أَوَلَمْ يَسِيرُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ فَيَنظُرُوا۟ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَـٰقِبَةُ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ وَكَانُوٓا۟ أَشَدَّ مِنْهُمْ قُوَّةً ۚ وَمَا كَانَ ٱللَّهُ لِيُعْجِزَهُۥ مِن شَىْءٍ فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَلَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ عَلِيمًا قَدِيرًا 44
Translations
Have they not traveled through the land and observed how was the end of those before them? And they were greater than them in power. But Allāh is not to be caused failure [i.e., prevented] by anything in the heavens or on the earth. Indeed, He is ever Knowing and Competent.
Transliteration
Awalam yasīrū fī al-arḍi fayanzurū kayfa kāna `āqibatu alladhīna min qablihim wa-kānū ashadda minhum quwwatan wa-mā kāna Allāhu li-yu`jizahu min shay'in fī as-samāwāti wa-lā fī al-arḍi innahu kāna `alīman qadīran
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah commands the disbelievers to travel through the earth and observe the ruins and fate of past civilizations who were more powerful than them, yet were destroyed by Allah's punishment for their rejection of His signs. The verse emphasizes that Allah's power encompasses all things in the heavens and earth—nothing escapes His knowledge (`alīm) or ability (`qadīr)—thus their destruction was not by chance but by Allah's divine decree. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir note this ayah serves as both a warning and evidence of Allah's absolute sovereignty; Al-Qurtubi emphasizes that the remains of destroyed nations are physical signs (āyāt) for the believers to contemplate.
Revelation Context
Surah Fatir is a Meccan surah revealed during the period of intense Meccan opposition to the Prophet (ﷺ). This ayah appears in the latter portion of the surah and addresses the Quraysh's arrogance and denial. It contextualizes within the surah's broader theme of Allah's creative power and the consequences of rejecting His messengers, using historical examples as proof of divine justice.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'Learn from the fate of nations before you, as a lesson and admonition' (related thematically in various admonitions about studying history). Additionally, the concept of i'tibār (taking lessons from the past) is emphasized in the hadith: 'The best of stories is the Qur'an' (Sahih Muslim), where studying the accounts of previous peoples is encouraged as a means of guidance.
Themes
Key Lesson
Muslims should reflect upon the patterns of history and the rise and fall of civilizations as signs of Allah's justice, recognizing that material power and wealth cannot protect those who reject divine guidance. This ayah teaches us that no amount of worldly strength can stand against Allah's will, and thus our focus should be on obedience and faith rather than accumulation of power and resources.