Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
Similar to the behaviour of the people of Fir‘aun (Pharaoh), and those before them. They belied the Ayât (proofs, evidence, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of their Lord, so We destroyed them for their sins, and We drowned the people of Fir‘aun (Pharaoh) for they were all Zâlimûn (polytheists and wrong-doers).
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
كَدَأْبِkadabiLike (the) way
ءَالِāli(of) people
فِرْعَوْنَ ۙfir'ʿawna(of) Firaun
وَٱلَّذِينَwa-alladhīnaand those who
مِنmin(were) from
قَبْلِهِمْ ۚqablihimbefore them
كَذَّبُوا۟kadhabūThey denied
بِـَٔايَـٰتِbiāyāti(the) Signs
رَبِّهِمْrabbihim(of) their Lord
فَأَهْلَكْنَـٰهُمfa-ahlaknāhumso We destroyed them
بِذُنُوبِهِمْbidhunūbihimfor their sins
وَأَغْرَقْنَآwa-aghraqnāand We drowned
ءَالَāla(the) people
فِرْعَوْنَ ۚfir'ʿawna(of) Firaun
وَكُلٌّۭwakullunand (they) all
كَانُوا۟kānūwere
ظَـٰلِمِينَẓālimīnawrongdoers
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.
(Ayah 54) {كَدَاْبِاٰلِفِرْعَوْنَ …:} That is, the condition of those people who fought against you is like the people of Pharaoh and the disbelievers before them. The purpose of repeating this statement is, firstly, to emphasize the previous point, as it is said: «اَوْلٰىلَكَفَاَوْلٰى (34) ثُمَّاَوْلٰىلَكَفَاَوْلٰى»[ القیامۃ : ۳۴، ۳۵] Secondly, in this there is some detail of the previous verse; in that, {’’كَفَرُوْابِاٰيٰتِاللّٰهِ ‘‘} that is, the denial and rejection of Allah’s signs was mentioned, here it is detailed that along with denial, they also belied them. Thirdly, in that, the mention was of being seized for sins, in this, the detail of the seizing of the people of Pharaoh, that is, the mention of drowning, is given, and the reason for the punishment is clearly explained in explicit words that all of them were wrongdoers, whereas it was stated just before that Allah does not wrong anyone even by the weight of an atom; if they had not been wrongdoers and sinners, Allah would have had no personal enmity with them to destroy or drown them without reason. It should be clear that by Allah’s signs are meant both the commands brought by the messengers and the signs and miracles.
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.
54. 1. This is an emphasis on what has been mentioned earlier; however, in this, the aspect of destruction has been added, that they were drowned. Furthermore, it has been clarified that by drowning them, Allah did not wrong them, rather they themselves were wrongdoers to their own souls. Allah does not wrong anyone (وَمَارَبُّكَبِظَلَّامٍلِّـلْعَبِيْدِ) 41. Fussilat:46)
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.
54. The case of these people is like that of Pharaoh’s people and those before them. They denied the signs of their Lord, so We destroyed them for their sins and drowned Pharaoh’s people [57.1]. They were all wrongdoers.
[57۔ 1] That is, before these disbelievers of Makkah, We had showered the people of Pharaoh and many other nations with blessings. But they showed ingratitude for those blessings. Corruption entered their intentions. Instead of thanking Allah and obeying Him, they turned to disobedience and rebellion. Therefore, We destroyed them as a consequence of their sins, and as for the people of Pharaoh, We drowned them in the sea and wiped out every trace of them. All these nations were disobedient, and all were destroyed—so can these disbelievers now be safe from a bad end?
