ثُمَّ أَرْسَلْنَا رُسُلَنَا تَتْرَا ۖ كُلَّ مَا جَآءَ أُمَّةً رَّسُولُهَا كَذَّبُوهُ ۚ فَأَتْبَعْنَا بَعْضَهُم بَعْضًا وَجَعَلْنَـٰهُمْ أَحَادِيثَ ۚ فَبُعْدًا لِّقَوْمٍ لَّا يُؤْمِنُونَ 44
Translations
Then We sent Our messengers in succession. Every time there came to a nation its messenger, they denied him, so We made them follow one another [to destruction], and We made them narrations. So away with a people who do not believe.
Transliteration
Thumma arsalnā rusulunā tatrā kullā mā jāa ummatan rasūluhā kadhdhābūh fa-attaba'nā ba'dahum ba'dan wa-ja'alnāhum ahādīth fa-bu'dan li-qawmin lā yu'minūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes how Allah sent messengers in succession (one after another) throughout history, and whenever a messenger came to a community, they rejected him. Consequently, Allah allowed the rejecting nations to perish and become forgotten tales and ruins for subsequent generations. Ibn Kathir explains that 'tatrā' (in succession) emphasizes the continuous chain of prophethood, while the rejection of messengers led to their destruction, serving as warnings for those who possess understanding.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears within Surah Al-Mu'minun's broader narrative of past prophets and their peoples' responses. The surah, revealed in Mecca during the early period of Islamic preaching, addresses the Quraysh's rejection of Muhammad (peace be upon him) by drawing parallels to previous communities who similarly rejected their messengers. This contextualizes the Meccan polytheists' denial within a pattern of human rejection of divine guidance.
Related Hadiths
Related to the theme of following messengers: The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, 'The example of guidance and knowledge with which Allah has sent me is like abundant rain falling on the earth' (Sahih Bukhari 3891). Also relevant: 'Each prophet was given miracles because of which people believed, but what I have been given is the Divine Inspiration which Allah has revealed to me' (Sahih Bukhari 3634), emphasizing the universal mission of prophets.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that rejection of truth and those who convey it carries severe consequences, both in this life and the next. For modern believers, it serves as a reminder to accept divine guidance when it comes and to heed the warnings embedded in historical narratives, lest we repeat the mistakes of those who came before us.