يَوْمَئِذٍ يَوَدُّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَعَصَوُا۟ ٱلرَّسُولَ لَوْ تُسَوَّىٰ بِهِمُ ٱلْأَرْضُ وَلَا يَكْتُمُونَ ٱللَّهَ حَدِيثًا 42
Translations
That Day, those who disbelieved and disobeyed the Messenger will wish they could be covered by the earth. And they will not conceal from Allāh a [single] statement.
Transliteration
Yawma'idhin yawaddu alladhina kafaroo wa 'asawu ar-rasoola law tusawwa bihimu al-ard wa la yaktumoon Allaha hadeetha
Tafsir (Explanation)
On the Day of Judgment, those who disbelieved and disobeyed the Messenger will wish that the earth could be leveled over them (that they could be buried in it and cease to exist), and they will not be able to hide any of their deeds from Allah. Ibn Kathir explains this as depicting the intense regret and humiliation of the disbelievers when they face divine judgment, while Al-Qurtubi emphasizes that this wish to be covered by the earth reflects their desperate desire to escape the punishment and shame of that Day, yet their concealment will be impossible as all secrets are laid bare before Allah.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of a broader Medinan passage discussing the events and realities of the Day of Judgment. It comes after verses about those who argue about Allah's signs without knowledge, reinforcing themes of accountability and the consequences of rejecting divine guidance and the Prophet's message.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, 'The Day of Judgment will not be established until the sun rises from the west; when the people see it, all those who disbelieve will believe, but that will be the time when no soul shall have benefit from its Belief.' (Sahih Bukhari 4636). Additionally, Surah At-Tariq (86:9) complements this theme: 'The Day when secrets will be put on trial.'
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah serves as a powerful reminder that every action and intention is recorded by Allah and will be revealed on the Day of Judgment, motivating believers to maintain consciousness of God (taqwa) and sincerity in their obedience. It should inspire readers to reflect on the consequences of rejecting divine guidance and to seize the opportunity in this life to align themselves with the truth before all secrets are exposed.
Related Ayahs
وَمَا لَكُمْ لَا تُقَـٰتِلُونَ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَٱلْمُسْتَضْعَفِينَ مِنَ ٱلرِّجَالِ وَٱلنِّسَآءِ وَٱلْوِلْدَٰنِ ٱلَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَآ أَخْرِجْنَا مِنْ هَـٰذِهِ ٱلْقَرْيَةِ ٱلظَّالِمِ أَهْلُهَا وَٱجْعَل لَّنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ وَلِيًّا وَٱجْعَل لَّنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ نَصِيرًا
And what is [the matter] with you that you fight not in the cause of Allāh and [for] the oppressed among men, women, and children who say, "Our Lord, take us out of this city of oppressive people and appoint for us from Yourself a protector and appoint for us from Yourself a helper"?
وَلِكُلٍّ جَعَلْنَا مَوَٰلِىَ مِمَّا تَرَكَ ٱلْوَٰلِدَانِ وَٱلْأَقْرَبُونَ ۚ وَٱلَّذِينَ عَقَدَتْ أَيْمَـٰنُكُمْ فَـَٔاتُوهُمْ نَصِيبَهُمْ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ شَهِيدًا
And for all, We have made heirs to what is left by parents and relatives. And to those whom your oaths have bound [to you] - give them their share. Indeed Allāh is ever, over all things, a Witness.
مَّن يُطِعِ ٱلرَّسُولَ فَقَدْ أَطَاعَ ٱللَّهَ ۖ وَمَن تَوَلَّىٰ فَمَآ أَرْسَلْنَـٰكَ عَلَيْهِمْ حَفِيظًا
He who obeys the Messenger has obeyed Allāh; but those who turn away - We have not sent you over them as a guardian.
وَلِلَّهِ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ مُّحِيطًا
And to Allāh belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. And ever is Allāh, of all things, encompassing.