وَلَقَدْ أَخَذْنَآ ءَالَ فِرْعَوْنَ بِٱلسِّنِينَ وَنَقْصٍ مِّنَ ٱلثَّمَرَٰتِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَذَّكَّرُونَ 130
Translations
And We certainly seized the people of Pharaoh with years of famine and a deficiency in fruits that perhaps they would be reminded.
Transliteration
Wa-laqad akhdhna āla Fir'awna bis-sinīna wa-naqsin min ath-thmarāti la'allahum yadhdhakkarūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah afflicted the people of Pharaoh with years of drought and famine, and a decrease in their fruits and harvests, as a means of admonition so that they might remember and turn back to Him. Ibn Kathir notes that these calamities were divine punishments preceding the greater plagues, designed to soften their hearts and lead them to repentance, yet Pharaoh and his people remained stubborn in their disbelief.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the narrative of Musa (Moses) and Pharaoh in Surah Al-A'raf, a Meccan surah. It describes the sequence of trials and punishments Allah sent to Pharaoh's people before the final plagues. The context shows how Allah gave multiple opportunities for repentance through graduated punishments, reflecting His mercy alongside His justice.
Related Hadiths
The theme of Allah's warnings through natural calamities is reflected in the hadith: 'When Allah intends good for a people, He makes them experience trials' (Tirmidhi). Additionally, the Quranic principle of sending messengers and signs is reinforced in Sahih Muslim regarding Allah's mercy in warning before punishment.
Themes
Key Lesson
Hardships and trials in life are often divine reminders calling us to reflection and repentance rather than mere misfortunes; when we ignore these signs of admonition, we risk greater consequences. This teaches believers to recognize afflictions as opportunities for spiritual growth and course-correction before it becomes too late.