جَحِيم

5:20; 6:49; 17:106; 33:46.

Commentary:

As to the disbelievers’ demand for a Sign of punishment, the Quran says that punishment is bound to visit those who refuse to believe in the Holy Prophet, because, like all other Prophets, he was the bearer of glad tidings for believers, and a warner for his opponents. Every student of history knows how clearly this prophecy was fulfilled. The world witnessed the ruin of the Holy Prophet’s adversaries in a manner which has no parallel in history, although worldly conditions and circumstances were all in favour of the disbelievers and against the Holy Prophet.

The last-mentioned words of the verse, i.e. thou wilt not be questioned about the inmates of Hell, are a sort of consolation for the Holy Prophet who, owing to his great solicitude for the people who disbelieved in him, was ever anxious about their fate. Elsewhere the Quran says, It may be thou wilt grieve thyself to death, because they believe not (26:4).

5:87; 6:50; 7:37, 41; 22:58.

5:87; 6:50; 7:37; 22:58.

Commentary:

When a true believer is he who possesses the qualities mentioned in the preceding verse, he can never hesitate to sever his connection with disbelievers, if and when called upon to do so. It is in two ways that it can become "plain" that an idolater or a disbeliever is an inmate of Hell: firstly, if and when God informs His Prophet through some revelation that a certain idolater will not believe and will die as a disbeliever; secondly, when an idolater actually dies without repenting of idolatry. In either case, it is not permissible to pray for such idolaters. In ordinary circumstances, however, it is not disallowed to pray for disbelievers. The Holy Prophet is reported to have once said, "There lived a Prophet who, even though he was severely wounded by his people, went on praying to God, saying, 'My Lord, forgive my people, for they know not what they are doing.'" It was really to himself that the Holy Prophet referred in this saying. He was referring to the treatment he received at the hands of the people of Ta’if, and to the prayer that he, while bleeding and wounded, offered for them.

34:6, 39.

Commentary:

It is writ large on the pages of the history of all religions that in spite of all the ups and downs through which truth has to pass, it triumphs in the long run. The enemies of truth have never been able to impede its onward march. They cannot frustrate the Divine plan that truth must prevail.

Important Words:

برزت (shall be opened) is derived from برز (baraza) which means, he issued forth; he or it appeared or became apparent after concealment or obscurity; it was or became prominent or projecting. برزہ (barraza-hu) means, he made it apparent, manifest or evident (Lane & Aqrab).

غاوین (those who have gone astray) is the plural of غاوی which is active participle from غوی which means, he erred, he deviated from the right way or course; he failed in attaining his desire, he perished; he was disappointed (Lane & Aqrab). See also 7:17.

Important Words:

جحیم (Fire) is derived from جحم. They say جحمت النار i.e. the fire burned; burned brightly or fiercely. جحم العین means, he opened the eyes. جحیم therefore means, a fire burning or blazing or flaming vehemently; a vehemently hot place; any great fire in a pit (Lane & Aqrab).

Commentary:

The implication of the verse seems to be that eating of the tree of disbelief leads men to the bottom of Hell.