Tafsir & Commentary
The Sovereignty (الملك) · Meccan
وَلَقَدْ كَذَّبَ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ فَكَيْفَ كَانَ نَكِيرِ18
67:18
Translation — Sahih International
And already had those before them denied, and how [terrible] was My reproach.
Transliteration
Wa-laqad kaththaba alladhina min qablihim fa-kayfa kana nakiri
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to the fate of those who rejected the prophets before Muhammad (peace be upon him), asking rhetorically how terrible Allah's punishment and rejection (nakir) was upon them. Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari explain that this is a warning to the Quraysh and the disbelievers of Mecca: just as previous nations faced severe divine punishment for denying their messengers, so too will those who reject Muhammad face a terrible reckoning. The word 'nakir' (نكير) encompasses both Allah's rejection of their deeds and the severity of His punishment.
Revelation Context (Asbab al-Nuzul)
Surah Al-Mulk is a Meccan surah revealed during the early period of Islam, addressing the polytheists of Mecca. This particular ayah fits within the broader context of the surah's warning theme—reminding the disbelievers that previous nations (like the people of 'Ad, Thamud, and others) were destroyed for rejecting their prophets, and implying the same fate awaits those who reject Muhammad's message.
Related Hadiths
The theme is reflected in Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim where the Prophet (peace be upon him) mentions the destruction of previous peoples: 'Every nation has a specific term, and when their term comes to an end, they cannot delay it nor advance it by an hour' (Sunan Ibn Majah). Also relevant is the hadith about the punishment of deniers in various authentic collections.
Themes
Key Lessons
This ayah teaches that rejection of divine guidance carries severe consequences, both in this life and the hereafter, as witnessed throughout history. For believers, it reinforces the importance of accepting the message of the prophets and serves as a stark reminder that no one is exempt from Allah's justice, regardless of their power or position.