كَمْ أَهْلَكْنَا مِن قَبْلِهِم مِّن قَرْنٍ فَنَادَوا۟ وَّلَاتَ حِينَ مَنَاصٍ 3
Translations
How many a generation have We destroyed before them, and they [then] called out; but it was not a time for escape.
Transliteration
Kam ahlakna min qablihim min qarninfahadaw wa lata heena manaas
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah conveys that Allah destroyed many nations before the disbelievers of Mecca, yet when punishment came upon them, they called out to Allah in desperation, but it was too late—there was no escape or refuge (walata heena manaas). Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir explain that 'walata' means 'there is no' and 'heena manaas' refers to 'time of escape,' emphasizing that once the divine punishment arrives, repentance and flight become impossible. This serves as a stern warning that delay in believing and turning to Allah results in a point of no return.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the middle section of Surah Sad, which is a Meccan surah addressing the polytheists of Mecca who rejected the Qur'an and the Prophet Muhammad. The surah uses historical examples of destroyed nations (like 'Ad, Thamud, and the people of Noah) to warn the contemporary disbelievers that similar punishment awaits those who persist in rejection.
Related Hadiths
The theme of nations destroyed for disbelief is reinforced in Surah Al-'Araf 4:136 (Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim contain numerous hadiths on punishment of previous nations). Hadith in Sahih Muslim from Abu Huraira regarding the finality of repentance: 'Allah accepts the repentance of His servant as long as the soul has not reached the throat.'
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that postponing repentance and faith is perilous—there comes a moment when worldly avenues of escape close and divine punishment becomes inescapable. The lesson encourages immediate response to divine guidance rather than delay, as the window of opportunity for genuine repentance may not remain open indefinitely.