[1617] By replying positively to the question about their ‘gods’, they effectively, and quite regretfully, admitted guilt: “He ˹Ibrāhīm˺ said: “You have taken besides Allah idols ˹for worship˺, only to keep ˹a bond of˺ love among yourselves in this worldly life. But on the Day of Judgement you will disown and damn one another. Your home will be the Fire, and you will have no helper!” (29: 25)
[1618] Another such acrimonious interaction between the dwellers of Hellfire, both early and late, is recounted elsewhere: “…if only you could see ˹Muhammad˺ when the wrongdoers will be detained before their Lord, throwing blame at each other! The lowly ˹followers˺ will say to the arrogant ˹leaders˺: “Had it not been for you, we would certainly have been Believers. *The arrogant will respond to the lowly, “Did we ever drive you away from guidance after it came to you? Indeed, you were criminals ˹in your own right˺” (34: 31-32).
[1619] “As for those who Deny and turn away ˹others˺ from the Way of Allah, We will add more Punishment to their Punishment for all the corruption they spread” (16: 88).
[1620] The sins they used to commit. (al-Ṭabarī, al-Shinqīṭī, al-ʿAdhb al-Namīr)
[1621] The doors of Heaven will be closed shut for their deeds during their lives because of their disdainful rejection of God’s Signs, nor will they be opened up for their souls when they die. (al-Muyassar, al-Mukhtaṣar; for details about what happens to the souls of those who Believe and those who Deny upon their death see Ibn Abī Shaybah, al-Muṣannaf: 12059, Imām Aḥmad: 18534, al-Ḥākim, al-Mustadrak: 107)
[1622] An impossible prospect indeed: “…whoever Associates with Allah, then Allah will surely forbid him ˹entry into˺ Paradise and his home will be Hellfire—the wrongdoers will never have helpers” (5: 72).
[1623] The statement in parenthesis asserts a major Qur’anic tenet that God laid upon us “no hardship in the religion” (22: 78, cf. also: 2: 333, 2: 286, 6: 152, 23: 62, 65: 7, 64: 16). It is raised here to encourage people to do whatever is in their capacity to gain Paradise (al-Biqāʿī, Naẓm al-Durar).
[1624] All the evil thoughts and toxic feelings they might have had, will be removed from their hearts, so that they live in total peace and do not harbour any ill will for each other, especially given that they are of different ranks in Paradise (cf. al-Ṭabarī, al-Wāḥidī, Ibn Kathīr, al-Saʿdī).
[1625] “And they said: “˹All˺ Gratitude be to Allah, Who has dispelled grief from us. Truly our Lord is Most Forgiving, All-Thankful, *Who, of His Bounty, has caused us to dwell in the Abode of Everlasting Life, wherein no weariness shall touch us, nor fatigue befall us” (35: 34-35). Abū Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه) narrated that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Each one of the Companions of Paradise sees his ˹could have been˺ seat in Hellfire and says: “Had Allah not guided me!” Uttering it out of thankfulness. Each one of the Companions of Hellfire sees his ˹could have been˺ seat in Paradise and says: “Had Allah guided me!” Uttering it out of dismay” (al-Nasā’ī: 11390. Imām Aḥmad: 10652).
[1626] “These are the inheritors, *who inherit Paradise; forever they abide therein” (23: 10-11). Abū Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه) narrated that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Each one of you has two ˹would be˺ abodes: one in Paradise and one in Hellfire. When one dies and is admitted into Hellfire, the Companions of Paradise inherit his abode. That is what is meant by: “These are the inheritors” (23: 10) (Ibn Mājah: 4341, al-Bayhaqī, al-Baʿth wa al-Nushūr: 241).