سُوْرَةُ الذَّارِياتِ

Surah Adh-Dhaariyat (51) — Ayah 44

The Winnowing Winds · Meccan · Juz 27 · Page 522

فَعَتَوْا۟ عَنْ أَمْرِ رَبِّهِمْ فَأَخَذَتْهُمُ ٱلصَّـٰعِقَةُ وَهُمْ يَنظُرُونَ ﴿44﴾
But they insolently defied the Command of their Lord, so the Sâ‘iqah overtook them while they were looking.
فَعَتَوْا۟ faʿataw But they rebelled
عَنْ ʿan against
أَمْرِ amri (the) Command
رَبِّهِمْ rabbihim (of) their Lord
فَأَخَذَتْهُمُ fa-akhadhathumu so seized them
ٱلصَّـٰعِقَةُ l-ṣāʿiqatu the thunderbolt
وَهُمْ wahum while they
يَنظُرُونَ yanẓurūna were looking

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 tafsir of this verse may be read with the following verses.

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.

44. 1. (کڑاکا) was a heavenly scream and with it was (an earthquake) as is in (فَاَخَذَتْهُمُ الرَّجْفَةُ فَاَصْبَحُوْا فِيْ دَارِهِمْ جٰثِمِيْنَ 78؀) 7. Al-A'raf:78).

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.

44. But they defied the command of their Lord, so the punishment of the thunderbolt seized them before their very eyes [38].

[38]
The Punishment of the Falling Thunderbolt:

Saaiqah refers to the lightning that falls from the sky, and whatever it strikes, it burns and reduces to ashes. The story of the people of Thamud has already been mentioned in many places before. The punishment that descended upon them is sometimes described with the word "Sayhah" (a mighty scream, thunder, explosion) and sometimes with "Rajfah" (earthquake). It is as if the punishment came upon them both from the earth and from the sky, and at each place, one aspect of it has been mentioned.