Quran 67:10 Meaning: Listening and Reasoning in Surah Al-Mulk
What Quran 67:10 (Surah Al-Mulk, ayah 10) says, in Arabic with English meaning, its context in ayahs 6–12, and why the Quran ties faith to listening and reasoning.
Last updated: 2026-10-09
Quran 67:10 is the tenth ayah of Surah Al-Mulk (67), the surah many Muslims recite every night. It is a short ayah that people quote because of its striking idea: on the Day of Judgement, the people of the Fire say that what they lacked in this life was listening and reasoning.
Quran 67:10 in Arabic with English meaning
وَقَالُواْ لَوۡ كُنَّا نَسۡمَعُ أَوۡ نَعۡقِلُ مَا كُنَّا فِيٓ أَصۡحَٰبِ ٱلسَّعِيرِ ١٠ 67:10And they will say, "If only we had been listening or reasoning, we would not be among the companions of the Blaze
The context: ayahs 6 to 12
Ayahs 67:6–8 describe the punishment of those who disbelieved in their Lord and the moment they are thrown into the Fire. Its keepers ask them whether no warner came to them. In 67:9 they admit that a warner did come, but they denied him and said God had sent down nothing. Then comes ayah 10, followed by their confession of their sin in ayah 11:
فَٱعۡتَرَفُواْ بِذَنۢبِهِمۡ فَسُحۡقࣰا لِّأَصۡحَٰبِ ٱلسَّعِيرِ ١١ 67:11And they will admit their sin, so [it is] alienation for the companions of the Blaze
The passage then turns to the opposite group: those who fear their Lord unseen, promised forgiveness and a great reward (67:12).
Listening and reasoning
Two faculties are named in ayah 10: hearing — in the sense of listening attentively and accepting — and reason. Commentators note that the people speaking had ears and minds; what they regret is not having used them for what they were given for. The Quran returns to this idea often, calling on people to reflect, to think and to use their understanding, and describing those who have hearts they do not understand with and ears they do not hear with.
Read in context, the ayah is both a warning and an invitation: guidance has been delivered, and the response asked of each person is to listen and think while there is still time. That fits the theme of the whole surah — the dominion (al-mulk) belongs to God, who created death and life to test who is best in deeds (67:2).
Surah Al-Mulk
Al-Mulk has 30 ayahs and is Meccan. Learn about its themes and the hadith about reciting it at night in the Surah Al-Mulk summary, read the whole surah with its English meaning on the Al-Mulk page, or make a video of these ayahs.
Frequently asked questions
- What is Quran 67:10?
- Ayah 10 of Surah Al-Mulk, surah 67. It records the words of people in Hell who regret that they did not listen or use their reason in this life.
- What is the lesson of 67:10?
- That listening to guidance and thinking about it are what save a person. The Quran repeatedly links faith with hearing, seeing and reasoning.
- What comes after 67:10?
- Ayah 11, in which they admit their sin, followed by a description of those who fear their Lord unseen and are promised forgiveness and a great reward.
This article explains common understanding and history for general readers; it is not a religious ruling. For questions of practice, consult a qualified scholar. See the disclaimer.
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