Transliteration:( Wa laqad ba'asnaa fee kulli ummatir Rasoolan ani'budul laaha wajtanibut Taaghoota faminhum man hadal laahu wa minhum man haqqat 'alaihid dalaalah; faseeroo fil ardi fanzuroo kaifa kaana 'aaqibatul mukazzibeen )
"And We certainly sent a messenger to every nation, saying, 'Worship Allah [77] and avoid false gods.' Some of them Allah guided, and others had the decree of misguidance fulfilled upon them [78]. So travel through the earth and see [79] how was the end of those who denied [80]."
This verse declares that every nation in human history was sent a messenger with the same core message: “Worship Allah and avoid false gods.” This proves the universality of divine guidance and that Tawheed (Oneness of Allah) is the foundational teaching of all Prophets.
The instruction to “worship Allah” implies belief must come first, as acts of worship are only valid when performed by believers. A polytheist cannot worship correctly without first accepting faith. It is also learned here that to protect one's faith, one must distance from infidels and their influence, ensuring purity of belief.
Not everyone was guided by the messengers. Some accepted faith, while others remained misguided, and that misguidance became sealed upon them.
This is likened to how not all benefit from sunlight—the bat, for example, remains in darkness. Likewise, not all land absorbs rainfall to yield vegetation. This metaphor reassures the Holy Prophet ﷺ: if some reject faith despite his divine truth, he should not be disheartened, as the same occurred with previous Prophets.
The verse invites us to travel and reflect on the ruins of past disbelievers—to witness firsthand the consequences of denying divine guidance. Their destruction serves as a visible reminder of Allah’s punishment.
At the same time, if one wishes to witness the mercy and blessings of Allah, they should visit the shrines of the saints, observe the spiritual atmosphere, and feel the inspiration of their faith. Such visits are meritorious, and if travelling to ruined cities for reflection is allowed, then journeys to visit the pious and their resting places are certainly permissible and praiseworthy.
This verse also promotes the study of history and geography, provided the information is authentic and the intention is noble—i.e., to draw lessons, strengthen faith, and inculcate fear of Allah. When approached with reflection and sincerity, these disciplines become acts of virtue rather than mere academic pursuit.
The tafsir of Surah An-Nahl verse 36 by Ibn Kathir is unavailable here.
Please refer to Surah Nahl ayat 35 which provides the complete commentary from verse 35 through 37.
(16:36) We raised a Messenger in every community (to tell them): “Serve Allah and shun the Evil One.”[32] Thereafter Allah guided some of them while others were overtaken by error.[33] Go about the earth, then, and observe what was the end of those who rejected the Messengers,[34] calling them liars.
32. That is, you are not justified in excusing yourselves for these sins, saying that it is the will of God for We sent Messengers to every ummat, who told the people in plain words that they should worship Us and none else, and should not follow and obey taghut. Besides this, We have already warned you that We do not approve of your deviations. Why should you then put forward this excuse for your deviations? Do you mean to say that We ought to have sent such Messengers as would have forced you to follow the right way instead of bringing you to it by preaching? Please refer to (Surah Al-Anaam, ayat 112) note 80 for the distinction between God’s will and God’s approval.
33. That is, Whenever a Messenger came to a people, they were divided into two groups.
(1) Those who accepted the message (and that, too, could not have been possible except with the will of Allah).
(2) Those who rejected it and stuck to their deviation – For explanation see (Surah Al-Anaam, ayat 39) note 28.
34. That is, you can see for yourselves the lesson of human history. It is this that the people, who rejected the message, incurred the scourge of Allah like Pharaoh and the people of Pharaoh, while Prophet Moses (peace be upon him) received the blessings of Allah.
[698]- False objects of worship.
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