6. Sura al-Anam

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

أَلَمْ يَرَوْاْ كَمْ أَهْلَكْنَا مِن قَبْلِهِم ...

6: 6. See they not how many of those before them We did destroy?

C839. Now comes the argument from history, looking backwards and forwards.

If we are so short-sighted or arrogant as to suppose that we are firmly established on this earth, secure in our privileges, we are reminded of much greater nations in the past, who failed in their duty and ere wiped out. In their fate we must read our own fate, if we fail likewise! But those without faith, instead of facing facts squarely "turn away therefrom."

... مِّن قَرْنٍ مَّكَّنَّاهُمْ فِي الأَرْضِ مَا لَمْ نُمَكِّن لَّكُمْ...

Generations We had established on the earth, in strength such as We have not given to you,

وَأَرْسَلْنَا السَّمَاء عَلَيْهِم مِّدْرَارًا وَجَعَلْنَا الأَنْهَارَ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهِمْ ...

for whom We poured out rain from the skies in abundance, and gave (fertile) streams flowing beneath their (feet):

... فَأَهْلَكْنَاهُم بِذُنُوبِهِمْ ...

yet for their sins We destroyed them,

...وَأَنْشَأْنَا مِن بَعْدِهِمْ قَرْنًا آخَرِينَ ﴿٦﴾

and raised in their wake fresh generations (to succeed them).

Other versions:

6: 6

Asad …how many a generation We have destroyed before their time – [people] whom We had given a [bountiful] place on earth, the like of which We never gave unto you, and upon whom We showered heavenly blessings abundant, and at whose feet We make running waters flow? And yet We destroyed them for their sins, and gave rise to other people in their stead [note 5].

Yusuf Ali See they not how many of those before them We did destroy? Generations We had established on the earth in strength such as We have not given to you for whom We poured out rain from the skies in abundance and gave (fertile) streams flowing beneath their (feet): yet for their sins We destroyed them and raised in their wake fresh generations (to succeed them).

Pickthall See they not how many a generation We destroyed before them, whom We had established in the earth more firmly than We have established you, and We shed on them abundant showers from the sky, and made the rivers flow beneath them. Yet We destroyed them for their sins, and created after them another generation.

Transliteration Alam yarau kam ahlakna_ min qablihim min qarnim makkan na_hum filardi ma_ lam numakkil lakum wa arsalnas sama_'a 'alaihim midra_ra_(w), wa ja'alnal anha_ra tajri min tahtihim fa ahlakna_hum bi zunu_bihim wa ansya'nu_ mim ba'dihim qarnan a_kharin(a).

[[Ali’s note - 839 Now comes the argument from history, looking backwards and forwards. If we are so short-sighted or arrogant as to suppose that we are firmly established on this earth, secure in our privileges, we are reminded of much greater nations in the past, who failed in their duty and were wiped out. In their fate we must read our own fate, if we fail likewise! But those without faith, instead of facing facts squarely "turn away therefrom." [6.6]]

[[ Asad’s note 5 – ….in Quranic usage , the term ‘qarn’ does not always denote “a generation’, but - rather more frequently – “an epoch”, or ‘people belonging to one particular epoch’, as well as ‘a civilization’ in the historical sense of this word.]]

[[ Ruby’s note – The important things that are implied here. God’s gifts and granting of higher success and advancement come with a higher responsibility. Higher endowments and abilities always equates to higher responsibilities. However, there is an evil human tendency -- that must be guarded against -- that material and other success and great achievements are taken granted and people become haughty, arrogant and more greedy which lead them to all kinds of deviated and perverted deeds. In stead of being grateful, humble, generous and watchful of one’s duty and responsibility, one becomes arrogant, spendthrift, wasteful and often cruel and greedy. This tendency is what a people must stand guard against. More God gives one or one people more cautious and careful one/people must be to use the gift and position towards permanent and ultimate success. And this guarding is not to mean to be obsessed with increasing and preserving one’s wealth and material advancement but how best this wealth, knowledge, expertise and advancement could be utilized to spread it in the society and do social welfare and make the society more pious and spiritual. That is achievement towards permanent success.

Is this generation or civilization some place in the South East Asia? The abundant rain and rivers seem like it is somewhere in that part of the world. ]]