destroyed
This article provides unified access to automatically tagged Quran and authentic hadith records concerning destroyed.
A source trail for destroyed
English corpus keyword. Records are generated by whole-word and phrase matching across the multilingual source corpora; verse IDs are not selected by hand.
- Quran records
- 68
- Authentic hadiths
- 14
- Connected people
- 5
Related records in the Quran
Al-An'aam 6:6
أَلَمْ يَرَوْا۟ كَمْ أَهْلَكْنَا مِن قَبْلِهِم مِّن قَرْنٍ مَّكَّنَّـٰهُمْ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ مَا لَمْ نُمَكِّن لَّكُمْ وَأَرْسَلْنَا ٱلسَّمَآءَ عَلَيْهِم مِّدْرَارًا وَجَعَلْنَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرَ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهِمْ فَأَهْلَكْنَـٰهُم بِذُنُوبِهِمْ وَأَنشَأْنَا مِنۢ بَعْدِهِمْ قَرْنًا ءَاخَرِينَ
Have they not seen how many generations We destroyed before them? We had made them more powerful in the land than We have made you. We sent down for them abundant rain and made rivers flow beneath them. Yet We destroyed them for their sins and brought forth after them other generations.
Al-An'aam 6:47
قُلْ أَرَءَيْتَكُمْ إِنْ أَتَىٰكُمْ عَذَابُ ٱللَّهِ بَغْتَةً أَوْ جَهْرَةً هَلْ يُهْلَكُ إِلَّا ٱلْقَوْمُ ٱلظَّـٰلِمُونَ
Say, “What do you think, if the punishment of Allah were to come upon you, suddenly or predictably, who would be destroyed except the wrongdoing people?”
Al-A'raaf 7:4
وَكَم مِّن قَرْيَةٍ أَهْلَكْنَـٰهَا فَجَآءَهَا بَأْسُنَا بَيَـٰتًا أَوْ هُمْ قَآئِلُونَ
How many towns We have destroyed, and Our punishment came upon them at night or while they were taking midday rest.
Al-A'raaf 7:137
وَأَوْرَثْنَا ٱلْقَوْمَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَانُوا۟ يُسْتَضْعَفُونَ مَشَـٰرِقَ ٱلْأَرْضِ وَمَغَـٰرِبَهَا ٱلَّتِى بَـٰرَكْنَا فِيهَا ۖ وَتَمَّتْ كَلِمَتُ رَبِّكَ ٱلْحُسْنَىٰ عَلَىٰ بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ بِمَا صَبَرُوا۟ ۖ وَدَمَّرْنَا مَا كَانَ يَصْنَعُ فِرْعَوْنُ وَقَوْمُهُۥ وَمَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْرِشُونَ
And We made the people who had been oppressed to inherit the lands of the east and west that We had blessed. The good word of your Lord was fulfilled for the Children of Israel because of what they endured patiently, and We destroyed what Pharaoh and his people used to make and what they used to construct.
Al-A'raaf 7:155
وَٱخْتَارَ مُوسَىٰ قَوْمَهُۥ سَبْعِينَ رَجُلًا لِّمِيقَـٰتِنَا ۖ فَلَمَّآ أَخَذَتْهُمُ ٱلرَّجْفَةُ قَالَ رَبِّ لَوْ شِئْتَ أَهْلَكْتَهُم مِّن قَبْلُ وَإِيَّـٰىَ ۖ أَتُهْلِكُنَا بِمَا فَعَلَ ٱلسُّفَهَآءُ مِنَّآ ۖ إِنْ هِىَ إِلَّا فِتْنَتُكَ تُضِلُّ بِهَا مَن تَشَآءُ وَتَهْدِى مَن تَشَآءُ ۖ أَنتَ وَلِيُّنَا فَٱغْفِرْ لَنَا وَٱرْحَمْنَا ۖ وَأَنتَ خَيْرُ ٱلْغَـٰفِرِينَ
Moses chose seventy men from among his people for Our appointment. When the earthquake seized them[55], he said, “My Lord, had it been Your will, You could have destroyed them earlier, and me too; will You destroy us for what the fools among us have done? This is not but a trial from You, by which You cause to stray whom You will and guide whom You will. You are our Guardian, so forgive us and have mercy upon us, for You are the Best of Forgivers.
