سُوْرَةُ الْعَنْكَبُوْتِ
Surah Al-Ankaboot (29) — Ayah 40
فَكُلًّا أَخَذْنَا بِذَنۢبِهِۦ ۖ فَمِنْهُم مَّنْ أَرْسَلْنَا عَلَيْهِ حَاصِبًا وَمِنْهُم مَّنْ أَخَذَتْهُ ٱلصَّيْحَةُ وَمِنْهُم مَّنْ خَسَفْنَا بِهِ ٱلْأَرْضَ وَمِنْهُم مَّنْ أَغْرَقْنَا ۚ وَمَا كَانَ ٱللَّهُ لِيَظْلِمَهُمْ وَلَـٰكِن كَانُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَهُمْ يَظْلِمُونَ ﴿40﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
So We punished each (of them) for his sins; of them were some on whom We sent Hâsib (a violent wind with shower of stones) [as on the people of Lût (Lot)], and of them were some who were overtaken by As-Saihah [torment - awful cry. (as Thamûd or Shu‘aib’s people)], and of them were some whom We caused the earth to swallow [as Qârûn (Korah)], and of them were some whom We drowned [as the people of Nûh (Noah), or Fir‘aun (Pharaoh) and his people]. It was not Allâh Who wronged them, but they wronged themselves.
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
فَكُلًّا
fakullan
So each
أَخَذْنَا
akhadhnā
We seized
بِذَنۢبِهِۦ ۖ
bidhanbihi
for his sin
فَمِنْهُم
famin'hum
Then of them
مَّنْ
man
(was he) who
أَرْسَلْنَا
arsalnā
We sent
عَلَيْهِ
ʿalayhi
on him
حَاصِبًۭا
ḥāṣiban
a violent storm
وَمِنْهُم
wamin'hum
and of them
مَّنْ
man
(was he) who
أَخَذَتْهُ
akhadhathu
seized him
ٱلصَّيْحَةُ
l-ṣayḥatu
the awful cry
وَمِنْهُم
wamin'hum
and of them
مَّنْ
man
(was he) who
خَسَفْنَا
khasafnā
We caused to swallow
بِهِ
bihi
him
ٱلْأَرْضَ
l-arḍa
the earth
وَمِنْهُم
wamin'hum
and of them
مَّنْ
man
(was he) who
أَغْرَقْنَا ۚ
aghraqnā
We drowned
وَمَا
wamā
And not
كَانَ
kāna
was
ٱللَّهُ
l-lahu
Allah
لِيَظْلِمَهُمْ
liyaẓlimahum
to wrong them
وَلَـٰكِن
walākin
but
كَانُوٓا۟
kānū
they were
أَنفُسَهُمْ
anfusahum
themselves
يَظْلِمُونَ
yaẓlimūna
doing wrong
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 40) ➊ { فَكُلًّا اَخَذْنَا بِذَنْۢبِهٖ … :} So We seized each one of them for his sin. {’’ فَمِنْهُمْ مَّنْ اَرْسَلْنَا عَلَيْهِ حَاصِبًا ‘‘’’ حَاصِبًا ‘‘} A violent wind which brought pebbles and stones, that is, then among them were some upon whom We sent a storm of stones. This refers to the people of ‘Ad, upon whom Allah sent a very cold, fierce, and strong wind carrying pebbles and stones, which blew upon them for seven nights and eight days continuously, during which all the disbelievers fell as if they were trunks of fallen palm trees. See Surah Al-Haqqah (5–8) and Surah Al-Qamar (19, 20). Some commentators have taken these people to mean the people of Lot, because regarding them it is said elsewhere: «{ اِنَّاۤ اَرْسَلْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ حَاصِبًا اِلَّاۤ اٰلَ لُوْطٍ }» [ القمر : ۳۴ ] “Indeed, We sent upon them a wind that rained stones, except for the family of Lot.” And by those who were drowned is meant the people of Noah, and by those seized by the blast is meant the people of Shu‘ayb. However, Ibn Kathir said that this is not correct, because in the previous verses the punishments that befell the peoples of Noah, Lot, and Shu‘ayb have already been mentioned; here, the punishments that befell ‘Ad and those after them are being mentioned. Therefore, those destroyed by the storm of stones here refers specifically to the people of ‘Ad.
