Surah Al-Anbiya 21:6

Translation

But of the communities We destroyed before them not a single one believed. Will these now believe?

English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.

Meaning and reflection

Wording

The verse you've chosen is a powerful statement from Allah, directly addressing the disbelievers of Mecca who questioned the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and demanded miraculous signs, similar to those given to previous prophets. It comes as a direct response to their challenge, setting the stage for a profound reflection on faith and history.

The Context of Disbelief

Allah begins by saying, "مَآ ءَامَنَتْ قَبْلَهُم مِّن قَرْيَةٍ أَهْلَكْنَٰهَآ ۖ أَفَهُمْ يُؤْمِنُونَ" (Ma amanat qablahum min qaryatin ahlaknaha; afahum yu'minoon). This translates to, "No town (or its people) before them believed, whom We destroyed. So, would they (these Meccan disbelievers) then believe?" The tone here is one of rebuke and a rhetorical challenge. Allah is stating a clear historical fact and then posing a question that implies a firm negative answer.

Emphasizing the Absolute Negative

Let's look closely at the words. The phrase "مَآ آمَنَتْ قَبْلَهُم مِّن قَرْيَةٍ" uses two strong elements of negation. First, "مَا" (ma) simply means "not" or "no." But then, "مِن" (min) is added before "قَرْيَةٍ" (qaryatin, meaning town or village). Scholars like Ibn Ashur point out that this "مِن" is added specifically to *emphasize* the negation. It makes the statement even more absolute: "Not *a single* town," not "any town." It leaves no room for exception, underscoring the universal pattern of disbelief among past nations who similarly rejected their prophets and demanded signs.

What is also striking is the use of "قَرْيَةٍ" (qaryatin - town) instead of saying "its people" directly. Ibn Ashur explains that by referring to the "town," it allows the subsequent phrase "أَهْلَكْنَٰهَآ" (ahlaknaha - We destroyed it) to be connected to the entire community and its habitat. The destruction wasn't just of individuals, but of their entire dwelling, making the consequence of their disbelief even more comprehensive and a potent warning.

The Weight of "Their" Disbelief

The verse culminates in the rhetorical question: "أَفَهُمْ يُؤْمِنُونَ" (afahum yu'minoon - so would *they* then believe?). The "أَ" (a) at the beginning marks a question, and the "فَ" (fa) links it as a consequence. This isn't a genuine inquiry but an "interrogative of denial," meaning it's a way of asserting that "No, they will certainly not believe."

Furthermore, scholars like al-Zamakhshari and al-Razi highlight the placement of the pronoun "هُمْ" (hum - they, referring to the Meccan disbelievers) right after the interrogative. This emphasizes *them* specifically, suggesting they are even more stubborn and resistant to faith than those earlier nations who faced destruction after rejecting signs. If those nations, despite receiving tangible miracles, still disbelieved and were destroyed, what makes these disbelievers think they are different, or that giving them similar signs would lead to faith? This specific wording underlines Allah's profound knowledge of their hearts and their unwavering defiance.

This verse, through its precise choice of words and grammatical structure, offers a stark reminder of historical patterns and the ultimate consequence of turning away from divine guidance, challenging us to ponder our own receptiveness to Allah's messages.

Sources: al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi), Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir), al-Jalalayn, al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb)

Qur'anic Worlds

This verse, Surah 21:6, is a powerful statement from Allah addressing the persistent disbelief of the Makkans during the time of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. It lays bare a profound truth about human nature and divine patterns in history.

The Message and its Audience

Allah is speaking directly to the disbelievers of Makkah, who, as al-Tabari and al-Razi explain, were demanding tangible miracles from the Prophet, like those seen with earlier messengers. They sought a clear, undeniable sign to prove his prophecy. The verse states, "مَآ ءَامَنَتْ قَبْلَهُم مِّن قَرْيَةٍ أَهْلَكْنَٰهَآ ۖ أَفَهُمْ يُؤْمِنُونَ" which translates to, "No community before them, which We destroyed, ever believed. So, will they believe?"

This is a rebuke, a stark reminder that their demand for miracles comes from a place of stubborn rejection, not genuine seeking.

Lessons from Past Nations

The "Quranic Worlds" lens invites us to reflect on past nations, and this verse directly transports us there. Allah points to communities *before* the Makkans (قبلهم) who were likewise sent prophets with clear signs. As al-Baghawi explains, these were "people of a town who received signs," but they chose to disbelieve. Their ultimate fate was destruction (أَهْلَكْنَٰهَآ). Sayyid Qutb emphasizes that when a community reaches such a level of hostility and rejection that even an extraordinary miracle would not lead them to faith, their consequence is annihilation. History is full of these examples: nations that received undeniable proofs yet persisted in denial, leading to their doom.

Why Miracles Were Withheld

The rhetorical question, "أَفَهُمْ يُؤْمِنُونَ" (So, will they believe?), implies a clear negative answer. Mufti Shafi notes this as a hint that there was no real chance of these Makkans accepting faith even if they saw the miracles they demanded. Ibn Kathir clarifies that Allah had already shown the Makkans numerous "resplendent signs, decisive proofs, and clear evidences" through the Prophet's character and the Quran itself. Their issue wasn't a lack of evidence, but a hardened heart. Giving them more miracles, as al-Razi suggests, would only have led to greater denial, cementing their guilt and bringing about the same destruction that befell earlier nations.

This verse therefore links the present situation of the Makkans to the historical patterns of divine justice, explaining why Allah, in His wisdom, chose to deal with their demands by pointing to the lessons of the past. It underscores that true faith stems from an open heart, not merely from witnessing extraordinary events.

Sources: Ma'arif al-Quran (Mufti Shafi), al-Baghawi (Maalim al-Tanzil), Sayyid Qutb (Fi Zilal al-Quran), al-Tabari (Jami al-Bayan), Ibn Kathir, al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb)

Reflect on this verse

Open Surah Al-Anbiya 21:6 in Maani to reflect on it through the Five Lenses: its wording, its context, what it means for you, its connections across the Quran and its lessons, grounded in classical tafsir.

Reflect on this verse with Maani