[55] When they reached the appointed place, they said to Moses, "O Moses, we will never believe you until we see Allah openly." (2:55) So the mountain convulsed, killing them.Al-Anfaal 8:54
كَدَأْبِ ءَالِ فِرْعَوْنَ ۙ وَٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ ۚ كَذَّبُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِ رَبِّهِمْ فَأَهْلَكْنَـٰهُم بِذُنُوبِهِمْ وَأَغْرَقْنَآ ءَالَ فِرْعَوْنَ ۚ وَكُلٌّ كَانُوا۟ ظَـٰلِمِينَ
Their case is like the people of Pharaoh and those who came before them. They rejected the signs of their Lord, so We destroyed them[31] for their sins and drowned the people of Pharaoh; they were all wrongdoers.
[31] Repetition of the example of the earlier nations is to emphasize the inevitable fate of those who disbelieve or disobey Allah.Yunus 10:13
وَلَقَدْ أَهْلَكْنَا ٱلْقُرُونَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَمَّا ظَلَمُوا۟ ۙ وَجَآءَتْهُمْ رُسُلُهُم بِٱلْبَيِّنَـٰتِ وَمَا كَانُوا۟ لِيُؤْمِنُوا۟ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِى ٱلْقَوْمَ ٱلْمُجْرِمِينَ
We destroyed the generations[17] before you when they indulged in wrongdoing, and their messengers came to them with clear proofs, but they would not believe. This is how We recompense the wicked people.
[17] i.e., the people of Noah, ‘Ād, Thamūd, the people of Abraham, the dwellers of Midian, and the overturned cities [of Lot]” See 9:70.Hud 11:21
أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ خَسِرُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَهُمْ وَضَلَّ عَنْهُم مَّا كَانُوا۟ يَفْتَرُونَ
It is they who destroyed themselves, and all what they fabricated will be lost from them.
Hud 11:50
وَإِلَىٰ عَادٍ أَخَاهُمْ هُودًا ۚ قَالَ يَـٰقَوْمِ ٱعْبُدُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ مَا لَكُم مِّنْ إِلَـٰهٍ غَيْرُهُۥٓ ۖ إِنْ أَنتُمْ إِلَّا مُفْتَرُونَ
To the people of ‘Ād[24] We sent their brother Hūd. He said, “O my people, worship Allah; you have no god other than Him. You are but fabricators[25].
[24] An Arabian tribe who rebelled against their Messenger, so Allah destroyed them. [25] Their claim to worship others besides Allah was a groundless lie.Hud 11:61
وَإِلَىٰ ثَمُودَ أَخَاهُمْ صَـٰلِحًا ۚ قَالَ يَـٰقَوْمِ ٱعْبُدُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ مَا لَكُم مِّنْ إِلَـٰهٍ غَيْرُهُۥ ۖ هُوَ أَنشَأَكُم مِّنَ ٱلْأَرْضِ وَٱسْتَعْمَرَكُمْ فِيهَا فَٱسْتَغْفِرُوهُ ثُمَّ تُوبُوٓا۟ إِلَيْهِ ۚ إِنَّ رَبِّى قَرِيبٌ مُّجِيبٌ
To the people of Thamūd[30], We sent their brother Sālih. He said, “O my people, worship Allah; you have no god except Him. It is He Who brought you into being from the earth and settled you therein. So seek His forgiveness then turn to Him in repentance, for My Lord is Ever Near, All-Responsive.”
[30] Another Arabian tribe who rebelled against their Messenger, so they were destroyed.Hud 11:66
فَلَمَّا جَآءَ أَمْرُنَا نَجَّيْنَا صَـٰلِحًا وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ مَعَهُۥ بِرَحْمَةٍ مِّنَّا وَمِنْ خِزْىِ يَوْمِئِذٍ ۗ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ ٱلْقَوِىُّ ٱلْعَزِيزُ
So when Our command came, We saved Sālih and those who believed with him, by Our mercy, and from the disgrace of that day. Your Lord is the All-Powerful, the All-Mighty[33].
