ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ كَانَت تَّأْتِيهِمْ رُسُلُهُم بِٱلْبَيِّنَـٰتِ فَكَفَرُوا۟ فَأَخَذَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ قَوِىٌّ شَدِيدُ ٱلْعِقَابِ 22
Translations
That was because their messengers were coming to them with clear proofs, but they disbelieved, so Allāh seized them. Indeed, He is Powerful and severe in punishment.
Transliteration
Dhālika bi-annáhum kānat ta'tīhim rusulúhum bil-bayyināti fakáfarū fa-akhádháhum-Allāh. Innáhu qawiyyun shadīdul-'iqāb.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah explains that the destruction of previous nations occurred because their messengers came to them with clear proofs and signs (al-bayyināt), yet they rejected them and turned away in disbelief. Allah then seized them with punishment as a consequence of their rejection. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir note that this pattern—rejection of divine signs leading to divine punishment—is a recurring theme throughout history, demonstrating Allah's justice and the inevitable consequences of denying the message of the prophets.
Revelation Context
Surah Ghafir is a Meccan surah that extensively discusses the fate of previous nations who rejected their prophets. This ayah appears in a section (verses 21-25) that recounts the stories of destroyed peoples like 'Ad, Thamūd, the people of Nūḥ, and Pharaoh's followers. The context reinforces for the Meccan polytheists that their rejection of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) would result in similar divine punishment, making it a warning to contemporary disbelievers.
Related Hadiths
The principle is supported by the hadith in Sahih Muslim where the Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The example of guidance and knowledge with which Allah has sent me is like abundant rain falling on the earth; some of which was fertile soil that absorbed rain-water and brought forth vegetation and pasture in abundance. Some of it was hard and held the water and Allah benefited the people with it and they utilized it for drinking, making their animals drink from it and for irrigation of the land for cultivation. Some of it was barren which could neither hold the water nor bring forth vegetation.' This illustrates how people receive divine guidance differently—some accept and benefit, others reject and are destroyed.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that rejection of clear divine guidance inevitably leads to punishment, emphasizing personal responsibility and the importance of accepting prophetic truth when it is clearly presented. For modern readers, it serves as a reminder that excuses of ignorance hold no weight when signs are manifest and clear, and that Allah's justice is certain and inescapable for those who deliberately turn away from truth.
Related Ayahs
وَمَآ أَهْلَكْنَا مِن قَرْيَةٍ إِلَّا لَهَا مُنذِرُونَ
And We did not destroy any city except that it had warners
قُلْ أَغَيْرَ ٱللَّهِ أَبْغِى رَبًّا وَهُوَ رَبُّ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ ۚ وَلَا تَكْسِبُ كُلُّ نَفْسٍ إِلَّا عَلَيْهَا ۚ وَلَا تَزِرُ وَازِرَةٌ وِزْرَ أُخْرَىٰ ۚ ثُمَّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكُم مَّرْجِعُكُمْ فَيُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمْ فِيهِ تَخْتَلِفُونَ
Say, "Is it other than Allāh I should desire as a lord while He is the Lord of all things? And every soul earns not [blame] except against itself, and no bearer of burdens will bear the burden of another. Then to your Lord is your return, and He will inform you concerning that over which you used to differ."
وَإِنْ عَزَمُوا۟ ٱلطَّلَـٰقَ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ
And if they decide on divorce - then indeed, Allāh is Hearing and Knowing.
وَنَضَعُ ٱلْمَوَٰزِينَ ٱلْقِسْطَ لِيَوْمِ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ فَلَا تُظْلَمُ نَفْسٌ شَيْـًٔا ۖ وَإِن كَانَ مِثْقَالَ حَبَّةٍ مِّنْ خَرْدَلٍ أَتَيْنَا بِهَا ۗ وَكَفَىٰ بِنَا حَـٰسِبِينَ
And We place the scales of justice for the Day of Resurrection, so no soul will be treated unjustly at all. And if there is [even] the weight of a mustard seed, We will bring it forth. And sufficient are We as accountant.