وَلَوْ أَنَّآ أَهْلَكْنَـٰهُم بِعَذَابٍ مِّن قَبْلِهِۦ لَقَالُوا۟ رَبَّنَا لَوْلَآ أَرْسَلْتَ إِلَيْنَا رَسُولًا فَنَتَّبِعَ ءَايَـٰتِكَ مِن قَبْلِ أَن نَّذِلَّ وَنَخْزَىٰ 134
Translations
And if We had destroyed them with a punishment before him, they would have said, "Our Lord, why did You not send to us a messenger so we could have followed Your verses [i.e., teachings] before we were humiliated and disgraced?"
Transliteration
Wa law anna ahlaknaahum bi azaab min qablihi laqaalu rabbana lawla arsalta ilayna rasoolanfanattabi'a aayatika min qabli an nadhilla wa nakhza
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah addresses the disbelievers' excuse-making by noting that even if Allah had destroyed them with punishment before sending Prophet Muhammad, they would have complained that they were never sent a messenger to follow. Ibn Kathir explains this verse demonstrates the stubbornness and ingratitude of the disbelievers—they reject the clear message despite having a prophet among them, and would have made excuses regardless. Al-Tabari emphasizes that Allah's wisdom in sending messengers is to ensure no one can claim ignorance or have an excuse on the Day of Judgment.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Ta-Ha's broader discourse addressing the Meccan disbelievers' rejection of Prophet Muhammad's message. It comes in the context of refuting the various excuses and objections the disbelievers raise against accepting Islam, highlighting their resistance is rooted in arrogance rather than lack of evidence.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Muslim records that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The worst of people are those who meet Allah without having an excuse.' This relates to how the ayah emphasizes that the sending of messengers removes all excuses. Additionally, the principle of 'no burden upon souls except within their capacity' (2:286) is thematically connected.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that Allah's sending of messengers is an act of supreme justice and mercy, ensuring humanity has no legitimate excuse for disbelief; it reminds believers that rejection of truth often stems from pride rather than genuine doubt, and encourages us to reflect on our own response to divine guidance.