فَكَأَيِّن مِّن قَرْيَةٍ أَهْلَكْنَـٰهَا وَهِىَ ظَالِمَةٌ فَهِىَ خَاوِيَةٌ عَلَىٰ عُرُوشِهَا وَبِئْرٍ مُّعَطَّلَةٍ وَقَصْرٍ مَّشِيدٍ 45
Translations
And how many a city did We destroy while it was committing wrong - so it is [now] fallen into ruin - and [how many] an abandoned well and [how many] a lofty palace.
Transliteration
Fakaayyim min qaryatin ahlaknaha wa hiya zalimah faHiya khawiyah ala uruushihaa wa bi'rim muaattolah wa qasrim masheed
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes how many cities have been destroyed by Allah due to their oppression and wrongdoing, leaving their buildings in ruins—their roofs collapsed, their wells abandoned, and their fortified castles destroyed. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari emphasize that this is a vivid depiction of divine punishment upon unjust civilizations, serving as a warning to those who persist in wrongdoing. The detailed imagery of desolation underscores the complete annihilation that befalls societies that reject divine guidance and oppress their people.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears within Surah Al-Hajj, a Medinan chapter that frequently employs historical narratives of destroyed nations as cautionary tales. The broader context concerns the lessons from past civilizations and the consequences of rejecting the message of the prophets. These verses were revealed to strengthen the resolve of the Muslim community in Medina during a time of intense opposition.
Related Hadiths
The theme relates to hadith in Sahih Bukhari where the Prophet (peace be upon him) passed by the ruins of the people of Thamud and warned against entering their dwellings except in a state of weeping. Additionally, hadiths about the destruction of 'Ad and Thamud in Sahih Muslim connect to this ayah's message about civilizational collapse.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that civilizations built on injustice and oppression are destined for destruction, regardless of their apparent strength and grandeur—a reminder that earthly power without moral foundation is ephemeral. For believers, it emphasizes the importance of establishing justice and maintaining righteousness as the foundation of a lasting society.