What is the meaning of the word “azwājahum” (their spouses) in the verse: "Gather those who wronged and their spouses," and will a man be held accountable for his wife's religion, and why did Islam permit marriage to People of the Book if that is the case? And will deities worshipped other than Allah – such as the sun, moon, animals, and idols – enter Hellfire with their worshippers on the Day of Judgment?

Interpretation of the Almighty's saying: ﴿Gather those who did wrong, and their spouses, and what they used to worship besides Allah, and guide them to the path of Hellfire﴾ [As-Saffat/22-23]. The meaning of "their spouses" refers to the followers of the wrongdoers, their likes, and those who committed their false deeds, and it has no relation to marriage in this world.

What was worshipped besides Allah is of two types: 1. Rational beings: Those pleased with being worshipped: Like Pharaoh and Iblis, and these will enter Hellfire with their worshippers. Those displeased with being worshipped: Like Jesus and the angels, and these will disown those who worshipped them and will not enter Hellfire. 2. Irrational beings: Like trees, stones, and idols. These will enter Hellfire and become its fuel along with their worshippers, to increase the torment and disgrace of the worshippers.

Allah has excluded the righteous who were worshipped from entering Hellfire, such as prophets and angels, for they are kept far from it. On the Day of Resurrection, people will be gathered, and each group will follow what they used to worship.