وَسَكَنتُمْ فِى مَسَـٰكِنِ ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَهُمْ وَتَبَيَّنَ لَكُمْ كَيْفَ فَعَلْنَا بِهِمْ وَضَرَبْنَا لَكُمُ ٱلْأَمْثَالَ 45
Translations
And you lived among the dwellings of those who wronged themselves, and it had become clear to you how We dealt with them. And We presented for you [many] examples."
Transliteration
Wa sakantum fi masakini alladhina dhalamoo anfusahum wa tabayyana lakum kayfa faalna bihim wa darabna lakumu al-amthal
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah reminds the Quraysh and believers that they inhabited the dwellings of the 'Ad and Thamud peoples who had wronged themselves through disbelief and disobedience, and Allah made clear to them how He destroyed those nations as a sign and warning. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari emphasize that these ruins served as clear evidence and lessons (amthal) for those with understanding, demonstrating Allah's pattern of destroying those who reject His signs and messengers.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Ibrahim, which addresses the arrogance of the Meccan polytheists and their rejection of the Prophet Muhammad. The surah references the destroyed civilizations of 'Ad and Thamud, whose archaeological remains were visible to the Arabs of that time along the trade routes. This context serves to warn contemporary disbelievers by presenting historical precedents of divine punishment.
Related Hadiths
The hadith in Sahih Bukhari (3156) describes how the Prophet showed the companions the ruins of the people of Thamud, stating they were a people who disobeyed Allah and His Messenger. Additionally, Surah Al-Fajl (89:6-14) provides related context about the destruction of 'Ad and Thamud civilizations.
Themes
Key Lesson
The destruction of past civilizations serves as a timeless reminder that rejecting Allah's guidance leads to inevitable ruin, and believers should reflect upon the lessons embedded in history rather than ignore them. Modern readers are encouraged to observe the patterns of human civilization and recognize that prosperity without faith and obedience is ultimately fleeting and vulnerable to divine justice.