The People of Tubba'

Tubba' was a title borne by the kings of Himyar, in Yemen. The Quran cites 'the people of Tubba'' as a powerful ancient nation, mightier than the Quraysh of Mecca, and yet annihilated for having denied the messengers.

The Quran mentions the people of Tubba' to warn the proud Meccans: 'Were they better than the people of Tubba' and those before them whom We destroyed for their misdeeds?'

The name 'Tubba'' was the title of the kings of Himyar, a powerful ancient kingdom of Yemen. By citing them, the Quran recalls that even the most brilliant and powerful civilisations are nothing if they deny the truth. The Quran does not condemn the king Tubba' himself by name — some accounts even call him a believer — but his people are counted among those who called the messengers liars.

The people of Tubba' teach that the greatness of a civilisation does not protect it from judgement. The Quran uses them as a mirror held up to the powerful of every age: strength passes, truth remains.

أَهُمْ خَيْرٌ أَمْ قَوْمُ تُبَّعٍ

Sont-ils supérieurs au peuple de Toubba’ et aux nations antérieures que Nous avons pourtant anéantis pour prix de leur impiété ?

44:37

وَقَوْمُ تُبَّعٍ كُلٌّ كَذَّبَ الرُّسُلَ

les adorateurs d’Al-Aykah et le peuple de Toubba’, qui tous ont traité les Messagers d’imposteurs. Ma menace fut donc mise à exécution.

50:14