سُوْرَةُ النَّحْلِ

Surah An-Nahl (16) — Ayah 88

The Bee · Meccan · Juz 14 · Page 277

ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَصَدُّوا۟ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ زِدْنَـٰهُمْ عَذَابًا فَوْقَ ٱلْعَذَابِ بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يُفْسِدُونَ ﴿88﴾
Those who disbelieved and hinder (men) from the Path of Allâh, for them We will add torment to the torment because they used to spread corruption [by disobeying Allâh themselves, as well as ordering others (mankind) to do so].
ٱلَّذِينَ alladhīna And those who
كَفَرُوا۟ kafarū disbelieved
وَصَدُّوا۟ waṣaddū and hindered
عَن ʿan from
سَبِيلِ sabīli (the) way
ٱللَّهِ l-lahi (of) Allah
زِدْنَـٰهُمْ zid'nāhum We will increase them
عَذَابًۭا ʿadhāban (in) punishment
فَوْقَ fawqa over
ٱلْعَذَابِ l-ʿadhābi punishment
بِمَا bimā because
كَانُوا۟ kānū they used (to)
يُفْسِدُونَ yuf'sidūna spread corruption

Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim is a 4-volume Quran commentary by Hafiz Abdus Salam bin Muhammad Bhutvi, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar and Sheikh ul-Hadith from Pakistan. Based on over 45 years of teaching and research, this tafsir follows the methodology of Tafsir bil-Ma'thur — interpreting the Quran through authentic Hadith, statements of the Companions, and the understanding of the early generations (Salaf). It is distinguished by its complete avoidance of Israeliyyat (Judeo-Christian narratives) and unverified reports. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

(Ayah88) ➊ { اَلَّذِيْنَ كَفَرُوْا وَ صَدُّوْا …:} We will keep increasing punishment upon punishment for these people, because they will be double criminals. One punishment will be due to their disbelief, and another for preventing others from the path of Allah, that is, Islam. The punishment given to those whom they misled will be added to their own punishment, and in fact, as a result of the efforts of those they misled until the Day of Judgment, whenever someone is led astray, the punishment given to that person will also be added to the punishment of all those who were the cause of his misguidance. This verse is also evidence that there will be many levels of punishment in Hell for its inhabitants.
{بِمَا كَانُوْا يُفْسِدُوْنَ :} Because of the corruption they spread and because they dragged many others down with them, just as the son of Adam (peace be upon him) who initiated the custom of unjust killing. For further clarification, see Surah Al-Ma'idah (32), Surah Al-A'raf (38), and Surah Al-Ankabut (12, 13).

Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan is a well-known Quran commentary by Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. This tafsir explains the meanings of the Quran in accordance with the methodology of the Salaf (early righteous generations), relying on authentic sources and straightforward language. Due to its reliability and adherence to sound Islamic scholarship, the Saudi government publishes and distributes this tafsir among the Hujjaj (pilgrims) visiting the Haramain. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

88. 1. Just as the ranks of the believers in Paradise will be different, likewise, the punishment of the disbelievers in Hell will also vary; those who, along with being misguided themselves, became the cause of others' misguidance, their punishment will be more severe compared to others.

Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

88. (These are) those who disbelieved and hindered others from the path of Allah. We will add punishment upon punishment [89] for them, because they used to spread corruption.

[89] Because they are doubly and triply guilty. Firstly, they themselves denied the signs of Allah and continued to oppose Him. Secondly, through various excuses and pretexts, they became obstacles for others in accepting the truth. They continued to oppress and persecute the believers.