رُّبَمَا يَوَدُّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ لَوْ كَانُوا۟ مُسْلِمِينَ 2
Translations
Perhaps those who disbelieve will wish that they had been Muslims.
Transliteration
Rubamma yawaddu alladhina kafaroo law kanu muslimeen
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah conveys that the disbelievers will wish on the Day of Judgment that they had been Muslims in this world. Ibn Kathir explains that this regret will come too late, as the opportunity for belief in the worldly life will have passed. Al-Qurtubi notes that this demonstrates the ultimate consequences of rejecting faith—a profound and irreversible regret that will torment the disbelievers eternally.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Al-Hijr, a Meccan chapter revealed during the early period of the Prophet's mission. It addresses the Meccan disbelievers and serves as a warning of the Day of Judgment. The broader context of the surah emphasizes the certainty of the Hereafter and the futility of rejecting God's signs, with this particular verse highlighting the eternal regret awaiting those who persist in disbelief.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari (Book of Tawheed): The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) stated that on the Day of Judgment, the disbelievers will wish to be obedient to Allah. Additionally, the hadith in Sahih Muslim describes how people will wish they could return to the world to perform righteous deeds, reflecting the regret mentioned in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah serves as a powerful reminder that the opportunity for sincere belief and repentance is limited to this worldly life—once death arrives, regret becomes meaningless. Believers should use this as motivation to strengthen their faith and reach out to others before it is too late, while recognizing that true belief must be embraced voluntarily in this world.