أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ حَقَّ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلْقَوْلُ فِىٓ أُمَمٍ قَدْ خَلَتْ مِن قَبْلِهِم مِّنَ ٱلْجِنِّ وَٱلْإِنسِ ۖ إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوا۟ خَـٰسِرِينَ 18
Translations
Those are the ones upon whom the word [i.e., decree] has come into effect, [who will be] among nations which had passed on before them of jinn and men. Indeed, they [all] were losers.
Transliteration
Ulaa'ika allatheena haqqa alayhimu alqawlu fee umamin qad khalat min qablihim mina aljinni wa alinssi innahum kanoo khasireena
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to those deniers and disbelievers upon whom the word of punishment has been justly decreed, just as it was decreed upon previous nations of both jinn and humans who came before them. Ibn Kathir explains that this refers to the Quraysh and other disbelievers whose destruction and punishment has already been predetermined by Allah, following the pattern of divine justice established since ancient times. Al-Qurtubi emphasizes that these people are described as losers (khasireena) because they have forfeited both their worldly interests and eternal salvation through their rejection of faith.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Al-Ahqaf, which discusses the disbelievers' arrogance and their mocking of the Quran and the Prophet (peace be upon him). The broader context addresses how Allah's punishment came to previous nations who rejected their messengers, establishing a divine pattern that the contemporary disbelievers should heed as a warning.
Related Hadiths
The concept relates to Hadith Qudsi wherein Allah states His justice in punishment: 'My mercy encompasses all things, but My punishment is for those who disbelieve and associate partners with Me' (Sahih Muslim). Also relevant is the hadith about the sunnah (established pattern) of Allah: 'You will not find any change in the sunnah of Allah' (Quran 33:62, affirmed in various prophetic traditions).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah serves as a powerful reminder that rejecting divine guidance has consistent and inevitable consequences across all times and peoples, and that no one is exempt from Allah's justice—believers should reflect on the fate of past nations and align themselves with obedience to avoid similar ruin.
Related Ayahs
قُلْ أَرَءَيْتُم مَّا تَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ أَرُونِى مَاذَا خَلَقُوا۟ مِنَ ٱلْأَرْضِ أَمْ لَهُمْ شِرْكٌ فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ ۖ ٱئْتُونِى بِكِتَـٰبٍ مِّن قَبْلِ هَـٰذَآ أَوْ أَثَـٰرَةٍ مِّنْ عِلْمٍ إِن كُنتُمْ صَـٰدِقِينَ
Say, [O Muḥammad], "Have you considered that which you invoke besides Allāh? Show me what they have created of the earth; or did they have partnership in [creation of] the heavens? Bring me a scripture [revealed] before this or a [remaining] trace of knowledge, if you should be truthful."
وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ لِلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَوْ كَانَ خَيْرًا مَّا سَبَقُونَآ إِلَيْهِ ۚ وَإِذْ لَمْ يَهْتَدُوا۟ بِهِۦ فَسَيَقُولُونَ هَـٰذَآ إِفْكٌ قَدِيمٌ
And those who disbelieve say of those who believe, "If it had [truly] been good, they would not have preceded us to it." And when they are not guided by it, they will say, "This is an ancient falsehood."
وَإِذَا حُشِرَ ٱلنَّاسُ كَانُوا۟ لَهُمْ أَعْدَآءً وَكَانُوا۟ بِعِبَادَتِهِمْ كَـٰفِرِينَ
And when the people are gathered [that Day], they [who were invoked] will be enemies to them, and they will be deniers of their worship.
يَـٰقَوْمَنَآ أَجِيبُوا۟ دَاعِىَ ٱللَّهِ وَءَامِنُوا۟ بِهِۦ يَغْفِرْ لَكُم مِّن ذُنُوبِكُمْ وَيُجِرْكُم مِّنْ عَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍ
O our people, respond to the Caller [i.e., Messenger] of Allāh and believe in him; He [i.e., Allāh] will forgive for you your sins and protect you from a painful punishment.