ثُمَّ أَخَذْتُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ ۖ فَكَيْفَ كَانَ نَكِيرِ 26
Translations
Then I seized the ones who disbelieved, and how [terrible] was My reproach.
Transliteration
Thumma akhadtu alladhina kafaroo fakayfa kana nakiri
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah describes His punishment of those who rejected His signs and warnings, asking rhetorically how His retribution was—emphasizing its severity and inevitability. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir note that this ayah comes after Allah mentions sending messengers to various nations, and highlights the terrible consequences that befell the disbelievers when they persisted in their rejection. The rhetorical question "how was My punishment?" is meant to strike fear in the hearts of the listeners and remind them of Allah's power to punish those who deny His truth.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Fatir's Meccan period, which addresses the polytheists of Mecca and their denial of Allah's signs. The surah establishes Allah as the Creator and Originator of all things, and this particular ayah occurs within a passage recounting how Allah sent messengers to various peoples throughout history—some believed and some disbelieved—leading to differentiated outcomes of reward and punishment.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'Every nation has a specified term (ajal), and when its time comes, they cannot delay it by an hour nor hasten it' (Ibn Majah). This relates to the predetermined punishment for those who reject truth. Additionally, the principle reflected here connects to the hadith about nations being destroyed: 'Allah gives respite to the oppressor until, when He seizes him, He does not let him escape' (Sahih Bukhari).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah serves as a powerful reminder that rejecting divine guidance carries severe consequences—both in this life and the next—and should motivate believers to accept Allah's message with gratitude while warning against arrogance and denial. For modern readers, it underscores that ethical and spiritual rebellion against truth has real consequences, encouraging reflection on one's relationship with divine guidance.