أَوَعَجِبْتُمْ أَن جَآءَكُمْ ذِكْرٌ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ عَلَىٰ رَجُلٍ مِّنكُمْ لِيُنذِرَكُمْ ۚ وَٱذْكُرُوٓا۟ إِذْ جَعَلَكُمْ خُلَفَآءَ مِنۢ بَعْدِ قَوْمِ نُوحٍ وَزَادَكُمْ فِى ٱلْخَلْقِ بَصْۜطَةً ۖ فَٱذْكُرُوٓا۟ ءَالَآءَ ٱللَّهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ 69
Translations
Then do you wonder that there has come to you a reminder from your Lord through a man from among you, that he may warn you? And remember when He made you successors after the people of Noah and increased you in stature extensively. So remember the favors of Allāh that you might succeed."
Transliteration
Awa-'ajibthum an ja'akum dhikrun min rabbikum 'ala rajulin minkum liyundhirakum waidhkuroo idh ja'alakum khulafa'a min ba'di qawmi Noohin wa zadakum fil khalqi bastatah, faidhkuroo alaa'a Allahi la'allakum tuflihuun.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah addresses the 'Ad people who expressed amazement that Allah sent revelation (the Qur'an) through a human messenger (Prophet Hud) from among themselves. Allah reminds them of His favor in making them successors to the people of Noah and granting them physical strength and stature, commanding them to remember Allah's blessings in hopes of attaining success. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, the phrase 'increased you in creation extensively' refers to the 'Ad's exceptional physical strength and architectural capabilities, yet they remained ungrateful and rejected their messenger.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the narrative of Prophet Hud ('alayhi al-assalam) addressing the 'Ad people. The broader context of Surah Al-A'raf presents stories of past nations and their rejection of prophets, serving as a warning (dhikr) to the Meccans who similarly rejected Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam). The ayah addresses the common objection of disbelievers against prophethood—that a human cannot be a messenger.
Related Hadiths
While no hadith directly quotes this ayah, the theme relates to Hadith Qudsi: 'My mercy precedes My wrath' (Sahih Bukhari 3194), emphasizing Allah's repeated reminders of His blessings. Additionally, the Hadith regarding gratitude: 'Whoever is grateful, I will increase him [in blessing]' (Qur'an 14:7, reinforced by multiple hadiths in Tirmidhi and others on shukr).
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should reflect on Allah's countless blessings—both material and spiritual—and respond with gratitude and obedience rather than arrogance and rejection. The reminder that a human messenger is natural and part of Allah's established pattern should strengthen faith, as Allah chooses the best among His servants to guide others to the path of success and righteousness.