وَكَمْ أَهْلَكْنَا مِن قَرْيَةٍۭ بَطِرَتْ مَعِيشَتَهَا ۖ فَتِلْكَ مَسَـٰكِنُهُمْ لَمْ تُسْكَن مِّنۢ بَعْدِهِمْ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا ۖ وَكُنَّا نَحْنُ ٱلْوَٰرِثِينَ 58
Translations
And how many a city have We destroyed that was insolent in its [way of] living, and those are their dwellings which have not been inhabited after them except briefly. And it is We who were the inheritors.
Transliteration
Wa-kam ahlaknā min qaryatin batarat ma'īshatahā, fatilka masākinuhum lam tuskan min ba'dihim illā qalīlān, wa kunnā nahnu al-wārithīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes how Allah destroyed many cities whose inhabitants became arrogant and boastful about their wealth and comfortable living. After their destruction, their dwellings remained largely deserted and uninhabited, serving as a sign of Allah's power and dominion. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that 'batarat' (became arrogant/ungrateful) indicates their heedlessness and ingratitude for the blessings bestowed upon them, leading to their inevitable punishment.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Al-Qasas (Meccan), which contains narratives of previous nations and their fates as historical lessons. It appears in the context of reminding the Quraysh of past civilizations' destruction due to their rejection of prophets and arrogance in their worldly prosperity. The surah uses these stories to warn the contemporary disbelievers of similar consequences.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The best of you are those of my generation, then those who come after them, then those who come after them' (Sahih Bukhari, 3651), reflecting themes of righteousness vs. heedlessness. Also relevant: 'Wealth and children are adornments of life, but the everlasting good deeds are better' (Surah Al-Kahf 18:46), which contrasts material arrogance with true value.
Themes
Key Lesson
Excessive attachment to material wealth and comfort, coupled with ingratitude and arrogance, leads to spiritual destruction and divine punishment. Believers should remain humble, grateful for blessings, and remember that all worldly possessions are temporary—only righteous deeds and consciousness of Allah have lasting value.