فَعَصَوْا۟ رَسُولَ رَبِّهِمْ فَأَخَذَهُمْ أَخْذَةً رَّابِيَةً 10
Translations
And they disobeyed the messenger of their Lord, so He seized them with a seizure exceeding [in severity].
Transliteration
Fa'asau rasulu rabbihim fa'akhadhahum akhdhat rabiyah
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to the people of 'Ad who disobeyed their messenger Hud, and Allah seized them with a severe and overwhelming punishment. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir explain that 'akhdhat rabiyah' (a mighty/overwhelming seizure) refers to the catastrophic windstorm that destroyed them completely, demonstrating that disobedience to the messengers results in swift and decisive divine retribution. The ayah emphasizes the certainty of punishment for those who reject Allah's guidance through His messengers.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Haqqah is a Meccan surah that emphasizes the certainty of the Day of Judgment and presents historical examples of nations destroyed for rejecting their prophets. This particular ayah is part of the narrative about 'Ad (verses 6-8), serving as a warning to the Quraysh and all disbelievers about the consequences of rejecting divine messages.
Related Hadiths
The hadith in Sahih Bukhari (Hadith 4828) mentions the destruction of 'Ad through a cold wind as a sign of the Day of Judgment. Additionally, Surah Al-Haqqah 6-8 is referenced in various hadith collections regarding the historical destruction of nations.
Themes
Key Lesson
For modern readers, this ayah serves as a profound reminder that rejecting the message of truth and those sent to convey it carries severe consequences, and that no nation or individual can escape divine justice regardless of their power or influence. It encourages believers to heed the guidance of Allah and His messengers while there is still time.
Related Ayahs
إِلَّا حَمِيمًا وَغَسَّاقًا
Except scalding water and [foul] purulence -
فَأَذَاقَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْخِزْىَ فِى ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا ۖ وَلَعَذَابُ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ أَكْبَرُ ۚ لَوْ كَانُوا۟ يَعْلَمُونَ
So Allāh made them taste disgrace in worldly life. But the punishment of the Hereafter is greater, if they only knew.
وَأُتْبِعُوا۟ فِى هَـٰذِهِ ٱلدُّنْيَا لَعْنَةً وَيَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ ۗ أَلَآ إِنَّ عَادًا كَفَرُوا۟ رَبَّهُمْ ۗ أَلَا بُعْدًا لِّعَادٍ قَوْمِ هُودٍ
And they were [therefore] followed in this world with a curse and [as well] on the Day of Resurrection. Unquestionably, ʿAad denied their Lord; then away with ʿAad, the people of Hūd.
أَوَلَمْ يَهْدِ لِلَّذِينَ يَرِثُونَ ٱلْأَرْضَ مِنۢ بَعْدِ أَهْلِهَآ أَن لَّوْ نَشَآءُ أَصَبْنَـٰهُم بِذُنُوبِهِمْ ۚ وَنَطْبَعُ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِهِمْ فَهُمْ لَا يَسْمَعُونَ
Has it not become clear to those who inherited the earth after its [previous] people that if We willed, We could afflict them for their sins? But We seal over their hearts so they do not hear.