The Manifestations of Divine Punishment in Previous Nations

Allah Almighty has bestowed countless blessings upon mankind, and among these, one significant blessing is that He has subdued the seas for him. With a simple wooden boat, man roams across the vast expanse of the ocean. A significant portion of his sustenance comes from marine creatures. He extracts various precious pearls and other items of adornment and decoration from it. On the other hand, the soul-stirring sights and the breathtakingly beautiful scenery of the sea bring delight, joy, and comfort to human nature. Even today, the sea remains the primary route for transporting extremely heavy goods.

However, when man becomes rebellious, and as a result, the divine will comes into effect, the same sea that was beneficial to him just a moment ago engulfs him and becomes the cause of his destruction. In such divine retribution, nothing except the mercy of Allah can grant him salvation.

وَإِن نَّشَأْ نُغْرِقْهُمْ فَلَا صَرِيخَ لَهُمْ وَلَا هُمْ يُنقَذُونَ ٤٣

And if We so will, We can drown them; then no one will respond to their cry, nor will they be rescued, (36:43)

When Pharaoh became rebellious, he claimed divinity and refused to acknowledge the prophethood of Musa (عليه السلام) and Harun (عليه السلام). He also rejected the demand to free Bani Israel. When he set out in pursuit of Musa (عليه السلام) and Bani Israel, Allah Almighty granted them a passage through the Red Sea, allowing them to cross safely. Meanwhile, Pharaoh and his followers were drowned in the sea. The Qur’an reminds Bani Israel of this great blessing from Allah Almighty, stating:

وَإِذْ فَرَقْنَا بِكُمُ ٱلْبَحْرَ فَأَنجَيْنَـٰكُمْ وَأَغْرَقْنَآ ءَالَ فِرْعَوْنَ وَأَنتُمْ تَنظُرُونَ ٥٠

And (recall) when We parted the sea for you; then We saved you, and drowned the people of Pharaoh while you were looking on! (2:50)

The Nation of Nuh

The description of the punishment of the nation of Nuh as given in the Qur’an illustrates that the sky poured down heavily upon them. It seemed as if the entire sky had been torn apart, letting water rain down incessantly. At the same time, water began gushing forth from the earth, turning the entire land into a massive fountain. The water rose to such an extent that it reached the peaks of towering mountains. The entire nation was drowned and annihilated in this deluge. Neither their constructed houses could save them, nor their high mounds, nor their lofty mountains. Only Nuh (عليه السلام) and those who believed in him were saved by the command of Allah through an ark.

فَفَتَحْنَآ أَبْوَٰبَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ بِمَآءٍۢ مُّنْهَمِرٍۢ ١١

So We opened the gates of the sky with water pouring forth profusely, (54:11)

وَفَجَّرْنَا ٱلْأَرْضَ عُيُونًۭا فَٱلْتَقَى ٱلْمَآءُ عَلَىٰٓ أَمْرٍۢ قَدْ قُدِرَ ١٢

and We caused the earth to gush forth as springs; so the water (of both kinds) met together for a destined event. (54:12)

وَحَمَلْنَـٰهُ عَلَىٰ ذَاتِ أَلْوَٰحٍۢ وَدُسُرٍۢ ١٣

And We caused him (NūH) to board that (ship) which had planks and nails, (54:13)

تَجْرِى بِأَعْيُنِنَا جَزَآءًۭ لِّمَن كَانَ كُفِرَ ١٤

which sailed under Our Eyes, as a reward for the one who was rejected (by the infidels). (54:14)

The Wrath of the Fierce Wind

Among the fundamental elements upon which human life depends, air is one of the most crucial. Every living being inhales it into the body and exhales it through the act of breathing. If this thread of breath is severed, or if there is no suitable air to breathe, a living, breathing person can turn into a lifeless corpse within moments. For human survival, air is even more important than food and water.

Just like the sea, Allah Almighty has also subjugated the air for the benefit of humankind. The wind drives clouds from one place to another, bringing rainfall. When the pleasant breeze blows in delightful weather, it fills humans with a sense of joy and exhilaration. Before the invention of engines, sea voyages and the movement of ships were entirely dependent on the wind. Even today, the suitability of the wind remains an undeniable factor in the pleasantness or harshness of maritime travel. Modern science has discovered numerous botanical benefits of wind movement. Moist winds nourish crops, enabling their growth and development, while warm and dry winds help them ripen and prepare for harvest.

