Surah Hud (11) — Ayah 94
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim — Hafiz Abdus Salam Bin Muhammad Bhutvi
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim is a 4-volume Quran commentary by Hafiz Abdus Salam bin Muhammad Bhutvi, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar and Sheikh ul-Hadith from Pakistan. Based on over 45 years of teaching and research, this tafsir follows the methodology of Tafsir bil-Ma'thur — interpreting the Quran through authentic Hadith, statements of the Companions, and the understanding of the early generations (Salaf). It is distinguished by its complete avoidance of Israeliyyat (Judeo-Christian narratives) and unverified reports. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
➋ The punishment that came by Allah’s command is called {’’ الرَّجْفَةُ “}—that is, earthquake—in Surah Al-A’raf (91) and Al-Ankabut (37); here it is called {’’الصَّيْحَةُ ‘‘}—that is, the blast; and in Surah Ash-Shu’ara (189), it is called {’’ عَذَابُ يَوْمِ الظُّلَّةِ ‘‘}—the punishment of the day of the canopy. Therefore, the clearest explanation seems to be that first {’’ الصَّيْحَةُ ‘‘}—a shriek or a severe blast—arose; when it exceeded its limit, a violent earthquake struck, which shook even the mountains, and the hearts and livers of the disbelievers burst from this sound, and whoever was wherever, remained there. The earthquake completed the destruction, and the traces of all the disbelievers were erased as if they had never lived there. Even today, in the region of Madyan, the effects of the earthquake are evident on the mountains for hundreds of miles. All the mountains are split as if some tremendous earthquake had played with them. Hafiz Ibn Kathir (may Allah have mercy on him) said that all these punishments came upon them, but in the context of each verse, the punishment appropriate to that place is mentioned. In Surah Al-A’raf (88), the statement of the disbelievers is mentioned: «{ لَنُخْرِجَنَّكَ يٰشُعَيْبُ وَ الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْا مَعَكَ مِنْ قَرْيَتِنَاۤ }» “O Shu’ayb! We will surely expel you and those who have believed with you from our town.” There, {’’الرَّجْفَةُ‘‘} is mentioned: this is the town from which you want to expel the Prophet. Here in Surah Hud, when they showed disrespect to the Prophet, the blast is mentioned accordingly, and in Surah Ash-Shu’ara, their demand was that a piece of the sky be dropped upon them, so there the punishment of the canopy is mentioned.
➌ { اَلَا بُعْدًا لِّمَدْيَنَ كَمَا بَعِدَتْ ثَمُوْدُ :}—that is, the same destruction befell the people of Shu’ayb as befell Thamud; their regions were also close to each other, and both nations were similar in disbelief and rebellion, and both were Arabs.
Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan — Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf
Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan is a well-known Quran commentary by Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. This tafsir explains the meanings of the Quran in accordance with the methodology of the Salaf (early righteous generations), relying on authentic sources and straightforward language. Due to its reliability and adherence to sound Islamic scholarship, the Saudi government publishes and distributes this tafsir among the Hujjaj (pilgrims) visiting the Haramain. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran — Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
[106]
The Nature of the Punishment on the People of Madyan:
Here, it is mentioned that the people of Shu‘ayb were destroyed by a shriek (the cry of an angel), and in Al-A‘raf, an earthquake is mentioned, and in Surah Ash-Shu‘ara, the punishment of the Day of the Canopy is mentioned, meaning that clouds of punishment surrounded them like a canopy. Thus, this nation was afflicted by all three types of punishment, and in each place, the Quran only mentions the punishment that was relevant to the context. For example, in this surah, the nation’s tone was harsh and their words were insolent, and they were threatening to stone him, so here the mention is of a severe, heart-rending punishment, i.e., the shriek. In Surah Al-A‘raf, it is mentioned that the nation threatened to expel him and his companions from the land, so they themselves were destroyed by an earthquake in that very land. And in Surah Ash-Shu‘ara, the nation said to Shu‘ayb ؑ: “If you are truthful, then cause a piece of the sky to fall upon us,” so accordingly, there the punishment of the clouds is mentioned. And it is possible that in each place, the different states of the punishment at different times are being described.
[107] By this threefold punishment, they died in their own homes, and they lay face down clinging to the ground so that the pain of the punishment might be felt a little less, and their area appeared so desolate and uninhabited as if no one had ever lived there.
