Tafseer Ibn Kathir of AL MU'MINUUN [105]

105. ”Were not My Ayat recited to you, and then you used to deny them'' 106. They will say: ”Our Lord! Our wretchedness overcame us, and we were (an) erring people.'' 107. ”Our Lord! Bring us out of this. If ever we return (to evil), then indeed we shall be wrongdoers.'' This is a rebuke from Allah to the people of Hell for the disbelief, sins, unlawful deeds and evil actions that they committed, because of which they were doomed. Allah says:

(”Were not My Ayat recited to you, and then you used to deny them'') meaning, `I sent Messengers to you, and revealed Books, and cleared the confusion for you, so you have no excuse.' This is like the Ayat:

(in order that mankind should have no plea against Allah after the Messengers) ï´¿4:165ï´¾

(And We never punish until We have sent a Messenger) ï´¿17:15ï´¾.

(Every time a group is cast therein, its keeper will ask: ”Did no warner come to you'') Until His saying;

(So, away with the dwellers of the blazing Fire!) They will say:

(Our Lord! Our wretchedness overcame us, and we were (an) erring people.) meaning, evidence has been established against us, but we were so doomed that we could not follow it, so we went astray and were not guided. Then they will say:

(Our Lord! Bring us out of this. If ever we return (to evil), then indeed we shall be wrongdoers.) meaning, send us back to the world, and if we go back to what we used to do before, then we will indeed be wrongdoers who deserve punishment. This is like the Ayat:

(Now we confess our sins, then is there any way to get out) Until His statement:

(So the judgment is only with Allah, the Most High, the Most Great!'') ï´¿40:11-12ï´¾ meaning, there will be no way out, because you used to associate partners in worship with Allah whereas the believers worshipped Him Alone.