وَلَوْلَآ أَن تُصِيبَهُم مُّصِيبَةٌۢ بِمَا قَدَّمَتْ أَيْدِيهِمْ فَيَقُولُوا۟ رَبَّنَا لَوْلَآ أَرْسَلْتَ إِلَيْنَا رَسُولًا فَنَتَّبِعَ ءَايَـٰتِكَ وَنَكُونَ مِنَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ 47
Translations
And if not that a disaster should strike them for what their hands put forth [of sins] and they would say, "Our Lord, why did You not send us a messenger so we could have followed Your verses and been among the believers?"...
Transliteration
Wa law lā an tuṣībahum muṣībatun bimā qaddamat aydīhim fayaqūlū Rabbanā law lā arsalta ilaynā rasūlan fatattabi'a āyātika wa nakūna mina al-mu'minīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah explains that if a calamity had not befallen the disbelievers as a consequence of their own actions, they would have excused themselves by claiming that no messenger was sent to them. Allah is thus stating that punishment is sent upon them precisely to prevent this excuse on the Day of Judgment. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir note that this emphasizes Allah's justice—He sends tribulations in this world to make the signs clear, so that people cannot claim ignorance or lack of guidance in the Hereafter.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Al-Qasas, which recounts the story of Musa (Moses) and the rejection he faced from Pharaoh's people. The broader thematic context addresses how peoples are sent messengers with clear signs, and those who reject them face worldly consequences that serve as warnings and proofs of the truth.
Related Hadiths
The concept relates to Surah Al-Isra 17:15: 'And We never punish until We have sent a messenger.' Additionally, the hadith in Sahih Muslim regarding the intercession of the Prophet emphasizes that Allah does not punish a community while a messenger is among them conveying the message.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that Allah's apparent hardships in our lives often serve as divine mercy and warnings to keep us on the straight path, preventing greater spiritual ruin. Believers should recognize signs and guidance when presented to them, rather than waiting for calamity to awaken their conscience.