وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا مِن قَبْلِكَ فِى شِيَعِ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ 10
Translations
And We had certainly sent [messengers] before you, [O Muḥammad], among the sects of the former peoples.
Transliteration
Wa-laqad arsalnā min qablika fī shi'aci al-awwalīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah assures the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) that He has sent messengers before him among the communities and generations of old, emphasizing the continuity of the prophetic mission throughout human history. This ayah serves to console the Prophet during the rejection he faced from the Quraysh, reminding him that previous messengers also encountered opposition and disbelief. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this establishes a pattern of divine mercy and wisdom in sending prophets to guide mankind across different eras.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the Meccan period of revelation when Prophet Muhammad faced intense persecution and rejection from the Quraysh. The surah emphasizes the reality of prophethood and divine revelation in response to those who mocked the message. The broader context of Surah Al-Hijr addresses objections to the Quran's authenticity and the Prophet's mission, providing reassurance through historical precedent.
Related Hadiths
The hadith in Sahih Bukhari (3442) where the Prophet said: 'The best of generations is my generation, then those who follow them, then those who follow them' - relates to the theme of different generations receiving prophets. Additionally, the hadith in Sahih Muslim (2286) regarding the 124,000 prophets sent by Allah connects to this ayah's emphasis on the multiplicity of messengers throughout history.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that facing rejection or hardship while conveying truth is not unique or unprecedented—all prophets faced similar trials, which provides comfort and perseverance for those striving in the path of faith. It reinforces that Allah's plan includes sending guidance through multiple messengers across time, and believers should trust in this divine pattern rather than losing hope when facing worldly opposition.