Surah Al-Muzzammil 73:12
سُورَةُ المُزَّمِّلِ · Meccan · Verse 12 of 20
إِنَّ لَدَيْنَآ أَنكَالًۭا وَجَحِيمًۭا
Translation
We have fetters, a blazing fire,
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Wording
This verse opens with a powerful declaration, a stern warning from Allah to those who deny His message and live in heedlessness. It follows a command to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to leave the deniers to Allah, implying that Allah Himself will deal with them. The words of this verse are carefully chosen to convey certainty and terror.
The Certainty of "Indeed"
The verse begins with the emphatic particle إِنَّ (inna), which translates to "Indeed" or "Verily." This single word immediately establishes an undeniable truth. It's not a suggestion or a possibility, but a firm and solemn declaration from Allah, leaving no room for doubt about what follows. As Ibn Ashur explains, this serves as a reason for the preceding command, indicating that Allah has prepared something far more severe for the deniers than any human response.
"With Us": Divine Power and Possession
The phrase لَدَيْنَآ (ladaina) means "with Us" or "in Our possession." This detail is profoundly significant. It tells us that these punishments are not merely decreed but are actively held and prepared by Allah Himself. Ibn Ashur notes that this can be understood in two ways: either literally, meaning these are stored in Allah's vast treasuries, or metaphorically, indicating Allah's absolute power and immediate ability to bring them into existence whenever He wills. In either case, it underscores Allah's complete control and readiness. It conveys that the fate of the deniers is firmly within Allah's grasp, a warning of unparalleled authority.
Shackles and a Raging Fire
The verse then specifies two forms of punishment: أَنكَالًۭا (ankalan) and جَحِيمًۭا (jahīman).
أَنكَالًۭا refers to "heavy chains" or "shackles," as explained by scholars like al-Zamakhshari and al-Razi. Ibn Ashur points out the profound contrast here: these heavy restraints await those who, in their worldly lives, enjoyed freedom, health, and power, yet used these blessings to deny Allah. Their worldly freedom will be exchanged for binding chains. The plural form implies a multitude or severity of such chains. Al-Razi offers an additional reflection, suggesting that these "ankal" can also represent the spiritual bondage of the soul to its worldly desires, which become chains after death, preventing it from reaching spiritual purity.
Following this, جَحِيمًۭا refers to "a raging fire" or "Hellfire." This is not just any fire, but one described by al-Zamakhshari as "intensely hot and fiercely ignited." Again, Ibn Ashur highlights the contrast: these deniers, who enjoyed the comforts of shade and coolness in this life, will face a blaze of unimaginable intensity. The indefinite form (without "al-") for both "ankalan" and "jahīman" is used for magnification and to instill awe and dread, indicating that these are punishments of immense and terrifying proportions.
Sources: al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb), Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir), al-Jalalayn, al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi)
Worldly Mirror
This verse, Surah 73:12, delivers a stark and weighty warning from Allah, declaring, "إِنَّ لَدَيْنَآ أَنكَالًۭا وَجَحِيمًۭا" (Indeed, with Us are heavy shackles and a fiercely burning Fire). It's part of a powerful sequence where Allah addresses Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), instructing him to leave the matter of those who deny the truth and are engrossed in worldly comforts to Him. This particular ayah explicitly describes two forms of grave punishment awaiting them in the afterlife.
Who is warned?
The context reveals that this verse is a direct threat to the "مكذبين أولِي النعمة" (the deniers, those who possess great comforts and worldly blessings), as scholars like Sayyid Qutb and Israr Ahmad explain. These were, at the time of revelation, the chieftain figures of Makkah who were arrogant in their wealth and power, rejecting the divine message. Al-Munir clarifies that Allah, who bestowed these blessings, will make them taste the consequences of their rebellion.
The Inner Mirror
For us, this verse acts as a profound inner mirror. It prompts us to examine our own hearts and our relationship with worldly blessings. If we are granted wealth, health, or influence, do we become grateful and humble, or do we, like the deniers described, grow arrogant and heedless of Allah's commands? The mention of "heavy shackles" (أَنكَالًۭا) and "fiercely burning Fire" (وَجَحِيمًۭا) serves as a potent reminder that worldly success is fleeting, and true security lies in recognizing and obeying our Creator. It invites a deep sense of humility, gratitude for guidance, and a profound fear of misusing Allah's provisions in ways that lead to denial and ultimately, such a severe end.
Societal Reflection
On a broader, societal level, this ayah highlights a recurring pattern in human history. Societies or groups that become powerful and prosperous, yet deny truth, oppress others, or reject divine guidance, are ultimately headed for a reckoning. Dr. Israr Ahmad emphasizes that Allah Himself bestowed these deniers with their wealth and children, and He will deal with their rebellion. The verse offers a profound spiritual diagnosis for human societies: the greatest danger to a community is not necessarily external foes, but internal arrogance and denial stemming from unbridled worldly comforts, leading them away from justice and truth. It reminds us that there is a divine system of accountability, and those who are complacent in their worldly 'نعمة' (blessings) while denying truth will face severe consequences.
The verse is a solemn call for reflection, urging us to choose humility and submission over arrogance and denial, to align our lives with truth, and to acknowledge that ultimate power and judgment belong to Allah.
Sources: Israr Ahmad (Bayan ul Quran), Sayyid Qutb (Fi Zilal al-Quran), Tazkirul Quran, Ibn al-Jawzi (Zad al-Masir), al-Munir (Wahba al-Zuhayli)
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah Al-Muzzammil 73:12 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
Open Surah Al-Muzzammil 73:12 in Maani to reflect on it through the Five Lenses: its wording, its context, what it means for you, its connections across the Quran and its lessons, grounded in classical tafsir.