فَأَرْسَلْنَا عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلطُّوفَانَ وَٱلْجَرَادَ وَٱلْقُمَّلَ وَٱلضَّفَادِعَ وَٱلدَّمَ ءَايَـٰتٍ مُّفَصَّلَـٰتٍ فَٱسْتَكْبَرُوا۟ وَكَانُوا۟ قَوْمًا مُّجْرِمِينَ 133
Translations
So We sent upon them the flood and locusts and lice and frogs and blood as distinct signs, but they were arrogant and were a criminal people.
Transliteration
Fa-arsalnā 'alayhimu al-ṭūfāna wa-al-jarāda wa-al-qummala wa-al-ḍifādi'a wa-al-dama āyātin mufsalātin fa-astakbarū wa-kānū qawman mujrimīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the five plagues Allah sent upon Pharaoh and his people (the Egyptians) as signs (āyāt) demonstrating His power and authority: the flood, locusts, lice, frogs, and blood. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari note that these were sequential punishments sent to compel Pharaoh to release the Children of Israel, yet despite witnessing these clear miracles, Pharaoh and his people remained arrogant and refused to believe, thereby incurring the description of being a criminal people (qawm mujrimīn).
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the narrative of Mūsā (Moses) and Pharaoh within Surah Al-A'raf, which recounts the historical trials and divine signs given to various nations. The context illustrates the pattern of divine mercy through warning signs followed by punishment upon rejection. This is thematically consistent with the Meccan period's emphasis on monotheism and the consequences of arrogance toward divine guidance.
Related Hadiths
The story of these plagues is referenced in various ḥadīths concerning the trials of previous nations. A relevant thematic ḥadīth from Sahih Muslim describes how trials and punishments came to those who rejected the messengers, emphasizing that obstinacy in disbelief brings divine retribution.
Themes
Key Lesson
No matter how clear and numerous the signs of Allah's guidance and power become, those who choose arrogance over submission will inevitably face divine justice. Modern readers should recognize that persistent rejection of truth despite overwhelming evidence is itself a form of spiritual blindness that leads to ruin.