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
وَلَا تَمُدَّنَّ عَيْنَيْكَ إِلَىٰ مَا مَتَّعْنَا بِهِۦٓ أَزْوَٰجًا مِّنْهُمْ زَهْرَةَ ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا لِنَفْتِنَهُمْ فِيهِ ۚ وَرِزْقُ رَبِّكَ خَيْرٌ وَأَبْقَىٰ
And do not extend your eyes toward that by which We have given enjoyment to [some] categories of them, [its being but] the splendor of worldly life by which We test them. And the provision of your Lord is better and more enduring.
إِنَّهُۥ مَن يَأْتِ رَبَّهُۥ مُجْرِمًا فَإِنَّ لَهُۥ جَهَنَّمَ لَا يَمُوتُ فِيهَا وَلَا يَحْيَىٰ
Indeed, whoever comes to his Lord as a criminal - indeed, for him is Hell; he will neither die therein nor live.
فَرَجَعَ مُوسَىٰٓ إِلَىٰ قَوْمِهِۦ غَضْبَـٰنَ أَسِفًا ۚ قَالَ يَـٰقَوْمِ أَلَمْ يَعِدْكُمْ رَبُّكُمْ وَعْدًا حَسَنًا ۚ أَفَطَالَ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلْعَهْدُ أَمْ أَرَدتُّمْ أَن يَحِلَّ عَلَيْكُمْ غَضَبٌ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ فَأَخْلَفْتُم مَّوْعِدِى
So Moses returned to his people, angry and grieved. He said, "O my people, did your Lord not make you a good promise? Then, was the time [of its fulfillment] too long for you, or did you wish that wrath from your Lord descend upon you, so you broke your promise [of obedience] to me?"
فَتَعَـٰلَى ٱللَّهُ ٱلْمَلِكُ ٱلْحَقُّ ۗ وَلَا تَعْجَلْ بِٱلْقُرْءَانِ مِن قَبْلِ أَن يُقْضَىٰٓ إِلَيْكَ وَحْيُهُۥ ۖ وَقُل رَّبِّ زِدْنِى عِلْمًا
So high [above all] is Allāh, the Sovereign, the Truth. And, [O Muḥammad], do not hasten with [recitation of] the Qur’ān before its revelation is completed to you, and say, "My Lord, increase me in knowledge."