قَالُوا۟ رَبَّنَآ أَمَتَّنَا ٱثْنَتَيْنِ وَأَحْيَيْتَنَا ٱثْنَتَيْنِ فَٱعْتَرَفْنَا بِذُنُوبِنَا فَهَلْ إِلَىٰ خُرُوجٍ مِّن سَبِيلٍ 11
Translations
They will say, "Our Lord, You made us lifeless twice and gave us life twice, and we have confessed our sins. So is there to an exit any way?"
Transliteration
Qalū rabbānā amattanā ithnatayn wa-ahyaytanā ithnatayn fa-ʿtarafnā bi-dhunūbinā fahal ilā khurūjin min sabīl
Tafsir (Explanation)
The inhabitants of Hell acknowledge that Allah caused them to die twice (once in the worldly life and once spiritually through heedlessness, or once in the womb and once at death) and gave them life twice (in the womb and in the world, or in the world and in the Hereafter for accountability), and they confess their sins while asking if there is any way out. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi, this ayah demonstrates the people of Hell's recognition of Allah's power and their own culpability, yet their confession comes too late when the door to repentance has been eternally sealed.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Ghafir's thematic discussion of the Hereafter and the dialogue between the inhabitants of Hell and their Lord. It occurs within a broader Meccan context addressing disbelievers' denial of resurrection and accountability, emphasizing that recognition of truth in the afterlife cannot substitute for faith and righteous deeds in the worldly life.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Muslim records that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The best of supplications is seeking forgiveness (istighfar),' emphasizing the importance of repentance in this life. Additionally, a hadith in Jami' at-Tirmidhi mentions that repentance is accepted as long as the soul has not reached the throat at death.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah serves as a solemn reminder that genuine acknowledgment of one's sins and Allah's power must occur in this life through sincere repentance, not after death when all opportunity for redemption is lost. It emphasizes the urgency of turning to Allah with faith and righteousness while one still possesses the ability to change.