وَلَقَد تَّرَكْنَا مِنْهَآ ءَايَةًۢ بَيِّنَةً لِّقَوْمٍ يَعْقِلُونَ 35
Translations
And We have certainly left of it a sign as clear evidence for a people who use reason.
Transliteration
Wa-laqad taraknā minhā āyatan bayyinatan liqawmin yaAAqilūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to the ruins and remnants left behind from the destroyed cities of Sodom and Gomorrah as clear signs (āyāt) for people who possess intellect and reason. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari explain that these physical ruins serve as tangible evidence of Allah's punishment upon those who rejected His messengers and engaged in grave moral transgressions, intended as a warning and lesson for the rational-minded. The ayah emphasizes that Allah leaves behind clear proofs of His justice and power, accessible to those who reflect and use their reasoning faculties.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears within the narrative section of Surah Al-'Ankabut that discusses the stories of various prophets and their peoples, particularly focusing on Prophet Lot (Lūt) and the destruction of the people of Sodom and Gomorrah. It comes after the account of Lot's community's rejection and their punishment, serving as a reminder within the Meccan context where the Quraysh were warned about similar divine retribution for rejecting the message.
Related Hadiths
The theme of signs (āyāt) in creation is reinforced in numerous hadiths. For example, in Sahih Muslim, the Prophet (ﷺ) stated: 'Whoever reflects upon the creation of the heavens and the earth will recognize the signs of Allah.' Additionally, hadith traditions in Sunan Ibn Majah discuss how the Prophet drew attention to geographical ruins as signs of divine punishment.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah encourages believers to use their intellect and reason to observe the signs of Allah present in history and creation, recognizing that divine punishment follows moral transgression and rejection of truth. For modern readers, it teaches that evidence of divine justice and warnings exist around us—if we cultivate mindful reflection rather than living heedlessly.