Transliteration:( Wa ka ayyim min qaryatin hiya ashaddu quwwatam min qaryatikal lateee akhrajatka ahlaknaahum falaa naasira lahum )
"And how many a city that was stronger in might than your city, We have destroyed them, and they had no helper. [32]"
This verse was revealed at the time of Hijrah, when the Holy Prophet ﷺ looked back at Makkah and expressed his deep love for the city:
"O Makkah, you are most beloved to me. Had your people not forced me to leave, I would never have left you."
In response to this heartfelt moment, Allah revealed this verse to console the Prophet ﷺ and emphasize that:
Many cities, mightier than Makkah in terms of strength, power, and structure,
Were destroyed due to their arrogance and disbelief.
Once the divine command comes, no city, no matter how mighty, is spared.
The verse directly addresses the arrogance of the Quraysh of Makkah, implying:
If other stronger civilizations were ruined by divine punishment,
Then Makkah too would not be spared if they persist in rebellion.
Though Surah Muhammad is Madinan, this specific verse is Makkan in context.
Or it may have been revealed en route to Madinah during Hijrah, which some scholars still classify as Madinan.
Imam Qastalani, in Naseem ur Riyaad, explains:
Before Hijrah, Makkah was superior to all cities.
After Hijrah, Madinah gained superiority due to becoming the centre of revelation, the Prophet’s residence, and his burial place.
The tafsir of Surah Muhammad verse 13 by Ibn Kathir is unavailable here.
Please refer to Surah Muhammad ayat 10 which provides the complete commentary from verse 10 through 13.
(47:13) (O Prophet), how many are the cities that had greater power than your city that drove you out? We destroyed them and there was none to protect them.[18]
18. The Prophet (peace be upon him) was sorely distressed on leaving Makkah. When he was compelled to emigrate, he had stood facing the city outside it and said: O Makkah, you are the most beloved city in the sight of Allah, and I have the greatest love for you out of all the cities of Allah. If the polytheists had not driven me out, I would never have left you. About this it has been said: After driving you out of the city the people of Makkah think that they have achieved a great success, whereas, in fact, they have hastened only their own ruin by this evil act. The style of the verse clearly indicates that it must have been revealed soon after the Hijrah.
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