سُوْرَةُ الْمُؤْمِنِ

Surah Ghafir (40) — Ayah 22

The Forgiver · Meccan · Juz 24 · Page 469

ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ كَانَت تَّأْتِيهِمْ رُسُلُهُم بِٱلْبَيِّنَـٰتِ فَكَفَرُوا۟ فَأَخَذَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ قَوِىٌّ شَدِيدُ ٱلْعِقَابِ ﴿22﴾
That was because there came to them their Messengers with clear evidence (proofs and signs) but they disbelieved (in them). So Allâh seized them (with punishment). Verily He is All-Strong, Severe in punishment.
ذَٰلِكَ dhālika That
بِأَنَّهُمْ bi-annahum (was) because [they]
كَانَت kānat used to come to them
تَّأْتِيهِمْ tatīhim used to come to them
رُسُلُهُم rusuluhum their Messengers
بِٱلْبَيِّنَـٰتِ bil-bayināti with clear proofs
فَكَفَرُوا۟ fakafarū but they disbelieved
فَأَخَذَهُمُ fa-akhadhahumu So Allah seized them
ٱللَّهُ ۚ l-lahu So Allah seized them
إِنَّهُۥ innahu Indeed, He
قَوِىٌّۭ qawiyyun (is) All-Strong
شَدِيدُ shadīdu severe
ٱلْعِقَابِ l-ʿiqābi (in) punishment

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.

The word {ذٰلِكَ بِاَنَّهُمْ كَانَتْ تَّاْتِيْهِمْ … : ’’اَلْبَيِّنَاتُ‘‘} is general; it refers to miracles, clear proofs, and explicit commands and guidance.

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.

22. 1. This explains the reason for their destruction, which is the denial of Allah's signs and the rejection of the prophets. Now, the chain of prophethood and messengership has ended. However, countless signs of Allah are scattered and spread throughout the horizons and within mankind. In addition, through admonition, reminder, and the call and propagation of the truth, scholars and callers to the truth are present to clarify and point out these signs. Therefore, even today, whoever turns away from Allah's signs and is heedless of the religion and Shariah, his end will not be different from that of the rejecters and deniers of messengership.

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.

22. This happened because their messengers came to them with clear proofs [30], but they denied them. So Allah seized them. Surely, Allah is All-Powerful and severe in punishment.

[30]
The Different Meanings of ﴿بينات﴾:

The plural of ﴿بَيِّنَاتٌ﴾ ﴿بينة﴾ actually refers to such an argument before which the opposing party is left speechless. Then, this word can also be applied to the miracles of the Prophets and to the verses of the Quran, because despite repeated challenges, the disbelievers could not produce anything like the Quran. It can also refer to such rational arguments that are accepted by both parties, and to such clear guidance that, upon seeing it, every reasonable person would understand that such teachings cannot come from a false, self-serving person.