encouraging sincere faith and righteous deeds. It reinforces that our choices in this world have eternal consequences, motivating believers to seek forgiveness, embrace guidance, and live according to Islamic principles.