فَإِذَا جَآءَ وَعْدُ أُولَىٰهُمَا بَعَثْنَا عَلَيْكُمْ عِبَادًا لَّنَآ أُو۟لِى بَأْسٍ شَدِيدٍ فَجَاسُوا۟ خِلَـٰلَ ٱلدِّيَارِ ۚ وَكَانَ وَعْدًا مَّفْعُولًا 5
Translations
So when the [time of] promise came for the first of them, We sent against you servants of Ours - those of great military might, and they probed [even] into the homes, and it was a promise fulfilled.
Transliteration
Fa-iza ja'a wa'du awlahuma ba'athna 'alaikum 'ibadan lana uli ba'sin shadid fajasu khilala al-diyar wa kana wa'dan maf'ula
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to Allah's promise of sending powerful servants (armies) against the Children of Israel when they violated the covenant, allowing them to traverse through their cities and homes in destruction. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari identify this as referring to Nebuchadnezzar II (Bukhtnassir) and the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BCE, fulfilling Allah's warning. The ayah emphasizes that Allah's promises of punishment for those who transgress are absolute and will certainly be executed.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Al-Isra, which recounts the history of the Children of Israel and their repeated transgressions and punishment. It specifically addresses the consequences outlined in verses 4-8, where Allah warns the Israelites of two instances of corruption and the resulting divine punishment. The context is thematic rather than tied to a specific historical event at the time of revelation, serving as a reminder to the Muslim community about divine justice.
Related Hadiths
The destruction of Jerusalem is referenced in various hadith collections regarding the signs of the Day of Judgment and past nations. A thematically related hadith from Sahih Bukhari states: 'The best of you are my generation, then those who come after them, then those who come after them' (indicating how nations decline), which connects to the theme of civilizational rise and fall based on obedience to Allah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that transgression against Allah's commandments inevitably leads to severe consequences, and that Allah's promises are immutable and will be fulfilled. For modern Muslims, it serves as a reminder to honor covenants with Allah, maintain moral integrity, and understand that collective disobedience can bring societal collapse.