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lahum ʿadhābun fī l-ḥayāti d-dunyā wa-la-ʿadhābu l-ʾākhirati ʾashaqqu wa-mā lahum mina llāhi min wāqin
There is a punishment for them in the life of this world, and the punishment of the Hereafter will surely be harder, and they have no defender against Allah.
— Ali Quli Qarai
Surah Ar-Ra‘d – Verse 34
34. “There is chastisement for them in the life of the world, and the chastisement of the hereafter is certainly more grievous, and for them shall not be against (the Wrath of) Allah any protector.”
The Qur’an makes allusions in this verse to the painful punishments which will face them in this world and the hereafter. These chastisements naturally include defeats, frustrations, misfortunes, damaging to one’s reputation and so forth. It implies that there are punishments for them in this world, and the punishment of the hereafter is harder and more intensive, for it is eternal, physical and spiritual, coupled with all kinds of discomfort. The verse says:
“There is chastisement for them in the life of the world, and the chastisement of the hereafter is certainly more grievous…”
And if they think that there is any way out of these, or they contemplate on some means of defense, they are making a grave mistake, for, nothing will protect them from Allah’s Wrath. The verse continues saying:
“…and for them shall not be against (the Wrath of) Allah any protector.”
Explanations
The punishment in the Hereafter is hard, for: All means and devices will be cut in the Doomsday.
“…and their ties (between them) are cut asunder.” 1
Kinship will be of no use:
“…there shall be no ties of relationship between them on that day…” 2
No sacrifices will be accepted. A culprit is ready to sacrifice all his kin and even the entire world:
“…the guilty one would fain redeem…” 3
Offering apologies is not useful:
“The Day on which the excuse of the unjust shall not benefit (them)…” 4
One’s friends mind their own business and abandon one another:
“And friend shall not ask friend.” 5
It is continuous and everlasting:
“Abiding therein forever, the torment shall not be lightened for them…” 6
No alleviation would be condescended to:
“…the torment shall not be lightened for them…” 7
It will be both bodily and spiritual:
“Taste you (this)! Verily you are Mighty, full of Honour!” 8
Footnotes