سُوْرَةُ الْاَنْفَالِ

Surah Al-Anfaal (8) — Ayah 52

The Spoils of War · Medinan · Juz 10 · Page 183

كَدَأْبِ ءَالِ فِرْعَوْنَ ۙ وَٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ ۚ كَفَرُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ فَأَخَذَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ بِذُنُوبِهِمْ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ قَوِىٌّ شَدِيدُ ٱلْعِقَابِ ﴿52﴾
Similar to the behaviour of the people of Fir‘aun (Pharaoh), and of those before them - they rejected the Ayât (proofs, verses, etc.) of Allâh, so Allâh punished them for their sins. Verily, Allâh is All-Strong, Severe in punishment.
كَدَأْبِ kadabi Like (the) way
ءَالِ āli (of) people
فِرْعَوْنَ ۙ fir'ʿawna (of) Firaun
وَٱلَّذِينَ wa-alladhīna and those who
مِن min (were) from
قَبْلِهِمْ ۚ qablihim before them
كَفَرُوا۟ kafarū They disbelieved
بِـَٔايَـٰتِ biāyāti in (the) Signs
ٱللَّهِ l-lahi (of) Allah
فَأَخَذَهُمُ fa-akhadhahumu so seized them
ٱللَّهُ l-lahu Allah
بِذُنُوبِهِمْ ۗ bidhunūbihim for their sins
إِنَّ inna Indeed
ٱللَّهَ l-laha Allah
قَوِىٌّۭ qawiyyun (is) All-Strong
شَدِيدُ shadīdu (and) severe
ٱلْعِقَابِ l-ʿiqābi (in) the penalty

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 52) {كَدَاْبِ اٰلِ فِرْعَوْنَ وَ الَّذِيْنَ مِنْ قَبْلِهِمْ …:} Here the subject is omitted {’’ دَأْبُهُمْ كَدَأْبِ آلِ فِرْعَوْنَ …‘‘} that is, their condition in denying the signs of Allah and consequently being afflicted with punishment is like that of the people of Pharaoh and the disbelievers before them.

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.

52. 1. The meaning of دَأبً is habit. The letter 'Kaf' is for comparison. That is, the habit or condition of these polytheists, in denying Allah's messengers, is just like the habit or condition of Pharaoh and the previous deniers before him.

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.

52. The case of these disbelievers is like that of Pharaoh’s people and those before them [56]. They denied the signs of Allah, so Allah seized them for their sins. Surely, Allah is All-Powerful and severe in punishment.

[56] That is, there is no difference between the people of Pharaoh, the people of ‘Ad, Thamud, and Nuh, etc., and these polytheists of Makkah. They too denied the signs of Allah Almighty and persisted in disobedience and rebellion, and these people are doing the same. Therefore, just as those earlier peoples had to face punishment for their sins, these people too had to face the punishment of Badr and will continue to face it in the future. For Allah Almighty has full power to give such punishment.