However, this same wind, if it is the will of Allah, can also bring destruction upon humankind. When the people of ‘Ād rejected the message of their Prophet Hūd (عليه السلام), Allah sent upon them a violent, raging wind that blew continuously for seven nights and eight days.

وَأَمَّا عَادٌۭ فَأُهْلِكُوا۟ بِرِيحٍۢ صَرْصَرٍ عَاتِيَةٍۢ ٦

And as for ‘Ād, they were destroyed by a violent windstorm (69:6)

سَخَّرَهَا عَلَيْهِمْ سَبْعَ لَيَالٍۢ وَثَمَـٰنِيَةَ أَيَّامٍ حُسُومًۭا فَتَرَى ٱلْقَوْمَ فِيهَا صَرْعَىٰ كَأَنَّهُمْ أَعْجَازُ نَخْلٍ خَاوِيَةٍۢ ٧

that He imposed on them for seven nights and eight consecutive days; so you could see them thrown on the ground, as if they were trunks of hollow palm-trees. (69:7)

فَهَلْ تَرَىٰ لَهُم مِّنۢ بَاقِيَةٍۢ ٨

Now, do you see any remnant of them? (69:8)

The Torment of a Harsh Sound

Sound is also one of the great blessings of Allah Almighty, which He has bestowed upon humanity. Before mankind had learned the art of reading and writing, sound was the sole means of expressing thoughts and communicating with one another. Despite the invention of writing and the vast advancements in communication tools and methods, sound remains more beneficial and widely used than writing in conveying messages and establishing connections between people.

Through sound, humans not only differentiate between various animals but also use it as an essential means of distinguishing between individuals. A melodious, sweet, and captivating voice brings joy to the listener and can stir emotions. Due to this appreciation of beautiful sounds, humans have invented various musical instruments and developed poetic rhythms.

However, when Allah Almighty wills, this very sound can become a cause of destruction for mankind. When the people of Thamud rejected the message of Prophet Ṣāliḥ (عليه السلام) and their wretched elements killed the she-camel, which had been miraculously brought forth from a rock in response to their demand for a sign, Allah Almighty annihilated the entire nation with a dreadful and terrifying sound. Their strong and well-fortified homes, which they had carved out of mountains, were unable to shield them from divine punishment.

وَكَانُوا۟ يَنْحِتُونَ مِنَ ٱلْجِبَالِ بُيُوتًا ءَامِنِينَ ٨٢

They used to hew out houses from the hills peacefully. (15:82)

فَأَخَذَتْهُمُ ٱلصَّيْحَةُ مُصْبِحِينَ ٨٣

Then, the Cry seized them by the morning. (15:83)

فَمَآ أَغْنَىٰ عَنْهُم مَّا كَانُوا۟ يَكْسِبُونَ ٨٤

So, whatever they earned did not come to their help. (15:84)

In the present era, as we witness incidents caused by explosions and noise pollution with our own eyes, it is absolutely not difficult to comprehend the nature of this punishment and its devastating impact.

The Terrifying Punishment of Stoning

When Allah Almighty decrees the destruction of a nation, stones begin to rain from the sky. The place where this stoning occurs is completely annihilated. When the sins of the people of Prophet Lot (عليه السلام) exceeded all limits, and they refused to believe in his teachings while remaining engrossed in their moral corruption, the divine punishment was inevitable.

Even when the angels of divine wrath arrived in human form at the residence of Prophet Lot (عليه السلام), the people attempted to engage in the same immoral acts they were accustomed to.

