Transliteration:( Qad makaral lazeena min qablihim fa atal laahu bunyaa nahum minal qawaa'idi fakharra 'alaihimus saqfu min fawqihim wa ataahumul 'azaabu min haisu laa yash'uroon )
"Indeed, those before them had plotted [50], but Allah brought their structure down from the foundations, so the roof fell upon them from above, and the punishment came to them from where they did not perceive [51]."
The verse refers to those who came before the present disbelievers, such as Namrood bin Kanaan, who is reported to have constructed a tower five thousand yards tall, with the intent of reaching the heavens and waging war against Allah Almighty (Allah forbid).
But Allah, in His power, sent a fierce wind that demolished the entire structure, burying many beneath its rubble. Alternatively, the verse may be referring to earlier nations who also plotted against their prophets, attempting to undermine divine guidance.
Their plotting is likened to a person who builds an enormous structure, only for it to collapse from its very foundation, killing him. This imagery illustrates how deceit and rebellion eventually destroy the very people who construct them.
Allah’s punishment often comes suddenly and from directions one does not expect. The rebellious king Namrood, for instance, was destroyed by a tiny mosquito that entered his brain. The Companions of the Elephant—a mighty force—were destroyed by small birds (Ababil) carrying stones. The nation of Aad was wiped out by a furious wind.
These examples show that Allah’s forces are limitless, and they can manifest in any form, at any moment. No matter how strong or strategically planned the schemes of disbelievers may be, Allah’s punishment can overturn everything in an instant. Hence, one should always be in awe of His power and fear His wrath.
26. Those before them indeed plotted, but Allah struck at the foundation of their building, the roof fell down upon them from above them, and the torment overtook them from directions they did not perceive. 27. Then, on the Day of Resurrection, He will disgrace them and will say: “Where are My (so-called) partners, those over which you caused so much discord” Those who have been given the knowledge will say: “Indeed it is a Day of disgrace and misery for the disbelievers.”
(Those before them indeed plotted,) Al-`Awfi reported that Ibn `Abbas said: “This refers to Namrud (Nimrod), who built the tower.” Others said that it refers to Bukhtanassar (Nebuchadnezzar). The correct view is that this is said by way of example, to refute what was done by those who disbelieved in Allah and associated others in worship with Him. As Nuh said,
(“And they have hatched a mighty scheme.”) (71:22) meaning, they used all sorts of ploys to misguide their people, and tempted them to join them in their Shirk via all possible means. On the Day of Resurrection their followers will say to them:
(“Nay, but it was your plotting by night and day, when you ordered us to disbelieve in Allah and set up rivals to Him!”) (34:33)
(but Allah struck at the foundation of their building.) meaning, He uprooted it and brought their efforts to naught. This is like the Ayah:
(Every time they kindled the fire of war, Allah extinguished it.) ﴿5:64﴾ and
(But Allah’s (torment) reached them from a place where they were not expecting it, and He cast terror into their hearts so that they destroyed their own dwellings with their own hands and the hands of the believers. So then take admonition, O you with eyes (to see).) ﴿59:2﴾ Allah says here:
(but Allah struck at the foundation of their building, and then the roof fell down upon them, from above them, and the torment overtook them from directions they did not perceive. Then, on the Day of Resurrection, He will disgrace them) ﴿16:26-27﴾ meaning, He will expose their scandalous deeds and what they used to hide in their hearts, and He will bring it out in the open. As He says,
(The Day when all the secrets will be (exposed and) examined. ) (86:9) They will be displayed and made known, as found in the Two Sahihs, where Ibn `Umar reported that the Messenger of Allah said:
(On the Day of Resurrection a banner will be set up by his backside for every deceitful person, (whose size is) in accordance with the amount of his deceit. It be said, “This is the one who deceived so-and-so, the son of so-and-so.”) Thus, what they used to plot in secret will be made public. Allah will humiliate them before all of His creation, and the Lord will say to them, in rebuke and reprimand;
(Where are My (so-called) partners, those over which you caused so much discord) meaning, you fought and made enemies for their sake, so where are they now to help and save you
(Can they help you or (even) help themselves) ﴿26:93﴾
(Then will (man) have no power, nor any helper.) ﴿86:10﴾ When evidence and proof is established against them, and the Word (of Allah) is justified against them, and they will be unable to give any excuse, realizing that escape is impossible, then
(Those who have been given the knowledge will say) who are the leaders in this world and the Hereafter and who know about the truth in this world and the Hereafter – will say,
(Indeed it is a Day of disgrace and misery for the disbelievers.) meaning, today those who disbelieved in Allah and worshipped others who have no power either to benefit or to harm them are now surrounded by disgrace and punishment.
(16:26) Surely many people before them had plotted in a similar manner to (vanquish the Truth), but Allah uprooted the whole structure of their plot from its foundations so that the roof fell in upon them, and the chastisement (of Allah) visited them from unknown directions.
There is no commentary by Abul Maududi available for this verse.
[696]- i.e., Allāh caused their plan to fail and exposed their plot.
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