سُوْرَةُ الزُّمَرِ

Surah Az-Zumar (39) — Ayah 50

The Groups · Meccan · Juz 24 · Page 464

قَدْ قَالَهَا ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ فَمَآ أَغْنَىٰ عَنْهُم مَّا كَانُوا۟ يَكْسِبُونَ ﴿50﴾
Verily, those before them said it, yet (all) that they had earned availed them not.
قَدْ qad Indeed
قَالَهَا qālahā said it
ٱلَّذِينَ alladhīna those
مِن min before them
قَبْلِهِمْ qablihim before them
فَمَآ famā but (did) not
أَغْنَىٰ aghnā avail
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.

(Ayah 50) ➊ { قَدْ قَالَهَا الَّذِيْنَ مِنْ قَبْلِهِمْ:} That is, many people before these disbelievers of Quraysh, and the disbelievers of their time and those who came after, had the same belief and said the same thing, just as when Qarun was advised by his people, he said: « اِنَّمَاۤ اُوْتِيْتُهٗ عَلٰى عِلْمٍ عِنْدِيْ » [ القصص : ۷۸ ] “(All this) has been given to me only because of a knowledge I possess.” For details of the story of Qarun, see Surah Al-Qasas (76 to 82).

{ فَمَاۤ اَغْنٰى عَنْهُمْ مَّا كَانُوْا يَكْسِبُوْنَ :} That is, when Allah’s punishment came upon those who said, “All has been given to us because of our knowledge,” just as Qarun was swallowed up by the earth along with his wealth and palaces, then the wealth and children they had acquired and the worldly skills they had gained did not benefit them at all.

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.

50. 1. Just as Qarun had also said, but in the end, he was swallowed up by the earth along with his treasures. فما اغنی — in this, ما can be interrogative or negative; both meanings are correct.

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.

50. Those before them said the same, but what they used to earn did not avail them at all.

[68] Among such people was Qarun, who said the same thing: that the wealth and riches he had received were due to his personal knowledge, experience, and ability. Then, when he was swallowed up by the earth along with his treasures, neither his wealth nor his prestige could be of any use to him.