فَمَا كَانَ دَعْوَىٰهُمْ إِذْ جَآءَهُم بَأْسُنَآ إِلَّآ أَن قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّا كُنَّا ظَـٰلِمِينَ 5
Translations
And their declaration when Our punishment came to them was only that they said, "Indeed, we were wrongdoers!"
Transliteration
Fama kana da'waahum idh jaa'ahum ba'suna illa an qaloo inna kunna zalimeen
Tafsir (Explanation)
When Allah's punishment came upon the disbelieving nations, their only response was to acknowledge their own wrongdoing and injustice. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir explain this as a demonstration of how recognition of sin comes too late—after the punishment has already arrived—making their confession regretful and ineffective for salvation. This ayah illustrates the principle that acknowledgment of wrongdoing at the moment of divine retribution cannot avert the consequences that have already been decreed.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Al-A'raf (Meccan chapter) which recounts the historical narratives of various prophets and the fates of nations that rejected their messages. Verse 7:5 specifically reflects on the pattern of divine punishment throughout history, showing how past communities responded when calamity befell them. The broader context (7:4-5) emphasizes that when Allah's punishment comes, it is too late for repentance to change one's fate.
Related Hadiths
The Hadith of Intercession (in Sahih Bukhari and Muslim) relates to the theme of acknowledgment on the Day of Judgment when people realize their accountability. Additionally, Surah Az-Zumar (39:58) complements this concept: 'And those who feared their Lord will be led to Paradise in groups' versus those who only regret when punishment arrives.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that true repentance must come before punishment arrives, not after—encouraging immediate course correction upon recognizing wrongdoing rather than waiting for calamity to strike. It also teaches that while Allah accepts sincere repentance in this life, delaying repentance until facing divine punishment renders confession meaningless.
Related Ayahs
فَأَسْقِطْ عَلَيْنَا كِسَفًا مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ إِن كُنتَ مِنَ ٱلصَّـٰدِقِينَ
So cause to fall upon us fragments of the sky, if you should be of the truthful."
وَءَاتَيْنَـٰهُمْ ءَايَـٰتِنَا فَكَانُوا۟ عَنْهَا مُعْرِضِينَ
And We gave them Our signs, but from them they were turning away.
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَكْتُمُونَ مَآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ مِنَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ وَيَشْتَرُونَ بِهِۦ ثَمَنًا قَلِيلًا ۙ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ مَا يَأْكُلُونَ فِى بُطُونِهِمْ إِلَّا ٱلنَّارَ وَلَا يُكَلِّمُهُمُ ٱللَّهُ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ وَلَا يُزَكِّيهِمْ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ
Indeed, they who conceal what Allāh has sent down of the Book and exchange it for a small price - those consume not into their bellies except the Fire. And Allāh will not speak to them on the Day of Resurrection, nor will He purify them. And they will have a painful punishment.
وَقَـٰرُونَ وَفِرْعَوْنَ وَهَـٰمَـٰنَ ۖ وَلَقَدْ جَآءَهُم مُّوسَىٰ بِٱلْبَيِّنَـٰتِ فَٱسْتَكْبَرُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَمَا كَانُوا۟ سَـٰبِقِينَ
And [We destroyed] Qārūn and Pharaoh and Hāmān. And Moses had already come to them with clear evidences, and they were arrogant in the land, but they were not outrunners [of Our punishment].