سُوْرَةُ الْمُدَّثِّرِ

Surah Al-Muddaththir (74) — Ayah 17

The Cloaked One · Meccan · Juz 29 · Page 575

سَأُرْهِقُهُۥ صَعُودًا ﴿17﴾
I shall oblige him to (climb a slippery mountain in the Hell-fire called As-Sa‘ûd, or) face a severe torment!
سَأُرْهِقُهُۥ sa-ur'hiquhu Soon I will cover Him
صَعُودًا ṣaʿūdan (with) a laborious punishment

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 17) {سَاُرْهِقُهٗ صَعُوْدًا: ’’ سَاُرْهِقُهٗ ‘‘ ’’أَرْهَقَ يُرْهِقُ‘‘} (af‘aal) To burden someone with a task beyond their capacity. {’’ صَعُوْدًا ‘‘ ’’صَعِدَ يَصْعَدُ‘‘} (s) (to ascend) refers to a very difficult ascent. That is, I will compel him on the Day of Resurrection to climb a difficult and steep path. The compulsion to endure the calamities of the Day of Resurrection and Hell has been described in the words of giving the pain of a difficult ascent. In Tirmidhi, it is narrated from Abu Sa‘id Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) that “Sa‘ood” is a mountain of fire upon which the disbeliever will keep climbing for seventy (70) years and will descend for the same period. (See Tirmidhi: 2576, 3326) However, its chain of narration is weak.

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.

17. 1. That is, I will afflict him with such a punishment whose endurance will be extremely difficult; some say, there will be a mountain of fire in Hell upon which he will be made to climb (Fath al-Qadeer).

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.

17. Soon I will make him climb a difficult ascent [10.1].

[10۔ 1] One meaning of this is that I will subject him to severe difficulties in his life, and the second meaning pertains to the punishment of the Hereafter. As is evident from the following hadith: Abu Sa'id says that the Prophet ﷺ said: "Sa'ud is a mountain in Hell upon which the denizen of Hell will be made to climb, then he will be thrown down from there. This will be his punishment forever." [ترمذي ابواب التفسير]