قَالَا رَبَّنَا ظَلَمْنَآ أَنفُسَنَا وَإِن لَّمْ تَغْفِرْ لَنَا وَتَرْحَمْنَا لَنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ ٱلْخَـٰسِرِينَ 23
Translations
They said, "Our Lord, we have wronged ourselves, and if You do not forgive us and have mercy upon us, we will surely be among the losers."
Transliteration
Qala rabbana zalamnaa anfusana wa in lam taghfir lana wa tarhamna lanakoonanna minal khasirin
Tafsir (Explanation)
Adam and Eve, after consuming from the forbidden tree, humbly acknowledge their transgression and turn to Allah in sincere repentance, saying: 'Our Lord, we have wronged ourselves, and if You do not forgive us and have mercy upon us, we will surely be among the losers.' This ayah exemplifies the nature of true tawbah (repentance)—admitting fault, seeking Allah's forgiveness, and recognizing complete dependence on His mercy. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that this dual supplication demonstrates both accountability and hope in Allah's boundless compassion, establishing the precedent for human repentance that continues throughout history.
Revelation Context
This ayah concludes the narrative of Adam and Eve's transgression in Surah Al-A'raf (7:19-23). It occurs within the Meccan period and serves as a foundational story illustrating how even the first humans erred and sought forgiveness, providing comfort to the Prophet Muhammad's followers who faced their own spiritual struggles. The context emphasizes that sin and repentance are inherent to the human condition, and Allah's mercy is available to all who sincerely turn back to Him.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'All the children of Adam are sinners, but the best of sinners are those who repent.' (Sunan Ibn Majah) Additionally, Allah's statement in a hadith qudsi: 'O son of Adam, as long as you call upon Me and ask of Me, I shall forgive you for what you have done, and I shall not mind.' (Sunan At-Tirmidhi)
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that sincere repentance requires acknowledging one's faults without excuse and placing complete trust in Allah's mercy rather than despair. For modern believers, it demonstrates that no sin is too great for Allah to forgive when one turns back with a sincere heart, making it a source of hope and encouragement for spiritual renewal.