أَوَأَمِنَ أَهْلُ ٱلْقُرَىٰٓ أَن يَأْتِيَهُم بَأْسُنَا ضُحًى وَهُمْ يَلْعَبُونَ 98
Translations
Or did the people of the cities feel secure from Our punishment coming to them in the morning while they were at play?
Transliteration
Awa-amina ahlu al-qura an ya'tiyhum ba'suna duhan wa-hum yal'abun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah questions whether the people of the towns felt secure from Allah's punishment coming upon them during the forenoon while they were engaged in play and heedlessness. Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari interpret this as a rhetorical rebuke emphasizing false security and complacency—the people were so absorbed in their worldly amusements that they neglected the signs of Allah and His warnings, making them vulnerable to sudden divine punishment. The ayah serves as a warning against heedlessness and the delusion that one is safe from Allah's consequences regardless of their disobedience.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Al-A'raf, which addresses the consequences of rejecting Allah's messengers throughout history. It is part of a broader discussion warning the Quraysh and all people against false security and complacency in faith. The specific reference to playing during daytime may allude to the Arabs' tendency toward distraction and neglect of religious responsibilities.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said in Sahih Muslim: 'Two blessings are neglected by many people: health and free time.' This hadith relates thematically to the ayah's warning against wasting time in play and heedlessness. Additionally, the Quran itself states in Surah Al-Anbiya (21:1): 'Closer and closer to mankind comes their Reckoning,' emphasizing sudden accountability.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should never feel so secure in their worldly pursuits that they neglect their spiritual responsibilities and Allah's signs; true security comes only through conscious obedience to Allah, not through heedless entertainment and distraction. This ayah reminds us that punishment can come unexpectedly, making constant mindfulness of Allah and readiness for accountability essential aspects of faith.
Related Ayahs
وَٱلَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا سَنَسْتَدْرِجُهُم مِّنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
But those who deny Our signs - We will progressively lead them [to destruction] from where they do not know.
أَوَلَمْ يَهْدِ لِلَّذِينَ يَرِثُونَ ٱلْأَرْضَ مِنۢ بَعْدِ أَهْلِهَآ أَن لَّوْ نَشَآءُ أَصَبْنَـٰهُم بِذُنُوبِهِمْ ۚ وَنَطْبَعُ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِهِمْ فَهُمْ لَا يَسْمَعُونَ
Has it not become clear to those who inherited the earth after its [previous] people that if We willed, We could afflict them for their sins? But We seal over their hearts so they do not hear.
وَنَادَىٰٓ أَصْحَـٰبُ ٱلنَّارِ أَصْحَـٰبَ ٱلْجَنَّةِ أَنْ أَفِيضُوا۟ عَلَيْنَا مِنَ ٱلْمَآءِ أَوْ مِمَّا رَزَقَكُمُ ٱللَّهُ ۚ قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ حَرَّمَهُمَا عَلَى ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ
And the companions of the Fire will call to the companions of Paradise, "Pour upon us some water or from whatever Allāh has provided you." They will say, "Indeed, Allāh has forbidden them both to the disbelievers
قَالَ ٱلْمَلَأُ مِن قَوْمِ فِرْعَوْنَ إِنَّ هَـٰذَا لَسَـٰحِرٌ عَلِيمٌ
Said the eminent among the people of Pharaoh, "Indeed, this is a learned magician