سُوْرَةُ الإِسۡرَاءِ
Surah Al-Israa (17) — Ayah 16
وَإِذَآ أَرَدْنَآ أَن نُّهْلِكَ قَرْيَةً أَمَرْنَا مُتْرَفِيهَا فَفَسَقُوا۟ فِيهَا فَحَقَّ عَلَيْهَا ٱلْقَوْلُ فَدَمَّرْنَـٰهَا تَدْمِيرًا ﴿16﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
And when We decide to destroy a town (population), We (first) send a definite order (to obey Allâh and be righteous) to those among them [or We (first) increase in number those of its population] who lead a life of luxury. Then, they transgress therein, and thus the word (of torment) is justified against it (them). Then We destroy it with complete destruction.
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
وَإِذَآ
wa-idhā
And when
أَرَدْنَآ
aradnā
We intend
أَن
an
that
نُّهْلِكَ
nuh'lika
We destroy
قَرْيَةً
qaryatan
a town
أَمَرْنَا
amarnā
We order
مُتْرَفِيهَا
mut'rafīhā
its wealthy people
فَفَسَقُوا۟
fafasaqū
but they defiantly disobey
فِيهَا
fīhā
therein
فَحَقَّ
faḥaqqa
so (is) proved true
عَلَيْهَا
ʿalayhā
against it
ٱلْقَوْلُ
l-qawlu
the word
فَدَمَّرْنَـٰهَا
fadammarnāhā
and We destroy it
تَدْمِيرًۭا
tadmīran
(with) destruction
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran — Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
16. And when We intend to destroy a town, We command its affluent ones, but they defiantly disobey therein; so the word comes into effect upon it, and We utterly destroy it.
[16]
In Disobedience to Allah, the Prosperous Are the First to Indulge:
In this verse: ﴿اَمَرْنَا فِيْهَا﴾ refers to a divine decree, meaning a town for which destruction has been destined. What happens is that the prosperous people become involved in indulgence and oppression. Among them arise diseases such as indecency, obscenity, adultery, usurping the rights of the weak, disobedience to Allah Almighty, ingratitude for blessings, and extraordinary absorption in worldly matters, etc. All these are ailments that generally afflict the rich and prosperous. Then, those under their influence also begin to follow their ways, and gradually adopt their mannerisms. In this way, the entire society becomes engulfed in wickedness and immorality and becomes deserving of Allah's punishment, and eventually, their doom arrives.
[16]
In Disobedience to Allah, the Prosperous Are the First to Indulge:
In this verse: ﴿اَمَرْنَا فِيْهَا﴾ refers to a divine decree, meaning a town for which destruction has been destined. What happens is that the prosperous people become involved in indulgence and oppression. Among them arise diseases such as indecency, obscenity, adultery, usurping the rights of the weak, disobedience to Allah Almighty, ingratitude for blessings, and extraordinary absorption in worldly matters, etc. All these are ailments that generally afflict the rich and prosperous. Then, those under their influence also begin to follow their ways, and gradually adopt their mannerisms. In this way, the entire society becomes engulfed in wickedness and immorality and becomes deserving of Allah's punishment, and eventually, their doom arrives.