[33] i.e., Allah is Able to destroy your people, O Prophet Muhammad, as He destroyed the people of Sālih.Hud 11:100
ذَٰلِكَ مِنْ أَنۢبَآءِ ٱلْقُرَىٰ نَقُصُّهُۥ عَلَيْكَ ۖ مِنْهَا قَآئِمٌ وَحَصِيدٌ
These are some of the stories of the towns that We relate to you; some are still standing, while others have been mowed down[54].
[54] i.e., the remains of some towns are still standing while others are completely destroyed.Ibrahim 14:45
وَسَكَنتُمْ فِى مَسَـٰكِنِ ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَهُمْ وَتَبَيَّنَ لَكُمْ كَيْفَ فَعَلْنَا بِهِمْ وَضَرَبْنَا لَكُمُ ٱلْأَمْثَالَ
You lived[33] in the dwellings of those who wronged themselves, and it became clear to you how We dealt with them, and We gave you examples.”
[33] As Qurayshites would pass by the ruined dwellings of the destroyed nations; on their way to Yemen, they would pass by the dwellings of the ‘Ād tribe, and on their way to the Levant, they would pass by the dwellings of the Thamūd tribe, using them as resting posts.Al-Hijr 15:4
وَمَآ أَهْلَكْنَا مِن قَرْيَةٍ إِلَّا وَلَهَا كِتَابٌ مَّعْلُومٌ
We never destroyed any town except that it had a destined time.
Al-Hijr 15:8
مَا نُنَزِّلُ ٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةَ إِلَّا بِٱلْحَقِّ وَمَا كَانُوٓا۟ إِذًا مُّنظَرِينَ
We do not send down the angels except for a just cause, and then [the disbelievers] would be granted no respite[4].
[4] i.e., then they would be destroyed on the spot.Al-Hijr 15:61
فَلَمَّا جَآءَ ءَالَ لُوطٍ ٱلْمُرْسَلُونَ
When the messengers came to the household of Lot[29],
[29] Details of the first three nations destroyed are given in this and the following verses, which were en route of the famous trading journeys of the Qurayshites: the people of Prophet Lot, those of the thicket (the people of Shu‘ayb), and those of Hegra (Madā’in Sālih).Al-Israa 17:17
وَكَمْ أَهْلَكْنَا مِنَ ٱلْقُرُونِ مِنۢ بَعْدِ نُوحٍ ۗ وَكَفَىٰ بِرَبِّكَ بِذُنُوبِ عِبَادِهِۦ خَبِيرًۢا بَصِيرًا
How many generations We have destroyed since the time of Noah[14]! Your Lord is sufficient as All-Aware and All-Seeing of the sins of His slaves[15].
[14] Warning them of the consequences of the previously destroyed nations. [15] The address here shifts to Muhammad (ﷺ) to assure him that Allah will bring them to account.Al-Kahf 18:42
وَأُحِيطَ بِثَمَرِهِۦ فَأَصْبَحَ يُقَلِّبُ كَفَّيْهِ عَلَىٰ مَآ أَنفَقَ فِيهَا وَهِىَ خَاوِيَةٌ عَلَىٰ عُرُوشِهَا وَيَقُولُ يَـٰلَيْتَنِى لَمْ أُشْرِكْ بِرَبِّىٓ أَحَدًا
Eventually, all his produce was destroyed and he started wringing his hands [in dismay] over what he had spent on it, as it had collapsed on its trellises, and he said, “Oh, would that I had not associated anyone with my Lord!”
Al-Kahf 18:59
وَتِلْكَ ٱلْقُرَىٰٓ أَهْلَكْنَـٰهُمْ لَمَّا ظَلَمُوا۟ وَجَعَلْنَا لِمَهْلِكِهِم مَّوْعِدًا
Those are the towns We destroyed when they persisted in wrongdoing, and We set an appointed time for their destruction.
