سُوْرَةُ الْمُؤْمِنِ

Surah Ghafir (40) — Ayah 21

The Forgiver · Meccan · Juz 24 · Page 469

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۞ أَوَلَمْ يَسِيرُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ فَيَنظُرُوا۟ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَـٰقِبَةُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَانُوا۟ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ ۚ كَانُوا۟ هُمْ أَشَدَّ مِنْهُمْ قُوَّةً وَءَاثَارًا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ فَأَخَذَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ بِذُنُوبِهِمْ وَمَا كَانَ لَهُم مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ مِن وَاقٍ ﴿21﴾

Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali

Have they not travelled in the land and seen what was the end of those who were before them? They were superior to them in strength, and in the traces (which they left) in the land. But Allâh seized them with punishment for their sins. And none had they to protect them from Allâh.

Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning

۞ أَوَلَمْ awalam Do not
يَسِيرُوا۟ yasīrū they travel
فِى fī in
ٱلْأَرْضِ l-arḍi the earth
فَيَنظُرُوا۟ fayanẓurū and see
كَيْفَ kayfa how
كَانَ kāna was
عَـٰقِبَةُ ʿāqibatu (the) end
ٱلَّذِينَ alladhīna (of) those who
كَانُوا۟ kānū were
مِن min before them
قَبْلِهِمْ ۚ qablihim before them
كَانُوا۟ kānū They were
هُمْ hum [they]
أَشَدَّ ashadda superior
مِنْهُمْ min'hum to them
قُوَّةًۭ quwwatan (in) strength
وَءَاثَارًۭا waāthāran and (in) impressions
فِى fī in
ٱلْأَرْضِ l-arḍi the land
فَأَخَذَهُمُ fa-akhadhahumu but Allah seized them
ٱللَّهُ l-lahu but Allah seized them
بِذُنُوبِهِمْ bidhunūbihim for their sins
وَمَا wamā and not
كَانَ kāna was
لَهُم lahum for them
مِّنَ mina against
ٱللَّهِ l-lahi Allah
مِن min any
وَاقٍۢ wāqin protector

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 21) ➊ { اَوَ لَمْ يَسِيْرُوْا فِي الْاَرْضِ … :} In the previous verses, the disbelievers were warned of the punishment of the Hereafter; now they are being warned of the punishment that comes in this world: Have these people not traveled through the land and seen the fate of those nations who were destroyed before them for the crime of denying the prophets?
➋ {كَانُوْا هُمْ اَشَدَّ مِنْهُمْ قُوَّةً وَّ اٰثَارًا فِي الْاَرْضِ …:} For a detailed explanation of this, see the commentary of Surah Ar-Rum, verse (9).
➌ {وَ مَا كَانَ لَهُمْ مِّنَ اللّٰهِ مِنْ وَّاقٍ: ’’ وَاقٍ ‘‘} The original word is {’’وَاقِيٌ‘‘}, which is an active participle from {’’وَقٰي يَقِيْ وِقَايَةً‘‘} (ض), meaning "one who saves." That is, when Allah's punishment came upon nations stronger and more established than them due to their sins, there was no one to save them from Allah. In the same way, when Allah's punishment comes upon these people, no one will be able to save them either.

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.

21. 1. In the previous verses, the conditions of the Hereafter were mentioned; now they are being warned by the conditions of this world, that they should travel through the land and see the fate of those nations who were destroyed before them for the same crime of denial that these people are committing, even though the previous nations were far superior to them in strength and achievements. But when Allah's punishment came upon them, no one could save them. In the same way, punishment can come upon you as well, and if it comes, then no one will be your protector.

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.

Have they not traveled through the land and seen what was the end of those before them? They were stronger than them in power and left more traces in the land. But Allah seized them for their sins, and they had no protector [29] against Allah.

[29]
The Desire to Leave a Legacy:

The desire to leave a legacy is found in a person who considers himself to be something significant. However, in this matter, every person has his own unique taste. These people left behind such monuments that indicated their grandeur and glory. But when Allah's punishment came, neither their grandeur nor the monuments they left behind were of any use to them. So, when nothing in this world could save them from Allah's punishment, who will be able to save them in the Hereafter?
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