وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا مِن قَبْلِكَ رُسُلًا إِلَىٰ قَوْمِهِمْ فَجَآءُوهُم بِٱلْبَيِّنَـٰتِ فَٱنتَقَمْنَا مِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَجْرَمُوا۟ ۖ وَكَانَ حَقًّا عَلَيْنَا نَصْرُ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ 47
Translations
And We have already sent messengers before you to their peoples, and they came to them with clear evidences; then We took retribution from those who committed crimes, and incumbent upon Us was support of the believers.
Transliteration
Wa-laqad arsalnā min qablika rusulān ilā qawmihim fa-jāāūhum bil-bayyināt fa-ntaqamnā min alladhīna ajramū wa-kāna haqqan alaynā nasru al-mu'minīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms that Allah sent messengers before Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to their respective peoples with clear signs and proofs, and those who rejected and committed crimes were punished while the believers were divinely supported. Classical exegetes like Ibn Kathir emphasize this as consolation for the Prophet during persecution in Mecca, assuring him that the pattern of history shows Allah's justice: disbelievers face punishment and believers receive aid. Al-Qurtubi notes that this verse establishes an immutable divine law (Sunnah Allāh) operating throughout human history.
Revelation Context
Revealed in Mecca during a period when the Prophet and early Muslims faced intense opposition and persecution from the Quraysh. This ayah provides historical precedent and psychological comfort, reminding believers that divine support for the righteous is an established pattern. The surah as a whole addresses the Romans' conflict with Persia as a sign of Allah's sovereignty over worldly affairs.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Muslim 2889: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, 'The parable of the believers in their affection, mercy, and compassion for each other is like a body; when one of its limbs aches, the whole body responds.' This relates to the collective support promised to believers. Additionally, Jami' at-Tirmidhi 3025 addresses Allah's aid to those who aid His religion.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers facing opposition should take comfort in the historical certainty that Allah punishes the oppressors and aids the faithful, not through worldly power alone but through divine justice. This teaches reliance on Allah's promise rather than immediate circumstances, encouraging patience during trials knowing that victory—whether in this life or the next—ultimately belongs to those who believe.
Related Ayahs
لِيَجْزِىَ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ مِن فَضْلِهِۦٓ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ
That He may reward those who have believed and done righteous deeds out of His bounty. Indeed, He does not like the disbelievers.
وَمَآ ءَاتَيْتُم مِّن رِّبًا لِّيَرْبُوَا۟ فِىٓ أَمْوَٰلِ ٱلنَّاسِ فَلَا يَرْبُوا۟ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ ۖ وَمَآ ءَاتَيْتُم مِّن زَكَوٰةٍ تُرِيدُونَ وَجْهَ ٱللَّهِ فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْمُضْعِفُونَ
And whatever you give for interest [i.e., advantage] to increase within the wealth of people will not increase with Allāh. But what you give in zakāh, desiring the face [i.e., approval] of Allāh - those are the multipliers.
وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْعِلْمَ وَٱلْإِيمَـٰنَ لَقَدْ لَبِثْتُمْ فِى كِتَـٰبِ ٱللَّهِ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ ٱلْبَعْثِ ۖ فَهَـٰذَا يَوْمُ ٱلْبَعْثِ وَلَـٰكِنَّكُمْ كُنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ
But those who were given knowledge and faith will say, "You remained the extent of Allāh's decree until the Day of Resurrection, and this is the Day of Resurrection, but you did not used to know."
وَإِذَآ أَذَقْنَا ٱلنَّاسَ رَحْمَةً فَرِحُوا۟ بِهَا ۖ وَإِن تُصِبْهُمْ سَيِّئَةٌۢ بِمَا قَدَّمَتْ أَيْدِيهِمْ إِذَا هُمْ يَقْنَطُونَ
And when We let the people taste mercy, they rejoice therein, but if evil afflicts them for what their hands have put forth, immediately they despair.