وَتِلْكَ عَادٌ ۖ جَحَدُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِ رَبِّهِمْ وَعَصَوْا۟ رُسُلَهُۥ وَٱتَّبَعُوٓا۟ أَمْرَ كُلِّ جَبَّارٍ عَنِيدٍ 59
Translations
And that was ʿAad, who rejected the signs of their Lord and disobeyed His messengers and followed the order of every obstinate tyrant.
Transliteration
Wa tilka 'Adun jahadū bi-āyāti Rabbihim wa 'asaw rusulahu wattaba'ū amra kulli jabbārin 'anīd
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the people of 'Ad who rejected the clear signs (āyāt) of their Lord, disobeyed His messengers, and followed the commands of every arrogant, stubborn tyrant among them. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari emphasize that the 'Ad's destruction was a direct consequence of their collective arrogance and blind adherence to their leaders' oppressive ways, serving as a stark warning against following falsehood despite clear guidance.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears within Surah Hud's broader narrative of ancient nations and their rejection of divine messengers. It specifically concludes the account of the Prophet Hūd and the 'Ad people, summarizing their spiritual condition that led to their annihilation. The surah was revealed in Mecca during a period when the Quraysh rejected the Prophet Muhammad's message, making this historical parallel particularly relevant to the contemporary audience.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'The best of you are those who learn the Quran and teach it' (Sahih Bukhari). Additionally, 'Whoever follows a path seeking knowledge, Allah will ease for him a path to Paradise' (Sahih Muslim), contrasting with the 'Ad's rejection of guidance.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that blindly following charismatic or powerful leaders without questioning their alignment with divine truth leads to spiritual and societal destruction. Muslims are reminded to prioritize obedience to Allah and His messengers over loyalty to human authority, no matter how influential or seemingly wise such leaders appear.
Related Ayahs
مَا يُجَـٰدِلُ فِىٓ ءَايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ فَلَا يَغْرُرْكَ تَقَلُّبُهُمْ فِى ٱلْبِلَـٰدِ
No one disputes concerning the signs of Allāh except those who disbelieve, so be not deceived by their [uninhibited] movement throughout the land.
وَٱلَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا وَلِقَآءِ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ حَبِطَتْ أَعْمَـٰلُهُمْ ۚ هَلْ يُجْزَوْنَ إِلَّا مَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ
Those who denied Our signs and the meeting of the Hereafter - their deeds have become worthless. Are they recompensed except for what they used to do?
وَٱلَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا وَٱسْتَكْبَرُوا۟ عَنْهَآ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ أَصْحَـٰبُ ٱلنَّارِ ۖ هُمْ فِيهَا خَـٰلِدُونَ
But the ones who deny Our verses and are arrogant toward them - those are the companions of the Fire; they will abide therein eternally.
فَبِمَا نَقْضِهِم مِّيثَـٰقَهُمْ وَكُفْرِهِم بِـَٔايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ وَقَتْلِهِمُ ٱلْأَنۢبِيَآءَ بِغَيْرِ حَقٍّ وَقَوْلِهِمْ قُلُوبُنَا غُلْفٌۢ ۚ بَلْ طَبَعَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْهَا بِكُفْرِهِمْ فَلَا يُؤْمِنُونَ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا
And [We cursed them] for their breaking of the covenant and their disbelief in the signs of Allāh and their killing of the prophets without right and their saying, "Our hearts are wrapped" [i.e., sealed against reception]. Rather, Allāh has sealed them because of their disbelief, so they believe not, except for a few.