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.