سُوْرَةُ النَّمْلِ

Surah An-Naml (27) — Ayah 52

The Ant · Meccan · Juz 19 · Page 381

فَتِلْكَ بُيُوتُهُمْ خَاوِيَةًۢ بِمَا ظَلَمُوٓا۟ ۗ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَةً لِّقَوْمٍ يَعْلَمُونَ ﴿52﴾
These are their houses in utter ruin, for they did wrong. Verily, in this is indeed an Ayâh (a lesson or a sign) for people who know.
فَتِلْكَ fatil'ka So, these
بُيُوتُهُمْ buyūtuhum (are) their houses
خَاوِيَةًۢ khāwiyatan ruined
بِمَا bimā because
ظَلَمُوٓا۟ ۗ ẓalamū they wronged
إِنَّ inna Indeed
فِى in
ذَٰلِكَ dhālika that
لَـَٔايَةًۭ laāyatan surely, is a sign
لِّقَوْمٍۢ liqawmin for a people
يَعْلَمُونَ yaʿlamūna who know

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 53,52) ➊ {فَتِلْكَ بُيُوْتُهُمْ خَاوِيَةًۢ:’’ خَاوِيَةًۢ ‘‘} also means "falling," as in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:259): «{وَ هِيَ خَاوِيَةٌ عَلٰى عُرُوْشِهَا and it also means "empty," as in: {’’أَرْضٌ خَاوِيَةٌ أَيْ خَالِيَةٌ۔‘‘} (Qamus). When the people of Makkah would travel to Syria, they would see the ruins of the dwellings of Thamud in the valley of Al-Qura along the way; magnificent buildings were leveled to the ground, and there was no sign of habitation.

{ اِنَّ فِيْ ذٰلِكَ لَاٰيَةً لِّقَوْمٍ يَّعْلَمُوْنَ …:} means that for the ignorant, there is no lesson in these deserted houses and ruins; in their view, this earthquake had nothing to do with Salih (peace be upon him) and his she-camel, or with the disbelief, polytheism, or rebellion of that people; such things just happen in the world. (See Al-A'raf: 94, 95) It is only those with knowledge who know that whatever happens in the world is under the command of a Lord of perfect wisdom and power. When He wills, He gives the punishment for deviation and oppression even in this world, so when they pass by such towns that were destroyed by the divine punishment, they take a lesson from them and, fearing Allah's grasp, repent and seek forgiveness.

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.

52. So these are their deserted houses, because of the wrong they used to do. Surely in this is a sign for people who have knowledge [52].

[52] This sentence can have several meanings: one is that only those people take heed who look at these ruins with insightful eyes. Another is that those who are aware of the law of rise and fall of nations know that the people denied the messengers and caused them harm, and as a result, they were utterly destroyed. Thirdly, it refers to those who do not consider Allah bound by natural causes, but know that He Himself is the Creator of natural causes, and can alter them whenever He wills, and can break the connection between cause and effect. All apparent and hidden causes are under His control, and such people do not say that a certain punishment, such as an earthquake, occurred merely due to natural causes and had nothing to do with the sins of the people.