Tafsir of Az-Zumar 39:24

Linguistic Note: It is said: "He shielded himself (ittaqāhu) with his shield," meaning he met [the threat] with it to protect himself from it. Similarly, "He shielded himself with his hand."

Exegesis: The implied meaning is: "Is he who shields himself with his face from the evil of the punishment" like one who is secure from the punishment? The object [of the verb] is omitted, as is common in similar instances.

"The evil of the punishment" means its severity. The meaning is that when a human encounters a frightening thing, he meets it with his hand, seeking to shield his face with it, for it is the most precious of his limbs to him. But he who is cast into the Fire is cast with his hands shackled to his neck. Thus, he is unable to shield himself from the Fire except with his face—the very thing he used to shield from other dangers to protect and defend it.

It is also said: The "face" here refers to the entire person. It is also said: This was revealed regarding Abu Jahl.

The keepers of the Fire will say to them: "Taste the consequence of what you used to earn."

"From where they do not perceive": From the direction they do not anticipate, and where it does not cross their minds that evil would come to them from there. While they are secure and living in luxury, they are suddenly taken by surprise from the very place they felt safe.

"Disgrace": This is humiliation and abasement, such as being wiped out, being swallowed by the earth, slaughter, exile, and similar forms of God’s exemplary punishment.