سُوْرَةُ اٰلِ عِمْرٰنَ
Surah Aal-i-Imraan (3) — Ayah 137
قَدْ خَلَتْ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ سُنَنٌ فَسِيرُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ فَٱنظُرُوا۟ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَـٰقِبَةُ ٱلْمُكَذِّبِينَ ﴿137﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
Many similar ways (and mishaps of life) were faced by nations (believers and disbelievers) that have passed away before you (as you have faced in the battle of Uhud), so travel through the earth, and see what was the end of those who disbelieved (in the Oneness of Allâh, and disobeyed Him and His Messengers).
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
قَدْ
qad
Verily
خَلَتْ
khalat
passed
مِن
min
from
قَبْلِكُمْ
qablikum
before you
سُنَنٌۭ
sunanun
situations
فَسِيرُوا۟
fasīrū
then travel
فِى
fī
in
ٱلْأَرْضِ
l-arḍi
the earth
فَٱنظُرُوا۟
fa-unẓurū
and see
كَيْفَ
kayfa
how
كَانَ
kāna
was
عَـٰقِبَةُ
ʿāqibatu
(the) end
ٱلْمُكَذِّبِينَ
l-mukadhibīna
(of) the deniers
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.
137. Many ways of life have passed before you. So travel through the land and see what was the end of those who denied [123].
[123]
Reminder of the Days of Allah:
This subject has appeared in many places in the Noble Quran, and in such verses, people have been given a general invitation to travel through the land and see what was the outcome of those who denied the prophets and the signs of Allah. The details of these outcomes have also been given in several places in the Quran. For example, what happened to the people of ‘Ad, what happened to the people of Thamud, and what happened to the people of Nuh, the companions of Madyan, the companions of Hijr, the people of Saba, and so on. Similarly, the mention of certain individuals also comes, for example, what happened to Pharaoh and the people of Pharaoh. This subject is called in Shari’ah terminology “Tadhkir bi-Ayyamillah,” meaning “to take lesson from those people or nations upon whom punishment came due to denying the prophets and the signs of Allah.” From all such incidents, the ongoing practice of Allah that becomes evident is that when any nation reaches the extreme in disobedience to Allah and becomes immersed in sins, then Allah sends upon it such a punishment that destroys and ruins it, and its name is erased from the page of existence, and this is such a Sunnah of Allah that is always fulfilled. If you do not believe, then travel through the land and see. Therefore, you too should be cautious in this matter.
[123]
Reminder of the Days of Allah:
This subject has appeared in many places in the Noble Quran, and in such verses, people have been given a general invitation to travel through the land and see what was the outcome of those who denied the prophets and the signs of Allah. The details of these outcomes have also been given in several places in the Quran. For example, what happened to the people of ‘Ad, what happened to the people of Thamud, and what happened to the people of Nuh, the companions of Madyan, the companions of Hijr, the people of Saba, and so on. Similarly, the mention of certain individuals also comes, for example, what happened to Pharaoh and the people of Pharaoh. This subject is called in Shari’ah terminology “Tadhkir bi-Ayyamillah,” meaning “to take lesson from those people or nations upon whom punishment came due to denying the prophets and the signs of Allah.” From all such incidents, the ongoing practice of Allah that becomes evident is that when any nation reaches the extreme in disobedience to Allah and becomes immersed in sins, then Allah sends upon it such a punishment that destroys and ruins it, and its name is erased from the page of existence, and this is such a Sunnah of Allah that is always fulfilled. If you do not believe, then travel through the land and see. Therefore, you too should be cautious in this matter.
