يَـٰلَيْتَهَا كَانَتِ ٱلْقَاضِيَةَ 27
Translations
I wish it [i.e., my death] had been the decisive one.
Transliteration
Ya laytaha kanat al-qadiyah
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah depicts the utterance of a disbeliever on the Day of Judgment, wishing that death (represented by 'al-qadiyah' - the decisive/final event) had been the end of existence. The person expresses regret, wishing they had simply died and ceased to exist rather than face the torment of the Hereafter. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi explain this as the ultimate despair of those who rejected faith, recognizing too late the reality of divine judgment and their eternal punishment.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Al-Haqqah, a Meccan surah emphasizing the certainty of the Day of Judgment and divine justice. The passage (verses 25-29) specifically describes the state of the disbeliever in the Hereafter, illustrating their regret and helplessness when they realize the truth of resurrection and accountability.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, 'The best of you are those who hope for reward and fear punishment,' which connects to the theme of accountability. Additionally, in Sahih Muslim, there are descriptions of the regret of disbelievers on the Day of Judgment when they see the reality they denied.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah serves as a profound reminder that denying the truth in this life leads to irrevocable regret in the Hereafter, emphasizing the importance of seeking faith and righteousness while time remains. It calls believers to reflect on the reality of the afterlife and the futility of worldly pursuits detached from submission to Allah.