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
فَخَسَفْنَا بِهِۦ وَبِدَارِهِ ٱلْأَرْضَ فَمَا كَانَ لَهُۥ مِن فِئَةٍ يَنصُرُونَهُۥ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ ٱلْمُنتَصِرِينَ
And We caused the earth to swallow him and his home. And there was for him no company to aid him other than Allāh, nor was he of those who [could] defend themselves.
وَيَسْتَعْجِلُونَكَ بِٱلسَّيِّئَةِ قَبْلَ ٱلْحَسَنَةِ وَقَدْ خَلَتْ مِن قَبْلِهِمُ ٱلْمَثُلَـٰتُ ۗ وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَذُو مَغْفِرَةٍ لِّلنَّاسِ عَلَىٰ ظُلْمِهِمْ ۖ وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَشَدِيدُ ٱلْعِقَابِ
They impatiently urge you to bring about evil before good, while there has already occurred before them similar punishments [to what they demand]. And indeed, your Lord is the possessor of forgiveness for the people despite their wrongdoing, and indeed, your Lord is severe in penalty.
وَأَصْبَحَ ٱلَّذِينَ تَمَنَّوْا۟ مَكَانَهُۥ بِٱلْأَمْسِ يَقُولُونَ وَيْكَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَبْسُطُ ٱلرِّزْقَ لِمَن يَشَآءُ مِنْ عِبَادِهِۦ وَيَقْدِرُ ۖ لَوْلَآ أَن مَّنَّ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْنَا لَخَسَفَ بِنَا ۖ وَيْكَأَنَّهُۥ لَا يُفْلِحُ ٱلْكَـٰفِرُونَ
And those who had wished for his position the previous day began to say, "Oh, how Allāh extends provision to whom He wills of His servants and restricts it! If not that Allāh had conferred favor on us, He would have caused it to swallow us. Oh, how the disbelievers do not succeed!"
هَلْ أَتَىٰكَ حَدِيثُ ٱلْجُنُودِ
Has there reached you the story of the soldiers -