سُوْرَةُ فُصِّلَتۡ

Surah Fussilat (41) — Ayah 13

Explained in detail · Meccan · Juz 24 · Page 478

فَإِنْ أَعْرَضُوا۟ فَقُلْ أَنذَرْتُكُمْ صَـٰعِقَةً مِّثْلَ صَـٰعِقَةِ عَادٍ وَثَمُودَ ﴿13﴾
But if they turn away, then say (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم): "I have warned you of a Sâ‘iqah (a destructive awful cry, torment, hit, a thunderbolt) like the Sâ‘iqah which overtook ‘Âd and Thamûd (people)."
فَإِنْ fa-in But if
أَعْرَضُوا۟ aʿraḍū they turn away
فَقُلْ faqul then say
أَنذَرْتُكُمْ andhartukum I have warned you
صَـٰعِقَةًۭ ṣāʿiqatan (of) a thunderbolt
مِّثْلَ mith'la like
صَـٰعِقَةِ ṣāʿiqati (the) thunderbolt
عَادٍۢ ʿādin (of) Aad
وَثَمُودَ wathamūda and Thamud

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.

For the explanation of (Ayah 13){ فَاِنْ اَعْرَضُوْا فَقُلْ اَنْذَرْتُكُمْ … : ’’ صٰعِقَةً ‘‘}, see Surah Ra’d (13). In the opening verses of the Surah (4, 5), Allah mentions that most people turn away from His Book. After that, He details the creation of the heavens and the earth in six days. Now He says that if these people still do not accept that the only true deity is the One who created the heavens, the earth, and the entire universe, and persist in turning away from this truth, then tell them that many nations before you adopted the same attitude that you are adopting. So I warn you of a punishment like that and of the thunderous lightning that struck the previous nations of ‘Ad and Thamud. For the introduction to ‘Ad and Thamud, see Surah Al-A’raf (65 to 79).

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.

13. But if they turn away, then say, "I warn you of a thunderbolt (of punishment) like that which struck ‘Ad and Thamud [15]."

[15] That is, even after hearing the attributes of this Quran and the magnificent signs of power of the Being Who revealed this Quran, if the disbelievers of Makkah still turn away from accepting the admonition and from adopting the path of monotheism and Islam, then such thunderbolts could also strike them as struck the people of ‘Ad and Thamud.