فَهَلْ تَرَىٰ لَهُم مِّنۢ بَاقِيَةٍ 8
Translations
Then do you see of them any remains?
Transliteration
Fahal tara lahum min baqiyah
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah asks rhetorically whether the Prophet (peace be upon him) can see any remnant or survivor left of the people of 'Ad after Allah's devastating punishment. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this is a powerful rhetorical question emphasizing the complete annihilation and obliteration of the disbelieving nation, leaving no trace of their existence. The word 'baqiyah' (remnant/survivor) underscores that not a single person or vestige remained, illustrating the absolute nature of Allah's punishment upon those who reject His signs.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Al-Haqqah's narrative recounting the destruction of 'Ad, one of the pre-Islamic Arab nations that rejected Prophet Hud. The surah, revealed in Mecca, uses these historical examples to warn the Quraysh about the certainty of the Day of Judgment and the consequences of rejecting Allah's messengers. The context emphasizes Allah's pattern of complete destruction for those who persist in denying the truth.
Related Hadiths
While no hadith directly references this specific ayah, the theme of 'Ad's destruction is confirmed in Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim where the Prophet (peace be upon him) mentioned the destruction of ancient nations as signs of the Day of Judgment. Related is the hadith in Sunan Ibn Majah about the Prophet's warning regarding the fate of those who deny Allah's signs.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that those who reject Allah's signs and His messengers face inevitable and complete destruction, serving as a timeless warning against arrogance and disbelief. It reinforces that Allah's promises of punishment are absolute and certain, encouraging believers to reflect on the seriousness of rejecting divine guidance.