إِنَّ بَطْشَ رَبِّكَ لَشَدِيدٌ 12
Translations
Indeed, the assault [i.e., vengeance] of your Lord is severe.
Transliteration
Inna batsha rabbika lashadid
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah emphasizes the overwhelming and severe punishment of Allah when He seizes the wrongdoers. Ibn Kathir explains that 'batsh' (seizure/punishment) refers to Allah's swift and powerful grasp of those who reject faith and commit transgressions, particularly referencing the fate of the People of the Elephant and other disbelieving nations mentioned in Surah Al-Buruj. Al-Qurtubi notes this serves as a stern warning to those who persecute believers, assuring them of inevitable divine retribution.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Al-Buruj, which recounts the story of the believers who were thrown into the fire (the ashab al-ukhdud) and contrasts this with Allah's protection of believers and His punishment of disbelievers. The surah was revealed in Mecca to comfort the persecuted Muslim community and remind them that Allah's punishment for oppressors is certain and severe, following the narrative arc that begins with oaths by celestial bodies and culminates with divine warnings.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The most terrible day for the tyrants will be the Day of Judgment when they see the punishment prepared for them' (Tirmidhi). Additionally, Surah Al-Buruj 85:10 is related to the hadith in Sahih Muslim where the Prophet warned against transgression and oppression, as Allah's punishment for such acts is severe.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that while oppressors may seem powerful in this world, Allah's grip is far more severe, and their punishment is inescapable; it provides comfort to those facing persecution by affirming that justice ultimately comes from Allah, not from human hands.
Related Ayahs
وَيَوْمَ تَشَقَّقُ ٱلسَّمَآءُ بِٱلْغَمَـٰمِ وَنُزِّلَ ٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ تَنزِيلًا
And [mention] the Day when the heaven will split open with [emerging] clouds, and the angels will be sent down in successive descent.
يَـٰصَـٰحِبَىِ ٱلسِّجْنِ ءَأَرْبَابٌ مُّتَفَرِّقُونَ خَيْرٌ أَمِ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْوَٰحِدُ ٱلْقَهَّارُ
O [my] two companions of prison, are separate lords better or Allāh, the One, the Prevailing?
فَإِذَا ٱنشَقَّتِ ٱلسَّمَآءُ فَكَانَتْ وَرْدَةً كَٱلدِّهَانِ
And when the heaven is split open and becomes rose-colored like oil -
هُوَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْخَـٰلِقُ ٱلْبَارِئُ ٱلْمُصَوِّرُ ۖ لَهُ ٱلْأَسْمَآءُ ٱلْحُسْنَىٰ ۚ يُسَبِّحُ لَهُۥ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۖ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ
He is Allāh, the Creator, the Producer, the Fashioner; to Him belong the best names. Whatever is in the heavens and earth is exalting Him. And He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise.