Tazkirul Quran, Qur’an 74:26–31
Wrapped in his Cloak (Al-Muddaththir)
By Maulana Wahiduddin Khan
English text; the translator is not named in the archive’s data.
Translation
(26) Soon I will cast him into hell. (27) What could make you conceive what hell-fire is? (28) It does not allow anyone to live, and neither does it leave anyone to die; (29) it scorches the skin; (30) there are nineteen [angels] in charge of it— (31) We have appointed only angels to be wardens of the Fire. We have specified their number only as a trial for those who are bent on denying the truth, so that those who were given the Book might gain in certainty, and those who believe might increase in faith—and so that neither those who have been given the Scripture nor the believers might have any doubts, and that those sick at heart and those who deny the truth might ask, ‘What does God mean by this parable?’ In this way, God lets go astray whom He wills, and guides whom He wills. And none knows the forces of your Lord but He. This is but a Reminder for man.
Commentary
(a) The conditions of hell described in the Quran relate to the unseen and hidden world. There being nineteen angels in hell is also a fact of a similar nature. If one resorts to hair-splitting, these matters will only increase one’s doubts. But if the way of complete faith is adopted, these matters will increase one’s fear of the Hereafter.