Surah Al-Furqan — Verse 65

Word Meanings:

• اصْرِفْ عَنَّا (asrif 'annā): Turn away from us, remove, or avert.
• غَرَامًا (gharām): A permanent, inseparable torment; a punishment that clings to its victim like an unrelenting debt that never leaves the debtor.

Explanation of the Verse:

After describing the true servants of the Most Merciful—those who walk upon the earth with humility, spend their nights in prostration and standing in prayer, and supplicate to be spared the punishment of Hellfire—Allah continues to portray their beautiful qualities. These believers, despite their devotion and sincerity, are not arrogant or overconfident about their salvation. Rather, they combine hope with fear, and they constantly turn to their Lord with humble supplication, saying: *"Our Lord, turn away from us the punishment of Hellfire."*

They recognize that the punishment of Hell is not a fleeting or temporary matter—it is *gharām*, a torment that clings permanently to its inhabitants, never departing from them for even a moment. Just as a persistent creditor follows a debtor relentlessly, so too does the punishment of Hell pursue and cling to those who are cast into it. It is an everlasting, inescapable reality.

This verse teaches us a profound lesson: even the most righteous among Allah's servants never feel completely secure from His punishment. They understand that Paradise is only attained through Allah's mercy, and they continuously beseech Him for protection from the Fire. This is the balance of the believer—doing good deeds while remaining humble, hopeful yet fearful, and never ceasing to call upon their Lord.

A Da'wah Reflection:

How beautiful is this state of the believer! They do not rely solely on their deeds, no matter how abundant, but they place their ultimate trust in Allah's mercy and protection. This is a call for us to follow their example—to combine action with supplication, to worship with sincerity, and to always remember that the Fire is real, its torment is permanent, and only Allah's protection can save us from it. Let us make this du'a a constant part of our lives, morning and evening, for it is a key to safety and a sign of true faith. The Prophet ﷺ himself would seek refuge in Allah from the punishment of Hellfire, and he taught his companions to do the same. So let us hold fast to this supplication, for it opens the doors of Allah's mercy and shields us from His wrath.