An-Nisa · Madani · ayah 56 of 176

An-Nisa 4:56

إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا سَوْفَ نُصْلِيهِمْ نَارًا كُلَّمَا نَضِجَتْ جُلُودُهُم بَدَّلْنَـٰهُمْ جُلُودًا غَيْرَهَا لِيَذُوقُوا۟ ٱلْعَذَابَ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ عَزِيزًا حَكِيمًا

“Indeed, those who disbelieve in Our verses - We will drive them into a fire. Every time their skins are roasted through, We will replace them with other skins so they may taste the punishment. Indeed, Allāh is ever Exalted in Might and Wise.”

Saheeh International

Essence

Those who reject His signs face a Fire where feeling never dulls; the Mighty, the Wise acts with both power and justice.

A reflection

Mighty, and also Wise

The ayah describes something almost unbearable to read, and then closes with two names: inna Allāha kāna ʿazīzan ḥakīmā. Truly Allah is Mighty, Wise.

One classical theologian explains why these two names belong here, and no others. Two astonishments rise in the heart on hearing this ayah. First: how could anyone survive in such a fire without end? The answer is ʿAzīz: the Mighty, able to do anything. Second: He is generous and merciful, so how could He punish a weak human being like this? The answer is Ḥakīm: He is also Wise. A warning from Him must be true, he says, or His word would be false.

Another classical commentator adds the decisive point. He punishes no one except with justice, and only those who deserve it.

The root of ʿazīz pictures hard ground where rain runs off and hooves cannot sink, and the eagle nesting on peaks out of reach. That is majesty that humbles the ego. The ego always imagines it can negotiate, delay, outlast or explain its way out. The Mighty cannot be outmanoeuvred.

Does such a warning show a God who needs to punish? The Quran itself answers in this very surah: what would Allah gain from punishing you, if you are grateful and believe (4:147)? One classical scholar of the heart draws out a further point. Allah names Himself the Forgiving and the Merciful. He tells His servants: I am the Forgiving, the Merciful, and My punishment is the painful punishment (15:49-50). Forgiveness is His name. Punishment is among His acts.

So read this ayah as you would a warning sign put up by someone who wants you to live. The might is real. So is the wisdom. And the door of the next ayah is open.

The full entry has 5 more reflections, questions to sit with, and "Live it today" - with the words, the roots and the tafsir alongside. Free, no account, works offline.