فَلَمَّا كَشَفْنَا عَنْهُمُ ٱلْعَذَابَ إِذَا هُمْ يَنكُثُونَ 50
Translations
But when We removed from them the affliction, at once they broke their word.
Transliteration
Falamma kashafna anhumu al-adhaaba idha hum yankuthun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to Pharaoh and his people who, when Allah removed the punishment (plague of frogs or locusts) that He had sent upon them, immediately broke their covenant and returned to disbelief and stubbornness. Ibn Kathir explains that their breaking of the covenant (nukth) demonstrates the hypocrisy of those who make promises to Allah only under duress, with no sincere intention of reform. Al-Tabari emphasizes that this pattern of breaking oaths when relief comes illustrates the disease of the heart and ingratitude of those who reject divine signs.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the narrative of Surah Az-Zukhruf recounting the story of Moses and Pharaoh, specifically addressing Pharaoh's repeated cycle of feigning belief when afflicted with punishment, then renouncing his promises once the punishment was lifted. The surah uses this historical example to strengthen the Prophet Muhammad and the believers against the stubbornness of the Meccan disbelievers.
Related Hadiths
The concept of breaking covenants is referenced in Hadith Qudsi where Allah mentions those who break their promises with Him. Additionally, Surah Al-Anfal 8:56 discusses covenant-breakers: 'Those with whom you made a covenant but they break their covenant every time' (Sahih Muslim and other collections address similar themes of oath-breaking).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that superficial repentance born from fear of punishment, rather than genuine belief and submission, leads to apostasy and broken promises. Believers should cultivate sincere devotion to Allah that remains constant whether in difficulty or ease, recognizing that temporary relief from hardship is an opportunity for true reformation and gratitude, not a license to return to disobedience.
Related Ayahs
أَلَا تُقَـٰتِلُونَ قَوْمًا نَّكَثُوٓا۟ أَيْمَـٰنَهُمْ وَهَمُّوا۟ بِإِخْرَاجِ ٱلرَّسُولِ وَهُم بَدَءُوكُمْ أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍ ۚ أَتَخْشَوْنَهُمْ ۚ فَٱللَّهُ أَحَقُّ أَن تَخْشَوْهُ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ
Would you not fight against a people who broke their oaths and determined to expel the Messenger, and they had begun [the attack upon] you the first time? Do you fear them? But Allāh has more right that you should fear Him, if you are [truly] believers.
كَيْفَ وَإِن يَظْهَرُوا۟ عَلَيْكُمْ لَا يَرْقُبُوا۟ فِيكُمْ إِلًّا وَلَا ذِمَّةً ۚ يُرْضُونَكُم بِأَفْوَٰهِهِمْ وَتَأْبَىٰ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَأَكْثَرُهُمْ فَـٰسِقُونَ
How [can there be a treaty] while, if they gain dominance over you, they do not observe concerning you any pact of kinship or covenant of protection? They satisfy you with their mouths, but their hearts refuse [compliance], and most of them are defiantly disobedient.
فَلَمَّا كَشَفْنَا عَنْهُمُ ٱلرِّجْزَ إِلَىٰٓ أَجَلٍ هُم بَـٰلِغُوهُ إِذَا هُمْ يَنكُثُونَ
But when We removed the punishment from them until a term which they were to reach, then at once they broke their word.
ٱلَّذِينَ يَنقُضُونَ عَهْدَ ٱللَّهِ مِنۢ بَعْدِ مِيثَـٰقِهِۦ وَيَقْطَعُونَ مَآ أَمَرَ ٱللَّهُ بِهِۦٓ أَن يُوصَلَ وَيُفْسِدُونَ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۚ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْخَـٰسِرُونَ
Who break the covenant of Allāh after contracting it and sever that which Allāh has ordered to be joined and cause corruption on earth. It is those who are the losers.