وَلَقَدِ ٱسْتُهْزِئَ بِرُسُلٍ مِّن قَبْلِكَ فَحَاقَ بِٱلَّذِينَ سَخِرُوا۟ مِنْهُم مَّا كَانُوا۟ بِهِۦ يَسْتَهْزِءُونَ 10
Translations
And already were messengers ridiculed before you, but those who mocked them were enveloped by that which they used to ridicule.
Transliteration
Wa-laqad istuhzi'a bi-rusulim min qablika fa-haaqa bi-alladhina sakhiroo minhum maa kaanoo bihi yastahzi'oon
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah consoles Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) by reminding him that previous messengers were also mocked and ridiculed by their people, yet Allah's punishment ultimately befell those who scoffed at them. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, the phrase 'what they used to mock' refers to the very punishment and divine retribution they had denied, emphasizing that mockery of the message and messenger invites severe consequences. The ayah underscores Allah's justice: those who deride the truth receive exactly the fate they dismissed and laughed at.
Revelation Context
Revealed in Mecca during a period of intense persecution of the Prophet and early Muslims by the Quraysh. This ayah appears in the broader context of Surah Al-An'am, which addresses disbelief, polytheism, and the mockery faced by the Prophet. It provides historical precedent and divine comfort, showing that ridicule of messengers is not a new phenomenon but a recurring pattern throughout history.
Related Hadiths
Tirmidhi and Ahmad report that the Prophet said: 'The greatest trial for a nation is when they mock their Prophet.' Additionally, Sahih Bukhari contains accounts of how the Quraysh mocked the Prophet, and how Surahs like this one provided him solace during those difficult times.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers facing ridicule for their faith should remember that mockery of truth has always invited divine punishment, and that standing firm in the message despite ridicule is a proven path of all messengers. This ayah teaches that patience in the face of derision, combined with trust in Allah's justice, ultimately vindicates the believers.
Related Ayahs
أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ هَدَى ٱللَّهُ ۖ فَبِهُدَىٰهُمُ ٱقْتَدِهْ ۗ قُل لَّآ أَسْـَٔلُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ أَجْرًا ۖ إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا ذِكْرَىٰ لِلْعَـٰلَمِينَ
Those are the ones whom Allāh has guided, so from their guidance take an example. Say, "I ask of you for it [i.e., this message] no payment. It is not but a reminder for the worlds."
وَمَا مِن دَآبَّةٍ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَلَا طَـٰٓئِرٍ يَطِيرُ بِجَنَاحَيْهِ إِلَّآ أُمَمٌ أَمْثَالُكُم ۚ مَّا فَرَّطْنَا فِى ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ مِن شَىْءٍ ۚ ثُمَّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ يُحْشَرُونَ
And there is no creature on [or within] the earth or bird that flies with its wings except [that they are] communities like you. We have not neglected in the Register a thing. Then unto their Lord they will be gathered.
وَأَنْ أَقِيمُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَٱتَّقُوهُ ۚ وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِىٓ إِلَيْهِ تُحْشَرُونَ
And to establish prayer and fear Him." And it is He to whom you will be gathered.
ثُمَّ ءَاتَيْنَا مُوسَى ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ تَمَامًا عَلَى ٱلَّذِىٓ أَحْسَنَ وَتَفْصِيلًا لِّكُلِّ شَىْءٍ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةً لَّعَلَّهُم بِلِقَآءِ رَبِّهِمْ يُؤْمِنُونَ
Then We gave Moses the Scripture, making complete [Our favor] upon the one who did good [i.e., Moses] and as a detailed explanation of all things and as guidance and mercy that perhaps in the meeting with their Lord they would believe.