The Wisdom Behind Mentioning Nations in the Qur'an and Their Geographical Context
❖ The Qur’an’s Universal Claim and Message of Guidance
While the Qur’an mentions a few specific nations and their respective messages, it also affirms that the message of guidance is for all of humanity. Allah ﷻ has clearly stated that a messenger was sent to every nation. As mentioned in Surah Yunus (Verse 47):
"وَلِكُلِّ أُمَّةٍ رَّسُولٌ فَإِذَا جَاءَ رَسُولُهُمْ قُضِيَ بَيْنَهُم بِالْقِسْطِ وَهُمْ لَا يُظْلَمُونَ"
Similarly, other verses convey the same point:
- Surah Ra’d (Verse 7): "وَلِكُلِّ قَوْمٍ هَادٍ"
- Surah Nahl (Verse 36): "وَلَقَدْ بَعَثْنَا فِي كُلِّ أُمَّةٍ رَّسُولًا أَنِ اعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ وَاجْتَنِبُوا الطَّاغُوتَ"
- Surah Fatir (Verse 24): "وَإِن مِّنْ أُمَّةٍ إِلَّا خَلَا فِيهَا نَذِيرٌ"
❖ Clarification Regarding the Omission of Certain Nations and Messengers
Allah ﷻ Himself has clarified that not all prophets and nations have been mentioned in the Qur’an. As stated in Surah Ghafir (Verse 78):
"وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا رُسُلًا مِّن قَبْلِكَ ۖ مِّنْهُم مَّن قَصَصْنَا عَلَيْكَ وَمِنْهُم مَّن لَّمْ نَقْصُصْ عَلَيْكَ"
This statement evidences the existence of numerous past nations to whom Allah’s message was conveyed. However, the Qur’an only mentioned those nations that were significant to the Qur’anic objectives.
✦ The Wisdom Behind Mentioning Only a Few Nations in the Qur’an
❖ Purpose of the Qur’an
The purpose of the Qur’an is not to provide a comprehensive historical account of all nations, but rather to admonish and give reminders. Therefore, only those stories have been narrated which serve this purpose adequately. Mention of other nations was either deemed unnecessary or referred to indirectly.
❖ Selection of Limited Regions
① Familiarity of the Audience
The people being addressed were either directly familiar with the mentioned nations or had at least heard about them.
② Historical and Geographical Relevance
These regions were geographically close to Arabia, and trade caravans often passed through them, making their mention contextually meaningful.
③ Purpose of Warning and Reminder
Had the Qur’an mentioned unfamiliar nations, the audience could have rejected or denied the narratives. Therefore, it highlighted events whose authenticity could not be easily denied.
✦ Geographical Associations of the Mentioned Nations
① Arabia:
The nations of ʿĀd and Thamūd were located in Arabia, and the tribe of Madyan was also near.
② Yemen:
Nations like Tubbʿ and Ashāb al-Ukhdūd belonged to Yemen, a region within Arabia.
③ Iraq:
There were commercial ties between Arabia and the Tigris-Euphrates regions of Iraq.
④ Palestine and Egypt:
These areas lay along the trade routes, and their ruins were visible to the Arabs.
❖ Presence of the People of the Book
Jews and Christians were present in Arabia, and through them, knowledge of the Prophets of Banī Isrā’īl had become common. On many occasions, the Qur’an stated that if there was any doubt, one should ask the People of the Book.
✦ Style of Narrating Historical Events in the Qur’an
The Qur’an often presents historical incidents in a familiar and known manner, for example:
- Surah Ibrāhīm (Verse 9):
"أَلَمْ يَأْتِكُمْ نَبَأُ الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ..." - Surah Fāṭir (Verse 44):
"أَفَلَمْ يَسِيرُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ فَيَنظُرُوا..."
This style was adopted because the Arabs, during their trade journeys, passed by these ruins and had witnessed their conditions firsthand.
✦ Specific Mention of Nations in the Qur’an
① Nation of ʿĀd and Thamūd:
Both were located in Arabia, and their ruins were well-known among Arabs.
② Nation of Lūṭ:
Its ruins were also visible to Arabs, making it a tangible lesson.
③ Nation of Madyan:
This nation resided near Arabia, and its destruction was known to the Arabs.
④ Pharaohs of Egypt:
Arab trade caravans regularly traveled to Egypt, and the stories of Pharaoh were familiar to them.
⑤ People of Yemen:
Events like those of Ashāb al-Ukhdūd and the nation of Tubbʿ were part of Arab history.
✦ Qur’an’s Correction of Distorted Historical Narratives
The Qur’an clarified and corrected several events whose details had been distorted in Jewish and Christian scriptures. For instance, regarding the account of Prophet Nūḥ (عليه السلام), the Qur’an explicitly states that this was knowledge previously unknown to the Prophet ﷺ and his people. As in Surah Hūd (Verse 49):
"تِلْكَ مِنْ أَنبَاءِ الْغَيْبِ نُوحِيهَا إِلَيْكَ ۖ مَا كُنتَ تَعْلَمُهَا أَنتَ وَلَا قَوْمُكَ مِن قَبْلِ هَـٰذَا..."
✦ Summary
The Qur’an mentioned specific nations and regions so that the audience could take heed and there would be no excuse for denial. The events of these nations were sufficient for admonition, and their geographical proximity made verification easier for the audience.