Al-Kahf 18:99
وَتَرَكْنَا بَعْضَهُمْ يَوْمَئِذٍ يَمُوجُ فِى بَعْضٍ ۖ وَنُفِخَ فِى ٱلصُّورِ فَجَمَعْنَـٰهُمْ جَمْعًا
On that Day[50] We will let some of them surge like waves over others, and the Trumpet will be blown, then We will gather them all together.
[50] When the dam is destroyed.Maryam 19:74
وَكَمْ أَهْلَكْنَا قَبْلَهُم مِّن قَرْنٍ هُمْ أَحْسَنُ أَثَـٰثًا وَرِءْيًا
How many generations We have destroyed before them who were superior in terms of wealth and outward appearance!
Maryam 19:98
وَكَمْ أَهْلَكْنَا قَبْلَهُم مِّن قَرْنٍ هَلْ تُحِسُّ مِنْهُم مِّنْ أَحَدٍ أَوْ تَسْمَعُ لَهُمْ رِكْزًۢا
How many generations We have destroyed before them! Do you sense a single one of them or even hear from them a whisper?
Taa-Haa 20:128
أَفَلَمْ يَهْدِ لَهُمْ كَمْ أَهْلَكْنَا قَبْلَهُم مِّنَ ٱلْقُرُونِ يَمْشُونَ فِى مَسَـٰكِنِهِمْ ۗ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَـٰتٍ لِّأُو۟لِى ٱلنُّهَىٰ
Is it not yet clear to them how many generations We destroyed before them, in whose dwellings they still walk about? There are signs in this for people of sound intellect.
Taa-Haa 20:129
وَلَوْلَا كَلِمَةٌ سَبَقَتْ مِن رَّبِّكَ لَكَانَ لِزَامًا وَأَجَلٌ مُّسَمًّى
Were it not for a prior decree from your Lord[49] [O Prophet] and a time already set, they would have already been punished[50].
[49] That He will not punish until the argument is established on them on the Day of Judgment. [50] He would have punished the disbelievers in the life of this world as He did with the destroyed nations of the past.Taa-Haa 20:134
وَلَوْ أَنَّآ أَهْلَكْنَـٰهُم بِعَذَابٍ مِّن قَبْلِهِۦ لَقَالُوا۟ رَبَّنَا لَوْلَآ أَرْسَلْتَ إِلَيْنَا رَسُولًا فَنَتَّبِعَ ءَايَـٰتِكَ مِن قَبْلِ أَن نَّذِلَّ وَنَخْزَىٰ
If We had destroyed them with a punishment before this[52], they would have said, “Our Lord, if only You had sent us a messenger so that we would have followed Your verses before being humiliated and disgraced.”
[52] Before sending Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) or before sending the Qur’an.Al-Anbiyaa 21:6
مَآ ءَامَنَتْ قَبْلَهُم مِّن قَرْيَةٍ أَهْلَكْنَـٰهَآ ۖ أَفَهُمْ يُؤْمِنُونَ
Not a single town We destroyed before them had believed[2]. Will they then believe?
[2] Although they witnessed signs and miracles.Al-Anbiyaa 21:9
ثُمَّ صَدَقْنَـٰهُمُ ٱلْوَعْدَ فَأَنجَيْنَـٰهُمْ وَمَن نَّشَآءُ وَأَهْلَكْنَا ٱلْمُسْرِفِينَ
Then We fulfilled Our promise to them: We saved them[4] and those whom We willed, and destroyed those who transgressed all bounds.
[4] After they conveyed the message.Al-Anbiyaa 21:11
وَكَمْ قَصَمْنَا مِن قَرْيَةٍ كَانَتْ ظَالِمَةً وَأَنشَأْنَا بَعْدَهَا قَوْمًا ءَاخَرِينَ
[Imagine] how many towns of wrongdoers We have destroyed[6], and raised after them another people!
