Surah An-Nahl (16) — Ayah 85

(Ayah 85) ➊ {وَ اِذَا رَاَ الَّذِيْنَ ظَلَمُوا الْعَذَابَ …:} "Those who did wrong" refers to the polytheists, because the monotheists will come out of punishment either after receiving the recompense for their sins, or through intercession, or merely by Allah’s mercy. He said: «{ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ لَا يَغْفِرُ اَنْ يُّشْرَكَ بِهٖ وَ يَغْفِرُ مَا دُوْنَ ذٰلِكَ لِمَنْ يَّشَآءُ }» [ النساء : ۱۱۶ ] "Indeed, Allah does not forgive associating partners with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills." As for these wrongdoers, after they have seen the punishment, neither will there be any reduction in it, nor will they be given a moment’s respite; rather, they will be subjected to the punishment immediately. By {’’ الْعَذَابَ ‘‘}, a specific punishment is meant for every group among the disbelievers.

➋ From this verse, it is understood that there will be no reduction in the punishment of the disbelievers, whereas Abu Sa‘id al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) says that he heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), when mention of his uncle came to him, he said: [ لَعَلَّهُ تَنْفَعُهُ شَفَاعَتِيْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ فَيُجْعَلُ فِيْ ضَحْضَاحٍ مِنَ النَّارِ يَبْلُغُ كَعْبَيْهِ يَغْلِيْ مِنْهُ دِمَاغُهُ ] [ بخاری، مناقب الأنصار، باب قصۃ أبي طالب : ۳۸۸۵۔ مسلم : ۲۱۰ ] "It is hoped that my intercession will reach him on the Day of Resurrection, so he will be placed in the shallowest part of the Fire, which will reach his ankles, and from it his brain will boil." In Sahih al-Bukhari as well, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: [ وَلَوْلَا أَنَا لَكَانَ فِي الدَّرْكِ الْأَسْفَلِ مِنَ النَّارِ ] "If it were not for me, he would be in the lowest depth of the Fire." [ بخاری، مناقب الأنصار، باب قصۃ أبي طالب : ۳۸۸۳ ] The reconciliation between these two is that no intercession will be accepted for the disbelievers to be taken out of the Fire, just as the intercession of Ibrahim (peace be upon him) for his father will not be accepted, and in Surah al-Shu‘ara (100) and Surah al-Muddaththir (48), it is mentioned regarding the disbelievers that there will be no intercession. However, from this hadith in Sahih al-Bukhari, it apparently proves that intercession will result in a reduction of punishment for the disbelievers.

It should be clear that just as Paradise has levels, Hell also has depths. The highest level of Paradise is Firdaus, and the most severe part of Hell is the lowest depth. After it is decided which punishment is for which disbeliever, when they are sent towards Hell, for each of the seven gates of Hell, the gate and the punishment appointed for them, they will reach there; after seeing it, they will not receive any reduction or respite. Due to the goodwill, service, and intercession of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), the decision for Abu Talib will already have been made for the lightest punishment; after reaching there, he will not receive any further reduction or deliverance from Hell.

85. 1. The meaning of not being lightened is that there will be no interval in between; the punishment will be continuous without any break. And nor will they be given any respite, meaning, they will be immediately seized by the reins and chained, and thrown into Hell, or they will not be given a chance to repent, because the Hereafter is not a place for action, it is a place for recompense.

The tafsir of this ayah is included with the following verse(s).