فَلَمَّآ ءَاسَفُونَا ٱنتَقَمْنَا مِنْهُمْ فَأَغْرَقْنَـٰهُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ 55
Translations
And when they angered Us, We took retribution from them and drowned them all.
Transliteration
Falamma aasafuna intaqamna minhum fa-aghraqnahum ajma'een
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to Allah's punishment of Pharaoh and his people when they persistently angered and grieved the Prophet Moses through their rejection and mockery. When they continued in their arrogance and disbelief despite the clear signs (miracles), Allah drowned them all in the sea as retribution for their transgression. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that 'aasafuna' (they angered us) refers to their deliberate rejection of divine truth and mistreatment of the believers, warranting complete destruction as a deterrent for future generations.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears within the Meccan surah Az-Zukhruf, which recounts the stories of various prophets and their peoples. The context specifically addresses the account of Prophet Moses and Pharaoh, serving as a reminder to the Meccan polytheists of how Allah punished those who rejected His messengers. The narrative illustrates the consequence of sustained arrogance and denial, providing historical precedent relevant to the Meccan disbelievers' rejection of Prophet Muhammad.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Muslim records that the Prophet (peace be upon him) mentioned the drowning of Pharaoh and his army as a sign of Allah's power and justice. Additionally, Sunan Ibn Majah contains hadith regarding the certainty of Allah's punishment for those who persist in rejecting the truth after clear evidence.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that persistent rejection of divine guidance and arrogant dismissal of God's messengers inevitably leads to destruction, serving as a solemn warning for all generations. Believers should reflect on the importance of humility, acceptance of truth, and respect for Allah's signs, knowing that no power can withstand Allah's justice when He decides to punish the wrongdoers.
Related Ayahs
أَفَلَمْ يَهْدِ لَهُمْ كَمْ أَهْلَكْنَا قَبْلَهُم مِّنَ ٱلْقُرُونِ يَمْشُونَ فِى مَسَـٰكِنِهِمْ ۗ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَـٰتٍ لِّأُو۟لِى ٱلنُّهَىٰ
Then, has it not become clear to them how many generations We destroyed before them as they walk among their dwellings? Indeed in that are signs for those of intelligence.
أَفَلَمْ يَسِيرُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ فَيَنظُرُوا۟ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَـٰقِبَةُ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ ۚ كَانُوٓا۟ أَكْثَرَ مِنْهُمْ وَأَشَدَّ قُوَّةً وَءَاثَارًا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ فَمَآ أَغْنَىٰ عَنْهُم مَّا كَانُوا۟ يَكْسِبُونَ
Have they not traveled through the land and observed how was the end of those before them? They were more numerous than themselves and greater in strength and in impression on the land, but they were not availed by what they used to earn.
وَأَمَّآ إِن كَانَ مِنَ ٱلْمُكَذِّبِينَ ٱلضَّآلِّينَ
But if he was of the deniers [who were] astray,
إِذْ هُمْ عَلَيْهَا قُعُودٌ
When they were sitting near it.