اُولٰٓٮِٕكَ مَاۡوٰٮهُمۡ جَهَـنَّمُ وَلَا يَجِدُوۡنَ عَنۡهَا مَحِيۡصًا
Word By Word —
Word By Word —
Ola-ika ma/wahum jahannamuwala yajidoona AAanha maheesa
What Does Surah An-Nisaa Ayah 121 Mean? - Common Questions & Answers
Explore the meaning, interpretation, and Islamic explanation of Surah An-Nisaa Ayah 121 from the Holy Quran. Find answers to frequently asked questions about this verse, its context, and significance in Islamic teachings.
❓Who are the people mentioned in An-Nisa 4:121 that will have Hell as their abode?
According to Islamic tafsir, this verse refers to Satan's followers who engage in shirk (polytheism) and disbelief. These are people who worship idols, follow superstitions, and change Allah's creation as Satan commanded. They include those who take created beings as equal to Allah in worship, love, or reverence, despite knowing better.
❓What does 'no escape' (la yajiduna anha maheesan) mean in this context?
The Arabic term 'maheesa' means a place of refuge, escape, or avoidance. The verse emphasizes that Satan's followers will not be able to avoid, avert, evade, or elude the hellfire. This indicates the permanent and inescapable nature of their punishment for those who die in a state of shirk without repentance.
❓Why is the punishment described as eternal with no escape?
Islamic scholars explain that those who commit shirk and kufr (disbelief) do not regard their actions as crimes but consider them good and proper. They maintain firm intention to persist in disbelief throughout their lives. Since they commit what amounts to a permanent crime by choice, the punishment is correspondingly permanent. Only repentance before death can change this fate.
❓How does Satan deceive people according to the context of this verse?
According to the tafsir, Satan deceives through two main methods: superstition (expecting results from things that have no real effect) and changing Allah's creation (altering the natural order Allah established). Satan makes false promises, arouses false desires, encourages procrastination with good deeds, and makes evil appear beautiful to his followers.
❓What is the relationship between shirk and this verse's warning?
The verse directly relates to the Quranic principle that 'Allah does not forgive shirk (ascribing partners to Him)' mentioned earlier in the same chapter. Shirk is taking any created being as equal to Allah in His unique attributes like creation, providence, or worship. This verse warns of the ultimate consequence for those who die in this state without repentance.
❓How does this verse fit within the broader context of Surah An-Nisa?
An-Nisa 4:121 appears after discussions of jihad against hostile forces including Jews, hypocrites, and pagans. It specifically addresses the beliefs and punishment of pagans who were numerous among Islam's antagonists. The verse serves as a warning about the consequences of apostasy and following Satan's deception instead of divine guidance.
❓What contrast does this verse create with the following verses about believers?
This verse creates a stark contrast with the next verse (4:122) which describes believers' eternal reward in Paradise. While Satan's followers find 'no escape' from Hell, believers will dwell in gardens 'forever' under which rivers flow. This simultaneous contrast (muqabalah) is a common Quranic rhetorical device emphasizing the importance of choosing the right path.
❓What does authentic Islamic scholarship say about the linguistic significance of this verse?
The Arabic structure emphasizes finality and permanence. 'Ula'ika' (those) refers specifically to Satan's followers, 'ma'wahum' (their abode) indicates permanent dwelling, 'jahannam' (Hell) is their destination, and the phrase 'la yajiduna anha maheesan' (they will find no escape from it) uses emphatic negation to stress the impossibility of escape or refuge.
❓How should Muslims understand this verse in terms of divine justice and mercy?
This verse demonstrates Allah's perfect justice - those who consciously choose to follow Satan and persist in shirk face appropriate consequences. However, it should be read alongside verses about Allah's mercy and forgiveness for those who repent. The warning serves to encourage sincere repentance and return to tawhid (monotheism) before death, as Allah's mercy is always available to the truly repentant.
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