فَيَوْمَئِذٍ لَّا يَنفَعُ ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا۟ مَعْذِرَتُهُمْ وَلَا هُمْ يُسْتَعْتَبُونَ 57
Translations
So that Day, their excuse will not benefit those who wronged, nor will they be asked to appease [Allāh].
Transliteration
Fa-yawma'idhin la yanfa'u alladhina dhalamoo ma'thuratuhum wa la hum yustu'tabun
Tafsir (Explanation)
On the Day of Judgment, the excuses and apologies of those who committed injustice and wrongdoing will be of no avail to them, nor will they be given the opportunity to make amends or seek restoration of favor. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari emphasize that this ayah demonstrates the finality of judgment and the complete rejection of all pretexts and excuses on that Day, highlighting the absolute justice of Allah's decision.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Ar-Rum, a Meccan surah that addresses the transient nature of worldly life and the certainty of the Day of Judgment. The broader context of this ayah concerns the scenes of the Final Day, warning disbelievers and wrongdoers that their status and excuses will hold no weight before Allah's divine justice.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The person most hated by Allah is the one who is most quarrelsome and argumentative (al-akhab al-'addad)' (Sahih Bukhari 3476), and 'None of you will enter Paradise by his deeds.' People asked: 'Not even you, O Messenger of Allah?' He replied: 'Not even I, except that Allah envelops me in His mercy' (Sahih Muslim 2816), both emphasizing that excuses and arguments avail nothing without Allah's mercy.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah serves as a powerful reminder that in this life, we must rectify our wrongs and seek sincere repentance before the Day of Judgment arrives, as no excuses or apologies will be accepted then. Believers should strive for justice, accountability, and genuine tawbah (repentance) today, knowing that tomorrow's regret will be meaningless.