سُوْرَةُ الْحِجْرِ

Surah Al-Hijr (15) — Ayah 84

The Rock · Meccan · Juz 14 · Page 266

فَمَآ أَغْنَىٰ عَنْهُم مَّا كَانُوا۟ يَكْسِبُونَ ﴿84﴾
And all that they used to earn availed them not.
فَمَآ famā And not
أَغْنَىٰ aghnā availed
عَنْهُم ʿanhum them
مَّا what
كَانُوا۟ kānū they used (to)
يَكْسِبُونَ yaksibūna earn

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.

The tafsir of this verse may be read with the following verses.

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.

The exegesis of this verse has been done along with the previous verse.

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.

84. And what they used to build (of stone houses, etc.) was of no use to them [45].

[45]
The Destroyed Settlements of the People of Thamud:

The divine punishment that descended upon them was a tremendous and terrifying blast. Their houses, which were otherwise secure from all kinds of earthly and heavenly calamities, proved to be of no use against this punishment. Allah sent upon them such a punishment that could not even have crossed their minds, and none of their strategies could avail them against it. Thus, they died in their homes and there they decayed and decomposed. Their region lies on the route that goes from Madinah to Tabuk, and many of their remnants remained a source of lesson for others for a long time, as is also made clear by the following hadith: Abdullah bin Umar ؓ says that during the expedition to Tabuk, when the Prophet ﷺ reached the place of Hijr, he ﷺ instructed the companions, "Do not drink water from their wells nor fill your buckets from them." The companions said, "We have already kneaded dough with it and filled our containers." He ﷺ said, "Throw away the dough and pour out the water." Then he ﷺ allowed the dough to be fed to the camels. He ﷺ ordered, "Draw water from the well from which (Salih ؑ's) she-camel used to drink." And do not enter the houses of these wrongdoers except while weeping, and if you cannot weep, then do not pass through there, lest a punishment like theirs befall you." Then the Prophet ﷺ covered his head with his cloak and quickly urged his mount forward, leaving that place.
[بخاری، کتاب الانبیاء، باب قولہ تعالیٰ والی ثمود اخاہم صالحا۔ نیز کتاب التفسیر۔ نیز کتاب الصلوٰۃ۔ باب الصلٰوۃ فی مواضع الخسف]