Maryam · Makki · ayah 98 of 98

Maryam 19:98

وَكَمْ أَهْلَكْنَا قَبْلَهُم مِّن قَرْنٍ هَلْ تُحِسُّ مِنْهُم مِّنْ أَحَدٍ أَوْ تَسْمَعُ لَهُمْ رِكْزًۢا

“And how many have We destroyed before them of generations? Do you perceive of them anyone or hear from them a sound?”

Saheeh International

Essence

The surah that began with an old man's whisper heard by his Lord ends by listening for whole generations, and hearing not even a whisper.

A reflection

How many, and where are they now

And how many generations We destroyed before them. The word kam, how many, is not a question waiting for a number. A concise commentary glosses it simply as: many. Generations past counting, each once as sure of itself as the people now listening.

A theological commentary says the nearest meaning of destroyed here is their passing away through death. Some read it as punishment sent in this world. Either way, the point is the same. They were here, they were powerful, and they are gone.

The surah has already said who remains when they go. It is We who inherit the earth and whoever is on it, and to Us they will be returned (19:40). Generations rise and pass. One Heir remains.

A classical spiritual writer turned this ayah on his reader in a short sermon. Where are your peers, he asked. Do you hear any whisper of them?

That question is hard on the ego, because so much human effort is spent trying to be remembered. Buildings with names on them. Companies, legacies, followers, monuments. Each is a bid to leave a sound behind. The ayah surveys the ground where all the earlier bids were made, and listens, and hears nothing.

There is no cruelty in noticing this. It is simply true, and the truth humbles. Whatever a person builds to make themselves permanent will one day be a quiet field. The only lasting thing is what was done for the One who does not pass.

The full entry has 6 more reflections, questions to sit with, and "Live it today" - with the words, the roots and the tafsir alongside. Free, no account, works offline.