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
وَإِن نَّكَثُوٓا۟ أَيْمَـٰنَهُم مِّنۢ بَعْدِ عَهْدِهِمْ وَطَعَنُوا۟ فِى دِينِكُمْ فَقَـٰتِلُوٓا۟ أَئِمَّةَ ٱلْكُفْرِ ۙ إِنَّهُمْ لَآ أَيْمَـٰنَ لَهُمْ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَنتَهُونَ
And if they break their oaths after their treaty and defame your religion, then combat the leaders of disbelief, for indeed, there are no oaths [sacred] to them; [fight them that] they might cease.
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.
طَاعَةٌ وَقَوْلٌ مَّعْرُوفٌ ۚ فَإِذَا عَزَمَ ٱلْأَمْرُ فَلَوْ صَدَقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ لَكَانَ خَيْرًا لَّهُمْ
Obedience and good words. And when the matter [of fighting] was determined, if they had been true to Allāh, it would have been better for them.