سُوْرَةُ الْاَعْرَافِ

Surah Al-A'raaf (7) — Ayah 162

The Heights · Meccan · Juz 9 · Page 171

فَبَدَّلَ ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا۟ مِنْهُمْ قَوْلًا غَيْرَ ٱلَّذِى قِيلَ لَهُمْ فَأَرْسَلْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ رِجْزًا مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَظْلِمُونَ ﴿162﴾
But those among them who did wrong changed the word that had been told to them. So We sent on them a torment from the heaven in return for their wrong-doings.
فَبَدَّلَ fabaddala But changed
ٱلَّذِينَ alladhīna those who
ظَلَمُوا۟ ẓalamū wronged
مِنْهُمْ min'hum among them
قَوْلًا qawlan word
غَيْرَ ghayra other than
ٱلَّذِى alladhī (that) which
قِيلَ qīla was said
لَهُمْ lahum to them
فَأَرْسَلْنَا fa-arsalnā So We sent
عَلَيْهِمْ ʿalayhim upon them
رِجْزًۭا rij'zan torment
مِّنَ mina from
ٱلسَّمَآءِ l-samāi the sky
بِمَا bimā because
كَانُوا۟ kānū they were
يَظْلِمُونَ yaẓlimūna doing wrong

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.

162. 1. The matters that have been mentioned in verses 160 to 162 are the same as those stated at the beginning of Juz’ Alif Lam Meem, Surah Al-Baqarah. Their details may be seen there.

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.

162. But those among them who did wrong changed the words that had been said to them for another. So We sent upon them a punishment from the sky because [166] they used to do wrong.

[166]
The Arrogance of the Victorious Army and the Punishment:

But these unfortunate people completely violated Our command. Instead of humility and submissiveness after the victory, pride and arrogance developed among them, and they began to boast. They also committed great treachery in the spoils of war. They practiced oppression and violence in the conquered territory. In short, they did everything that worldly people usually do at the time of victory. Seeing these behaviors, Allah sent punishment upon them. As for what this punishment was, the commentators have two opinions: one is that a plague broke out among them, and the other is that the enemy nation once again defeated the Children of Israel and killed them mercilessly.