Commentary
And when it became clear from the Book in this discourse that the tyrants entering Hell are of many kinds; and it was customary that when the kinds gather, there are discussions; especially if they are from the most tyrannical oppressors; the listener was moved to understand that; so He (the Exalted) said - beginning His answer with what indicates their arguing with the ugliest of sayings; which is the contention arising from mutual hatred; and the turning away; which is likely to occur between those who conspired a matter that returned upon them with regret; in that each of them blames what happened to them on the other; and that is more severe for their punishment -: "This"; meaning: the most tyrannical of tyrants - when they first entered it; as they are deserving of it; because they are misguided and misguiding; and they saw a multitude of followers entering upon them -: "This is a group"; meaning: a large gathering; walking quickly; and when they were entering it with such intensity that the guards were pushing them in the manner of leaping; He said - indicating with the description singularly; that they in their agreement and racing are as if they are one soul -: "Rushing"; meaning: throwing themselves into the intensity with suddenness; without deliberation; being "with you".
And when the people of the Fire harm one another with gasping; and panting; and crowding; and defending; and weeping; and wailing; and what flows from some of them upon others of pus; and filth; and other types of misery; especially if they were followers of them in the world; they became like them in that entering into the rank; they do not avoid their defending; and their quarrels; and their disputes; they said - resuming -: "No welcome"; then they clarified the one being called upon; they said: "By them"; and it is a word that is placed in the most complete of its places; because it indicates annoyance and hatred; with the truthfulness in the people of its indication; which is the affirmation of distress; "Maf'al"; from "ar-Ruhb"; a source of the mem; and it is the spaciousness; meaning: there was no spaciousness for them at all; nor did these places expand for them; nor did these times provide them with any comfort; and for that reason they justified their deserving of this call by saying - affirming what had settled in their souls; and the time had prolonged upon it; from their denial of it -: "Indeed, they are the companions of the Fire"; meaning: and whoever enters it encounters a distress that no one has encountered; and harms everyone who is near him.
Explore Other Scholars on This Verse
Compare different scholarly perspectives on Surah Sad verse 59