Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
Verily, We sent against them a furious wind of harsh voice on a day of evil omen and continuous calamity.
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
إِنَّآinnāIndeed, We
أَرْسَلْنَاarsalnā[We] sent
عَلَيْهِمْʿalayhimupon them
رِيحًۭاrīḥana wind
صَرْصَرًۭاṣarṣaranfurious
فِىfīon
يَوْمِyawmia day
نَحْسٍۢnaḥsin(of) misfortune
مُّسْتَمِرٍّۢmus'tamirrincontinuous
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim — Hafiz Abdus Salam Bin Muhammad Bhutvi
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 — Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf
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.
19. 1. It is said that it was Wednesday evening when this fierce, icy, and howling wind began, and then it continued to blow for 7 nights and 8 days without interruption. This wind would even lift people who were locked inside their homes and fortresses, and would hurl them to the ground with such force that their heads would be separated from their bodies. This day proved to be inauspicious for them in terms of punishment. This does not mean that there is any inauspiciousness in Wednesday or any other day, as some people think. The meaning of "mustamir" is that this punishment continued until all were destroyed.
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran — Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani
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.
19. We unleashed upon them a furious wind on an unlucky day, which blew continuously [18].
[18] Is Any Day Inherently Unlucky or Auspicious?
It is said that this day was the last Wednesday of the month of Shawwal, from which some superstitious people assumed that the last Wednesday of every month is an unlucky day. Then, based on some weak and fabricated narrations, many annotations were added to this belief, such as that one should not travel on this day, should not conduct business, and so on. All such things are superstitions, and the reasons for this are as follows: 1. At this place, the word ﴿فِيْيَوْمِنَحْسٍ﴾ is used, whereas in Surah Ha Mim As-Sajdah, verse 16, the words ﴿فِيْٓاَيَّامٍنَّحِسَاتٍ﴾ are mentioned. And in Surah Al-Haqqah, it is explicitly stated that this punishment remained upon them for eight days and seven nights continuously. That is, the punishment started on Wednesday and lasted until the next Wednesday. In this regard, all the days of the week were unlucky, and not a single one was auspicious. And no one accepts this notion. 2. The same day is unlucky for one nation and auspicious for another. For example, this very day was auspicious for Sayyiduna Hud ؑ and his followers, whom Allah saved from this calamity. Or, for instance, the day of Ashura (10th Muharram) was unlucky for Pharaoh and his people, but this day was auspicious and a day of great joy for Sayyiduna Musa ؑ and Bani Israel. 3. Allah Almighty has not created any day that is inherently unlucky or auspicious for everyone. This is a division made by astrologers and those who believe in the effects of planets on human life, that such and such a day is unlucky and such and such is auspicious. The Shariah declares such a division to be shirk.