سُوْرَةُ الزُّخْرُفِ

Surah Az-Zukhruf (43) — Ayah 8

Ornaments of gold · Meccan · Juz 25 · Page 489

فَأَهْلَكْنَآ أَشَدَّ مِنْهُم بَطْشًا وَمَضَىٰ مَثَلُ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ ﴿8﴾
Then We destroyed men stronger (in power) than these - and the example of the ancients has passed away (before them).
فَأَهْلَكْنَآ fa-ahlaknā Then We destroyed
أَشَدَّ ashadda stronger
مِنْهُم min'hum than them
بَطْشًۭا baṭshan (in) power
وَمَضَىٰ wamaḍā and has passed
مَثَلُ mathalu (the) example
ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ l-awalīna (of) the former (people)

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 8) ➊ { فَاَهْلَكْنَاۤ اَشَدَّ مِنْهُمْ بَطْشًا:} That is, what is the status of these disbelievers of Makkah? We destroyed those people who were far greater than them in strength and power. If they do not desist from their ways, they should also consider their own end. In {’’ اَنْ كُنْتُمْ قَوْمًا مُّسْرِفِيْنَ ‘‘}, the Quraysh of Makkah were addressed directly, but now in {’’ اَشَدَّ مِنْهُمْ بَطْشًا ‘‘}, they are mentioned in the third person; this is a rhetorical shift, intended to express displeasure.

{ وَ مَضٰى مَثَلُ الْاَوَّلِيْنَ:} That is, in the Qur’an, the example of such previous people has already passed. {’’ مَثَلُ ‘‘} also means attribute and condition, that is, the condition of the previous people has passed, such as the people of Nuh, ‘Ad, Thamud, etc. {’’مَضٰي يَمْضِيْ‘‘} means to flow or to proceed, that is, the example of the previous people has spread and their stories have become well-known, which people have continued to narrate generation after generation.

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.

8. 1. That is, they were mightier than the people of Makkah, as stated elsewhere (ۭكَانُوْٓا اَكْثَرَ مِنْهُمْ وَاَشَدَّ قُوَّةً) 40. Ghafir:82) 'They were far greater than them in numbers and strength.'

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.

8. So We destroyed them, though they were mightier than these, and the examples of the former peoples have already passed [7].

[7] The earlier nations were ahead of you in stature, build, strength, and power in every respect. When they denied Our signs and Our messengers, We utterly destroyed them, and now you are doing the same thing, so understand that now your turn for destruction has come.