Surah Al-An'am 6:6

Threatening the Idolators for their Stubbornness

Allah states that the rebellious, stubborn polytheists will turn away from every Ayah, meaning, sign, miracle and proof that is evidence of Allah's Uniqueness and the truth of His honorable Messengers. They will not contemplate about these Ayat or care about them. Allah said,

(Indeed, they rejected the truth when it came to them, but there will come to them the news of that which they used to mock at.) This Ayah contains a warning and a stern threat for the disbelievers' rejection of the truth, stating that the disbelievers will surely know the truth of what they used to deny and taste the evil end of their behavior. Allah advises and warns the disbelievers, that they should avoid the torments and afflictions of this life, similar to what befell their likes from previous nations, who were stronger, wealthier, had more offspring, and were more exploitive on the earth. Allah said,

(Have they not seen how many a generation before them We have destroyed whom We had established on the earth such as We have not established you) meaning, they had more wealth, children, buildings, abundant provision, riches and soldiers. Allah said next,

(and We poured out on them rain from the sky in abundance, ) in reference to rain that comes often,

(And made the rivers flow under them.) as rain was abundant and the springs were plentiful, so that We deceived them.

(Yet We destroyed them for their sins) meaning the mistakes and errors that they committed,

(and created after them other generations,) for, these generations of old perished and became as legends and stories,

(And created after them other generations.) so that We test the new generations, as well. Yet, they committed similar errors and were destroyed, as their ancestors were destroyed. Therefore, beware of the same end that might befall you, for you are not dearer to Allah than these previous nations, but the Messenger whom you defied is dearer to Allah than the Messengers they defied. Thus, you are more liable than them to receive torment, if it was not for Allah's mercy and kindness.

Allah memperingatkan bahwa sesungguhnya orang kafir sudah mengetahui berapa banyak generasi dari umat-umat terdahulu yang telah dimusnahkan Allah seperti kaum Nuh, 'ad, samud dan lain-lain. Mereka termasuk generasi-generasi umat yang telah diberi Allah kekuatan, keteguhan, kemerdekaan di bumi yang belum pernah diberikan Allah kepada orang Arab yang musyrik itu. Bumi mereka senantiasa mendapat curahan air hujan yang deras menimbulkan kemakmuran dan kesuburan. Sungai-sungai mengalir membasahi kebun-kebun tanaman mereka, menambah indah dan makmur bumi mereka. Segala nikmat dan anugerah Allah yang diberikan kepada umat terdahulu tidak menghalangi azab-Nya disebabkan dosa yang mereka perbuat.

Dua macam dosa yang mereka perbuat yang mengakibatkan kebinasaan mereka adalah: Pertama, dosa menentang rasul-rasul dan mengingkari ajaran-ajaran mereka serta memperolok-olokkannya; dan kedua, dosa kufur nikmat, yakni sikap ingkar terhadap berbagai nikmat yang telah diberikan Allah kepada mereka. Mereka bahkan mempergunakan nikmat-nikmat itu untuk hal-hal yang berlawanan dengan petunjuk Allah.

Banyak ayat Al-Qur'an yang menceritakan tentang sebab-sebab kehancuran mereka. Misalnya antara lain firman Allah:

¦ dan tidak pernah (pula) Kami membinasakan (penduduk) negeri; kecuali penduduknya melakukan kezaliman. (al-Qasas/28: 59)

Azab Tuhan yang dijatuhkan kepada umat yang ingkar ada dua macam, yaitu:

Pertama, azab dengan cara membinasakan secara menyeluruh sampai musnah. Kedua, azab dengan cara melenyapkan kemerdekaan dan kekuatan umat itu sehingga mereka menjadi umat yang lemah dan hina.

Bilamana mereka musnah, maka yang lain yang memiliki sifat-sifat yang baik, berlawan dengan sifat-sifat umat yang musnah itu akan muncul menggantikan mereka.

Ayat ini memperingatkan kaum musyrik Mekah bahwa kekuatan dan kekuasaan mereka tidaklah dapat menghalangi hukuman Allah, seperti halnya telah ditimpakan kepada umat-umat terdahulu.