[6] i.e., who were persisting in wrongdoing.Al-Anbiyaa 21:95
وَحَرَٰمٌ عَلَىٰ قَرْيَةٍ أَهْلَكْنَـٰهَآ أَنَّهُمْ لَا يَرْجِعُونَ
It is not possible for any town that We have destroyed to ever come back [to this world][41],
[41] To repent to Allah.Al-Hajj 22:45
فَكَأَيِّن مِّن قَرْيَةٍ أَهْلَكْنَـٰهَا وَهِىَ ظَالِمَةٌ فَهِىَ خَاوِيَةٌ عَلَىٰ عُرُوشِهَا وَبِئْرٍ مُّعَطَّلَةٍ وَقَصْرٍ مَّشِيدٍ
How many towns We have destroyed for their persistent wrongdoing, leaving them in total ruin[24]; their wells abandoned and their lofty palaces deserted!
[24] Lit., "fallen upon its roofs," i.e., after the roofs of their buildings had caved in, the walls collapsed over them.Al-Muminoon 23:44
ثُمَّ أَرْسَلْنَا رُسُلَنَا تَتْرَا ۖ كُلَّ مَا جَآءَ أُمَّةً رَّسُولُهَا كَذَّبُوهُ ۚ فَأَتْبَعْنَا بَعْضَهُم بَعْضًا وَجَعَلْنَـٰهُمْ أَحَادِيثَ ۚ فَبُعْدًا لِّقَوْمٍ لَّا يُؤْمِنُونَ
Then We sent Our messengers in succession: every time a messenger came to his people, they rejected him. So We destroyed them, one after the others, and made them mere tales[14]. Away with the people who refuse to believe[15]!
[14] i.e., history or lessons for people. [15] i.e., those who refuse to believe in the messengers.Al-Muminoon 23:48
فَكَذَّبُوهُمَا فَكَانُوا۟ مِنَ ٱلْمُهْلَكِينَ
So they rejected them both and were among those who were destroyed.
Al-Furqaan 25:36
فَقُلْنَا ٱذْهَبَآ إِلَى ٱلْقَوْمِ ٱلَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا فَدَمَّرْنَـٰهُمْ تَدْمِيرًا
We said, “Go, both of you, to the people who have rejected Our signs[17].” Then We destroyed them utterly.
[17] i.e., the divine teachings reached them through Prophet Jacob and Joseph, and the righteous people of Israel.Al-Furqaan 25:38
وَعَادًا وَثَمُودَا۟ وَأَصْحَـٰبَ ٱلرَّسِّ وَقُرُونًۢا بَيْنَ ذَٰلِكَ كَثِيرًا
Also [We destroyed] ‘Ād and Thamūd, and the people of the Well[19], and many generations between them.
[19] i.e., people of prophet Shuʿayb, or those mentioned in Surah Yā Sīn (36:13-29), or a tribe of Thamūd, etc. Rass (lit., well); for they killed their prophet by throwing him into or hanging him down an old or dry well. (Well)Al-Furqaan 25:39
وَكُلًّا ضَرَبْنَا لَهُ ٱلْأَمْثَـٰلَ ۖ وَكُلًّا تَبَّرْنَا تَتْبِيرًا
To each We gave examples [of the previous nations], and each We destroyed completely.
Al-Furqaan 25:40
وَلَقَدْ أَتَوْا۟ عَلَى ٱلْقَرْيَةِ ٱلَّتِىٓ أُمْطِرَتْ مَطَرَ ٱلسَّوْءِ ۚ أَفَلَمْ يَكُونُوا۟ يَرَوْنَهَا ۚ بَلْ كَانُوا۟ لَا يَرْجُونَ نُشُورًا
They have surely passed by the town[20] that was destroyed by a terrible rain [of stones]. Have they not seen it? But they do not expect to be resurrected[21].
[20] i.e., the city of Sodom; the people of Prophet Lot. [21] So they do not take lessons from the doom of the past nations.Ash-Shu'araa 26:139
فَكَذَّبُوهُ فَأَهْلَكْنَـٰهُمْ ۗ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَةً ۖ وَمَا كَانَ أَكْثَرُهُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ
Thus they rejected him, so We destroyed them. Indeed, there is a sign in this, yet most of them would not believe,
Ash-Shu'araa 26:158
فَأَخَذَهُمُ ٱلْعَذَابُ ۗ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَةً ۖ وَمَا كَانَ أَكْثَرُهُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ
So the punishment seized them[19]. Indeed, there is a sign in this, yet most of them would not believe.
