فَأَخَذَهُ ٱللَّهُ نَكَالَ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ وَٱلْأُولَىٰٓ 25
Translations
So Allāh seized him in exemplary punishment for the last and the first [transgression]..
Transliteration
Fa-akhdhahu allahu nakala al-akhirati wa-al-ula
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to Allah's punishment of Pharaoh, who was seized by divine retribution in both this life and the next. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir explain that 'nakala' (punishment/example) encompasses Pharaoh's drowning in the sea as a punishment in this world and the eternal punishment awaiting him in the Hereafter. The dual punishment demonstrates Allah's justice toward those who arrogantly reject His signs and oppress His people.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah An-Nazi'at's narrative of Musa and Pharaoh, describing the climactic moment when Allah seized Pharaoh as punishment for his persistent rejection of the message and his tyranny. It follows the account of the ten plagues and culminates in Pharaoh's drowning, illustrating the inevitable consequences of defying Allah's messengers.
Related Hadiths
The concept of punishment in both worlds is referenced in various hadiths about the fate of disbelievers. Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah record hadiths about the punishment of the grave (al-adhab al-qabr) and the Hereafter for those who reject faith, thematically related to this ayah's mention of dual punishment.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that defying Allah's guidance inevitably leads to severe consequences, both in this life and the next, while also assuring the believers of Allah's protection and justice against oppressors. It serves as a warning that no one, regardless of power or position, is immune from Allah's punishment.
Related Ayahs
وَإِن كَانَ أَصْحَـٰبُ ٱلْأَيْكَةِ لَظَـٰلِمِينَ
And the companions of the thicket [i.e., the people of Madyan] were [also] wrongdoers,
مَن كَانَ يُرِيدُ ٱلْعِزَّةَ فَلِلَّهِ ٱلْعِزَّةُ جَمِيعًا ۚ إِلَيْهِ يَصْعَدُ ٱلْكَلِمُ ٱلطَّيِّبُ وَٱلْعَمَلُ ٱلصَّـٰلِحُ يَرْفَعُهُۥ ۚ وَٱلَّذِينَ يَمْكُرُونَ ٱلسَّيِّـَٔاتِ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ شَدِيدٌ ۖ وَمَكْرُ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُوَ يَبُورُ
Whoever desires honor [through power] - then to Allāh belongs all honor. To Him ascends good speech, and righteous work raises it. But they who plot evil deeds will have a severe punishment, and the plotting of those - it will perish.
فَذَرْنِى وَمَن يُكَذِّبُ بِهَـٰذَا ٱلْحَدِيثِ ۖ سَنَسْتَدْرِجُهُم مِّنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
So leave Me, [O Muḥammad], with [the matter of] whoever denies this statement [i.e., the Qur’ān]. We will progressively lead them [to punishment] from where they do not know.
مَا كَانَ لِلْمُشْرِكِينَ أَن يَعْمُرُوا۟ مَسَـٰجِدَ ٱللَّهِ شَـٰهِدِينَ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِهِم بِٱلْكُفْرِ ۚ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ حَبِطَتْ أَعْمَـٰلُهُمْ وَفِى ٱلنَّارِ هُمْ خَـٰلِدُونَ
It is not for the polytheists to maintain the mosques of Allāh [while] witnessing against themselves with disbelief. [For] those, their deeds have become worthless, and in the Fire they will abide eternally.