أَلَمْ يَرَوْا۟ كَمْ أَهْلَكْنَا مِن قَبْلِهِم مِّن قَرْنٍ مَّكَّنَّـٰهُمْ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ مَا لَمْ نُمَكِّن لَّكُمْ وَأَرْسَلْنَا ٱلسَّمَآءَ عَلَيْهِم مِّدْرَارًا وَجَعَلْنَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرَ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهِمْ فَأَهْلَكْنَـٰهُم بِذُنُوبِهِمْ وَأَنشَأْنَا مِنۢ بَعْدِهِمْ قَرْنًا ءَاخَرِينَ 6
Translations
Have they not seen how many generations We destroyed before them which We had established upon the earth as We have not established you? And We sent [rain from] the sky upon them in showers and made rivers flow beneath them; then We destroyed them for their sins and brought forth after them a generation of others.
Transliteration
Alam yaraw kayma ahlakna min qablihim min qarnim makkannāhum fil-ardi mā lam numakkin lakum wa arsalnā as-samā'a alayhim midrar wa ja'alnā al-anhāra tajrī min tahtihim fa-ahlaknahum bi-dhunūbihim wa ansha'nā min ba'dihim qarnan ākharin
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah presents a powerful historical reminder, asking the Quraysh whether they have not observed how Allah destroyed previous generations who possessed greater power and resources than them. Despite being given abundant provisions (rain and rivers), these nations were ultimately destroyed due to their sins and disobedience. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this serves as both a warning to the contemporary disbelievers and evidence of Allah's justice—prosperity without faith does not guarantee salvation, and divine punishment inevitably follows sustained rebellion against Allah's guidance.
Revelation Context
Revealed in Mecca during the early period of Islamic preaching, this ayah is part of Surah Al-An'am's broader discourse addressing the Meccan polytheists' rejection of the Message. The context reflects the Quraysh's arrogance despite their wealth and influence; the ayah challenges them to reflect on the fate of past civilizations like 'Ad and Thamud, whose material power could not save them from destruction.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'When Allah intends good for a people, He grants them understanding of the Deen' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi). Related thematically is the hadith about the destruction of past nations: 'The nations before you were destroyed because they punished the poor when they stole, but spared the rich' (Sahih Bukhari 3475), emphasizing that disobedience and injustice led to their downfall.
Themes
Key Lesson
Material wealth and earthly power, without adherence to divine guidance and righteousness, are temporary and do not guarantee success or survival. Modern believers should reflect on historical patterns of civilizational decline to understand that true prosperity comes from faith, obedience, and moral integrity rather than economic or military dominance alone.