سُوْرَةُ الْمُؤْمِنِ

Surah Ghafir (40) — Ayah 11

The Forgiver · Meccan · Juz 24 · Page 468

‹
›
قَالُوا۟ رَبَّنَآ أَمَتَّنَا ٱثْنَتَيْنِ وَأَحْيَيْتَنَا ٱثْنَتَيْنِ فَٱعْتَرَفْنَا بِذُنُوبِنَا فَهَلْ إِلَىٰ خُرُوجٍ مِّن سَبِيلٍ ﴿11﴾

Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali

They will say: "Our Lord! You have made us to die twice (i.e. we were dead in the loins of our fathers and dead after our life in this world), and You have given us life twice (i.e. life when we were born and life when we are Resurrected)! Now we confess our sins, then is there any way to get out (of the Fire)?" (Tafsir Al-Qurtubi,)

Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning

قَالُوا۟ qālū They (will) say
رَبَّنَآ rabbanā Our Lord
أَمَتَّنَا amattanā You gave us death
ٱثْنَتَيْنِ ith'natayni twice
وَأَحْيَيْتَنَا wa-aḥyaytanā and You gave us life
ٱثْنَتَيْنِ ith'natayni twice
فَٱعْتَرَفْنَا fa-iʿ'tarafnā and we confess
بِذُنُوبِنَا bidhunūbinā our sins
فَهَلْ fahal So is (there)
إِلَىٰ ilā to
خُرُوجٍۢ khurūjin get out
مِّن min any
سَبِيلٍۢ sabīlin way

Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim — Hafiz Abdus Salam Bin Muhammad Bhutvi

Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim is a 4-volume Quran commentary by Hafiz Abdus Salam bin Muhammad Bhutvi, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar and Sheikh ul-Hadith from Pakistan. Based on over 45 years of teaching and research, this tafsir follows the methodology of Tafsir bil-Ma'thur — interpreting the Quran through authentic Hadith, statements of the Companions, and the understanding of the early generations (Salaf). It is distinguished by its complete avoidance of Israeliyyat (Judeo-Christian narratives) and unverified reports. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

(Ayah 11){ قَالُوْا رَبَّنَاۤ اَمَتَّنَا اثْنَتَيْنِ:} The people of Hell, with utmost humility and respect, will say{’’ رَبَّنَاۤ ‘‘} addressing Allah, "O our Lord! You gave us death twice and granted us life twice. Now we confess all our sins, that we committed grave mistakes by associating partners with You and denying the Resurrection. Is there any possibility now, since we have admitted our sins, that our excuse will be accepted and we will be returned to our first life to act again?" They will say this to please Allah. For the request of the disbelievers and its answer, see Surah Al-An'am (27), As-Sajdah (12), Fatir (37), and An-Nisa (18). For the explanation of two deaths and two lives, see the commentary of Surah Al-Baqarah, Ayah (28):«كَيْفَ تَكْفُرُوْنَ بِاللّٰهِ وَ كُنْتُمْ اَمْوَاتًا فَاَحْيَاكُمْ ثُمَّ يُمِيْتُكُمْ ثُمَّ يُحْيِيْكُمْ».

Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan — Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf

Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan is a well-known Quran commentary by Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. This tafsir explains the meanings of the Quran in accordance with the methodology of the Salaf (early righteous generations), relying on authentic sources and straightforward language. Due to its reliability and adherence to sound Islamic scholarship, the Saudi government publishes and distributes this tafsir among the Hujjaj (pilgrims) visiting the Haramain. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

11. 1 According to the majority of commentators, of the two deaths, the first death is that of the sperm-drop which is in the father's loins, meaning that the non-existence of a person before his existence is referred to as death, and the second death is the one that a person encounters after living his life and is then buried in the grave. Of the two lives, the first life is this worldly life, which begins at birth and ends at death, and the second life is the one that will be attained after being raised from the graves on the Day of Resurrection. The mention of these two deaths and two lives is also found in وکنتم امواتا فاحیاکم ثم یمیتکم ثم یحییکم in Al-Baqarah.

11. 2 That is, they will confess in Hell, where confession is of no benefit, and they will regret where regret holds no value.

11. 3 This is the same wish that has been mentioned at several places in the Quran, that we be sent back to the earth so that we may perform good deeds.

Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran — Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani

Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

11. They will say, "Our Lord! You have caused us to die twice and given us life twice, and now we confess our sins [14]. So is there any way out from here?"

[14]
The Four Stages of Life and Death:

These are the same four stages of death and life that have already been mentioned at the beginning of Surah Al-Baqarah. That is, they were dead, Allah granted them life and they were born in their parents' home, then after this life comes death, and the fourth stage is being resurrected again on the Day of Judgment. Of these, everyone knows the first three stages because they are witnessed by all. Denial is only of resurrection after death, which has not been witnessed by anyone. And this matter has been made known to us through revelation, and then many rational arguments also support it. Upon seeing the Day of the Hereafter, the disbelievers will say that today we admit that what the messengers said was true. But the question is: is there any way to escape from the evil end that we are witnessing for ourselves today?
← Previous All Surahs Next →
Telegram
Facebook