فَإِنْ أَعْرَضُوا۟ فَقُلْ أَنذَرْتُكُمْ صَـٰعِقَةً مِّثْلَ صَـٰعِقَةِ عَادٍ وَثَمُودَ 13
Translations
But if they turn away, then say, "I have warned you of a thunderbolt like the thunderbolt [that struck] ʿAad and Thamūd.
Transliteration
Fa-in a'radū faqul andhartukum sā'iqatan mithla sā'iqati 'Ādin wa-Thamūd
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah instructs Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) that if the people turn away from his message, he should warn them of a punishment similar to the devastating thunderbolt that destroyed the people of 'Ād and Thamūd. Ibn Kathir explains that this is a stern warning against rejecting the divine message, emphasizing that those who persist in disbelief will face the same catastrophic consequences as the ancient nations. Al-Qurtubi notes that the mention of these two specific peoples serves as a historical reminder of Allah's severe punishment for those who rejected their messengers.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Fussilat, which deals with the Qur'an as a detailed exposition of truth and warnings against disbelief. The broader context addresses the stubbornness of the Meccan disbelievers and Prophet Muhammad's role in delivering warnings. This ayah reflects the Meccan period's emphasis on divine warnings and the consequences of rejecting prophethood, as the early Muslim community faced rejection and hostility.
Related Hadiths
The hadith of the lightning strike (sā'iqah) mentioned in various compilations relates to divine punishment. Additionally, Sahih Muslim contains hadiths about the destruction of 'Ād and Thamūd, emphasizing the historical accuracy of these accounts and their role as warnings to subsequent generations.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that persistent rejection of divine guidance carries severe consequences, and that history provides concrete examples of such divine punishment. For modern Muslims, it emphasizes the importance of heeding warnings, reflecting on historical lessons, and recognizing that turning away from truth is not without grave spiritual and temporal repercussions.