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
يَعْلَمُونَ ظَـٰهِرًا مِّنَ ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَهُمْ عَنِ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ هُمْ غَـٰفِلُونَ
They know what is apparent of the worldly life, but they, of the Hereafter, are unaware.
وَمِنْ ءَايَـٰتِهِۦٓ أَنْ خَلَقَ لَكُم مِّنْ أَنفُسِكُمْ أَزْوَٰجًا لِّتَسْكُنُوٓا۟ إِلَيْهَا وَجَعَلَ بَيْنَكُم مَّوَدَّةً وَرَحْمَةً ۚ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَـٰتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ
And of His signs is that He created for you from yourselves mates that you may find tranquility in them; and He placed between you affection and mercy. Indeed in that are signs for a people who give thought.
وَإِذَا مَسَّ ٱلنَّاسَ ضُرٌّ دَعَوْا۟ رَبَّهُم مُّنِيبِينَ إِلَيْهِ ثُمَّ إِذَآ أَذَاقَهُم مِّنْهُ رَحْمَةً إِذَا فَرِيقٌ مِّنْهُم بِرَبِّهِمْ يُشْرِكُونَ
And when adversity touches the people, they call upon their Lord, turning in repentance to Him. Then when He lets them taste mercy from Him, at once a party of them associate others with their Lord,
بَلِ ٱتَّبَعَ ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوٓا۟ أَهْوَآءَهُم بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ ۖ فَمَن يَهْدِى مَنْ أَضَلَّ ٱللَّهُ ۖ وَمَا لَهُم مِّن نَّـٰصِرِينَ
But those who wrong follow their [own] desires without knowledge. Then who can guide one whom Allāh has sent astray? And for them there are no helpers.