Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
(This was Our) Sunnah (rule or way) with the Messengers We sent before you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم), and you will not find any alteration in Our Sunnah (rule or way).
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
سُنَّةَsunnata(Such is Our) Way
مَنman(for) whom
قَدْqad[verily]
أَرْسَلْنَاarsalnāWe sent
قَبْلَكَqablakabefore you
مِنminof
رُّسُلِنَا ۖrusulināOur Messengers
وَلَاwalāAnd not
تَجِدُtajiduyou will find
لِسُنَّتِنَاlisunnatinā(in) Our way
تَحْوِيلًاtaḥwīlanany alteration
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.
(Ayah 77) { سُنَّةَمَنْقَدْاَرْسَلْنَاقَبْلَكَ … :} That is, even in the times of previous messengers, our way was that as soon as their people expelled them, punishment came upon them and they were destroyed. However, in Makkah, since after the migration of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), many Muslims were still present who sought forgiveness, and there was hope that some disbelievers and their future offspring would become Muslim, therefore Makkah was not destroyed like the towns of the previous peoples. See Surah Al-Fath (25) and Al-Anfal (33).
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.
77. 1. That is, this practice has been ongoing since ancient times, which was also applied to the messengers before you: when those nations expelled them from their homeland or forced them to leave, then those nations too were not safe from Allah's punishment.
77. 2. Thus, the same happened with the people of Makkah: just one and a half years after the migration of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, they faced a humiliating defeat and disgrace in the Battle of Badr, and six years later, in 8 AH, Makkah itself was conquered, and after this humiliation and defeat, they were never able to raise their heads again.
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.
77. This has been Our way with the messengers We sent before you, and you will find no change in Our law [95].
[95] Allah’s Practice Regarding Punishment:
Allah’s practice is that as long as a prophet of Allah remains present among a disobedient nation, punishment does not descend upon them. And when punishment is decreed, the prophet is removed from there or is commanded to migrate, and when the prophet leaves, then there are two forms of punishment. One is that Allah directly sends punishment upon that nation and destroys them, and the other is that Allah causes that rebellious nation to be defeated at the hands of those very people whom the criminals had forced to migrate, or He causes them to be punished by some other nation instead.