Tafsir of Ar-Rahman 55:43

Al-Rahman (The Most Merciful): (43) This is Hellfire...

The well-known interpretation here is that there is an implied phrase, meaning: "It will be said to them: 'This is Hellfire.'" This structure has been previously discussed in other passages.

Another possibility is that the meaning is: "This is the description of Hellfire," where the possessive suffix (the idafa structure) stands in place of the possessed noun. What preceded this verse would then be the thing being pointed to.

However, the strongest interpretation is that the preceding discourse concerning the forelocks and feet has concluded. Then, the statement {This is Hellfire} is made due to its proximity. It is like saying, "This is Zayd, he has arrived," when his location becomes near. Thus, it is as if God is saying: "The Hellfire that the criminals used to deny is now near, not far from them."

This interpretation is supported by the use of the word {they used to deny} (يكذب). If the meaning involved an implied statement ("It will be said to them"), the Almighty would have said: "This is the Hellfire that the criminals deny," because at this moment, no denier remains (as they are now facing it). Under this stronger interpretation, the implied phrase is: "This is the Hellfire that they used to deny."

Then the Almighty said:

{They will roam between it and scalding water.} (43:44)