وَأَنَّهُۥٓ أَهْلَكَ عَادًا ٱلْأُولَىٰ 50
Translations
And that He destroyed the first [people of] ʿAad.
Transliteration
Wa-annahu ahlaka AAadan al-oolā
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to Allah's destruction of the first 'Ad people due to their rejection of the Prophet Hud and their arrogance. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir emphasize that this destruction came as divine punishment after they stubbornly refused guidance despite clear signs and warnings. The term "al-ūlā" (the first) distinguishes them from a later group also called 'Ad, establishing the historical distinction between generations.
Revelation Context
Surah An-Najm is Meccan and addresses the Quraysh during the early Meccan period, reminding them of past nations that were destroyed for disbelief. This ayah appears within a section (verses 50-62) that catalogs Allah's destructive power over previous civilizations, serving as a warning to the contemporary disbelievers in Mecca.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) mentioned 'Ad in multiple contexts. See Surah Al-A'raf 7:65-72 which contains the detailed account of Hud's message to 'Ad. Also, Sahih Muslim contains references to the terrible windstorm that destroyed them as a sign of Allah's power.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that no nation, however advanced or powerful, is immune to Allah's punishment when they persistently reject divine guidance and warnings. Modern believers should reflect on the importance of heeding divine messages and maintaining humility before their Creator.
Related Ayahs
فَٱلْيَوْمَ نُنَجِّيكَ بِبَدَنِكَ لِتَكُونَ لِمَنْ خَلْفَكَ ءَايَةً ۚ وَإِنَّ كَثِيرًا مِّنَ ٱلنَّاسِ عَنْ ءَايَـٰتِنَا لَغَـٰفِلُونَ
So today We will save you in body that you may be to those who succeed you a sign. And indeed, many among the people, of Our signs, are heedless.
كَدَأْبِ ءَالِ فِرْعَوْنَ ۙ وَٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ ۚ كَفَرُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ فَأَخَذَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ بِذُنُوبِهِمْ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ قَوِىٌّ شَدِيدُ ٱلْعِقَابِ
[Theirs is] like the custom of the people of Pharaoh and of those before them. They disbelieved in the signs of Allāh, so Allāh seized them for their sins. Indeed, Allāh is Powerful and severe in penalty.
فَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ فَأُعَذِّبُهُمْ عَذَابًا شَدِيدًا فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا وَٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ وَمَا لَهُم مِّن نَّـٰصِرِينَ
And as for those who disbelieved, I will punish them with a severe punishment in this world and the Hereafter, and they will have no helpers."
وَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ وَلِقَآئِهِۦٓ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ يَئِسُوا۟ مِن رَّحْمَتِى وَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ
And the ones who disbelieve in the signs of Allāh and the meeting with Him - those have despaired of My mercy, and they will have a painful punishment.