Al-Hamzah (The Slanderers)

(8) Indeed, it will be sealed shut upon them.

Regarding His saying, the Exalted: {Indeed, it will be sealed shut upon them} (Innahā 'alayhim mu'ṣadah):

Al-Hasan said that {mu'ṣadah} means "sealed shut" (muṭbaqah).

• It is said: aṣadtu al-bāb (I sealed the door) and awṣadtu-hu (I closed it)—these are two variant pronunciations.
• It was not said: muṭbaqah (completely closed/layered) because al-mu'ṣadah specifically refers to doors that are locked. The term iṭbāq (layering/sealing) does not convey the specific meaning of a door.

Know that this verse implies an intensification of the punishment in several ways:

1. His saying {they will surely be thrown} (lāyunbadhann) implies that it is a place with an extremely deep bottom, like a well.
2. If He had willed, He could have made that place without a door at all. However, mentioning the door reminds them of the possibility of escape, which increases their anguish.
3. He said {sealed shut upon them} ('alayhim mu'ṣadah) and did not say mu'ṣadah 'alayhim (sealed upon them). This structure emphasizes that the primary focus is on their state being one of being sealed in. The latter phrasing does not convey this primary meaning.

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Regarding His saying, the Exalted: {In pillars extended} (fī 'umudin mumaddadah)...