As-Saffat: 68

"Then, indeed, their return..."

That is, their ultimate destination. It has also been recited as such, and it has also been recited as, "Then, indeed, their destination" (i.e., to the Hellfire).

This means to their appointed dwelling within the Fire, for in Hell there are stations, each prepared with a specific type of torment. The people emerge from their place of residence—where the fire rages—and are driven to another location within the circuit of Hell where that drink is kept, so that they may reach it and drink from it. Then they are returned to their dwelling, just as livestock are led to watering holes in a town, for instance, to drink, and then driven back to their stable. Qatada alluded to this meaning, then recited the words of the Exalted: "This is Hell which the criminals deny. They will circulate between it and a scalding hot drink." This is supported by the recitation of Ibn Mas'ud: "Then, indeed, their place of turning back," for "turning back" (inqilab) implies returning more clearly. Or, the meaning is that their return is to the depths of Hell, where they are moved from one place to another, each lower than the last. It has been said that the drink is brought to them before they enter the Fire, so they drink and then arrive in Hell; however, this requires a specific report (tawqif), otherwise, it contradicts the apparent meaning. It is as if there is a not-insignificant amount of time between the people’s departure for the drink and their return to their dwellings, during which they swallow that drink; hence the use of the particle thumma (then). This drink is the counterpart to the drink of the people of Paradise, indicated by His words: "There will be circulated among them a cup from a flowing spring, white and delicious to the drinkers," just as the Zaqqum (bitter tree) is the counterpart to the fruits they possess.

It has been narrated from Ibn Abbas—may Allah be pleased with them both—that if a single drop of the Zaqqum of Hell were to be dropped onto the earth, it would spoil the livelihoods of the people of the world. This was recorded by Ibn Abi Shaybah. How then shall it be for the one whose food and drink is ghassaq (foul discharge) and sadid (pus), along with the scalding water? We ask Allah the Exalted for His pleasure and Paradise, and we seek refuge in Him, Mighty and Majestic is He, from His wrath and the Fire.