سُوْرَةُ الذَّارِياتِ

Surah Adh-Dhaariyat (51) — Ayah 37

The Winnowing Winds · Meccan · Juz 27 · Page 522

وَتَرَكْنَا فِيهَآ ءَايَةً لِّلَّذِينَ يَخَافُونَ ٱلْعَذَابَ ٱلْأَلِيمَ ﴿37﴾
And We have left there a sign (i.e. the place of the Dead Sea in Palestine) for those who fear the painful torment.
وَتَرَكْنَا wataraknā And We left
فِيهَآ fīhā therein
ءَايَةًۭ āyatan a Sign
لِّلَّذِينَ lilladhīna for those who
يَخَافُونَ yakhāfūna fear
ٱلْعَذَابَ l-ʿadhāba the punishment
ٱلْأَلِيمَ l-alīma the painful

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 37){ وَ تَرَكْنَا فِيْهَاۤ اٰيَةً لِّلَّذِيْنَ يَخَافُوْنَ الْعَذَابَ الْاَلِيْمَ:} This town was made a sign for those who fear the painful punishment so that only they take heed and benefit from it. As for those who, instead of fearing, adopt rebellion and follow their desires, for them every sign only increases them in disbelief and rebellion. See also Surah Al-Hijr (75–77) and Surah Al-Ankabut (35).

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.

37. 1. This verse or complete sign refers to those traces of punishment which remained for a period in the destroyed towns. And this sign is also only for those who fear the punishment of Allah, because only they accept the effect of admonition and advice, and only they ponder over the signs.

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.

And We left there a sign [31] for those who fear the painful punishment.

[31]
A Sign for the People: The Dead Sea

That sign was that when the angels lifted up the entire region of land, raised it high, and then turned it upside down and hurled it onto the earth, this whole region sank into the ground and went four hundred kilometers below sea level, and black water covered it. This water formed into a sea. This body of water is called the Sea of Death, the Dead Sea, or the Drowned Land of Lot. The southern area of this Dead Sea still today presents the signs of a tremendous destruction.