[19] They were destroyed by a violent earthquake and a blast after Sālih told them: “You have only three days to enjoy yourselves in your houses”. See 11:65. Allah says: “We sent against them a single blast, leaving them like trampled hedge-building twigs”. See 54:31.Ash-Shu'araa 26:171
إِلَّا عَجُوزًا فِى ٱلْغَـٰبِرِينَ
except an old woman who was among those who remained behind[21].
[21] Lot's wife, who betrayed him by not believing and remained a disbeliever; thus, she was among those destroyed.Ash-Shu'araa 26:172
ثُمَّ دَمَّرْنَا ٱلْـَٔاخَرِينَ
Then We destroyed the rest,
Ash-Shu'araa 26:208
وَمَآ أَهْلَكْنَا مِن قَرْيَةٍ إِلَّا لَهَا مُنذِرُونَ
We never destroyed any town without sending them warners,
An-Naml 27:51
فَٱنظُرْ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَـٰقِبَةُ مَكْرِهِمْ أَنَّا دَمَّرْنَـٰهُمْ وَقَوْمَهُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ
See then what was the consequences of their plan: We destroyed them and their entire people.
Al-Qasas 28:58
وَكَمْ أَهْلَكْنَا مِن قَرْيَةٍۭ بَطِرَتْ مَعِيشَتَهَا ۖ فَتِلْكَ مَسَـٰكِنُهُمْ لَمْ تُسْكَن مِّنۢ بَعْدِهِمْ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا ۖ وَكُنَّا نَحْنُ ٱلْوَٰرِثِينَ
How many a town We have destroyed that were arrogant due to their affluence! Those are their dwellings which were never inhabited after them except briefly[29]. It is We Who were the Inheritors.
[29] By travelers of pagans of Makkah seeking temporary shelter.Al-Qasas 28:78
قَالَ إِنَّمَآ أُوتِيتُهُۥ عَلَىٰ عِلْمٍ عِندِىٓ ۚ أَوَلَمْ يَعْلَمْ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ قَدْ أَهْلَكَ مِن قَبْلِهِۦ مِنَ ٱلْقُرُونِ مَنْ هُوَ أَشَدُّ مِنْهُ قُوَّةً وَأَكْثَرُ جَمْعًا ۚ وَلَا يُسْـَٔلُ عَن ذُنُوبِهِمُ ٱلْمُجْرِمُونَ
He said, “I have been given all this because of the knowledge that I have.” Did he not know that Allah destroyed some generations before him who were superior to him in power and greater in accumulating [wealth]? There will be no need for the wicked to be asked about their sins[35].
[35] Since Allah already knows their sins; they will only be interrogated as a form of censure and rebuke.Al-Ankaboot 29:38
وَعَادًا وَثَمُودَا۟ وَقَد تَّبَيَّنَ لَكُم مِّن مَّسَـٰكِنِهِمْ ۖ وَزَيَّنَ لَهُمُ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنُ أَعْمَـٰلَهُمْ فَصَدَّهُمْ عَنِ ٱلسَّبِيلِ وَكَانُوا۟ مُسْتَبْصِرِينَ
And [We destroyed] ‘Ād and Thamūd, which is clear to you from their ruined dwellings. Satan made their deeds appealing to them and averted them from the right way, although they were people of perception.
Al-Ankaboot 29:39
وَقَـٰرُونَ وَفِرْعَوْنَ وَهَـٰمَـٰنَ ۖ وَلَقَدْ جَآءَهُم مُّوسَىٰ بِٱلْبَيِّنَـٰتِ فَٱسْتَكْبَرُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَمَا كَانُوا۟ سَـٰبِقِينَ
And [We also destroyed] Korah, Pharaoh and Hāmān. Moses came to them with clear signs, but they showed arrogance in the land, yet they could not escape [Us].
