• Author: Islamweb

A closer look at the Noble Quran would reveal in many references the consequences of those who are arrogant over the apparent or inward blessings which Allah has bestowed upon them. They use these blessings for purposes other than what Allah has permitted. They receive immediate punishment in this world, let aside the torment in the Hereafter. In this sense, Allah, the Almighty, said, “And how many a city which was unjust have We shattered and produced after it another people.” [Quran 21: 11] “And how many a city did We destroy while it was committing wrong - so it is [now] fallen into ruin - and [how many] an abandoned well and [how many] a lofty palace.” [Quran 22: 45]

The verses touching on this aspect are many. Here is a relevant verse, which will be dealt with in more detail:

“And how many a city have We destroyed that was insolent in its [way of] living, and those are their dwellings which have not been inhabited after them except briefly. And it is We who were the inheritors.” [Quran 28: 58]

This noble verse came right after a verse censuring and reprimanding the people of Makkah for their negative attitude towards the call to Islam, which reads (in part), “Have we not established for them a safe sanctuary to which are brought the fruits of all things as provision from Us?” [Quran 28: 57]. After this censure and reprimand, Allah, Glory be to Him, explains one of His divine norms which is the canon of destruction on earth, as a punishment for arrogance and transgression.

The reference to the ‘city’ in the above verse means ‘the people of the city.’ However, the ‘city’ is mentioned instead, as proposed by the Quran exegetes, because it is more obvious to draw lessons from objects rather than people because, when a city is destroyed, its traces and ruins will remain, and its news will not cease to be passed down through generations. According to another view, the destruction was attached to the cities to indicate that destruction was so severe and all-encompassing that it affected the cities and their inhabitants. It is the overwhelming destruction that leaves no settled localities, unlike the destruction of nations that may be through a plague and the like so it only affects people but leaves cities intact.

The Arabic word ‘batar’ means arrogance; the verb “batara” incorporates the meaning of ‘ungrateful attitude’; because arrogance necessitates that the servant does not acknowledge the favors done to him. What is meant by the verse: showed ungratefulness for its living condition, namely its blissful living.

‘Their dwellings which have not been inhabited after them’ means that they did not leave any successors after them, which denotes that they became utterly extinct.

‘Except briefly’: like in the case of short visits or tours with no intention to stay for long. What is meant is that these cities were not inhabited except for the time of the traveler’s stay in them, who would soon leave, and therefore, it remains desolate. Allah destined for it to remain so as an example and an admonition for those who deny the blessings of Allah upon them and are not thankful to Him.

‘And it is We who were the inheritors’: means that such a city has never been inhabited thereafter so there would not be any successors to them. The word ‘inheritors’ is used as a figurative expression.

The exclusion of the inheritance of these dwellings to Allah, the Almighty, is a direct expression denoting that Allah is the only inheritor of those dwellings, but it is also a Kinayah (an indirect expression) denoting that those dwellings will receive no more inhabitants. This Kinayah also alludes to the intensity of Allah’s wrath on its early dwellers, which transcended them to their dwellings. Therefore, punishment extended to the dwellings by leaving them (lifeless) without occupants, whereas a dwelling cannot be delightful without inhabitants.

This verse is an interpretation of the Prophet’s statement when he passed by Al-Hijr, the place of Thamud, on his way to (the battle of) Tabuk, “Do not enter the ruined dwellings of those who were unjust to themselves unless (you enter) weeping, lest you should suffer the same punishment as was inflicted upon them.” (Agreed upon by Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

The meaning is: Do not enter the dwellings of the oppressors and the arrogant people except in a state of fear unless it is for the sake of passing by, as it is unavoidable. They should not prolong their stay in such a way as to resemble residence, which Allah destined to be ceased. Otherwise, He might cause their destruction fulfilling His earlier preordainment.

This noble verse corroborates a canon that will remain until the Day of Resurrection; failure to be thankful and the lack of gratitude for blessings are the causes of people's destruction. Therefore, people should beware of arrogance and transgression and avoid ungratefulness for the blessings that Allah has bestowed upon them. Otherwise, they shall be destroyed as it happened to the cities that they see and know. Such cities became abandoned and uninhabited to tell the stories of their perished people due to their ingratitude. The early dwellers became extinct, and lands remained with no successors.

However, it is out of Allah’s wisdom and mercy that He does not punish nations by their mere ungratefulness for the divine blessings unless the argument has already been established against them through the Messengers sent and the books revealed: “And never would your Lord have destroyed the cities until He had sent to their mother a messenger reciting to them Our verses.” [Quran 28: 59] “And never would We punish until We sent a messenger.” [Quran 17: 15]. This is also a divine canon that precedes the canon of destruction.

The Quran is the conclusion of the heavenly messages, which is to remain as long as the heavens and the earth remain, a warner for all people and a proof against them until the Day of Judgment. Hence, there is no excuse for anyone who does not follow the guidance of this Quran and does not contemplate the divine laws on which Allah established this universe.

In summary, the primary purpose of the verse is to warn people of the destructive luxury of nations and civilizations. They are advised to avoid wickedness that leads to destruction. They should learn lessons from the earlier powerful monarchies, which later tasted hunger and fear; those who suffered from weakness after being strong, and poverty after being rich when they became ungrateful for Allah’s blessings.

This canon applies to nations and states as much as it applies to the level of individuals.