أَفَمَنْ كَانَ مُؤْمِنًا كَمَنْ كَانَ فَاسِقًا لَا يَسْتَوُونَ ﴿۱۸﴾ أَمَّا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ فَلَهُمْ جَنَّاتُ الْمَأْوَى نُزُلًا بِمَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ ﴿۱۹﴾ وَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ فَسَقُوا فَمَأْوَاهُمُ النَّارُ كُلَّمَا أَرَادُوا أَنْ يَخْرُجُوا مِنْهَا أُعِيدُوا فِيهَا وَقِيلَ لَهُمْ ذُوقُوا عَذَابَ النَّارِ الَّذِي كُنْتُمْ بِهِ تُكَذِّبُونَ ﴿۲۰﴾ وَلَنُذِيقَنَّهُمْ مِنَ الْعَذَابِ الْأَدْنَى دُونَ الْعَذَابِ الْأَكْبَرِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْجِعُونَ ﴿۲۱﴾ وَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّنْ ذُكِّرَ بِآيَاتِ رَبِّهِ ثُمَّ أَعْرَضَ عَنْهَا إِنَّا مِنَ الْمُجْرِمِينَ مُنْتَقِمُونَ ﴿۲۲﴾

﴾18﴿ Afaman kaana mu'minan kaman kaana faasiqaa; laa yasta woon
﴾19﴿ Ammal lazeena aamanoo wa 'amilus saalihaati falahum jannaatul ma'waa nuzulam bimaa kaanoo ya'maloon
﴾20﴿ Wa ammal lazeena fasaqoo fama'waahumun Naaru kullamaaa araadooo any yakhrujoo minhaaa u'eedoo feehaa wa qeela lahum zooqoo 'azaaaban Naaril lazee kuntum bihee tukazziboon
﴾21﴿ Wa lanuzeeqan nahum minal 'azaabil adnaa doonal 'azaabil akbari la'allahum yarji'oon
﴾22﴿ Wa man azlamu mimman zukkira bi aayaati rabbihee summa a'rada 'anhaa; innaa minal mujrimeena muntaqimoon

﴾18﴿ Is someone who is a believer like someone who is disobedient? They are not equal
﴾19﴿ Those who have believed and acted according to tradition, for them are gardens of eternal residence, prepared as a reward for the deeds they used to do
﴾20﴿ And as for those who have disobeyed, their place of return is the Fire. Whenever they wish to come out of it, they will be returned to it, and it will be said to them, Taste the punishment of the Fire, that which you used to deny
﴾21﴿ And We will surely make them taste the nearer punishment before the greater punishment, so that they may return (from their sins)
﴾22﴿ And who is more unjust than the one to whom the signs of his Lord are presented, yet he turns away from them? Indeed, We will take retribution from the criminals

[18] From this verse until the end marks the second section, which discusses the contrast between the people of faith and the people of disbelief.
In three verses, there is a warning about worldly punishment and rebuke for the deniers.
Then, in two verses, the condition of Musa (peace be upon him) and his followers is mentioned as transmitted evidence.
Next, there are three verses of warning and rebuke again.
Finally, there is consolation for the Messenger of Allah (May Allah bless him and give him peace) in the last verse.
In this verse (18), the theme of the surah's message is mentioned.
"Fāsiqan" (transgressor) here refers to one who is corrupt in belief — meaning a disbeliever or polytheist.
"Lā yastawūn" — It is narrated from Qatādah that they are not equal: neither in this world, nor at the time of death, nor in the Hereafter.
[19] This is a detailed explanation of their inequality.
In this verse, the condition of the believers is mentioned, and glad tidings are given to them.
"Al-ma’wā" refers to a permanent place of residence, thus contrasting with the world, which is a place of departure.
"Nuzulan" means that blessings are continually presented to them as if they are honored guests — unlike in this world, where hospitality lasts only a few days before one returns to being like a host again.
[20] This describes the condition of the second group and serves as a warning for them.
"Every time they want to come out of it…" — This phrase indicates their eternal stay in Hell and also points to their humiliation and disgrace.
Thus, it stands in contrast to "nuzulan" (hospitality) mentioned for the believers.
[21] This also describes the condition of the second group and serves as a worldly warning.
"Al-‘adhāb al-adnā" refers to punishment in this world, because adnā means "near" or "of lesser degree."
"Dūna al-‘adhāb al-akbar" refers either to the punishment of the Hereafter or to the punishment of the grave.
[22] This also describes the condition of the second group in the form of rebuke and clarifies the reason for the previously mentioned punishment.
"Muntaqimūn" (We take retribution) indicates punishment in both this world and the Hereafter.