رَبَّنَآ أَخْرِجْنَا مِنْهَا فَإِنْ عُدْنَا فَإِنَّا ظَـٰلِمُونَ 107
Translations
Our Lord, remove us from it, and if we were to return [to evil], we would indeed be wrongdoers."
Transliteration
Rabbana akhrijnā minhā fa-in ʿudnā fa-innā ẓālimūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah depicts the supplication of the inhabitants of Hell, pleading with Allah to remove them from their punishment, acknowledging that if they were to return to their sins, they would be committing grave injustice against themselves. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi, this represents the disbelievers' recognition of their wrongdoing and their desperate desire for mercy, yet Allah does not grant their request due to their rejection of faith in the worldly life. The ayah emphasizes both the certainty of divine justice and the impossibility of escape once one has entered Hell without having believed.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Al-Mu'minun, which was revealed in Mecca and discusses the characteristics of true believers contrasted with the fate of disbelievers. The specific passage (23:103-111) describes the Day of Judgment and the outcome of those whose scales are light—depicting Hell's inmates and their ultimate regret and helplessness.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: 'The people of Hell will never enter Paradise, nor will they die in Hell. They will neither live nor die.' (Sunan Ibn Majah) - relating to the eternity and inescapability of Hell for disbelievers.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah serves as a profound reminder that true repentance and belief must occur in the worldly life before death, as regret in the Hereafter will be of no avail. It emphasizes the urgency of turning to Allah now while we have the opportunity, rather than waiting until we face the reality of our deeds.