قَالُوا۟ يَـٰوَيْلَنَآ إِنَّا كُنَّا طَـٰغِينَ 31
Translations
They said, "O woe to us; indeed we were transgressors.
Transliteration
Qāloo yā waylana innā kunnā ṭāghīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah depicts the regretful exclamation of the inhabitants of Paradise's gardens on the Day of Judgment, as they acknowledge their former transgression and rebellion against Allah's commandments. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this statement reflects their recognition that they were among those who exceeded bounds in disobedience, yet Allah granted them repentance and forgiveness in this life. The phrase 'Yā waylana' (O our destruction/ruin) expresses deep remorse for their past state, emphasizing the gravity of their former rebellion despite their ultimate salvation.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Al-Qalam's narrative about the People of the Garden (Ashab al-Janah), which illustrates a parable about worldly possessions and divine testing. The surah was revealed in Mecca during the early Islamic period to strengthen the believers' faith and warn against arrogance and transgression. The entire passage (68:17-33) serves as a moral lesson about the temporary nature of worldly wealth and the importance of gratitude and obedience to Allah.
Related Hadiths
The concept of sincere repentance is emphasized in the hadith: 'Whoever repents before the sun rises from the west, Allah will accept their repentance' (Sahih Muslim 2703). Additionally, the hadith in Jami' at-Tirmidhi (2357) emphasizes that no sin is greater than Allah's mercy for those who genuinely repent.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that sincere acknowledgment of past wrongs and genuine repentance are pathways to Allah's forgiveness and grace, regardless of our former state of disobedience. It serves as a powerful reminder that in this life, we should not despair of Allah's mercy, and that turning back to righteousness is always possible before death approaches.