قُلْ سِيرُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ فَٱنظُرُوا۟ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَـٰقِبَةُ ٱلْمُجْرِمِينَ 69
Translations
Say, [O Muḥammad], "Proceed [i.e., travel] through the land and observe how was the end of the criminals."
Transliteration
Qul sīrū fī al-arḍ fa-anẓurū kayfa kāna ʿāqibatu al-mujrimīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah commands the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to tell people to travel through the earth and observe the ruins and remnants of previous civilizations to witness the destructive consequences that befell the criminals and wrongdoers of past nations. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that this command encourages empirical observation and reflection upon historical evidence as a means of understanding Allah's justice and the inevitability of punishment for those who reject divine guidance. The ayah serves as both a warning and an invitation to contemplate the patterns of divine retribution throughout history.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah An-Naml (The Ant), a Meccan chapter that frequently addresses the Meccan polytheists' disbelief and calls them to reflection. The surah's broader context emphasizes signs of Allah's power in creation and history. This particular verse is part of a recurring theme in the Quran (also found in similar form in Surahs 28:69, 30:9, and 35:44) that encourages believers to study the fate of past civilizations as evidence of Allah's justice.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The best of knowledge is that which is useful, and the best of action is that which benefits others' (a principle supporting the benefits of learning from historical examples). Additionally, in Surah Al-Hajj (22:46), which addresses similar themes, the Prophet emphasizes that reflection and observation are means of guidance: 'So have they not traveled through the earth and have hearts by which to reason?'
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that studying history and observing the consequences of wrongdoing in past civilizations serves as a practical reminder of Allah's justice and a deterrent against sin. For contemporary believers, it encourages critical thinking and empirical observation as spiritual practices, reminding us that the patterns of divine justice are evident in the world around us and should inspire both fear of transgression and hope in Allah's mercy for the obedient.