سُوْرَةُ الذَّارِياتِ

Surah Adh-Dhaariyat (51) — Ayah 41

The Winnowing Winds · Meccan · Juz 27 · Page 522

وَفِى عَادٍ إِذْ أَرْسَلْنَا عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلرِّيحَ ٱلْعَقِيمَ ﴿41﴾
And in ‘Âd (there is also a sign) when We sent against them the barren wind;
وَفِى wafī And in
عَادٍ ʿādin Aad
إِذْ idh when
أَرْسَلْنَا arsalnā We sent
عَلَيْهِمُ ʿalayhimu against them
ٱلرِّيحَ l-rīḥa the wind
ٱلْعَقِيمَ l-ʿaqīma the barren

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 41) {وَ فِيْ عَادٍ اِذْ اَرْسَلْنَا عَلَيْهِمُ الرِّيْحَ الْعَقِيْمَ:} That is, in the people of ‘Ad, We also left a sign and a great lesson. {’’ الْعَقِيْمَ ‘‘} The womb or woman from whom a child is not born, such a man is also called {’’عقيم‘‘}, then everything that is devoid of goodness and blessing is also called by this name. The wind that was unleashed upon the people of ‘Ad was also devoid of all goodness and blessing and was utter destruction and ruin, therefore it was called {’’ الْعَقِيْمَ ‘‘}. For details, see Surah Al-Haqqah (6 to 8), Qamar (19, 20), and Surah Al-Ahqaf (24, 25).

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.

41. 1 We left a sign in the story of ‘Ad.
41. 2 الریح العقیم (barren wind): A wind in which there was no goodness or blessing; it was not a wind that made trees fruitful nor a bringer of rain, rather it was only a wind of destruction and punishment.

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 in the story of ‘Ad (there is also a sign), when We unleashed upon them a devastating [35] wind,

[35]
The Destructive Wind Upon the People of 'Ad:

The literal meaning of ﴿رِيْحَ الْعَقِيْمِ﴾ is "barren wind," that is, a wind devoid of all kinds of goodness and blessing, and in it there is nothing but harm upon harm. Some winds bring comfort, some fill the mind with fragrance, some bring glad tidings of rain, some carry clouds, and some carry the seeds of male trees. In all these, there is some aspect of goodness and blessing, but the wind that was unleashed upon the people of 'Ad was devoid of all goodness and blessing, and was barren.