➋ { وَ مِنْهُمْ مَّنْ اَخَذَتْهُ الصَّيْحَةُ :} This refers to the people of Thamud, although the people of Shu‘ayb were also destroyed by {’’ الصَّيْحَةُ ‘‘} (the blast), but their punishment has already been mentioned above.
➌ { وَ مِنْهُمْ مَّنْ خَسَفْنَا بِهِ الْاَرْضَ:} This refers to Qarun, as mentioned in Surah Al-Qasas, verse (81).
➍ {وَ مِنْهُمْ مَّنْ اَغْرَقْنَا :} This refers to Pharaoh, Haman, and their people. However, due to the generality of the words, if {’’ حَاصِبًا ‘‘} refers to both the people of ‘Ad and the people of Lot, and {’’ الصَّيْحَةُ ‘‘} refers to both the people of Thamud and the people of Shu‘ayb, and those who were drowned refers to both the people of Pharaoh and the people of Noah, then there is no objection.
➎ {وَ مَا كَانَ اللّٰهُ لِيَظْلِمَهُمْ … :’’ كَانَ ‘‘} Is for continuity, meaning Allah is never such that He would wrong them, but they themselves wronged their own souls and committed such deeds whose result was punishment, destruction, and ruin for them.
➋ { وَ مِنْهُمْ مَّنْ اَخَذَتْهُ الصَّيْحَةُ :} This refers to the people of Thamud, although the people of Shu‘ayb were also destroyed by {’’ الصَّيْحَةُ ‘‘} (the blast), but their punishment has already been mentioned above.
➌ { وَ مِنْهُمْ مَّنْ خَسَفْنَا بِهِ الْاَرْضَ:} This refers to Qarun, as mentioned in Surah Al-Qasas, verse (81).
➍ {وَ مِنْهُمْ مَّنْ اَغْرَقْنَا :} This refers to Pharaoh, Haman, and their people. However, due to the generality of the words, if {’’ حَاصِبًا ‘‘} refers to both the people of ‘Ad and the people of Lot, and {’’ الصَّيْحَةُ ‘‘} refers to both the people of Thamud and the people of Shu‘ayb, and those who were drowned refers to both the people of Pharaoh and the people of Noah, then there is no objection.
➎ {وَ مَا كَانَ اللّٰهُ لِيَظْلِمَهُمْ … :’’ كَانَ ‘‘} Is for continuity, meaning Allah is never such that He would wrong them, but they themselves wronged their own souls and committed such deeds whose result was punishment, destruction, and ruin for them.
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.
40-1. That is, each one of those mentioned, We seized for their sins.
40-2. This was the people of ‘Ad, upon whom came the punishment of a very fierce and violent wind. This wind would lift pebbles from the ground and rain them down upon them; eventually, its intensity increased so much that it would snatch them up to the sky and hurl them headlong to the ground, causing their heads to separate from their bodies, as if they were hollow trunks of date palms. (Ibn Kathir) Some commentators have considered the referent of حصبا to be the people of Lot ؑ. But Imam Ibn Kathir has deemed this incorrect and has declared the statement attributed to Ibn Abbas ؓ to be disconnected.
40-3. This is the people of Thamud, the people of Salih ؑ. At their request, a she-camel was brought forth from a rock as a sign. But instead of believing, these wrongdoers killed the she-camel. Three days later, a severe blast overtook them, silencing their voices and movements.
40-4. This is Qarun, who was granted treasures of wealth, but he became arrogant, thinking that this wealth and riches were proof that he was honored and respected in the sight of Allah. He thought, “Why should I obey Musa ؑ?” So he was swallowed up by the earth along with his treasures and palaces.
40-5. This is Pharaoh, who was the ruler of Egypt, but he transgressed all bounds and even claimed divinity for himself. He refused to believe in Musa ؑ and to free his people, the Children of Israel, whom he had enslaved. Eventually, one morning, he and his entire army were drowned in the sea of Qulzum.
