ثُمَّ دَمَّرْنَا ٱلْـَٔاخَرِينَ 172
Translations
Then We destroyed the others.
Transliteration
Thumma dammarna al-akhireen
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to Allah's destruction of the later generations of people who rejected His messengers and persisted in disbelief and disobedience. According to classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this phrase appears in the context of Surah Ash-Shu'ara which recounts stories of various nations destroyed for their rejection of prophets (the people of Nuh, 'Ad, Thamud, Lut, and the Companions of the Forest). The ayah emphasizes that those who came after the initial warnings and signs were also destroyed, demonstrating Allah's consistent pattern of punishment for those who reject guidance.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Ash-Shu'ara (revealed in Mecca), which systematically narrates the fates of communities that rejected their prophets. The surah addresses the Meccan polytheists by reminding them of historical precedents—each nation that rejected divine guidance was destroyed. This serves as a warning to the Quraysh and a consolation to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) that rejection of messengers has always resulted in divine punishment.
Related Hadiths
The general theme relates to Hadith Qudsi: 'I have prepared for My righteous servants what no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no human heart has conceived.' (Sahih Bukhari 3244) contrasted with warnings of punishment for rejection, as in the Quran 69:4-5 describing the destruction of 'Ad.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that rejecting divine guidance carries severe consequences that transcend individual lifetimes—entire civilizations face destruction for persistent disbelief. For believers today, it reinforces the importance of heeding the message of the Quran and the Sunnah, recognizing that warning signs are mercies from Allah meant to guide humanity away from destructive paths.
Related Ayahs
ثُمَّ رَدَدْنَا لَكُمُ ٱلْكَرَّةَ عَلَيْهِمْ وَأَمْدَدْنَـٰكُم بِأَمْوَٰلٍ وَبَنِينَ وَجَعَلْنَـٰكُمْ أَكْثَرَ نَفِيرًا
Then We gave back to you a return victory over them. And We reinforced you with wealth and sons and made you more numerous in manpower.
كَذَٰلِكَ ۖ وَأَوْرَثْنَـٰهَا قَوْمًا ءَاخَرِينَ
Thus. And We caused to inherit it another people.
ٱسْتِكْبَارًا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَمَكْرَ ٱلسَّيِّئِ ۚ وَلَا يَحِيقُ ٱلْمَكْرُ ٱلسَّيِّئُ إِلَّا بِأَهْلِهِۦ ۚ فَهَلْ يَنظُرُونَ إِلَّا سُنَّتَ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ ۚ فَلَن تَجِدَ لِسُنَّتِ ٱللَّهِ تَبْدِيلًا ۖ وَلَن تَجِدَ لِسُنَّتِ ٱللَّهِ تَحْوِيلًا
[Due to] arrogance in the land and plotting of evil; but the evil plot does not encompass except its own people. Then do they await except the way [i.e., fate] of the former peoples? But you will never find in the way [i.e., established method] of Allāh any change, and you will never find in the way of Allāh any alteration.
وَكَذَٰلِكَ جَعَلْنَا فِى كُلِّ قَرْيَةٍ أَكَـٰبِرَ مُجْرِمِيهَا لِيَمْكُرُوا۟ فِيهَا ۖ وَمَا يَمْكُرُونَ إِلَّا بِأَنفُسِهِمْ وَمَا يَشْعُرُونَ
And thus We have placed within every city the greatest of its criminals to conspire therein. But they conspire not except against themselves, and they perceive [it] not.