As-Sajda 32:26
أَوَلَمْ يَهْدِ لَهُمْ كَمْ أَهْلَكْنَا مِن قَبْلِهِم مِّنَ ٱلْقُرُونِ يَمْشُونَ فِى مَسَـٰكِنِهِمْ ۚ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَـٰتٍ ۖ أَفَلَا يَسْمَعُونَ
Is it not yet clear to them how many generations We destroyed before them, in whose dwellings they now walk about? Indeed, there are signs in this. Do they not then listen?
Saba 34:16
فَأَعْرَضُوا۟ فَأَرْسَلْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ سَيْلَ ٱلْعَرِمِ وَبَدَّلْنَـٰهُم بِجَنَّتَيْهِمْ جَنَّتَيْنِ ذَوَاتَىْ أُكُلٍ خَمْطٍ وَأَثْلٍ وَشَىْءٍ مِّن سِدْرٍ قَلِيلٍ
But they turned away, so We sent against them a devastating flood[11] and replaced their two gardens with two others of bitter fruit, and tamarisk bushes, and a few lote trees.
[11] i.e., which destroyed their dam and submerged their farms.Yaseen 36:31
أَلَمْ يَرَوْا۟ كَمْ أَهْلَكْنَا قَبْلَهُم مِّنَ ٱلْقُرُونِ أَنَّهُمْ إِلَيْهِمْ لَا يَرْجِعُونَ
Do they not see how many generations We destroyed before them who will never come back to them[8]?
[8] i.e., to the life of this world.As-Saaffaat 37:136
ثُمَّ دَمَّرْنَا ٱلْـَٔاخَرِينَ
Then We destroyed the rest.
Saad 38:3
كَمْ أَهْلَكْنَا مِن قَبْلِهِم مِّن قَرْنٍ فَنَادَوا۟ وَّلَاتَ حِينَ مَنَاصٍ
How many generations have We destroyed before them, and they cried out when it was too late for deliverance.
Az-Zukhruf 43:8
فَأَهْلَكْنَآ أَشَدَّ مِنْهُم بَطْشًا وَمَضَىٰ مَثَلُ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ
So We destroyed them, although they were greater in might than these [Pagans][4], and the stories of the earlier nations have already been related[5].
[4] Of the Quraysh. [5] Such as the people of Noah, Lot, Shu’ayb and other nations who were destroyed.Ad-Dukhaan 44:37
أَهُمْ خَيْرٌ أَمْ قَوْمُ تُبَّعٍ وَٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ ۚ أَهْلَكْنَـٰهُمْ ۖ إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوا۟ مُجْرِمِينَ
Are they better [in power] or the people of Tubba‘[9] and those who were before them? We destroyed them, for they were truly wicked[10].
[9] i.e., the people of Sheba. [10] Tubba’ al-Himyari was a righteous Yemeni king of ancient times whose people persisted in disbelief and were destroyed; nonetheless, they were more powerful and superior to the pagans of Makkah.Al-Ahqaf 46:27
وَلَقَدْ أَهْلَكْنَا مَا حَوْلَكُم مِّنَ ٱلْقُرَىٰ وَصَرَّفْنَا ٱلْـَٔايَـٰتِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْجِعُونَ
We have certainly destroyed some towns around you and had given them numerous signs, so that they might return [from disbelief].
Al-Ahqaf 46:35
فَٱصْبِرْ كَمَا صَبَرَ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْعَزْمِ مِنَ ٱلرُّسُلِ وَلَا تَسْتَعْجِل لَّهُمْ ۚ كَأَنَّهُمْ يَوْمَ يَرَوْنَ مَا يُوعَدُونَ لَمْ يَلْبَثُوٓا۟ إِلَّا سَاعَةً مِّن نَّهَارٍۭ ۚ بَلَـٰغٌ ۚ فَهَلْ يُهْلَكُ إِلَّا ٱلْقَوْمُ ٱلْفَـٰسِقُونَ
So be patient, as the Messengers of Firm Resolve[15] were patient, and do not seek to hasten [punishment] for them. On the Day when they see what they were warned of, it will be as if they had only stayed [in this world] for an hour of a day[16]. This is a warning. Will anyone be destroyed except the rebellious people?
