فَٱنظُرْ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَـٰقِبَةُ مَكْرِهِمْ أَنَّا دَمَّرْنَـٰهُمْ وَقَوْمَهُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ 51
Translations
Then look how was the outcome of their plan - that We destroyed them and their people, all.
Transliteration
Fanzur kayfa kana aqibatu makrihim anna dammarna hum wa qawmahum ajma'een
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah concludes the narrative of the people of Thamud, commanding the reader to observe how their plot and transgression ended in complete destruction. Allah destroyed both the people themselves and their community entirely, demonstrating that those who reject the signs of Allah and harm His messengers will face inevitable ruin. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that this ayah serves as a historical warning, showing that no scheme against truth can succeed against Allah's will.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears within the broader context of Surah An-Naml, which presents stories of various nations that rejected their prophets. Specifically, it concludes the account of Thamud, the people who rejected the Prophet Salih and destroyed the she-camel that was a sign from Allah. The ayah serves as a reflexive moment, inviting contemplation on the consequences of arrogance and rejection of divine guidance.
Related Hadiths
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'The most truthful words ever uttered by a poet are the words of Labid: 'Verily, everything except Allah is false' (Sahih Bukhari 3838). This reflects the theme of ultimate truth and the futility of worldly schemes against divine will, which underlies this ayah's message.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that opposing truth and harming those who call to Allah leads to inevitable destruction in both worlds, and should strengthen conviction that no scheme prospers against the will of the Almighty. It encourages reflective observation of history as a source of moral instruction and protection from similar arrogance.