سُوْرَةُ فُصِّلَتۡ

Surah Fussilat (41) — Ayah 20

Explained in detail · Meccan · Juz 24 · Page 478

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حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا مَا جَآءُوهَا شَهِدَ عَلَيْهِمْ سَمْعُهُمْ وَأَبْصَـٰرُهُمْ وَجُلُودُهُم بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ ﴿20﴾

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

Till, when they reach it (Hell-fire), their hearing (ears) and their eyes, and their skins will testify against them as to what they used to do.

Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning

حَتَّىٰٓ ḥattā Until
إِذَا idhā when
مَا mā when
جَآءُوهَا jāūhā they come to it
شَهِدَ shahida (will) testify
عَلَيْهِمْ ʿalayhim against them
سَمْعُهُمْ samʿuhum their hearing
وَأَبْصَـٰرُهُمْ wa-abṣāruhum and their sight
وَجُلُودُهُم wajulūduhum and their skins
بِمَا bimā (as) to what
كَانُوا۟ kānū they used to
يَعْمَلُونَ yaʿmalūna do

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 20) {حَتّٰۤى اِذَا مَا جَآءُوْهَا شَهِدَ عَلَيْهِمْ سَمْعُهُمْ …:} Zamakhshari said: After {’’ اِذَا ‘‘}, the word {’’ مَا ‘‘} is for emphasis; the meaning of emphasis here is that the moment they reach the Fire will be the moment of testimony against them, and there will not be any time devoid of testimony. (Kashaf) That is why I have translated {’’ اِذَا مَا ‘‘} as "as soon as." That is, upon reaching the Fire, when they deny their crimes, immediately their ears, eyes, and skins will testify against them. The details of this have already been mentioned in Surah Ya-Sin, Ayah (65): « اَلْيَوْمَ نَخْتِمُ عَلٰۤى اَفْوَاهِهِمْ ».

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.

20. 1. That is, when they deny that they committed shirk, Allah Almighty will seal their mouths and their limbs will speak and testify that they used to do such and such deeds. In اذا ما جاءوھا, the word ما is additional for emphasis. There are five senses in a human being; here, two are mentioned. Thirdly, the skin is mentioned, which is the organ of touch or contact, thus making three types of senses. The remaining two senses are not mentioned because taste is included in touch, as tasting is not possible until the thing is placed on the skin of the tongue. Similarly, smelling is not possible until the thing passes over the skin of the nose. In this regard, the word جلود includes three senses. Fath al-Qadeer

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.

Until, when they reach it, their ears, their eyes, and their skins will testify against them [24] regarding what they used to do.

[24]
The Effects of Deeds on Limbs and Organs, and Their Testimony:

From this verse, it is understood that whatever good or bad deeds a person performs in this world, not only do the noble scribes record all his deeds and words in his book of deeds, but the effects of these actions are also imprinted upon the limbs that were used during those actions. Those criminals who deny their sins and then also deny external testimonies, their own limbs will be made to testify against them. Another point that is understood from this is that the very particles from which our body is composed, from those same particles our body will be composed on the Day of Resurrection, which will be joined with our soul.
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