وَقَضَيْنَآ إِلَىٰ بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ فِى ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ لَتُفْسِدُنَّ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ مَرَّتَيْنِ وَلَتَعْلُنَّ عُلُوًّا كَبِيرًا 4
Translations
And We conveyed to the Children of Israel in the Scripture that, "You will surely cause corruption on the earth twice, and you will surely reach [a degree of] great haughtiness."
Transliteration
Wa qadayna ila bani isra'ila fil-kitabi latafsidunna fil-ardi marratain wa lata'alunna 'uluwwan kabira
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah decreed upon the Children of Israel that they would commit corruption on earth twice and would become arrogant with great arrogance. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari interpret this as referring to two historical periods of Israelite transgression: the first when they killed prophets and violated the Sabbath during their early history, and the second during the time of Nebuchadnezzar when they were conquered and exiled. This ayah emphasizes that Allah's knowledge encompasses all future events, and that nations face consequences for their collective disobedience and pride.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within Surah Al-Isra, which describes the Night Journey (Isra) and addresses the Children of Israel's historical relationship with Allah. The context is Meccan, revealed to remind the early Muslim community of past nations' fates and the importance of heeding divine guidance. This ayah is part of a broader discourse warning against arrogance and corruption, themes relevant to all communities.
Related Hadiths
The concept is reflected in various traditions about the signs of the Hour and the condition of nations. Abu Hurairah narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said regarding the children of Israel: 'Each nation has its term, and when their term comes to an end, they will not be delayed an hour, nor will they advance it' (related to their appointed times of trial and punishment).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that Allah's knowledge is absolute and encompasses the rise and fall of nations, serving as a reminder that arrogance and moral corruption inevitably lead to divine punishment. For believers today, it emphasizes the importance of maintaining humility, moral integrity, and obedience to prevent collective spiritual and social decline.
Related Ayahs
وَأَنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ أَعْتَدْنَا لَهُمْ عَذَابًا أَلِيمًا
And that those who do not believe in the Hereafter - We have prepared for them a painful punishment.
وَإِن كَادُوا۟ لَيَسْتَفِزُّونَكَ مِنَ ٱلْأَرْضِ لِيُخْرِجُوكَ مِنْهَا ۖ وَإِذًا لَّا يَلْبَثُونَ خِلَـٰفَكَ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا
And indeed, they were about to provoke [i.e., drive] you from the land [i.e., Makkah] to evict you therefrom. And then [when they do], they will not remain [there] after you, except for a little.
وَلَا تَقْتُلُوا۟ ٱلنَّفْسَ ٱلَّتِى حَرَّمَ ٱللَّهُ إِلَّا بِٱلْحَقِّ ۗ وَمَن قُتِلَ مَظْلُومًا فَقَدْ جَعَلْنَا لِوَلِيِّهِۦ سُلْطَـٰنًا فَلَا يُسْرِف فِّى ٱلْقَتْلِ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ مَنصُورًا
And do not kill the soul [i.e., person] which Allāh has forbidden, except by right. And whoever is killed unjustly - We have given his heir authority, but let him not exceed limits in [the matter of] taking life. Indeed, he has been supported [by the law].
ٱنظُرْ كَيْفَ فَضَّلْنَا بَعْضَهُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ ۚ وَلَلْـَٔاخِرَةُ أَكْبَرُ دَرَجَـٰتٍ وَأَكْبَرُ تَفْضِيلًا
Look how We have favored [in provision] some of them over others. But the Hereafter is greater in degrees [of difference] and greater in distinction.