Surah Ghafir 40:47
سُورَةُ غَافِرٍ · Meccan · Verse 47 of 85
وَإِذْ يَتَحَآجُّونَ فِى ٱلنَّارِ فَيَقُولُ ٱلضُّعَفَٰٓؤُا۟ لِلَّذِينَ ٱسْتَكْبَرُوٓا۟ إِنَّا كُنَّا لَكُمْ تَبَعًۭا فَهَلْ أَنتُم مُّغْنُونَ عَنَّا نَصِيبًۭا مِّنَ ٱلنَّارِ
Translation
In the Fire they will quarrel with one another: the weak will say to the haughty, ‘We were your followers, so can you now relieve us from some share of the Fire?’
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Wording
This verse opens a profound and chilling scene, inviting us to remember (إِذْ, *idh*) a moment of intense confrontation in the Fire. Allah, in His perfect wisdom, vividly describes a bitter dispute among the inhabitants of Hell, where the former followers confront their erstwhile leaders.
The Bitter Argument
The word يَتَحَآجُّونَ (*yatahājjūna*) describes this interaction. It signifies a mutual argumentation, where each party tries to present its case and challenge the other. Ibn Ashur explains that it implies a deep disagreement, with each side attempting to establish its "hujjah" (argument or proof). The immediate situation is one of blame and accusation, born from the anguish of eternal punishment. The Arabic letter ف (fa), meaning "so" or "then," preceding فَيَقُولُ (*fayaqūlu*, so they will say) highlights that this desperate plea is a direct *consequence* of their heated argument.
The Plea of the Weak
In this terrible exchange, the الضُّعَفَاءُ (*aḍ-ḍu‘afā’u*), meaning "the weak ones" or the common people, speak to الَّذِينَ اسْتَكْبَرُوا (*alladhīna astakbarū*), "those who were arrogant" – their former leaders. The word اسْتَكْبَرُوا (astakbarū), intensified by the letters sīn and tā, means they were *exceedingly* arrogant, emphasizing their great pride and refusal to follow truth in this life, as Ibn Ashur notes.
The weak ones begin their accusation with إِنَّا كُنَّا لَكُمْ تَبَعًا (*innā kunnā lakum taba‘an*), "Indeed, we were followers of yours." The particle إِنَّ (inna, indeed) emphasizes the absolute nature of their former subservience. The term تَبَعًا (taba‘an) is interesting; al-Zamakhshari and Ibn Ashur explain it can mean followers collectively, like "servants" (خَدَم) for "a servant." It highlights their complete reliance and obedience to their leaders in the worldly life.
The Desperate Question
They then pose a rhetorical question, filled with reproach: فَهَلْ أَنتُم مُّغْنُونَ عَنَّا نَصِيبًا مِّنَ النَّارِ (*fahal antum mughnūna ‘annā naṣīban min an-nāri*), "So, can you ward off from us a portion of the Fire?" Ibn Ashur points out that this question, phrased as a nominal sentence ("you are ones who ward off"), implies a desperate questioning of their leaders' *ability* or *nature* to help. The word مُغْنُونَ (mughnūna) means "those who ward off" or "those who can benefit." The followers are not asking for complete salvation, but merely for "نَصِيبًا مِّنَ النَّارِ" (a portion of the Fire) to be removed from them. This poignant wording signifies their profound despair; they are no longer hoping for escape, but only for the slightest alleviation of suffering. As al-Razi observes, they know their leaders are powerless, but the purpose of their question is to shame and pain them further.
This precise choice of words reveals the futility of worldly allegiances and the bitter end of those who follow arrogance rather than divine guidance.
Source: al-Zamakhshari, al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi), Ibn Ashur, al-Jalalayn, al-Razi
Sources: al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi), Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir), al-Jalalayn, al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb)
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah Ghafir 40:47 is discussed in 6 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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