40-6. That is, it is not befitting of Allah to do injustice. Therefore, the previous nations upon whom punishment came were destroyed only because, by committing disbelief, polytheism, denial, and sins, they themselves wronged their own souls.
40-2. This was the people of ‘Ad, upon whom came the punishment of a very fierce and violent wind. This wind would lift pebbles from the ground and rain them down upon them; eventually, its intensity increased so much that it would snatch them up to the sky and hurl them headlong to the ground, causing their heads to separate from their bodies, as if they were hollow trunks of date palms. (Ibn Kathir) Some commentators have considered the referent of حصبا to be the people of Lot ؑ. But Imam Ibn Kathir has deemed this incorrect and has declared the statement attributed to Ibn Abbas ؓ to be disconnected.
40-3. This is the people of Thamud, the people of Salih ؑ. At their request, a she-camel was brought forth from a rock as a sign. But instead of believing, these wrongdoers killed the she-camel. Three days later, a severe blast overtook them, silencing their voices and movements.
40-4. This is Qarun, who was granted treasures of wealth, but he became arrogant, thinking that this wealth and riches were proof that he was honored and respected in the sight of Allah. He thought, “Why should I obey Musa ؑ?” So he was swallowed up by the earth along with his treasures and palaces.
40-5. This is Pharaoh, who was the ruler of Egypt, but he transgressed all bounds and even claimed divinity for himself. He refused to believe in Musa ؑ and to free his people, the Children of Israel, whom he had enslaved. Eventually, one morning, he and his entire army were drowned in the sea of Qulzum.
40-6. That is, it is not befitting of Allah to do injustice. Therefore, the previous nations upon whom punishment came were destroyed only because, by committing disbelief, polytheism, denial, and sins, they themselves wronged their own souls.
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.
40. So We seized each one of them for their sins. Among them were those upon whom We sent a storm of stones [61], and among them were those who were overtaken by a mighty blast [62], and among them were those whom We caused the earth to swallow [63], and among them were those whom We drowned [64]. Allah was not unjust to them, but they were wronging themselves [65].
[61] That is, each nation was punished according to its crime and was wiped off the face of the earth, and the land was cleansed of these people. Among them, the punishment of a rain of stones came only upon the people of Lot. And the punishment that came upon the people of ‘Ad was in the form of a fierce wind, in which there were also small stones and pebbles mixed in.
[62] The same punishment came upon the people of Thamud (the people of Prophet Salih ؑ) and the people of Madyan (the people of Prophet Shu‘ayb ؑ).
[63] That is, Qarun and his servants, along with all his treasures, the story of which has already been mentioned in detail in Surah Qasas.
[64] That is, the people of Noah and Pharaoh and the people of Pharaoh.
[65] To all these nations, We sent prophets so that they might inform them of their misguidance. But these people declared the prophets to be liars and became even more obstinate in their misguidance. Instead of obeying Allah, they became enemies of the prophets and began to inflict all kinds of hardships upon them. Then, when the proof was fully established from Our side, at that time We destroyed them, and they themselves were responsible for their destruction, not Us.
[61] That is, each nation was punished according to its crime and was wiped off the face of the earth, and the land was cleansed of these people. Among them, the punishment of a rain of stones came only upon the people of Lot. And the punishment that came upon the people of ‘Ad was in the form of a fierce wind, in which there were also small stones and pebbles mixed in.
[62] The same punishment came upon the people of Thamud (the people of Prophet Salih ؑ) and the people of Madyan (the people of Prophet Shu‘ayb ؑ).
[63] That is, Qarun and his servants, along with all his treasures, the story of which has already been mentioned in detail in Surah Qasas.
[64] That is, the people of Noah and Pharaoh and the people of Pharaoh.
[65] To all these nations, We sent prophets so that they might inform them of their misguidance. But these people declared the prophets to be liars and became even more obstinate in their misguidance. Instead of obeying Allah, they became enemies of the prophets and began to inflict all kinds of hardships upon them. Then, when the proof was fully established from Our side, at that time We destroyed them, and they themselves were responsible for their destruction, not Us.
