فَعَتَوْا۟ عَنْ أَمْرِ رَبِّهِمْ فَأَخَذَتْهُمُ ٱلصَّـٰعِقَةُ وَهُمْ يَنظُرُونَ 44
Translations
But they were insolent toward the command of their Lord, so the thunderbolt seized them while they were looking on.
Transliteration
Fa'ataw 'an amri rabbihim fa-akhdhattuhum us-sa'iqatu wa hum yanzurun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to the people of 'Ad who arrogantly rebelled against Allah's command delivered through the Prophet Hud, whereupon Allah seized them with a thunderbolt (as-sa'iqah) while they watched helplessly. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this punishment came swiftly and directly, demonstrating that defiance of Allah's messengers results in immediate divine retribution. The phrase 'while they were looking' emphasizes the horror of witnessing their own destruction, serving as a warning to all who hear of their fate.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Adh-Dhariyat's discussion of the fates of various destroyed nations. The context describes how the people of 'Ad rejected Prophet Hud's message, and this ayah specifically details their punishment. The surah uses these historical examples as lessons for the Meccan polytheists who similarly rejected Prophet Muhammad's message.
Related Hadiths
The story of 'Ad and their destruction is referenced in multiple ahadith, including in Sahih Bukhari where the Prophet (peace be upon him) mentioned the eight consecutive nights of wind that destroyed them (mentioned in Surah Al-Haq). Thematically related is the hadith in Sahih Muslim about the punishment that comes to those who turn away from Allah's signs.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that rejecting divine guidance through arrogance leads to swift and inescapable punishment, serving as a timeless reminder for believers to humbly accept Allah's commands and the guidance of His messengers. The vivid imagery of witnessing one's own destruction underscores the importance of taking warnings seriously before it is too late.