Surah Al-Muddaththir 74:30

عَلَيْهَا تِسْعَةَ عَشَرَ

74:30 In explaining this verse, most commentators are of the view that nineteen that are the keepers of the Hell is a parable that is illustrated in the next verse. According to Râzî, the number nineteen refers to the number of human qualities, which are to be used to purge sin in us. We have here a reference to the nineteen physical, intellectual and emotional powers within us. We are endowed with nine major senses, i.e. five senses (sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch), one proprioceptive sense of position in space and the senses arising from internal organs relating to hunger, thirst and sexuality. These, coupled with their nine spiritual counterparts together with a guardian or controlling sense - the will-power, which dominates and controls all these different faculties of human nature, are the nineteen guardians of Hell. The foregoing verses (5-25) mention nineteen evils that need to be purged in order to attain purity. The Qur’ânic teachings aim at disciplining these semi-autonomous functions. The neglect and misuse of these nineteen angelic fine qualities is the root of all sins and suffering in the Hereafter. They are spoken of as wardens of the Fire of Hell.