سُوْرَةُ الْمُدَّثِّرِ
Surah Al-Muddaththir (74) — Ayah 31
وَمَا جَعَلْنَآ أَصْحَـٰبَ ٱلنَّارِ إِلَّا مَلَـٰٓئِكَةً ۙ وَمَا جَعَلْنَا عِدَّتَهُمْ إِلَّا فِتْنَةً لِّلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ لِيَسْتَيْقِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ وَيَزْدَادَ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِيمَـٰنًا ۙ وَلَا يَرْتَابَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ وَٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ ۙ وَلِيَقُولَ ٱلَّذِينَ فِى قُلُوبِهِم مَّرَضٌ وَٱلْكَـٰفِرُونَ مَاذَآ أَرَادَ ٱللَّهُ بِهَـٰذَا مَثَلًا ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ يُضِلُّ ٱللَّهُ مَن يَشَآءُ وَيَهْدِى مَن يَشَآءُ ۚ وَمَا يَعْلَمُ جُنُودَ رَبِّكَ إِلَّا هُوَ ۚ وَمَا هِىَ إِلَّا ذِكْرَىٰ لِلْبَشَرِ ﴿31﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
And We have set none but angels as guardians of the Fire. And We have fixed their number (19) only as a trial for the disbelievers, in order that the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) may arrive at a certainty [that this Qur’ân is the truth as it agrees with their Books regarding the number (19) which is written in the Taurât (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel)] and that the believers may increase in Faith (as this Qur’ân is the truth), and that no doubt may be left for the people of the Scripture and the believers, and that those in whose hearts is a disease (of hypocrisy) and the disbelievers may say: "What Allâh intends by this (curious) example ?" Thus Allâh leads astray whom He wills and guides whom He wills. And none can know the hosts of your Lord but He. And this (Hell) is nothing else than a (warning) reminder to mankind.
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
وَمَا
wamā
And not
جَعَلْنَآ
jaʿalnā
We have made
أَصْحَـٰبَ
aṣḥāba
keepers
ٱلنَّارِ
l-nāri
(of) the Fire
إِلَّا
illā
except
مَلَـٰٓئِكَةًۭ ۙ
malāikatan
Angels
وَمَا
wamā
And not
جَعَلْنَا
jaʿalnā
We have made
عِدَّتَهُمْ
ʿiddatahum
their number
إِلَّا
illā
except
فِتْنَةًۭ
fit'natan
(as) a trial
لِّلَّذِينَ
lilladhīna
for those who
كَفَرُوا۟
kafarū
disbelieve
لِيَسْتَيْقِنَ
liyastayqina
that may be certain
ٱلَّذِينَ
alladhīna
those who
أُوتُوا۟
ūtū
were given
ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ
l-kitāba
the Scripture
وَيَزْدَادَ
wayazdāda
and may increase
ٱلَّذِينَ
alladhīna
those who
ءَامَنُوٓا۟
āmanū
believe
إِيمَـٰنًۭا ۙ
īmānan
(in) faith
وَلَا
walā
and not
يَرْتَابَ
yartāba
may doubt
ٱلَّذِينَ
alladhīna
those who
أُوتُوا۟
ūtū
were given
ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ
l-kitāba
the Scripture
وَٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ ۙ
wal-mu'minūna
and the believers
وَلِيَقُولَ
waliyaqūla
and that may say
ٱلَّذِينَ
alladhīna
those
فِى
fī
in
قُلُوبِهِم
qulūbihim
their hearts
مَّرَضٌۭ
maraḍun
(is) a disease
وَٱلْكَـٰفِرُونَ
wal-kāfirūna
and the disbelievers
مَاذَآ
mādhā
What
أَرَادَ
arāda
(does) intend
ٱللَّهُ
l-lahu
Allah
بِهَـٰذَا
bihādhā
by this
مَثَلًۭا ۚ
mathalan
example
كَذَٰلِكَ
kadhālika
Thus
يُضِلُّ
yuḍillu
does let go astray
ٱللَّهُ
l-lahu
Allah
مَن
man
whom
يَشَآءُ
yashāu
He wills
وَيَهْدِى
wayahdī
and guides
مَن
man
whom
يَشَآءُ ۚ
yashāu
He wills
وَمَا
wamā
And none
يَعْلَمُ
yaʿlamu
knows
جُنُودَ
junūda
(the) hosts
رَبِّكَ
rabbika
(of) your Lord
إِلَّا
illā
except
هُوَ ۚ
huwa
Him
وَمَا
wamā
And not
هِىَ
hiya
it
إِلَّا
illā
(is) but
ذِكْرَىٰ
dhik'rā
a reminder
لِلْبَشَرِ
lil'bashari
to (the) human beings
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.
The tafsir of this verse may be read with the following verses.
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.
31. 1 This is a refutation of the polytheists of Quraysh. When Allah mentioned the keepers of Hell, Abu Jahl addressed the assembly of Quraysh and said, "Isn't it enough that every group of ten among you can handle one angel?" Some say that a person named Kalda, who was very proud of his strength, said, "You all just handle two angels, I alone am enough for the remaining seventeen." It is said that he challenged the Messenger of Allah ﷺ to wrestling several times and was defeated every time, but did not accept faith. It is also said that He ﷺ wrestled with Rukana bin Abd Yazid, but he was defeated and became Muslim (Ibn Kathir). The point is that this number also became a cause for their mockery or test.
31. 2 That is, they should know that the Messenger is truthful and he has said only what is also written in the previous books.
31. 3 That the People of the Book have confirmed the statement of the Prophet.
