رَبَّنَآ ءَاتِهِمْ ضِعْفَيْنِ مِنَ ٱلْعَذَابِ وَٱلْعَنْهُمْ لَعْنًا كَبِيرًا 68
Translations
Our Lord, give them double the punishment and curse them with a great curse."
Transliteration
Rabbana atiHim dida'ayni mina al-adhabi wa-alhanhum la'nan kabira
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah is a supplication (du'a) wherein the believers ask Allah to double the punishment upon those who disbelieved and turned away from the Message, and to curse them with a great curse. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this refers to the hypocrites and those who actively opposed the believers during the Battle of the Confederates (Ahzab), particularly those who sowed discord and doubt among the Muslim ranks. The ayah reflects the believers' call for divine justice against those who persistently rejected truth and caused harm to the Muslim community.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Al-Ahzab, which discusses the Battle of the Confederates (Ghazwat al-Ahzab) in 5 AH, when multiple pagan tribes united to attack Madinah. The surah addresses the hypocrites (munafiqun) within Madinah who spread fear and doubt during this siege. This particular du'a reflects the believers' response to the hypocrisy and betrayal witnessed during this critical battle.
Related Hadiths
The concept of cursing disbelievers is mentioned in various ahadith context. A relevant hadith from Sahih Muslim describes the Prophet's du'a against those who harm believers: 'O Allah, help me against them by afflicting them with years [of famine] like the years of Yusuf' (Muslim 1796). Additionally, the general principle of seeking Allah's justice is found throughout the Quran and Sunnah regarding the treatment of those who reject the Message.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers to place their trust in Allah's justice and ultimate accountability rather than seeking personal revenge, while recognizing that divine punishment is reserved for those who persistently reject truth and cause harm to the believing community. It reminds us that behind every act of oppression stands Allah's perfect knowledge and ultimate justice.