Tafsir of Qaf 50:30

Translation of Mafatih al-Ghayb (Q 30: "On the Day We say to Hell...")

Q: (30) On the Day We say to Hell...

What is the operative factor (related to the verb) for {On the Day}?

There are several views:

1. The first is that the statement means: "I am not unjust at all (absolutely)."

2. The second is that it refers to Time (the specific day). This is because the statement is, "I am not unjust on that day," and not, "I am not unjust at all times," as has been previously explained.

• If one asks: What is the benefit of this specification (to that day)?
  • We reply: The specific negation is closer to being believed than the general negation because the misconception is limited. A narrow-minded person might think: "On the day God admits His weak servant to Hell, He will be unjust to him." However, they would not think God is unjust on the day He created him, sustains him, and nurtures him. They imagine injustice only in admitting the servant to the Fire, but they do not imagine injustice towards Himself or towards His other servants mentioned (who are not being admitted then). They also imagine that the One who admits countless creations, whose number cannot be limited or counted, and leaves them there for an endless time, is committing great injustice. Therefore, He negates only what is imagined (as injustice), not what is not imagined.

• And His saying: {Is it filled?} is an explanation confirming His saying: {I will surely fill Hell}.

• And regarding His saying: {Is there any more?} there are two interpretations:

1. It is to emphasize the abundance of those entering. This is similar to when someone strikes another severely or insults them harshly, and the one being struck asks, "Is there anything left?" This is supported by His saying: {I will surely fill}, because filling requires that the state of being full is achieved, leaving no empty space in Hell for more to be requested.

2. It means that Hell itself is demanding an increase. If someone asks: How can we reconcile this with His saying: {I will surely fill}? We reply with several answers: * One answer is that this speech might occur before all the inhabitants have been admitted. There is a subtlety here: Hell becomes enraged at the disbelievers and demands them. Then, space remains for the sinful believers. Hell demands to be filled because it assumes someone from the disbelievers remains outside. So, the sinful believer enters, and the faith cools the heat of Hell, and their certainty calms Hell's rage, so it quiets down. This is how we interpret the reports that Hell demands increase until the Almighty places His Foot (upon it). The believer is arrogant/proud concerning everything besides God, but humble and submissive to God. * The second answer is that Hell first demands space for itself, and then demands more entrants because it assumes some disbelievers remain outside. * The third answer is that filling has degrees. If a measure (like a measure of grain) is filled without being packed down, it is correct to say it is "filled" (mali') and "full" (imta'a). If it is packed down, it can hold more, which does not contradict its being full. Similarly, God filled Hell, yet it demands more for the purpose of making the space tighter for them and increasing their torment. The word al-mazīd (the more) can also mean the passive participle (the one to be added), meaning: "Is there anyone left to be added to it?"

Then the Almighty said:

< {7} And Paradise will be brought near to the righteous, not far off. > {7}