يَوْمَئِذٍ يَوَدُّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَعَصَوُا۟ ٱلرَّسُولَ لَوْ تُسَوَّىٰ بِهِمُ ٱلْأَرْضُ وَلَا يَكْتُمُونَ ٱللَّهَ حَدِيثًا 42
Translations
That Day, those who disbelieved and disobeyed the Messenger will wish they could be covered by the earth. And they will not conceal from Allāh a [single] statement.
Transliteration
Yawma'idhin yawaddu alladhina kafaroo wa 'asawu ar-rasoola law tusawwa bihimu al-ard wa la yaktumoon Allaha hadeetha
Tafsir (Explanation)
On the Day of Judgment, those who disbelieved and disobeyed the Messenger will wish that the earth could be leveled over them (that they could be buried in it and cease to exist), and they will not be able to hide any of their deeds from Allah. Ibn Kathir explains this as depicting the intense regret and humiliation of the disbelievers when they face divine judgment, while Al-Qurtubi emphasizes that this wish to be covered by the earth reflects their desperate desire to escape the punishment and shame of that Day, yet their concealment will be impossible as all secrets are laid bare before Allah.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of a broader Medinan passage discussing the events and realities of the Day of Judgment. It comes after verses about those who argue about Allah's signs without knowledge, reinforcing themes of accountability and the consequences of rejecting divine guidance and the Prophet's message.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, 'The Day of Judgment will not be established until the sun rises from the west; when the people see it, all those who disbelieve will believe, but that will be the time when no soul shall have benefit from its Belief.' (Sahih Bukhari 4636). Additionally, Surah At-Tariq (86:9) complements this theme: 'The Day when secrets will be put on trial.'
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah serves as a powerful reminder that every action and intention is recorded by Allah and will be revealed on the Day of Judgment, motivating believers to maintain consciousness of God (taqwa) and sincerity in their obedience. It should inspire readers to reflect on the consequences of rejecting divine guidance and to seize the opportunity in this life to align themselves with the truth before all secrets are exposed.
Related Ayahs
۞ لَّا يُحِبُّ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْجَهْرَ بِٱلسُّوٓءِ مِنَ ٱلْقَوْلِ إِلَّا مَن ظُلِمَ ۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ سَمِيعًا عَلِيمًا
Allāh does not like the public mention of evil except by one who has been wronged. And ever is Allāh Hearing and Knowing.
ٱنظُرْ كَيْفَ يَفْتَرُونَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ٱلْكَذِبَ ۖ وَكَفَىٰ بِهِۦٓ إِثْمًا مُّبِينًا
Look how they invent about Allāh untruth, and sufficient is that as a manifest sin.
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا سَوْفَ نُصْلِيهِمْ نَارًا كُلَّمَا نَضِجَتْ جُلُودُهُم بَدَّلْنَـٰهُمْ جُلُودًا غَيْرَهَا لِيَذُوقُوا۟ ٱلْعَذَابَ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ عَزِيزًا حَكِيمًا
Indeed, those who disbelieve in Our verses - We will drive them into a fire. Every time their skins are roasted through, We will replace them with other skins so they may taste the punishment. Indeed, Allāh is ever Exalted in Might and Wise.
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ ءَامِنُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦ وَٱلْكِتَـٰبِ ٱلَّذِى نَزَّلَ عَلَىٰ رَسُولِهِۦ وَٱلْكِتَـٰبِ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنزَلَ مِن قَبْلُ ۚ وَمَن يَكْفُرْ بِٱللَّهِ وَمَلَـٰٓئِكَتِهِۦ وَكُتُبِهِۦ وَرُسُلِهِۦ وَٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلْـَٔاخِرِ فَقَدْ ضَلَّ ضَلَـٰلًۢا بَعِيدًا
O you who have believed, believe in Allāh and His Messenger and the Book that He sent down upon His Messenger and the Scripture which He sent down before. And whoever disbelieves in Allāh, His angels, His books, His messengers, and the Last Day has certainly gone far astray.