سُوْرَةُ الرَّعْدِ
Surah Ar-Ra'd (13) — Ayah 32
وَلَقَدِ ٱسْتُهْزِئَ بِرُسُلٍ مِّن قَبْلِكَ فَأَمْلَيْتُ لِلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ ثُمَّ أَخَذْتُهُمْ ۖ فَكَيْفَ كَانَ عِقَابِ ﴿32﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
And indeed (many) Messengers were mocked at before you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم), but I granted respite to those who disbelieved, and finally I punished them. Then how (terrible) was My punishment!
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
وَلَقَدِ
walaqadi
And certainly
ٱسْتُهْزِئَ
us'tuh'zi-a
were mocked
بِرُسُلٍۢ
birusulin
Messengers
مِّن
min
from
قَبْلِكَ
qablika
before you
فَأَمْلَيْتُ
fa-amlaytu
but I granted respite
لِلَّذِينَ
lilladhīna
to those who
كَفَرُوا۟
kafarū
disbelieved
ثُمَّ
thumma
then
أَخَذْتُهُمْ ۖ
akhadhtuhum
I seized them
فَكَيْفَ
fakayfa
and how
كَانَ
kāna
was
عِقَابِ
ʿiqābi
My penalty
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.
(Ayah32){وَ لَقَدِ اسْتُهْزِئَ بِرُسُلٍ …:’’ عِقَابِ ‘‘} was originally {’’عِقَابِيْ‘‘}. For the agreement of the verses, the ya was omitted and the kasrah was left. {’’أَمْلَيْتُ‘‘} is from the form If‘al (defective with waw) meaning to grant respite; the purpose is to console the Prophet (peace be upon him) that he should not be disheartened by the mockery and unjust and impossible demands of these disbelievers, as the same happened with previous messengers. When Noah (peace be upon him) was building the ark, everyone who passed by mocked him. [ ہود : ۳۸ ] The people of Shu‘ayb (peace be upon him) said to him: "Cause a piece of the sky to fall upon us." [ الشعراء : ۱۸۷ ] The people of Hud (peace be upon him) said: "Indeed, we see you in foolishness." [ الأعراف : ۶۶ ] Pharaoh called Moses (peace be upon him) {’’ مُهِيْنٌ ‘‘} (insignificant) and taunted him for his speech impediment. [ الزخرف : ۵۲ ] He said, despite this, I gave the disbelievers respite so that their excuse would be exhausted, then I seized them, so you too should not be grieved by their actions. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: [ إِنَّ اللّٰهَ لَيُمْلِيْ لِلظَّالِمِ حَتّٰی إِذَا أَخَذَهُ لَمْ يُفْلِتْهُ ] "Allah Almighty gives respite to the oppressor, until when He seizes him, He does not let him go." Then the Prophet (peace be upon him) recited this verse: «{ وَ كَذٰلِكَ اَخْذُ رَبِّكَ اِذَاۤ اَخَذَ الْقُرٰى وَ هِيَ ظَالِمَةٌ اِنَّ اَخْذَهٗۤ اَلِيْمٌ شَدِيْدٌ }» [ ھود : ۱۰۲ ] "And such is the seizure of your Lord when He seizes the towns while they are committing wrong. Indeed, His seizure is painful and severe." [ بخاري، التفسیر، باب قولہ : «و کذٰلک أخذ ربک إذا أخذ القریٰ… » : ۴۶۸۶، عن أبي موسٰی رضی اللہ عنہ ۔ مسلم : ۲۵۸۳ ]
