Tafsir of Al-An'am 6:42

"And We have already sent to [nations before you, and We seized them with] al-ba'sa' (poverty/distress) and al-darra' (adversity)."

• Al-ba'sa' and al-darra': They mean misery and harm. It is said: al-ba'sa' is drought and hunger, and al-darra' is illness and the loss of wealth and lives.
• The meaning: We sent messengers to them, but they denied them, so We seized them.
• {That they might humble themselves}: That they might become submissive, show humility before their Lord, and repent for their sins.
• {Then why, when Our punishment came to them, did they not humble themselves?}: The meaning is a negation of their humility; as if it were said: "They did not humble themselves when Our punishment came to them." However, the word lawla (why not) is used to indicate that they had no excuse for abandoning humility except for their stubbornness, the hardness of their hearts, and their self-admiration for the deeds that Satan had made attractive to them.
• {So when they forgot that by which they had been reminded}: That is, the ba'sa' and darra'. They abandoned taking heed from it; it did not benefit them, nor did it restrain them.
• {We opened to them the doors of everything}: Of health, abundance, and various types of blessings, in order to alternate between the cycles of adversity and prosperity for them—just as a compassionate father does with his child, being harsh at times and gentle at others, seeking their reform.
• {Until, when they rejoiced in that which they were given}: Of goodness and blessings, they did nothing more than rejoice and act insolently, without setting out to give thanks or intending to repent and apologize.
• {We seized them suddenly, and thereupon they were mublisun}: Stunned, regretful, and despairing.
• {So the dābir (last remnant) of the people was cut off}: Their very last one; not a single one of them was left. Their roots were completely eradicated.
• {And praise to Allah, Lord of the worlds}: This is an indication of the obligation to praise [Allah] upon the destruction of the oppressors, and that it is among the greatest of blessings and the most generous of portions.
• It is also recited: fattahna (with the tashdid—meaning "We opened wide").

{Say, "Have you considered: if Allah should take away your hearing and your sight and set a seal upon your hearts, which deity other than Allah could bring them [back] to you?" Look how We diversify the verses; then they turn away.}