Surah Mulk Verse 10 — Ayat 10

Arabic Text

وَقَالُوا۟ لَوۡ كُنَّا نَسۡمَعُ أَوۡ نَعۡقِلُ مَا كُنَّا فِیۤ أَصۡحَـٰبِ ٱلسَّعِیرِ

Transliteration

Wa qaaloo law kunnaa nasma'u awna'qilu maa kunnaa feee as haabis sa'eer

English Translation

And they will say, "If only we had been listening or reasoning, we would not be among the companions of the Blaze."

English: Saheeh International (Tanzil.net)

Word-by-Word

• وَقَالُوا۟ waqālū And they will say
• لَوْ law If
• كُنَّا kunnā we had
• نَسْمَعُ nasmaʿu listened
• أَوْ aw or
• نَعْقِلُ naʿqilu reasoned
• مَا mā not
• كُنَّا kunnā we (would) have been
• فِىٓ fī among
• أَصْحَـٰبِ aṣḥābi (the) companions
• ٱلسَّعِيرِ l-saʿīri (of) the Blaze

Word breakdown from Quran.com API (Uthmani text, Saheeh International gloss per word).

Context in Al-Mulk (Ayah 10)

They wish law kunna nasma'u aw na'qilu—they had listened or used reason—then they would not be among ashab al-sa'ir, companions of the Blaze. Tafsir notes bitter irony: they possessed hearing and intellect in dunya but refused to employ them toward revelation.

Regret language in Hell is a recurring Quranic motif to push listeners before the door closes.

This closes the Hell dialogue section before chapter 67 pivots to forgiveness for those who fear Allah unseen—a deliberate mercy after extended warning.

Key Arabic Words

• وَقَالُوا۟ And they will say This word appears in the ayah text; compare how translators render it and read the full ayah on Quran.com before extending the meaning to other passages.
• كُنَّا we had This word appears in the ayah text; compare how translators render it and read the full ayah on Quran.com before extending the meaning to other passages.
• لَوْ If This word appears in the ayah text; compare how translators render it and read the full ayah on Quran.com before extending the meaning to other passages.
• ٱلسَّعِیرِ Word in this ayah Taken from the Uthmani wording of this ayah on this page.

Classical Tafsir (Verified Summary)

Reflection on Creation

This ayah invites quiet consideration of regret for not listening or reasoning before the Blaze. Creation around us—sky, earth, birds, and daily provision—does not replace revelation, but it can soften hearts toward obedience when viewed as signs of a wise, merciful origin rather than meaningless accident. Study ayah 10 with the Arabic on this page and Saheeh International English: “And they will say, If only we had been listening or reasoning, we would not be among the companions of the Blaze.”. In chapter 67’s sequence, this line advances the theme of regret for not listening or reasoning before the Blaze. Read ayah 9 and ayah 11 on their verse pages so you see how the argument builds—Meccan proofs about creation, accountability, and mercy are layered, not repeated as generic slogans. Study ayah 10 with the Arabic on this page and Saheeh International English: “And they will say, If only we had been listening or reasoning, we would not be among the companions of the Blaze.”. In chapter 67’s sequence, this line advances the theme of regret for not listening or reasoning before the Blaze. Read ayah 9 and ayah 11 on their verse pages so you see how the argument builds—Meccan proofs about creation, accountability, and mercy are layered, not repeated as generic slogans. Study ayah 10 with the Arabic on this page and Saheeh International English: “And they will say, If only we had been listening or reasoning, we would not be among the companions of the Blaze.”. In chapter 67’s sequence, this line advances the theme of regret for not listening or reasoning before the Blaze. Read ayah 9 and ayah 11 on their verse pages so you see how the argument builds—Meccan proofs about creation, accountability, and mercy are layered, not repeated as generic slogans.

Family & Bedtime Practice

After recitation, pause thirty seconds in silence to “listen” for Allah's reminder in the heart—a mini habit against careless hearing. Write ayah 10’s number on the memorization tracker before moving to the next ayah. Write ayah 10’s number on the memorization tracker before moving to the next ayah.

For virtues and timing with sources, see benefits of Surah Mulk. Read the full chapter on the homepage reader.

Short Tafsir Note

They admit hearing but not understanding — blaming themselves yet too late. Hearing the Quran obligates reflection.

Read full multi-scholar tafsir →

Key Lessons

• Hearing without heeding is a tragedy
• Understanding is a spiritual responsibility
• Do not postpone obedience

Listen to This Verse

Mishary Rashid Alafasy