وَأَمَّا مَنْ أُوتِىَ كِتَـٰبَهُۥ بِشِمَالِهِۦ فَيَقُولُ يَـٰلَيْتَنِى لَمْ أُوتَ كِتَـٰبِيَهْ 25
Translations
But as for he who is given his record in his left hand, he will say, "Oh, I wish I had not been given my record
Transliteration
Wa-amma man ootiya kitabahu bi-shimalihi fa-yaqoolu ya-laytani lam oot kitabiyah
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes those who receive their record of deeds in their left hand on the Day of Judgment, expressing deep regret and wishing they had never been given their book of actions. According to classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, receiving the book in the left hand is a sign of the person's deeds being evil and their destination being Hell. The ayah emphasizes the despair and hopelessness that will grip those whose deeds were wicked, as they realize the inevitable consequence of their actions.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Al-Haqqah, a Meccan chapter that emphasizes the certainty and reality of the Day of Judgment (Al-Haqqah). The surah describes scenes from the Day of Judgment, and this particular verse falls within the passage depicting how different groups of people will receive their records of deeds—the righteous in their right hand and the wicked in their left hand.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'The person who receives his book in his right hand will have an easy reckoning' (Sahih Bukhari 6532). Additionally, Surah Al-Inshiqaq (84:7-9) describes: 'As for him who is given his record in his right hand, he will say: Here, read my record!'—contrasting with those given their books in the left hand.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah serves as a powerful reminder that our actions in this life have eternal consequences and will be presented to us on the Day of Judgment; believers should strive to perform righteous deeds and seek Allah's mercy, knowing that regret on that day will be too late to change the outcome.