۞ أَوَلَمْ يَسِيرُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ فَيَنظُرُوا۟ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَـٰقِبَةُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَانُوا۟ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ ۚ كَانُوا۟ هُمْ أَشَدَّ مِنْهُمْ قُوَّةً وَءَاثَارًا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ فَأَخَذَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ بِذُنُوبِهِمْ وَمَا كَانَ لَهُم مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ مِن وَاقٍ 21
Translations
Have they not traveled through the land and observed how was the end of those who were before them? They were greater than them in strength and in impression on the land, but Allāh seized them for their sins. And they had not from Allāh any protector.
Transliteration
Awa lam yasīrū fī al-arḍi fa-yanẓurū kayfa kāna ʿāqibatu alladhīna kānū min qablihim. Kānū hum ashadda minhum qūwwatan wa-āthāran fī al-arḍi fa-akhādhahumu Allāhu bi-dhunūbihim wa-mā kāna lahum min Allāhi min wāqin.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah invites reflection on historical precedents by asking the disbelievers whether they have traveled through the land to witness the ruins and remnants of previous nations who were destroyed for their disobedience. The passage emphasizes that despite these earlier peoples possessing greater physical strength and leaving more impressive monuments on earth, Allah seized them with punishment for their sins, and nothing could protect them from His decree. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi interpret this as a call to learn from history—observing how nations that rejected divine guidance faced inevitable destruction, regardless of their material power or worldly achievements.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Ghafir's Meccan period discourse addressing the polytheists of Mecca. The surah was revealed to challenge the Quraysh's arrogance and disbelief despite witnessing signs of Allah's power. This particular verse fits within the broader Quranic theme of reminding the disbelievers of past civilizations (ʿĀd, Thamūd, Pharaoh's people) who were destroyed for rejecting their prophets, serving as a warning to contemporary audiences.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ṣallā Allāhu ʿalayhi wa-sallam) said: 'The best of you are those who learn the Qur'an and teach it' (Sahih Bukhari 5027), emphasizing the importance of contemplating Quranic lessons including historical accounts. Additionally, the Prophet encouraged traveling to observe ruins as a form of reflection: 'How many a garden and spring they left behind, and cornfields and noble dwellings' (Surah 44:26), inviting believers to contemplate such evidence.
Themes
Key Lesson
No amount of physical power, wealth, or worldly achievements can protect a person or nation from Allah's justice if they persist in disobedience and rejection of truth. Modern believers should humble themselves by reflecting on how civilizations far greater than us were destroyed for their arrogance, using this historical awareness as a means to strengthen faith and avoid the pitfalls that led to their downfall.