أَفَلَمْ يَهْدِ لَهُمْ كَمْ أَهْلَكْنَا قَبْلَهُم مِّنَ ٱلْقُرُونِ يَمْشُونَ فِى مَسَـٰكِنِهِمْ ۗ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَـٰتٍ لِّأُو۟لِى ٱلنُّهَىٰ 128
Translations
Then, has it not become clear to them how many generations We destroyed before them as they walk among their dwellings? Indeed in that are signs for those of intelligence.
Transliteration
Aflam yahdil lahum kam ahlaknaa qablahum minal quruni yamshuna fee masakinihim? Inna fee dhalika la-ayatin li-ulil-nuha
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah poses a rhetorical question to the disbelievers of Mecca, asking whether they have not been guided by the ruins and remnants of past civilizations that were destroyed before them. As they walk through the dwellings of these extinct nations, the signs of Allah's punishment upon those who rejected His messengers should serve as clear warnings. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that these ruins (masakan) are tangible reminders of divine justice, meant to awaken the intellect and conscience of those who possess understanding (ulu al-nuha).
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the Meccan section of Surah Ta-Ha, which addresses the polytheists' persistent rejection of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the message of monotheism. The ayah is part of a broader section (20:120-135) that uses historical examples and natural signs to appeal to human reason and warn of the consequences of disbelief. The context is directed at the Quraysh who, despite living in proximity to the ruins of past civilizations like the Ad and Thamud, continued to ignore these lessons.
Related Hadiths
The theme of learning from the ruins of past peoples is reflected in the hadith recorded in Sunan Ibn Majah where the Prophet (peace be upon him) warned about the fate of nations that rejected guidance. Additionally, Sahih Bukhari contains hadiths about the Prophet's references to the destroyed peoples (Ad, Thamud) as warnings to believers.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us to remain observant of historical patterns and the consequences of rejecting divine guidance, using reason and reflection to understand Allah's signs rather than living in heedlessness. For contemporary believers, it emphasizes the importance of contemplating history, understanding cause-and-effect in societies, and heeding warnings that serve as mercy and guidance from the All-Wise Creator.
Related Ayahs
وَأْمُرْ أَهْلَكَ بِٱلصَّلَوٰةِ وَٱصْطَبِرْ عَلَيْهَا ۖ لَا نَسْـَٔلُكَ رِزْقًا ۖ نَّحْنُ نَرْزُقُكَ ۗ وَٱلْعَـٰقِبَةُ لِلتَّقْوَىٰ
And enjoin prayer upon your family [and people] and be steadfast therein. We ask you not for provision; We provide for you, and the [best] outcome is for [those of] righteousness.
فَأَخْرَجَ لَهُمْ عِجْلًا جَسَدًا لَّهُۥ خُوَارٌ فَقَالُوا۟ هَـٰذَآ إِلَـٰهُكُمْ وَإِلَـٰهُ مُوسَىٰ فَنَسِىَ
And he extracted for them [the statue of] a calf which had a lowing sound, and they said, "This is your god and the god of Moses, but he forgot."
خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهِ ۖ وَسَآءَ لَهُمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ حِمْلًا
[Abiding] eternally therein, and evil it is for them on the Day of Resurrection as a load -
وَلَوْلَا كَلِمَةٌ سَبَقَتْ مِن رَّبِّكَ لَكَانَ لِزَامًا وَأَجَلٌ مُّسَمًّى
And if not for a word that preceded from your Lord, it [i.e., punishment] would have been an obligation [due immediately], and [if not for] a specified term [decreed].