The Holy Quran 17:16 — Surah Al-Isra

Arabic text

وَإِذَآ أَرَدْنَآ أَن نُّهْلِكَ قَرْيَةً أَمَرْنَا مُتْرَفِيهَا فَفَسَقُوا۟ فِيهَا فَحَقَّ عَلَيْهَا ٱلْقَوْلُ فَدَمَّرْنَـٰهَا تَدْمِيرًا

Translation

When We intend to destroy any town, We command (via Our Ambiyaa عليه الصلاة والسلام) those of them who lead a life of luxury (to submit to Allaah and to fulfil the injunctions of Deen). (Failing to heed the command,) They then sin in the town (and influence the poorer people to do the same), because of which Our decree (punishment) becomes justified against them and We completely annihilate (destroy) them.

Tafsir (excerpt) — Tafsir Usmani

that is, when a town is to be destroyed because of its evil deeds, it is not simply seized and destroyed all of a sudden; rather, punishment is inflicted after the proof has been completed. First the commands of Allah are conveyed to them through the tongue of a prophet or his deputies; in particular, the nobles and influential people there are warned,…

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