Tafsir of Az-Zumar 39:71

"And those who disbelieved will be driven to Hell in groups..."

This is an elaboration of the "full recompense" (mentioned previously) and a clarification of its modality. The fa (in the preceding verses) is not a necessary consequence. The term sawq (driving) implies urging someone to proceed with violence and disturbance—this being its customary usage—and it suggests humiliation, which is the intended meaning here. That is, they will be driven to it with violence and degradation, in throngs, separated one group after another, arranged according to the order of their ranks in misguidance and wickedness.

Zumara (groups) is the plural of zumrah. Al-Raghib said: It is a small group. From this comes "a zumrah sheep" (having sparse wool) and "a zumr man" (lacking chivalry/manliness). From this root, zammara (flute/piping) is derived, and zamara is used as a metonym for an immoral woman. Others have said the derivation of zumrah is from zamr (sound), as a group is never without noise.

"Until, when they reach it, its gates are opened..."

The gates were not open before their arrival. It is like other prison doors; they remain locked until the criminals who are to be imprisoned within arrive, then they are opened for them to enter. Once they enter, the gates are locked upon them. The discussion concerning hatta (until) and the sentence that follows it, as well as the idha (when) which follows it, has already passed in [the interpretation of] Surah Al-An'am. More than one reciter has read futtihat (opened) with a tashdid (emphasized).

"...and its keepers will say to them..."

By way of rebuke and reprimand:

"...'Did there not come to you messengers from among yourselves...'"

Meaning: from your own kind, so that you would understand what they convey to you and find it easy to correspond with them. Ibn Hurmuz read it as ta'tikum (with a feminine ta). Another reading is nudhurun minkum (warners from among you).

"...reciting to you the verses of your Lord..."

Those sent down for your benefit.

"...and warning you of the meeting of this Day of yours?'"

Meaning: this time of yours, which is the time of your entry into the Fire, because the object of the warning is, in reality, the punishment, and this is its time. It is possible that it refers to the Day of Resurrection and the Hereafter, as it encompasses this specific time, or because it pertains specifically to them in terms of its punishment and terrors—and it does not contradict the fact that, in itself, it is not exclusive to them. The genitive construction is of attribution, indicating specialization; what has been mentioned suffices for such specialization. Indeed, the first interpretation is more manifest in this regard.

The verse is used as evidence that there is no religious obligation (taklif) prior to the [sending of] Divine Law. They were rebuked for their disbelief after the messengers had delivered the laws and warned them. Had disbelief been known through reason alone, independent of the Divine Law, it would have been said: "Did you not know, through the intellect that Allah deposited within you, the ugliness of your disbelief?" There is no merit in interpreting "messengers" as "intellects," as the actions attributed to them reject this. This is a persuasive argument, but it is only valid under the consideration of the concept [of the verse] and the generality of "those who disbelieved"—both of which are subjects of dispute. It has been said regarding this line of reasoning: The address to those entering [Hell] generally implies that the messengers had warned them all. Had religious obligation existed prior to the law, this would not necessarily be the case. This is countered by the fact that the opponent may not concede the generality, and one who argues for the necessity of belief through reason may say: "They were only rebuked for their disbelief after the delivery of the message because it leaves no room for excuse and is more deserving of rebuke and denial."

"They will say, 'Yes, but messengers from among us did come to us, reciting to us the verses of our Lord and warning us of the meeting of this Day of ours.' But the word of punishment has come into effect..."

Meaning: has become obligatory.

"...against the disbelievers."

Meaning: the word of Allah, which necessitates it. The intent behind this is the decree against them of wretchedness and that they are among the people of the Fire due to their own evil choice, or it refers to His saying to Iblis: "I will surely fill Hell with you and those who follow you among them, all together." They placed the word "disbelievers" in the place of the pronoun referring to them to hint at the causality of their disbelief. The entire speech is an admission, not an excuse.