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
وَمَنْ أَحْسَنُ دِينًا مِّمَّنْ أَسْلَمَ وَجْهَهُۥ لِلَّهِ وَهُوَ مُحْسِنٌ وَٱتَّبَعَ مِلَّةَ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ حَنِيفًا ۗ وَٱتَّخَذَ ٱللَّهُ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ خَلِيلًا
And who is better in religion than one who submits himself to Allāh while being a doer of good and follows the religion of Abraham, inclining toward truth? And Allāh took Abraham as an intimate friend.
وَلَا تُجَـٰدِلْ عَنِ ٱلَّذِينَ يَخْتَانُونَ أَنفُسَهُمْ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ مَن كَانَ خَوَّانًا أَثِيمًا
And do not argue on behalf of those who deceive themselves. Indeed, Allāh loves not one who is a habitually sinful deceiver.
سَتَجِدُونَ ءَاخَرِينَ يُرِيدُونَ أَن يَأْمَنُوكُمْ وَيَأْمَنُوا۟ قَوْمَهُمْ كُلَّ مَا رُدُّوٓا۟ إِلَى ٱلْفِتْنَةِ أُرْكِسُوا۟ فِيهَا ۚ فَإِن لَّمْ يَعْتَزِلُوكُمْ وَيُلْقُوٓا۟ إِلَيْكُمُ ٱلسَّلَمَ وَيَكُفُّوٓا۟ أَيْدِيَهُمْ فَخُذُوهُمْ وَٱقْتُلُوهُمْ حَيْثُ ثَقِفْتُمُوهُمْ ۚ وَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكُمْ جَعَلْنَا لَكُمْ عَلَيْهِمْ سُلْطَـٰنًا مُّبِينًا
You will find others who wish to obtain security from you and [to] obtain security from their people. Every time they are returned to [the influence of] disbelief, they fall back into it. So if they do not withdraw from you or offer you peace or restrain their hands, then seize them and kill them wherever you overtake them. And those - We have made for you against them a clear authorization.
مَّن يَشْفَعْ شَفَـٰعَةً حَسَنَةً يَكُن لَّهُۥ نَصِيبٌ مِّنْهَا ۖ وَمَن يَشْفَعْ شَفَـٰعَةً سَيِّئَةً يَكُن لَّهُۥ كِفْلٌ مِّنْهَا ۗ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ مُّقِيتًا
Whoever intercedes for a good cause will have a share [i.e., reward] therefrom; and whoever intercedes for an evil cause will have a portion [i.e., burden] therefrom. And ever is Allāh, over all things, a Keeper.