أَثُمَّ إِذَا مَا وَقَعَ ءَامَنتُم بِهِۦٓ ۚ ءَآلْـَٔـٰنَ وَقَدْ كُنتُم بِهِۦ تَسْتَعْجِلُونَ 51
Translations
Then is it that when it has [actually] occurred you will believe in it? Now? And you were [once] for it impatient.
Transliteration
A-thumma idhā mā waqa'a āmantum bih? Āl-āna wa-qad kuntum bih tastajilūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah reproaches the disbelievers for their sudden belief only after the punishment has already befallen them, despite their previous mockery and demands for the torment to come quickly. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir explain that this refers to the Meccan idolaters who rejected the Prophet's warnings and hastily demanded proof through divine punishment, yet when it arrived (or was about to arrive), their belief became futile because they had delayed their repentance. The ayah emphasizes that belief after witnessing the punishment is worthless, as it comes too late for salvation.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Yunus (a Meccan chapter), which addresses the themes of divine signs, punishment for the rejectors, and the believers' patience. The broader context discusses how the disbelievers mockingly demanded swift punishment from Allah, not truly believing in its reality, mirroring the attitudes of Pharaoh's people and other ancient nations destroyed for their arrogance.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim record that the Prophet (ﷺ) warned about deferred repentance, stating that Allah accepts the repentance of a person as long as the soul has not reached the throat (i.e., before death arrives). This principle aligns with the ayah's message that belief after witnessing punishment is rejected.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should seize the opportunity to repent and believe in Allah's message while they still have time in this life, rather than waiting for signs of punishment—for belief at that moment brings no salvation. This teaches us the importance of heeding warnings promptly and maintaining sincere faith before it is eternally too late.