Juz 29: Al-Mulk to Al-Mursalāt
Section 3 of 18 · Tafsir of the Qur’an · Mufti Abdul Rahman Mangera
3. Consequences for Deniers of Allah's Signs
The divine wisdom in Surah Al-Mulk extends beyond describing Allah's sovereignty to addressing the fate of those who reject His signs. This section provides a vivid portrayal of the consequences awaiting those who deny the truth, serving as a powerful warning for humanity.
In verses 7-8 of Surah Al-Mulk, Allah (swt) presents a graphic depiction of the punishment awaiting disbelievers:
إِذَا أُلْقُوا فِيهَا سَمِعُوا لَهَا شَهِيقًا وَهِيَ تَفُورُ تَكَادُ تَمَيَّزُ مِنَ الْغَيْظِ
“When they will be thrown in it, they will hear its roaring while it will be boiling, seeming as if it will burst out of fury.”
The imagery is deeply unsettling—Hellfire is portrayed almost as a sentient entity, roaring with rage as disbelievers are cast into it. The description conveys not merely physical torment but a sense that even the Fire itself is outraged by their rejection of Allah's truth. The expression "تَكَادُ تَمَيَّزُ مِنَ الْغَيْظِ" (seeming as if it will burst out of fury) personifies Hellfire as being so intensely angered by the disbelievers' actions that it nearly explodes from rage.
When these rejecters are thrown into the Fire, the guardians of Hell will question them about their choices:
كُلَّمَا أُلْقِيَ فِيهَا فَوْجٌ سَأَلَهُمْ خَزَنَتُهَا أَلَمْ يَأْتِكُمْ نَذِيرٌ
“Every time a group is thrown into it, its keepers will ask them, "Had no warner come to you?”
This interrogation adds psychological anguish to their physical suffering. The question "أَلَمْ يَأْتِكُمْ نَذِيرٌ" (Had no warner come to you?) emphasizes that their fate is the result of their own choices despite having received clear warnings. They will be forced to acknowledge that messengers came to them, but they chose to reject divine guidance:
قَالُوا بَلَىٰ قَدْ جَاءَنَا نَذِيرٌ فَكَذَّبْنَا وَقُلْنَا مَا نَزَّلَ اللَّهُ مِن شَيْءٍ
“They will say, "Yes, a warner had come to us, but we rejected and said, 'Allah has not revealed anything.'”
Moving to the latter part of the surah, verses 27-30 describe the emotional state of disbelievers when facing Allah's punishment:
فَلَمَّا رَأَوْهُ زُلْفَةً سِيئَتْ وُجُوهُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا
“Then, when they will see it approaching, the faces of the disbelievers will be turned awkward.”
The facial expression described here is one of utter dismay and horror. When confronted with the reality they denied, their expressions will betray their internal terror. They will be told, "This is what you used to call for," reminding them of their arrogant challenges to hasten Allah's punishment.
Allah (swt) then poses a series of rhetorical questions that highlight the disbelievers' utter dependence on Him despite their denial:
قُلْ أَرَأَيْتُمْ إِنْ أَهْلَكَنِيَ اللَّهُ وَمَن مَّعِيَ أَوْ رَحِمَنَا فَمَن يُجِيرُ الْكَافِرِينَ مِنْ عَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍ
“Say, "Have you ever considered that if Allah destroys me and those who are with me or has mercy on us, who will then save the disbelievers from a painful punishment?”
The surah concludes with a particularly powerful question about water—the most basic necessity for life:
قُلْ أَرَأَيْتُمْ إِنْ أَصْبَحَ مَاؤُكُمْ غَوْرًا فَمَن يَأْتِيكُم بِمَاءٍ مَّعِينٍ
“Say, "Have you ever considered that if your water were to vanish into the earth, who will bring you the flowing water?”
This final question demonstrates humanity's complete dependence on Allah (swt) even for the most fundamental resources. Despite all technological advancement, humans cannot create water—they remain utterly dependent on their Creator for survival.
These verses collectively serve to strengthen faith by encouraging reflection on the consequences of denial. Through discourse and profound questioning, Allah (swt) invites humanity to recognize their dependence on Him and the reality of accountability before it is too late.