مُّسَوَّمَةً عِندَ رَبِّكَ لِلْمُسْرِفِينَ 34
Translations
Marked in the presence of your Lord for the transgressors."
Transliteration
Musawwamatan inda rabbika lil-musrifin
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to stones of baked clay (or marked stones) prepared and kept with Allah as a punishment for the transgressors and wasteful people. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari interpret this in the context of the people of the Elephant (Ashab al-Fil), where Allah sent birds with marked stones to destroy those who sought to harm the Ka'bah. The ayah emphasizes Allah's perfect preparation of punishment for those who exceed bounds in their rebellion against Him.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Adh-Dhariyat, which contains accounts of various punishments inflicted by Allah upon disobedient nations. The specific reference here alludes to the historical event of Ashab al-Fil (the people of the Elephant), a story well-known to the Meccan Arabs, serving as a reminder of divine justice and the fate of those who transgress against Allah's signs.
Related Hadiths
The story of Ashab al-Fil is referenced in Sahih Bukhari (4:55:604) where the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) mentioned this incident as a sign of Allah's protection of the Ka'bah. Additionally, hadiths in Tirmidhi discuss the characteristics of the transgressors (musrifin) and their ultimate fate.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that Allah's punishment for those who transgress and waste is inevitable and precisely prepared, serving as a powerful deterrent against arrogance and excess. Modern readers should reflect on the importance of moderation, obedience to Allah's commands, and the certainty of divine justice for all wrongdoings.
Related Ayahs
وَلَئِن مَّسَّتْهُمْ نَفْحَةٌ مِّنْ عَذَابِ رَبِّكَ لَيَقُولُنَّ يَـٰوَيْلَنَآ إِنَّا كُنَّا ظَـٰلِمِينَ
And if [as much as] a whiff of the punishment of your Lord should touch them, they would surely say, "O woe to us! Indeed, we have been wrongdoers."
وَمَن يَقْتُلْ مُؤْمِنًا مُّتَعَمِّدًا فَجَزَآؤُهُۥ جَهَنَّمُ خَـٰلِدًا فِيهَا وَغَضِبَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَلَعَنَهُۥ وَأَعَدَّ لَهُۥ عَذَابًا عَظِيمًا
But whoever kills a believer intentionally - his recompense is Hell, wherein he will abide eternally, and Allāh has become angry with him and has cursed him and has prepared for him a great punishment.
فَنُزُلٌ مِّنْ حَمِيمٍ
Then [for him is] accommodation of scalding water
إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَعِبْرَةً لِّمَن يَخْشَىٰٓ
Indeed in that is a lesson [i.e., warning] for whoever would fear [Allāh].