[15] They are Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon them all). [16] i.e., for a short period of time.Muhammad 47:10
أَفَلَمْ يَسِيرُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ فَيَنظُرُوا۟ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَـٰقِبَةُ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ ۚ دَمَّرَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْهِمْ ۖ وَلِلْكَـٰفِرِينَ أَمْثَـٰلُهَا
Have they not traveled through the land to see what was the end of those before them? Allah destroyed them utterly[7], and a similar end awaits the disbelievers.
[7] i.e., Allah destroyed them and all their belongings of wealth, property, and offspring.Muhammad 47:13
وَكَأَيِّن مِّن قَرْيَةٍ هِىَ أَشَدُّ قُوَّةً مِّن قَرْيَتِكَ ٱلَّتِىٓ أَخْرَجَتْكَ أَهْلَكْنَـٰهُمْ فَلَا نَاصِرَ لَهُمْ
How many towns We destroyed that were more powerful than your town that expelled you, and there was none to help them!
Qaaf 50:36
وَكَمْ أَهْلَكْنَا قَبْلَهُم مِّن قَرْنٍ هُمْ أَشَدُّ مِنْهُم بَطْشًا فَنَقَّبُوا۟ فِى ٱلْبِلَـٰدِ هَلْ مِن مَّحِيصٍ
How many nations We destroyed before these [Makkans] who were stronger than them in might! They sought refuge in the land. Did they find any escape?
Adh-Dhaariyat 51:10
قُتِلَ ٱلْخَرَّٰصُونَ
Doomed[3] are those who base their beliefs on conjecture.
[3] May they be destroyed.Adh-Dhaariyat 51:46
وَقَوْمَ نُوحٍ مِّن قَبْلُ ۖ إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوا۟ قَوْمًا فَـٰسِقِينَ
And the people of Noah [were also destroyed] before them. They were indeed a rebellious people.
An-Najm 53:50
وَأَنَّهُۥٓ أَهْلَكَ عَادًا ٱلْأُولَىٰ
And that He destroyed the earlier ‘Ād[18],
[18] i.e., the people of Prophet Hūd.An-Najm 53:52
وَقَوْمَ نُوحٍ مِّن قَبْلُ ۖ إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوا۟ هُمْ أَظْلَمَ وَأَطْغَىٰ
and [He destroyed] the people of Noah before them; they were indeed more wicked and more rebellious.
Al-Qamar 54:4
وَلَقَدْ جَآءَهُم مِّنَ ٱلْأَنۢبَآءِ مَا فِيهِ مُزْدَجَرٌ
There have already come to them stories [of destroyed nations] that are sufficient to deter them,
Al-Qamar 54:43
أَكُفَّارُكُمْ خَيْرٌ مِّنْ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكُمْ أَمْ لَكُم بَرَآءَةٌ فِى ٱلزُّبُرِ
Are your disbelievers [O Makkans] superior to those[15] or have you been granted immunity in divine Scriptures?
[15] i.e., those destroyed peoples.Al-Qamar 54:51
وَلَقَدْ أَهْلَكْنَآ أَشْيَاعَكُمْ فَهَلْ مِن مُّدَّكِرٍ
We have destroyed many like you [O Makkans][21]; is there anyone to take heed?
[21] In rejecting Allah's messengers.Al-Haaqqa 69:5
فَأَمَّا ثَمُودُ فَأُهْلِكُوا۟ بِٱلطَّاغِيَةِ
As for Thamūd, they were destroyed by a dreadful blast.
Al-Haaqqa 69:6
وَأَمَّا عَادٌ فَأُهْلِكُوا۟ بِرِيحٍ صَرْصَرٍ عَاتِيَةٍ
And as for ‘Ād, they were destroyed by a furious windstorm[2]
[2] Or by a cold windstorm.Ash-Shams 91:14
فَكَذَّبُوهُ فَعَقَرُوهَا فَدَمْدَمَ عَلَيْهِمْ رَبُّهُم بِذَنۢبِهِمْ فَسَوَّىٰهَا
Yet they rejected him and hamstrung her[6]. So their Lord destroyed them for their sin and leveled them to the ground.
[6] And then killed her.