Commentary
The Fire, meaning: at the time of their being presented to it, in the Barzakh, morning and evening, meaning: going and coming at the time of their seeking comfort with food and enjoying it. This is their state throughout the days of the Barzakh. And upon them in this presentation is an increase of distress beyond what has been reported generally from what Malik, the two Shaykhs, and others narrated that Ibn Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, said that the Messenger of Allah, blessings and peace be upon him, said: "When one of you dies, his place will be presented to him in the morning and evening. If he is from the people of Paradise, then he is from the people of Paradise, and if he is from the people of the Fire, then he is from the people of the Fire. It will be said: This is your place until Allah resurrects you to it on the Day of Resurrection." And perhaps the increase of distress is that they are the ones being presented, and they are taken away in chains to see what Allah has prepared for them. Most people limit this to revealing to them - while they are in their places - their seats. In that is an increase of humiliation for them, and it is like presenting someone to the sword when the ruler intends to kill him. This is their state until the Hour is established. And on the Day the Hour is established, it will be said to them: "Enter the family of Pharaoh," meaning: O family of Pharaoh, he himself and his followers, due to their following him in what he misled them with. And Nafi, Hamzah, al-Kisai, and Ya'qub, and Hafs made it an imperative form of entering. The meaning is: We say to some of our soldiers: Enter his family today because of their misguidance with him. The severest of punishment. And if this is for his family because of him, it is greater for him, by all means. And this verse is a text regarding the punishment of the grave, as has been reported from Ikrimah and Muhammad ibn Ka'b.
Explore Other Scholars on This Verse
Compare different scholarly perspectives on Surah Ghafir verse 46