Surah Al-Haqqah — Verse 25

Key Words and Phrases:

• أُوتِيَ كِتَابَهُ – Given his record (the book of deeds)
• بِشِمَالِهِ – In his left hand
• يَا لَيْتَنِي – An expression of intense regret and wishful longing, meaning "Oh, I wish…"

Explanation of the Verse:

On the Day of Judgment, humanity will be divided into two groups: the people of the right hand and the people of the left hand. This verse describes the fate of those who receive their book of deeds in their left hand—a sign of disgrace and ruin. These are the people whose evil deeds outweighed their good ones, and whose lives were spent in disobedience to their Lord.

When such a person is handed his record, he is overcome with overwhelming shame, fear, and regret. The very sight of his deeds—his sins, his neglect of Allah's commands, and his pursuit of worldly pleasures without regard for the Hereafter—fills him with such horror that he cries out in anguish: "Oh, I wish I had never been given my book!" He wishes he could vanish into oblivion rather than face what is written therein.

This statement reveals the depth of his remorse. He does not merely wish for a different outcome; he wishes he had never existed in that moment of accountability. The pain of seeing his sins laid bare is so unbearable that he longs for the death he once escaped, not realizing that death was not the end but merely a transition to this eternal reality.

A Call to Reflection:

Dear reader, this scene is not a distant myth—it is a certainty that awaits every soul. The book you are writing today, with every action, every word, and every intention, is being recorded. The question is: in which hand will you receive it?

The beauty of Islam is that Allah, in His infinite mercy, has given us this life as an opportunity to rewrite our records. Every sincere repentance, every good deed, every step toward Allah erases the stains of sin. Do not wait until that moment of regret when wishing will be of no avail. Turn to Allah now, seek His forgiveness, and strive to be among those who receive their book in their right hand—those who will be greeted with joy and enter Paradise by His grace.

The Qur'an is not merely a book to be read; it is a guide to save you from that cry of regret. Let this verse be a wake-up call, a motivation to change your course while you still have time. For on that Day, no wish will be granted, and no second chance will be offered.