سُوْرَةُ الزُّمَرِ

Surah Az-Zumar (39) — Ayah 16

The Groups · Meccan · Juz 23 · Page 460

‹
›
لَهُم مِّن فَوْقِهِمْ ظُلَلٌ مِّنَ ٱلنَّارِ وَمِن تَحْتِهِمْ ظُلَلٌ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ يُخَوِّفُ ٱللَّهُ بِهِۦ عِبَادَهُۥ ۚ يَـٰعِبَادِ فَٱتَّقُونِ ﴿16﴾

Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali

They shall have coverings of Fire, above them and covering (of Fire) beneath them. With this Allâh does frighten His slaves: "O My slaves, therefore fear Me!"

Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning

لَهُم lahum For them
مِّن min from
فَوْقِهِمْ fawqihim above them
ظُلَلٌۭ ẓulalun coverings
مِّنَ mina of
ٱلنَّارِ l-nāri the Fire
وَمِن wamin and from
تَحْتِهِمْ taḥtihim below them
ظُلَلٌۭ ۚ ẓulalun coverings
ذَٰلِكَ dhālika (With) that
يُخَوِّفُ yukhawwifu threatens
ٱللَّهُ l-lahu Allah
بِهِۦ bihi [with it]
عِبَادَهُۥ ۚ ʿibādahu His slaves
يَـٰعِبَادِ yāʿibādi O My slaves
فَٱتَّقُونِ fa-ittaqūni So fear Me

Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim — Hafiz Abdus Salam Bin Muhammad Bhutvi

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.

(Ayah 16) ➊ {لَهُمْ مِّنْ فَوْقِهِمْ ظُلَلٌ مِّنَ النَّارِ …:’’ ظُلَلٌ ‘‘ ’’ظُلَّةٌ‘‘} is the plural of "ẓullah", meaning canopy, umbrella, something that covers or gives shade, which has no walls, as He said: « وَ اِذَا غَشِيَهُمْ مَّوْجٌ كَالظُّلَلِ » [ لقمان : ۳۲ ] "And when a wave covers them like canopies." That is, there will be canopies of fire on every side above and below them. The flames of fire below are called canopies because they will be above some other people, since there are many levels in Hell, which are called "darakat," as Allah Almighty said: «اِنَّ الْمُنٰفِقِيْنَ فِي الدَّرْكِ الْاَسْفَلِ مِنَ النَّارِ » [ النساء : ۱۴۵ ] "Indeed, the hypocrites will be in the lowest level of the Fire." It is also possible that the flames of fire are called canopies because they rise from below to above. In another verse, the fire below is described as their bedding and the fire above as their covering, as He said: « لَهُمْ مِّنْ جَهَنَّمَ مِهَادٌ وَّ مِنْ فَوْقِهِمْ غَوَاشٍ » [ الأعراف : ۴۱ ] "For them will be a bed from Hell and coverings above them." And in another verse He said: « يَوْمَ يَغْشٰىهُمُ الْعَذَابُ مِنْ فَوْقِهِمْ وَ مِنْ تَحْتِ اَرْجُلِهِمْ » [ العنکبوت : ۵۵ ] "The Day the punishment will cover them from above them and from beneath their feet." May Allah protect us with His refuge.
➋ { ذٰلِكَ يُخَوِّفُ اللّٰهُ بِهٖ عِبَادَهٗ … :} That is, this is the loss of the Day of Resurrection and the canopies of fire with which Allah warns His servants, so O My servants! Fear Me and always remain fearful.

Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan — Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf

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.

16. 1. That is, there will be layers of fire above and below them, which will be blazing upon them (Fath al-Qadeer).
16. 2. That is, the mentioned manifest loss and punishment is what Allah warns His servants of, so that they may choose the path of obedience to Allah and thus save themselves from this evil end.

Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran — Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani

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.

16. Above them will be canopies of fire [25], and beneath them as well. With this, Allah warns His servants. So, O My servants, fear Me.

[25] ﴿ظلل﴾ is the plural of ﴿ظلة﴾, which means shade, cloud, or such a tent or canopy that has only a roof and no walls. The meaning is that the punishment for those who incur such a clear loss will be as if a cloud of fire is looming over them and a similar cloud of fire is rising from beneath them as well, and it will envelop them from both sides.
← Previous All Surahs Next →
Telegram
Facebook