وَأَنذِرْهُمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْحَسْرَةِ إِذْ قُضِىَ ٱلْأَمْرُ وَهُمْ فِى غَفْلَةٍ وَهُمْ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ 39
Translations
And warn them, [O Muḥammad], of the Day of Regret, when the matter will be concluded; and [yet], they are in [a state of] heedlessness, and they do not believe.
Transliteration
Wa andhirhum yawm al-hasrati idh qudiya al-amru wa hum fi ghiflatin wa hum la yu'minun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah commands the Prophet Muhammad to warn disbelievers of the Day of Regret (Yawm al-Hasrah), which refers to the Day of Judgment when all matters will be decided and there will be no opportunity for repentance. Ibn Kathir explains that despite clear signs and warnings, these people remain in heedlessness and refuse to believe, sealed in their disbelief until the inevitable hour arrives. Al-Tabari emphasizes that the 'Day of Regret' specifically denotes the profound sorrow and remorse the disbelievers will experience when they witness the reality of the afterlife and realize the consequences of their rejection.
Revelation Context
Surah Maryam, revealed in Mecca during the early period of Islam, contains repeated warnings to the Meccan polytheists who rejected the Prophet's message. This ayah fits within the broader context of the surah's emphasis on warning (indhaar) and the certainty of divine judgment, following the narratives of previous prophets and their peoples who similarly denied the truth.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The best of deeds is to believe in Allah and His Messenger, and the worst of deeds is to associate partners with Allah and to kill a soul which Allah has forbidden, or to be heedless of the signs.' (Related themes in Jami' at-Tirmidhi). Also relevant: 'Verily the Day of Judgment will not be established until... people do not heed warnings' (Various collections).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers of the urgency in accepting divine guidance and the danger of spiritual heedlessness in this worldly life, for the opportunity to repent ends at death. It also underscores the believer's responsibility to warn others, just as the Prophet warned, while recognizing that ultimate guidance comes from Allah alone.