Surah Az-Zumar 39:71
سُورَةُ الزُّمَرِ · Meccan · Verse 71 of 75
وَسِيقَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓا۟ إِلَىٰ جَهَنَّمَ زُمَرًا ۖ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا جَآءُوهَا فُتِحَتْ أَبْوَٰبُهَا وَقَالَ لَهُمْ خَزَنَتُهَآ أَلَمْ يَأْتِكُمْ رُسُلٌۭ مِّنكُمْ يَتْلُونَ عَلَيْكُمْ ءَايَٰتِ رَبِّكُمْ وَيُنذِرُونَكُمْ لِقَآءَ يَوْمِكُمْ هَٰذَا ۚ قَالُوا۟ بَلَىٰ وَلَٰكِنْ حَقَّتْ كَلِمَةُ ٱلْعَذَابِ عَلَى ٱلْكَٰفِرِينَ
Translation
Those who rejected the Truth will be led to Hell in their throngs. When they arrive, its gates will open and its keepers will say to them, ‘Were you not sent your own messengers to recite the revelations of your Lord to you and warn you that you would meet this Day?’ and they will say, ‘Yes indeed we were.’ But the sentence of punishment will have been passed against those who rejected the truth.
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Wording
This powerful verse paints a stark picture of the fate of those who disbelieved, inviting us to ponder the precise language Allah uses to convey this weighty message.
The Forced Journey
The verse begins, "وسِيقَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا إِلَىٰ جَهَنَّمَ زُمَرًا" (And those who disbelieved were driven to Hell in groups). The word "وسِيقَ" (were driven) is crucial. As al-Razi and Ibn Ashur note, it signifies a harsh, forceful, and undignified movement, unlike being led gently. This is not a willing journey but a compelled one, full of humiliation. They are gathered "زُمَرًا," meaning in separate, successive groups or throngs, as al-Zamakhshari explains. Ibn Ashur adds that this grouping might reflect the varied degrees and types of their disbelief, suggesting different levels of accountability and punishment.
The Gates and the Question
"حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا جَآءُوهَا فُتِحَتْ أَبْوَٰبُهَا" (until, when they reached it, its gates were opened). The use of the particle 'fa' (ف) in "فُتِحَتْ" (were opened) emphasizes immediacy, according to Ibn Ashur. The gates spring open suddenly upon their arrival, adding to the terror and shock. The common recitation "فُتِّحَتْ" (with a doubled 'ta') suggests a dramatic, exaggerated opening, further intensifying the scene.
Then, the guardians of Hell, "خَزَنَتُهَا" (its keepers), confront them with a searing question: "أَلَمْ يَأْتِكُمْ رُسُلٌ مِّنكُمْ يَتْلُونَ عَلَيْكُمْ ءَايَٰتِ رَبِّكُمْ وَيُنذِرُونَكُمْ لِقَآءَ يَوْمِكُمْ هَٰذَا" (Did not messengers come to you from among yourselves, reciting to you the verses of your Lord and warning you of the meeting of this day of yours?). The phrase "مِّنكُمْ" (from among yourselves) carries a potent rebuke, as Ibn Ashur points out. It reminds them that the messengers were not aliens but shared their human nature, nullifying any excuse of unfamiliarity or inability to relate. The angels specifically warn them about "يَوْمِكُمْ هَٰذَا" (this day *of yours*), which al-Razi and al-Zamakhshari clarify refers to the very moment of their arrival and entry into Hell, making the warning deeply personal and immediate.
Their Admission
The disbelievers reply, "قَالُوا۟ بَلَىٰ وَلَٰكِنْ حَقَّتْ كَلِمَةُ ٱلْعَذَابِ عَلَى ٱلْكَافِرِينَ" (They said, "Yes, but the word of punishment has been justified against the disbelievers"). Their "بَلَىٰ" (yes) is a direct admission that the messengers did come, acknowledging the truth they had rejected. The profound unsaid part, as highlighted by Ibn Ashur, is their implicit confession: "But we were arrogant and obstinate." They recognize that their own actions, their disbelief and rejection, caused Allah's decree of punishment to "حَقَّتْ" (be justified or become true) against them. This choice of words reveals the ultimate realization of their personal responsibility for their plight, leaving no room for further argument.
Sources: al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb), al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir), al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi), al-Jalalayn
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah Az-Zumar 39:71 is discussed in 5 study guides on Maani. Each guide gathers the key verses, Arabic words and lessons of one Quranic topic.
Reflect on this verse
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