قَالُوا۟ رَبَّنَا غَلَبَتْ عَلَيْنَا شِقْوَتُنَا وَكُنَّا قَوْمًا ضَآلِّينَ 106
Translations
They will say, "Our Lord, our wretchedness overcame us, and we were a people astray.
Transliteration
Qalū rabbană ghalabat 'alaynā shiqwatunā wa kunnā qawman dāllīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
The inhabitants of Hell confess to their Lord that wretchedness and misery have overwhelmed them, and they acknowledge that they were a people who were astray and misguided in their earthly lives. Ibn Kathir explains that this statement reflects the believers' recognition of their own culpability and their abandonment of divine guidance, while Al-Tabari notes that 'shiqwah' (wretchedness/misery) refers to the state of being forsaken by God's mercy due to their own choices and rebellion.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Al-Mu'minun's description of the Day of Judgment and the conditions of the inhabitants of Hell. It is part of a broader Meccan narrative emphasizing accountability in the Hereafter and the consequences of disbelief and misguidance during one's earthly life.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Every soul will taste death, and then to Us will you be returned' (Quran 29:57). Additionally, in Sahih Muslim, the Prophet warned about following desires and abandoning guidance, which directly relates to the 'dalal' (misguidance) mentioned in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that ultimate regret comes only after it is too late to change one's path; therefore, believers should seek guidance and righteousness in this life before facing the reality of their choices in the Hereafter. It serves as a profound reminder that misguidance is often self-inflicted through rejection of truth, making sincere repentance and adherence to faith essential while time remains.
Related Ayahs
مَن جَآءَ بِٱلْحَسَنَةِ فَلَهُۥ عَشْرُ أَمْثَالِهَا ۖ وَمَن جَآءَ بِٱلسَّيِّئَةِ فَلَا يُجْزَىٰٓ إِلَّا مِثْلَهَا وَهُمْ لَا يُظْلَمُونَ
Whoever comes [on the Day of Judgement] with a good deed will have ten times the like thereof [to his credit], and whoever comes with an evil deed will not be recompensed except the like thereof; and they will not be wronged.
فَبَشِّرْهُم بِعَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍ
So give them tidings of a painful punishment,
وَٱللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا يُوعُونَ
And Allāh is most knowing of what they keep within themselves.
وَلَا تَحْسَبَنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَـٰفِلًا عَمَّا يَعْمَلُ ٱلظَّـٰلِمُونَ ۚ إِنَّمَا يُؤَخِّرُهُمْ لِيَوْمٍ تَشْخَصُ فِيهِ ٱلْأَبْصَـٰرُ
And never think that Allāh is unaware of what the wrongdoers do. He only delays them [i.e., their account] for a Day when eyes will stare [in horror].