They will say: Behold, aforetime - when we were [still living] in the midst of our kith and kin - we were full of fear [at the thought of God's displeasure]:

They will say: "Aforetime, we were not without fear for the sake of our people.

Saying: Lo! of old, when we were with our families, we were ever anxious;

Saying: Surely we feared before on account of our families.

They will say, "Indeed, we were previously among our people fearful [of displeasing Allah ].