إِن كُلٌّ إِلَّا كَذَّبَ ٱلرُّسُلَ فَحَقَّ عِقَابِ 14
Translations
Each of them denied the messengers, so My penalty was justified.
Transliteration
In kulla illaa kadhdhaba ar-rusul fa haqqa iqaab
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah states that every nation denied the messengers, and thus the punishment of Allah became due upon them. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this verse emphasizes the consistent pattern throughout history where peoples rejected their messengers, leading to inevitable divine punishment. Al-Qurtubi notes this serves as a warning that denial of the messengers is not merely a matter of opinion but carries severe consequences, as it is the path chosen by those destined for punishment.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Sad, which discusses various messengers and their peoples' rejection. The broader context of Surah 38 includes accounts of previous nations and their rejection of prophets, establishing a universal pattern that culminates in a warning to the Quraysh and their denial of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The most despised of men to Allah is one who is called Abd al-Malik (servant of the king) yet follows tyrants.' (Sunan Ibn Majah). Also relevant is the hadith in Sahih Bukhari regarding the messengers' patience: 'The most severely tested of people are the prophets, then the righteous, then the next in degree.'
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that rejecting divine guidance through the messengers is not without consequence—it is a grave matter with inevitable repercussions. For believers today, it serves as a reminder to accept and honor the message of Prophet Muhammad and to reflect on how societies that reject truth ultimately face destruction.
Related Ayahs
ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُۥ كَانَت تَّأْتِيهِمْ رُسُلُهُم بِٱلْبَيِّنَـٰتِ فَقَالُوٓا۟ أَبَشَرٌ يَهْدُونَنَا فَكَفَرُوا۟ وَتَوَلَّوا۟ ۚ وَّٱسْتَغْنَى ٱللَّهُ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ غَنِىٌّ حَمِيدٌ
That is because their messengers used to come to them with clear evidences, but they said, "Shall human beings guide us?" and disbelieved and turned away. And Allāh dispensed [with them]; and Allāh is Free of need and Praiseworthy.
كَذَّبَتْ عَادٌ ٱلْمُرْسَلِينَ
ʿAad denied the messengers
أَلَمْ يَرَوْا۟ كَمْ أَهْلَكْنَا قَبْلَهُم مِّنَ ٱلْقُرُونِ أَنَّهُمْ إِلَيْهِمْ لَا يَرْجِعُونَ
Have they not considered how many generations We destroyed before them - that they to them will not return?
وَكَذَٰلِكَ مَآ أَرْسَلْنَا مِن قَبْلِكَ فِى قَرْيَةٍ مِّن نَّذِيرٍ إِلَّا قَالَ مُتْرَفُوهَآ إِنَّا وَجَدْنَآ ءَابَآءَنَا عَلَىٰٓ أُمَّةٍ وَإِنَّا عَلَىٰٓ ءَاثَـٰرِهِم مُّقْتَدُونَ
And similarly, We did not send before you any warner into a city except that its affluent said, "Indeed, we found our fathers upon a religion, and we are, in their footsteps, following."