Az-Zumar (The Groups)

57. Or [lest] he should say [out of profound grief]: “If only Allah has guided me, I should indeed have been among the righteous.”

58. Or [lest] he should say when he sees the torment: “If only I had another chance [to return to the world] then I should be among the good doers.”

On the Resurrection Day, sinners aim to acquit themselves of their sins. On the Day of Resurrection the sinful wish that they could return to the world in order to do good [to himself and others].

The blessed Verse in question says:

“Lest that the sinful say: ‘Had God guided me, I would have been among the righteous.’”

Such words are apparently uttered upon reckoning, noticing that some people proceed toward Paradise enjoying all Bounties for their righteous good deeds. He also wishes that he could accompany them to Paradise.

Verse 60 is saying that upon experiencing Divine Chastisement, he wishes that he could return to the world to become one of the righteous. Upon treading the way to Hell, he notices the blazing fire and the excruciating torment, he sighs wishing that he could be permitted to return to the world and compensate for his sins through committing righteous deeds and become one of the good doers.

Thus, each of the three words are uttered at certain times: noticing the Resurrection he regrets his past deeds; perceiving the rewards of the righteous, he wishes that the same were in store for him; experiencing Divine Chastisement, he wishes that he could return to the world and compensate for his past deeds.