وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا مِن قَبْلِكَ رُسُلًا إِلَىٰ قَوْمِهِمْ فَجَآءُوهُم بِٱلْبَيِّنَـٰتِ فَٱنتَقَمْنَا مِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَجْرَمُوا۟ ۖ وَكَانَ حَقًّا عَلَيْنَا نَصْرُ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ 47
Translations
And We have already sent messengers before you to their peoples, and they came to them with clear evidences; then We took retribution from those who committed crimes, and incumbent upon Us was support of the believers.
Transliteration
Wa-laqad arsalnā min qablika rusulān ilā qawmihim fa-jāāūhum bil-bayyināt fa-ntaqamnā min alladhīna ajramū wa-kāna haqqan alaynā nasru al-mu'minīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms that Allah sent messengers before Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to their respective peoples with clear signs and proofs, and those who rejected and committed crimes were punished while the believers were divinely supported. Classical exegetes like Ibn Kathir emphasize this as consolation for the Prophet during persecution in Mecca, assuring him that the pattern of history shows Allah's justice: disbelievers face punishment and believers receive aid. Al-Qurtubi notes that this verse establishes an immutable divine law (Sunnah Allāh) operating throughout human history.
Revelation Context
Revealed in Mecca during a period when the Prophet and early Muslims faced intense opposition and persecution from the Quraysh. This ayah provides historical precedent and psychological comfort, reminding believers that divine support for the righteous is an established pattern. The surah as a whole addresses the Romans' conflict with Persia as a sign of Allah's sovereignty over worldly affairs.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Muslim 2889: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, 'The parable of the believers in their affection, mercy, and compassion for each other is like a body; when one of its limbs aches, the whole body responds.' This relates to the collective support promised to believers. Additionally, Jami' at-Tirmidhi 3025 addresses Allah's aid to those who aid His religion.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers facing opposition should take comfort in the historical certainty that Allah punishes the oppressors and aids the faithful, not through worldly power alone but through divine justice. This teaches reliance on Allah's promise rather than immediate circumstances, encouraging patience during trials knowing that victory—whether in this life or the next—ultimately belongs to those who believe.
Related Ayahs
ثُمَّ كَانَ عَـٰقِبَةَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَسَـٰٓـُٔوا۟ ٱلسُّوٓأَىٰٓ أَن كَذَّبُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ وَكَانُوا۟ بِهَا يَسْتَهْزِءُونَ
Then the end of those who did evil was the worst [consequence] because they denied the signs of Allāh and used to ridicule them.
ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَكُمْ ثُمَّ رَزَقَكُمْ ثُمَّ يُمِيتُكُمْ ثُمَّ يُحْيِيكُمْ ۖ هَلْ مِن شُرَكَآئِكُم مَّن يَفْعَلُ مِن ذَٰلِكُم مِّن شَىْءٍ ۚ سُبْحَـٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَـٰلَىٰ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ
Allāh is the one who created you, then provided for you, then will cause you to die, and then will give you life. Are there any of your "partners" who does anything of that? Exalted is He and high above what they associate with Him.
يَعْلَمُونَ ظَـٰهِرًا مِّنَ ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَهُمْ عَنِ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ هُمْ غَـٰفِلُونَ
They know what is apparent of the worldly life, but they, of the Hereafter, are unaware.
يُخْرِجُ ٱلْحَىَّ مِنَ ٱلْمَيِّتِ وَيُخْرِجُ ٱلْمَيِّتَ مِنَ ٱلْحَىِّ وَيُحْىِ ٱلْأَرْضَ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهَا ۚ وَكَذَٰلِكَ تُخْرَجُونَ
He brings the living out of the dead and brings the dead out of the living and brings to life the earth after its lifelessness. And thus will you be brought out.