يَقُولُونَ أَءِنَّا لَمَرْدُودُونَ فِى ٱلْحَافِرَةِ 10
Translations
They are [presently] saying, "Will we indeed be returned to [our] former state [of life]?
Transliteration
Yaqooluna a-inna laa marduoduna fil-hafirah
Tafsir (Explanation)
The disbelievers are expressing doubt and denial about resurrection, questioning whether they will truly be brought back to life after death in 'al-hafirah' (the return/resurrection). According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this ayah illustrates the obstinate rejection of the Quraysh regarding the resurrection, despite the clear signs presented to them throughout the Quran. The rhetorical question ('a-inna') conveys their mockery and incredulity toward this fundamental Islamic belief.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the Meccan surah An-Nazi'at, which deals extensively with the Day of Judgment and resurrection. The broader context of verses 79:8-14 describes the cosmic events of Judgment Day, and this ayah represents the common objection of Meccan polytheists who denied bodily resurrection—a central theme of early Quranic revelation addressing the spiritual heedlessness of Arabian society.
Related Hadiths
The theme of denying resurrection is addressed in Sahih Bukhari (6/2439) where the Prophet ﷺ mentioned that disbelievers will be resurrected on the Day of Judgment despite their denial in this life. Additionally, related to this context is the hadith in Sunan Ibn Majah about those who deny the resurrection being among the greatest of sinners.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that skepticism toward the Hereafter is a profound spiritual disease that blinds hearts to truth; modern readers should reflect on their own certainty in Allah's promises and guard against dismissive attitudes toward fundamental Islamic doctrines, knowing that resurrection is as inevitable as Allah's other signs in nature.