وَقَضَيْنَآ إِلَىٰ بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ فِى ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ لَتُفْسِدُنَّ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ مَرَّتَيْنِ وَلَتَعْلُنَّ عُلُوًّا كَبِيرًا 4
Translations
And We conveyed to the Children of Israel in the Scripture that, "You will surely cause corruption on the earth twice, and you will surely reach [a degree of] great haughtiness."
Transliteration
Wa qadayna ila bani isra'ila fil-kitabi latafsidunna fil-ardi marratain wa lata'alunna 'uluwwan kabira
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah decreed upon the Children of Israel that they would commit corruption on earth twice and would become arrogant with great arrogance. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari interpret this as referring to two historical periods of Israelite transgression: the first when they killed prophets and violated the Sabbath during their early history, and the second during the time of Nebuchadnezzar when they were conquered and exiled. This ayah emphasizes that Allah's knowledge encompasses all future events, and that nations face consequences for their collective disobedience and pride.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within Surah Al-Isra, which describes the Night Journey (Isra) and addresses the Children of Israel's historical relationship with Allah. The context is Meccan, revealed to remind the early Muslim community of past nations' fates and the importance of heeding divine guidance. This ayah is part of a broader discourse warning against arrogance and corruption, themes relevant to all communities.
Related Hadiths
The concept is reflected in various traditions about the signs of the Hour and the condition of nations. Abu Hurairah narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said regarding the children of Israel: 'Each nation has its term, and when their term comes to an end, they will not be delayed an hour, nor will they advance it' (related to their appointed times of trial and punishment).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that Allah's knowledge is absolute and encompasses the rise and fall of nations, serving as a reminder that arrogance and moral corruption inevitably lead to divine punishment. For believers today, it emphasizes the importance of maintaining humility, moral integrity, and obedience to prevent collective spiritual and social decline.
Related Ayahs
وَيَسْـَٔلُونَكَ عَنِ ٱلرُّوحِ ۖ قُلِ ٱلرُّوحُ مِنْ أَمْرِ رَبِّى وَمَآ أُوتِيتُم مِّنَ ٱلْعِلْمِ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا
And they ask you, [O Muḥammad], about the soul. Say, "The soul is of the affair [i.e., concern] of my Lord. And you [i.e., mankind] have not been given of knowledge except a little."
قُلْ ءَامِنُوا۟ بِهِۦٓ أَوْ لَا تُؤْمِنُوٓا۟ ۚ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْعِلْمَ مِن قَبْلِهِۦٓ إِذَا يُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْهِمْ يَخِرُّونَ لِلْأَذْقَانِ سُجَّدًا
Say, "Believe in it or do not believe." Indeed, those who were given knowledge before it - when it is recited to them, they fall upon their faces in prostration,
وَمَن يَهْدِ ٱللَّهُ فَهُوَ ٱلْمُهْتَدِ ۖ وَمَن يُضْلِلْ فَلَن تَجِدَ لَهُمْ أَوْلِيَآءَ مِن دُونِهِۦ ۖ وَنَحْشُرُهُمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ عَلَىٰ وُجُوهِهِمْ عُمْيًا وَبُكْمًا وَصُمًّا ۖ مَّأْوَىٰهُمْ جَهَنَّمُ ۖ كُلَّمَا خَبَتْ زِدْنَـٰهُمْ سَعِيرًا
And whoever Allāh guides - he is the [rightly] guided; and whoever He sends astray - you will never find for them protectors besides Him, and We will gather them on the Day of Resurrection [fallen] on their faces - blind, dumb and deaf. Their refuge is Hell; every time it subsides, We increase [for] them blazing fire.
رَّبُّكُمُ ٱلَّذِى يُزْجِى لَكُمُ ٱلْفُلْكَ فِى ٱلْبَحْرِ لِتَبْتَغُوا۟ مِن فَضْلِهِۦٓ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ بِكُمْ رَحِيمًا
It is your Lord who drives the ship for you through the sea that you may seek of His bounty. Indeed, He is ever, to you, Merciful.