29 - Surah Al-Ankabut

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

يَسْتَعْجِلُونَكَ بِالْعَذَابِ...

29:54. They ask thee to hasten on the Punishment

C3486. The challenge of the wicked for Punishment was answered in the last verse by reference to Allah's merciful Respite, to give chances of repentance.

It is answered in this verse by an assurance that if no repentance is forthcoming, the Punishment will be certain and of an all-pervasive kind. Hell will surround them on all sides, and above them and below them.

...وَإِنَّ جَهَنَّمَ لَمُحِيطَةٌ بِالْكَافِرِينَ ﴿٥٤﴾

but, of a surety, Hell will encompass the rejecters of Faith! --

يَوْمَ يَغْشَاهُمُ الْعَذَابُ مِن فَوْقِهِمْ وَمِن تَحْتِ أَرْجُلِهِمْ...

29:55. On the Day that the Punishment shall cover them from above them and from below them,

C3487. Cf. a similar phrase in 6:65.

...وَيَقُولُ ذُوقُوا مَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ ﴿٥٥﴾

and (a Voice) shall say: "Taste ye (the fruits) of your deeds!"

C3488. This is not merely a reproach, but a justification of the Punishment. "It is you who brought it on yourselves by your evil deeds: blame none but yourselves. Allah's Mercy gave you many chances: His Justice has now overtaken you!"

Asad’s Version:

29:54

They challenge thee to hasten the coming upon them of [God's] chastisement: but, verily, hell is bound to encompass all who deny the truth –

(29:55) [encompass them] on the Day when suffering will overwhelm them from above them and from beneath their feet: 52 whereupon He shall say: "Taste [now the fruit of] your own doings!"