ثُمَّ جَآءَهُم مَّا كَانُوا۟ يُوعَدُونَ 206
Translations
And then there came to them that which they were promised?
Transliteration
Thumma jaa'ahum maa kanu yu'adun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to the punishment and retribution that came upon the disbelieving nations after they rejected their messengers and persisted in denial. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir explain that this verse emphasizes the certainty of Allah's promise—that those who mock and reject the truth will inevitably face the consequences they were warned about in this life and the Hereafter. Al-Tabari notes this is part of the recurring pattern throughout Surah Ash-Shu'ara where each nation receives the promised punishment.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the Meccan surah Ash-Shu'ara, which details the stories of various prophets and the fate of nations that rejected them. The verse comes at the conclusion of several narratives (Nuh, Hud, Salih, Lut, Shu'ayb) illustrating how Allah's warning and promise of punishment are always fulfilled, serving as warnings to the Quraysh who were similarly rejecting Prophet Muhammad.
Related Hadiths
Related to the theme of Allah's promise: The hadith in Sahih Muslim where the Prophet (ﷺ) said, 'When Allah intends good for a people, He hastens their punishment in this world, and when He intends ill for them, He withholds punishment until they meet Him on the Day of Judgment.' This emphasizes the certainty of divine justice.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that Allah's warnings are not empty threats but certain realities that will come to pass, encouraging us to heed divine guidance and warning others with conviction. It also instills hope in the hearts of believers that truth will ultimately prevail over falsehood, regardless of how powerful the opposition may seem.
Related Ayahs
لِلَّذِينَ ٱسْتَجَابُوا۟ لِرَبِّهِمُ ٱلْحُسْنَىٰ ۚ وَٱلَّذِينَ لَمْ يَسْتَجِيبُوا۟ لَهُۥ لَوْ أَنَّ لَهُم مَّا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ جَمِيعًا وَمِثْلَهُۥ مَعَهُۥ لَٱفْتَدَوْا۟ بِهِۦٓ ۚ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ لَهُمْ سُوٓءُ ٱلْحِسَابِ وَمَأْوَىٰهُمْ جَهَنَّمُ ۖ وَبِئْسَ ٱلْمِهَادُ
For those who have responded to their Lord is the best [reward], but those who did not respond to Him - if they had all that is in the earth entirely and the like of it with it, they would [attempt to] ransom themselves thereby. Those will have the worst account, and their refuge is Hell, and wretched is the resting place.
أَفَأَمِنُوا۟ مَكْرَ ٱللَّهِ ۚ فَلَا يَأْمَنُ مَكْرَ ٱللَّهِ إِلَّا ٱلْقَوْمُ ٱلْخَـٰسِرُونَ
Then, did they feel secure from the plan of Allāh? But no one feels secure from the plan of Allāh except the losing people.
أَوْ يُوبِقْهُنَّ بِمَا كَسَبُوا۟ وَيَعْفُ عَن كَثِيرٍ
Or He could destroy them for what they earned; but He pardons much.
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.