وَإِذْ تَأَذَّنَ رَبُّكَ لَيَبْعَثَنَّ عَلَيْهِمْ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ مَن يَسُومُهُمْ سُوٓءَ ٱلْعَذَابِ ۗ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَسَرِيعُ ٱلْعِقَابِ ۖ وَإِنَّهُۥ لَغَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ 167
Translations
And [mention] when your Lord declared that He would surely [continue to] send upon them until the Day of Resurrection those who would afflict them with the worst torment. Indeed, your Lord is swift in penalty; but indeed, He is Forgiving and Merciful.
Transliteration
Wa-idh ta'aththana rabbuka layab'athanна 'alayhim ilā yawm al-qiyāmah man yasuumuhum sū'a al-'adhāb. Inna rabbaka lasarī' al-'iqāb wa-innahū laghafūr ar-rahīm.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to Allah's decree that He would send upon the Children of Israel those who would oppress them and inflict severe punishment until the Day of Judgment, as a consequence of their transgression and breaking of the covenant. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari interpret this as referring to the various oppressors sent against them throughout history, including Nebuchadnezzar and later persecutors. The ayah concludes with the balanced divine attributes—that while Allah is swift in punishment for those who deserve it, He is also Most Forgiving and Merciful to those who repent.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of a passage (7:160-171) recounting the story of the Children of Israel, their rebellion, and the consequences of breaking their covenant with Allah. It comes after the mention of their division into twelve tribes and their transgression regarding the Sabbath, illustrating the pattern of divine warnings followed by punishment for persistent disobedience.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said in Sahih Muslim: 'This ummah will be divided into seventy-three sects, all of them in the Hellfire except one.' This hadith parallels the theme of divine warning and accountability. Additionally, the concept of punishment for covenant-breaking relates to the hadith in Sahih Bukhari about the strict consequences of violating oaths and covenants.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds us that violations of divine covenants and persistent disobedience invite divine punishment, yet it balances this sobering reality with hope in Allah's mercy and forgiveness for those who sincerely repent. For contemporary Muslims, it underscores the importance of honoring commitments to Allah and seeking His forgiveness before facing the ultimate accountability on the Day of Judgment.
Related Ayahs
ٱلَّذِى يَصْلَى ٱلنَّارَ ٱلْكُبْرَىٰ
[He] who will [enter and] burn in the greatest Fire,
قُل رَّبِّ إِمَّا تُرِيَنِّى مَا يُوعَدُونَ
Say, [O Muḥammad], "My Lord, if You should show me that which they are promised,
أَفَلَمْ يَهْدِ لَهُمْ كَمْ أَهْلَكْنَا قَبْلَهُم مِّنَ ٱلْقُرُونِ يَمْشُونَ فِى مَسَـٰكِنِهِمْ ۗ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَـٰتٍ لِّأُو۟لِى ٱلنُّهَىٰ
Then, has it not become clear to them how many generations We destroyed before them as they walk among their dwellings? Indeed in that are signs for those of intelligence.
وَيَسْتَعْجِلُونَكَ بِٱلسَّيِّئَةِ قَبْلَ ٱلْحَسَنَةِ وَقَدْ خَلَتْ مِن قَبْلِهِمُ ٱلْمَثُلَـٰتُ ۗ وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَذُو مَغْفِرَةٍ لِّلنَّاسِ عَلَىٰ ظُلْمِهِمْ ۖ وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَشَدِيدُ ٱلْعِقَابِ
They impatiently urge you to bring about evil before good, while there has already occurred before them similar punishments [to what they demand]. And indeed, your Lord is the possessor of forgiveness for the people despite their wrongdoing, and indeed, your Lord is severe in penalty.