سُوْرَةُ الرُّوْمِ
Surah Ar-Room (30) — Ayah 9
أَوَلَمْ يَسِيرُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ فَيَنظُرُوا۟ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَـٰقِبَةُ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ ۚ كَانُوٓا۟ أَشَدَّ مِنْهُمْ قُوَّةً وَأَثَارُوا۟ ٱلْأَرْضَ وَعَمَرُوهَآ أَكْثَرَ مِمَّا عَمَرُوهَا وَجَآءَتْهُمْ رُسُلُهُم بِٱلْبَيِّنَـٰتِ ۖ فَمَا كَانَ ٱللَّهُ لِيَظْلِمَهُمْ وَلَـٰكِن كَانُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَهُمْ يَظْلِمُونَ ﴿9﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
Do they not travel in the land, and see what was the end of those before them? They were superior to them in strength, and they tilled the earth and populated it in greater numbers than these (pagans) have done: and there came to them their Messengers with clear proofs. Surely, Allâh wronged them not, but they used to wrong themselves.
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
أَوَلَمْ
awalam
Have not
يَسِيرُوا۟
yasīrū
they traveled
فِى
fī
in
ٱلْأَرْضِ
l-arḍi
the earth
فَيَنظُرُوا۟
fayanẓurū
and observed
كَيْفَ
kayfa
how
كَانَ
kāna
was
عَـٰقِبَةُ
ʿāqibatu
(the) end
ٱلَّذِينَ
alladhīna
(of) those
مِن
min
before them
قَبْلِهِمْ ۚ
qablihim
before them
كَانُوٓا۟
kānū
They were
أَشَدَّ
ashadda
mightier
مِنْهُمْ
min'hum
than them
قُوَّةًۭ
quwwatan
(in) strength
وَأَثَارُوا۟
wa-athārū
and they dug
ٱلْأَرْضَ
l-arḍa
the earth
وَعَمَرُوهَآ
waʿamarūhā
and built (on) it
أَكْثَرَ
akthara
more
مِمَّا
mimmā
than what
عَمَرُوهَا
ʿamarūhā
they have built (on) it
وَجَآءَتْهُمْ
wajāathum
And came (to) them
رُسُلُهُم
rusuluhum
their Messengers
بِٱلْبَيِّنَـٰتِ ۖ
bil-bayināti
with clear proofs
فَمَا
famā
So not
كَانَ
kāna
was
ٱللَّهُ
l-lahu
Allah
لِيَظْلِمَهُمْ
liyaẓlimahum
to wrong them
وَلَـٰكِن
walākin
but
كَانُوٓا۟
kānū
they were
أَنفُسَهُمْ
anfusahum
themselves
يَظْلِمُونَ
yaẓlimūna
(doing) wrong
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.
9-1. This is a reproach for not reflecting on the ruins, remnants, and signs of warning. The meaning is that they have already observed them by traveling around.
9-2. That is, those disbelievers whom Allah destroyed due to their disbelief in Allah, denial of the truth, and rejection of the messengers.
9-3. That is, even more than the Quraysh and the people of Makkah.
9-4. That is, the people of Makkah are unfamiliar with agriculture, but the previous nations surpassed them even in this characteristic.
9-5. Because their lifespans were longer, they were physically stronger, and they had more means of livelihood. Thus, they built more structures, engaged in more agriculture and farming, and had greater resources for sustenance.
9-6. But they did not believe in them. Therefore, despite all their strengths, advancements, and ease and prosperity, destruction was destined for them.
9-7. That He would afflict them with punishment without any sin.
9-8. That is, by denying Allah and rejecting the messengers.
9-2. That is, those disbelievers whom Allah destroyed due to their disbelief in Allah, denial of the truth, and rejection of the messengers.
9-3. That is, even more than the Quraysh and the people of Makkah.
9-4. That is, the people of Makkah are unfamiliar with agriculture, but the previous nations surpassed them even in this characteristic.
9-5. Because their lifespans were longer, they were physically stronger, and they had more means of livelihood. Thus, they built more structures, engaged in more agriculture and farming, and had greater resources for sustenance.
9-6. But they did not believe in them. Therefore, despite all their strengths, advancements, and ease and prosperity, destruction was destined for them.
9-7. That He would afflict them with punishment without any sin.
9-8. That is, by denying Allah and rejecting the messengers.
