وَأَصْحَـٰبُ مَدْيَنَ ۖ وَكُذِّبَ مُوسَىٰ فَأَمْلَيْتُ لِلْكَـٰفِرِينَ ثُمَّ أَخَذْتُهُمْ ۖ فَكَيْفَ كَانَ نَكِيرِ 44
Translations
And the inhabitants of Madyan. And Moses was denied, so I prolonged enjoyment for the disbelievers; then I seized them, and how [terrible] was My reproach.
Transliteration
Wa-ashabu Madyana, wa kudhdhiba Musa fa-amlaytu lilkafirin thumma akhdhathum, fa-kayfa kana nakiri
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to the people of Madyan (Midian) and mentions that Prophet Musa (Moses) was denied and rejected by them. Allah granted the disbelievers respite and delay in punishment, then seized them with a terrible punishment. Ibn Kathir notes this demonstrates Allah's pattern of giving disbelievers time to repent, and when they persist in rejection, His punishment comes swiftly and comprehensively. The ayah emphasizes that despite numerous warnings through messengers, those who reject face inevitable divine retribution.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears within Surah Al-Hajj, a Medinan surah that discusses various themes including the pilgrimage, prophethood, and the consequences faced by previous nations. The broader context (22:40-48) recounts stories of earlier peoples who rejected their messengers—including the people of Madyan. This section serves to reassure the Prophet Muhammad and believers that rejection by disbelievers follows a historical pattern, and that Allah's justice ultimately prevails.
Related Hadiths
The story of the people of Madyan and Prophet Shu'ayb is detailed in multiple hadith collections regarding the consequences of rejecting messengers. See Tafsir Ibn Kathir's discussion referencing the comprehensive accounts in Surah Al-A'raf (7:85-93) where the punishment of the Madyanites is described in detail.
Themes
Key Lesson
Allah's patience with disbelievers is not weakness but a test of their resolve; ultimately, rejection of divine guidance leads to inevitable punishment. For believers, this ayah reinforces that persistence in faith despite opposition follows the tradition of the prophets, and that Allah's justice will vindicate the righteous.