31. 4 By "those with diseased hearts" are meant the hypocrites, or those who had doubts in their hearts, because there were no hypocrites in Makkah. That is, they will ask, "What is the wisdom of Allah in mentioning this number here?"
31. 5 That is, just as in previous misguidance, He misguides whom He wills and guides whom He wills; there is profound wisdom in this, which only Allah knows.
31. 6 That is, the disbelievers and polytheists think that there are only nineteen angels in Hell, so what difficulty is there in overpowering them? But they do not know that the armies of the Lord are so many that none knows them except Allah. There are so many angels alone that seventy thousand angels enter the Bayt al-Ma'mur daily to worship Allah, and then their turn will not come again until the Day of Resurrection. (Sahih Bukhari)
31. 7 That is, this Hell and the angels appointed over it are for the admonition and advice of mankind, so that perhaps they may refrain from disobedience.
31. 2 That is, they should know that the Messenger is truthful and he has said only what is also written in the previous books.
31. 3 That the People of the Book have confirmed the statement of the Prophet.
31. 4 By "those with diseased hearts" are meant the hypocrites, or those who had doubts in their hearts, because there were no hypocrites in Makkah. That is, they will ask, "What is the wisdom of Allah in mentioning this number here?"
31. 5 That is, just as in previous misguidance, He misguides whom He wills and guides whom He wills; there is profound wisdom in this, which only Allah knows.
31. 6 That is, the disbelievers and polytheists think that there are only nineteen angels in Hell, so what difficulty is there in overpowering them? But they do not know that the armies of the Lord are so many that none knows them except Allah. There are so many angels alone that seventy thousand angels enter the Bayt al-Ma'mur daily to worship Allah, and then their turn will not come again until the Day of Resurrection. (Sahih Bukhari)
31. 7 That is, this Hell and the angels appointed over it are for the admonition and advice of mankind, so that perhaps they may refrain from disobedience.
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.
31. We have appointed only angels as guardians of the Fire, and We have made their number a trial [14] for the disbelievers, so that the People of the Book may be convinced, and the believers may increase [15] in faith, and neither the People of the Book nor the believers may have any doubt, and so that those in whose hearts is a disease [16] and the disbelievers may say: “What does Allah mean by this example?” Thus Allah leads astray whom He wills and guides whom He wills. And none knows the armies [17] of your Lord except Him. And this (mention of Hell) is nothing but a reminder to mankind.
[14]
The Mockery of the Disbelievers Regarding the Nineteen Angels:
Upon hearing about the appointment of nineteen angels over Hell, the polytheists began to mock, saying that they numbered in the thousands and millions. Then, even if the punishment of Hell were true for them, what could these nineteen do to them? Couldn’t ten of them together confront one angel? Among them, a wrestler-type man said that he could handle seventeen of them himself, and the rest of them could deal with the remaining two. Upon this, the verse was revealed that this thinking of theirs is completely wrong; they are indeed nineteen wardens, but they are not humans, rather they are angels, and what do you know of how much power an angel possesses?
[15] That is, the People of the Book and the believers are those who believe in the angels without seeing them, and they also know of the strength and power of these angels. Therefore, they can never mock in such a way; rather, upon hearing such verses, their hearts tremble and their faith increases even more.
[16] In this verse, “disease” refers to the disease of doubt. That is, both the hypocrites and the disbelievers are deprived of guidance. That is, from the same statement or the same example, a wretched person goes astray, while a person of sound nature attains guidance from the same example. Whoever has resolved not to accept, he mocks even the most serious matters, and whoever has fear of Allah and seeks guidance, his faith and certainty increase from the same matter.
[17]
The Armies of Allah:
The angels, as well as all other creations of Allah, can serve as armies for Allah. He can use the ababeel birds to strike and destroy the People of the Elephant. He can command the winds to break the backs of tall, powerful, and rebellious nation like ‘Ad. In fact, all the hidden means are under Allah’s control, and they are all armies of Allah, from whom He can take whatever service He wills. The mention of the angels of Hell to the disbelievers was made so that all others besides them may also take heed.
[14]
The Mockery of the Disbelievers Regarding the Nineteen Angels:
Upon hearing about the appointment of nineteen angels over Hell, the polytheists began to mock, saying that they numbered in the thousands and millions. Then, even if the punishment of Hell were true for them, what could these nineteen do to them? Couldn’t ten of them together confront one angel? Among them, a wrestler-type man said that he could handle seventeen of them himself, and the rest of them could deal with the remaining two. Upon this, the verse was revealed that this thinking of theirs is completely wrong; they are indeed nineteen wardens, but they are not humans, rather they are angels, and what do you know of how much power an angel possesses?
[15] That is, the People of the Book and the believers are those who believe in the angels without seeing them, and they also know of the strength and power of these angels. Therefore, they can never mock in such a way; rather, upon hearing such verses, their hearts tremble and their faith increases even more.
[16] In this verse, “disease” refers to the disease of doubt. That is, both the hypocrites and the disbelievers are deprived of guidance. That is, from the same statement or the same example, a wretched person goes astray, while a person of sound nature attains guidance from the same example. Whoever has resolved not to accept, he mocks even the most serious matters, and whoever has fear of Allah and seeks guidance, his faith and certainty increase from the same matter.
[17]
The Armies of Allah:
The angels, as well as all other creations of Allah, can serve as armies for Allah. He can use the ababeel birds to strike and destroy the People of the Elephant. He can command the winds to break the backs of tall, powerful, and rebellious nation like ‘Ad. In fact, all the hidden means are under Allah’s control, and they are all armies of Allah, from whom He can take whatever service He wills. The mention of the angels of Hell to the disbelievers was made so that all others besides them may also take heed.
