أَوَلَمْ يَسِيرُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ فَيَنظُرُوا۟ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَـٰقِبَةُ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ وَكَانُوٓا۟ أَشَدَّ مِنْهُمْ قُوَّةً ۚ وَمَا كَانَ ٱللَّهُ لِيُعْجِزَهُۥ مِن شَىْءٍ فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَلَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ عَلِيمًا قَدِيرًا 44
Translations
Have they not traveled through the land and observed how was the end of those before them? And they were greater than them in power. But Allāh is not to be caused failure [i.e., prevented] by anything in the heavens or on the earth. Indeed, He is ever Knowing and Competent.
Transliteration
Awalam yasīrū fī al-arḍi fayanzurū kayfa kāna `āqibatu alladhīna min qablihim wa-kānū ashadda minhum quwwatan wa-mā kāna Allāhu li-yu`jizahu min shay'in fī as-samāwāti wa-lā fī al-arḍi innahu kāna `alīman qadīran
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah commands the disbelievers to travel through the earth and observe the ruins and fate of past civilizations who were more powerful than them, yet were destroyed by Allah's punishment for their rejection of His signs. The verse emphasizes that Allah's power encompasses all things in the heavens and earth—nothing escapes His knowledge (`alīm) or ability (`qadīr)—thus their destruction was not by chance but by Allah's divine decree. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir note this ayah serves as both a warning and evidence of Allah's absolute sovereignty; Al-Qurtubi emphasizes that the remains of destroyed nations are physical signs (āyāt) for the believers to contemplate.
Revelation Context
Surah Fatir is a Meccan surah revealed during the period of intense Meccan opposition to the Prophet (ﷺ). This ayah appears in the latter portion of the surah and addresses the Quraysh's arrogance and denial. It contextualizes within the surah's broader theme of Allah's creative power and the consequences of rejecting His messengers, using historical examples as proof of divine justice.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'Learn from the fate of nations before you, as a lesson and admonition' (related thematically in various admonitions about studying history). Additionally, the concept of i'tibār (taking lessons from the past) is emphasized in the hadith: 'The best of stories is the Qur'an' (Sahih Muslim), where studying the accounts of previous peoples is encouraged as a means of guidance.
Themes
Key Lesson
Muslims should reflect upon the patterns of history and the rise and fall of civilizations as signs of Allah's justice, recognizing that material power and wealth cannot protect those who reject divine guidance. This ayah teaches us that no amount of worldly strength can stand against Allah's will, and thus our focus should be on obedience and faith rather than accumulation of power and resources.
Related Ayahs
لِيُوَفِّيَهُمْ أُجُورَهُمْ وَيَزِيدَهُم مِّن فَضْلِهِۦٓ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ غَفُورٌ شَكُورٌ
That He may give them in full their rewards and increase for them of His bounty. Indeed, He is Forgiving and Appreciative.
ٱلَّذِىٓ أَحَلَّنَا دَارَ ٱلْمُقَامَةِ مِن فَضْلِهِۦ لَا يَمَسُّنَا فِيهَا نَصَبٌ وَلَا يَمَسُّنَا فِيهَا لُغُوبٌ
He who has settled us in the home of duration [i.e., Paradise] out of His bounty. There touches us not in it any fatigue, and there touches us not in it weariness [of mind]."
وَلَوْ يُؤَاخِذُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلنَّاسَ بِمَا كَسَبُوا۟ مَا تَرَكَ عَلَىٰ ظَهْرِهَا مِن دَآبَّةٍ وَلَـٰكِن يُؤَخِّرُهُمْ إِلَىٰٓ أَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى ۖ فَإِذَا جَآءَ أَجَلُهُمْ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِعِبَادِهِۦ بَصِيرًۢا
And if Allāh were to impose blame on the people for what they have earned, He would not leave upon it [i.e., the earth] any creature. But He defers them for a specified term. And when their time comes, then indeed Allāh has ever been, of His servants, Seeing.
إِن تَدْعُوهُمْ لَا يَسْمَعُوا۟ دُعَآءَكُمْ وَلَوْ سَمِعُوا۟ مَا ٱسْتَجَابُوا۟ لَكُمْ ۖ وَيَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ يَكْفُرُونَ بِشِرْكِكُمْ ۚ وَلَا يُنَبِّئُكَ مِثْلُ خَبِيرٍ
If you invoke them, they do not hear your supplication; and if they heard, they would not respond to you. And on the Day of Resurrection they will deny your association. And none can inform you like [one] Aware [of all matters].