فَتَنَادَوْا۟ مُصْبِحِينَ 21
Translations
And they called one another at morning,
Transliteration
Fatanādaw musbihīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes how the people called out to one another in the morning, discovering the destruction of their garden. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this refers to the owners of the garden who had made a conditional oath to harvest it without giving charity to the poor, but woke to find their entire plantation destroyed overnight as divine punishment. The phrase 'musbihīn' (in the morning) emphasizes the swiftness of Allah's retribution and the sudden reversal of their arrogant plans.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the parable of the two gardens in Surah Al-Qalam (verses 17-33), which illustrates the consequences of arrogance, ingratitude, and neglecting the rights of the poor. The surah was revealed in Mecca during a period when disbelievers mocked the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), and this parable serves as a warning against such arrogance and a reminder of Allah's ultimate justice.
Related Hadiths
While no specific hadith directly quotes this ayah, Surah Al-Qalam's themes relate to hadiths about charity and gratitude. See Sahih Bukhari (1442) where the Prophet emphasized that 'the best of you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best among you to my family,' reflecting the importance of generosity mentioned implicitly in the garden parable.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds us that arrogance and neglecting the rights of others invite divine punishment, no matter how secure one's worldly possessions may seem. We should remain humble and grateful, recognizing that all blessings come from Allah and carry responsibilities toward those in need.
Related Ayahs
ٱلَّذِينَ يُحْشَرُونَ عَلَىٰ وُجُوهِهِمْ إِلَىٰ جَهَنَّمَ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ شَرٌّ مَّكَانًا وَأَضَلُّ سَبِيلًا
The ones who are gathered on their faces to Hell - those are the worst in position and farthest astray in [their] way.
وَأَنذِرْهُمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْحَسْرَةِ إِذْ قُضِىَ ٱلْأَمْرُ وَهُمْ فِى غَفْلَةٍ وَهُمْ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ
And warn them, [O Muḥammad], of the Day of Regret, when the matter will be concluded; and [yet], they are in [a state of] heedlessness, and they do not believe.
لَا يَسْتَوِىٓ أَصْحَـٰبُ ٱلنَّارِ وَأَصْحَـٰبُ ٱلْجَنَّةِ ۚ أَصْحَـٰبُ ٱلْجَنَّةِ هُمُ ٱلْفَآئِزُونَ
Not equal are the companions of the Fire and the companions of Paradise. The companions of Paradise - they are the attainers [of success].
شَهِدَ ٱللَّهُ أَنَّهُۥ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ وَٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ وَأُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْعِلْمِ قَآئِمًۢا بِٱلْقِسْطِ ۚ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ
Allāh witnesses that there is no deity except Him, and [so do] the angels and those of knowledge - [that He is] maintaining [creation] in justice. There is no deity except Him, the Exalted in Might, the Wise.