أَفَلَمْ يَسِيرُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ فَيَنظُرُوا۟ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَـٰقِبَةُ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ ۚ كَانُوٓا۟ أَكْثَرَ مِنْهُمْ وَأَشَدَّ قُوَّةً وَءَاثَارًا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ فَمَآ أَغْنَىٰ عَنْهُم مَّا كَانُوا۟ يَكْسِبُونَ 82
Translations
Have they not traveled through the land and observed how was the end of those before them? They were more numerous than themselves and greater in strength and in impression on the land, but they were not availed by what they used to earn.
Transliteration
Aflam yasīrū fī al-arḍ fayanzurū kayfa kāna ʿāqibatu alladhīna min qablihim, kānū akthara minhum wa-ashaddā quwwatan wa-āthāran fī al-arḍ, famā aghnā ʿanhum mā kānū yaksbūn.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah commands believers to travel through the earth and observe the ruins and remnants of previous nations destroyed for their disbelief and transgression, despite possessing greater numbers, strength, and material achievements than the contemporary disbelievers. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that their wealth, power, and worldly accomplishments provided no protection against Allah's punishment when they rejected His signs. The ayah serves as a stark reminder that material prosperity is meaningless without obedience to Allah, and that the fate of arrogant nations throughout history demonstrates the futility of worldly gains divorced from faith.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the later Meccan period of Surah Ghafir, which addresses the stubbornness of Meccan disbelievers who witnessed the Prophet's message yet remained unmoved. The broader context of the surah emphasizes Allah's patience with sinners while warning of inevitable divine justice. This particular verse reinforces the recurring Quranic theme of historical precedent: the destruction of ʿĀd, Thamūd, Pharaoh's people, and other nations serves as empirical evidence available to any traveler that defying Allah's messengers leads to ruin.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ṣallallāhu ʿalayhi wa-sallam) said: 'Whoever travels seeking knowledge is in the path of Allah until he returns' (Tirmidhi). Additionally, the concept of learning from history is supported by the hadith: 'The best of you are those who learn the Quran and teach it' (Sahih Bukhari), as understanding these historical narratives requires reflection on their meanings.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should recognize that no amount of wealth, military strength, or technological advancement can protect a society that turns away from Allah's guidance; true security lies in faith and obedience. This ayah invites us to reflect on historical lessons and understand that the rise and fall of civilizations follow divine laws, encouraging humility and righteous conduct in our own times.