وَلَمَّا جَآءَتْ رُسُلُنَا لُوطًۭا سِىٓءَ بِهِمْ وَضَاقَ بِهِمْ ذَرْعًۭا وَقَالَ هَـٰذَا يَوْمٌ عَصِيبٌۭ ٧٧

When Our emissaries (angels) came to LūT, he was saddened because of them, and his heart felt uneasy for their sake, and He said, “This is a very hard day.” (11:77)

وَجَآءَهُۥ قَوْمُهُۥ يُهْرَعُونَ إِلَيْهِ وَمِن قَبْلُ كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ ٱلسَّيِّـَٔاتِ ۚ قَالَ يَـٰقَوْمِ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ بَنَاتِى هُنَّ أَطْهَرُ لَكُمْ ۖ فَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَلَا تُخْزُونِ فِى ضَيْفِىٓ ۖ أَلَيْسَ مِنكُمْ رَجُلٌۭ رَّشِيدٌۭ ٧٨

And his people came to him, rushing upon him. They were already habitual to commit evil deeds. He said, “These are my daughters. They are purer for you.So, have fear of Allah and do not disgrace me in respect of my guests. Is there no reasonable man among you?” (11:78)

قَالُوا۟ لَقَدْ عَلِمْتَ مَا لَنَا فِى بَنَاتِكَ مِنْ حَقٍّۢ وَإِنَّكَ لَتَعْلَمُ مَا نُرِيدُ ٧٩

They said, “You know that we have no claim on your daughters, and you know well what we want.” (11:79)

قَالَ لَوْ أَنَّ لِى بِكُمْ قُوَّةً أَوْ ءَاوِىٓ إِلَىٰ رُكْنٍۢ شَدِيدٍۢ ٨٠

He said, “Would that I had some power over you, or could seek refuge in a strong support!” (11:80)

The Punishment of Fire

When the people of the thicket denied Shu’ayb (عليه السلام) and demanded from him that if he was truthful in his claim, he should cause a piece of the sky to fall upon them.

فَأَسْقِطْ عَلَيْنَا كِسَفًۭا مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ إِن كُنتَ مِنَ ٱلصَّـٰدِقِينَ ١٨٧

So cause a piece from the sky to fall down upon us, if you are one of the truthful.” (26:187)

So Allah Almighty rained down fire upon them through the clouds.

فَكَذَّبُوهُ فَأَخَذَهُمْ عَذَابُ يَوْمِ ٱلظُّلَّةِ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ عَذَابَ يَوْمٍ عَظِيمٍ ١٨٩

Thus they rejected him, so they were seized by the torment of the Day of Canopy. Indeed it was the punishment of a terrible day. (26:189)

The Punishment of Being Swallowed by the Earth

Among the many blessings Allah Almighty has provided for mankind in this world, the earth holds a place of great significance. Allah has made it suitable for human habitation, splitting it open to provide means of sustenance. Not only has He placed resources on its surface, but He has also stored various beneficial things within its depths, so that humans may search for them and use them wisely.

Just as Allah has placed many signs on the surface of the earth for mankind to reflect upon, He has also made the earth itself a means of warning and admonition. When people exceed the limits of arrogance and rebellion, Allah causes them to be swallowed by the earth, making them a lesson for others.

The Qur’an presents an example of this: Qarun, a man from the people of Musa (ﷺ), was immensely wealthy due to the blessings of Allah. However, he became arrogant about his riches, attributing his wealth to his own intelligence and refusing to give zakat. As a consequence, Allah caused him and his treasures to be swallowed by the earth.

فَخَسَفْنَا بِهِۦ وَبِدَارِهِ ٱلْأَرْضَ فَمَا كَانَ لَهُۥ مِن فِئَةٍۢ يَنصُرُونَهُۥ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ ٱلْمُنتَصِرِينَ ٨١

Then We made him and his home sink into the earth. So there was no group for him who could help him against Allah, nor was he one of those who could defend themselves. (28:81)

ءَأَمِنتُم مَّن فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ أَن يَخْسِفَ بِكُمُ ٱلْأَرْضَ فَإِذَا هِىَ تَمُورُ ١٦

Have you become fearless of Him who is in the sky if He makes you sink into the earth, and it starts trembling at once? (67:16)

أَفَأَمِنتُمْ أَن يَخْسِفَ بِكُمْ جَانِبَ ٱلْبَرِّ أَوْ يُرْسِلَ عَلَيْكُمْ حَاصِبًۭا ثُمَّ لَا تَجِدُوا۟ لَكُمْ وَكِيلًا ٦٨

Do you, then, feel secure from that He makes a part of the land sink down along with you, or that He sends down a rain of stones on you, whereupon you will find no one to protect you? (17:68)

سابقہ امتوں میں عذاب الہی کے مظاہر