“And proclaim: This is the truth from your Lord. Now let him who will, believe; and let him who will, disbelieve. We have prepared a Fire for the wrong-doers whose billowing folds encompass them. If they ask for water, they will be served with a drink like dregs of oil that will scald their faces. How dreadful a drink, and how evil an abode! As for those who believe and do good We shall not cause their reward to be lost.”
(Al-Qur’ān -18:29-30)
This statement was made after narrating the story of the People of the Cave. While recounting the events of the People of the Cave, it was mentioned that after having come to have faith in God’s unity, the People of the Cave rose up and proclaimed: Our Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth (18:14). Moreover, they categorically refused to enter into any compromise with their people who were immersed in doctrinal error. Instead, they resolutely proclaimed: ‘We shall call upon no other god beside Him; (for if we did so), we shall be uttering a blasphemy’ (18:14).
The wordsurādiq in the text signifies the walls of a tent. In its present usage in connection with Hell, however, it seems that it denotes the extent of the reach of the flames or the heat of Hell-Fire. The verse here says that the surādiqof Hell-Fire encompasses the wrongdoers. These are the things which will be provided for the disbelievers and wrongdoers in the Hell. As for the believers, God promises them rewards.