فَطَافَ عَلَيْهَا طَآئِفٌ مِّن رَّبِّكَ وَهُمْ نَآئِمُونَ 19
Translations
So there came upon it [i.e., the garden] an affliction from your Lord while they were asleep.
Transliteration
Fataafa alayha taaifun min rabbika wa hum naimuun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes how a calamity from your Lord swept through the garden while its people were sleeping, destroying it completely. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari interpret this as divine punishment that befell the garden owners overnight, serving as a sign of Allah's power and justice. The phrase 'a troop from your Lord' (taifun min rabbika) emphasizes that this was a direct manifestation of Allah's will and divine decree, teaching that worldly possessions are temporary and subject to Allah's control.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the parable of the two gardens (Surah Al-Qalam 68:17-33), a Meccan surah addressing the polytheists of Mecca. The passage illustrates the consequences of arrogance and ingratitude toward Allah's blessings. The context shows how the owners of the garden were tested through their wealth and subsequently punished for their disbelief and refusal to acknowledge Allah's rights in charity.
Related Hadiths
While no hadith directly quotes this ayah, Sahih Bukhari contains hadith about trials and blessings that relate thematically: 'The best of you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best among you to my family' (Tirmidhi 3895), connecting to the theme of responsibility toward blessings.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that material wealth and possessions are temporary trusts from Allah that can be taken away at any moment, emphasizing the importance of gratitude, humility, and charitable disposition. It serves as a reminder to safeguard oneself against arrogance and to recognize that true security lies only in obedience to Allah, not in accumulated wealth.