سُوْرَةُ الْمُؤْمِنِ
Surah Ghafir (40) — Ayah 21
۞ أَوَلَمْ يَسِيرُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ فَيَنظُرُوا۟ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَـٰقِبَةُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَانُوا۟ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ ۚ كَانُوا۟ هُمْ أَشَدَّ مِنْهُمْ قُوَّةً وَءَاثَارًا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ فَأَخَذَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ بِذُنُوبِهِمْ وَمَا كَانَ لَهُم مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ مِن وَاقٍ ﴿21﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
Have they not travelled in the land and seen what was the end of those who were before them? They were superior to them in strength, and in the traces (which they left) in the land. But Allâh seized them with punishment for their sins. And none had they to protect them from Allâh.
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
۞ أَوَلَمْ
awalam
Do not
يَسِيرُوا۟
yasīrū
they travel
فِى
fī
in
ٱلْأَرْضِ
l-arḍi
the earth
فَيَنظُرُوا۟
fayanẓurū
and see
كَيْفَ
kayfa
how
كَانَ
kāna
was
عَـٰقِبَةُ
ʿāqibatu
(the) end
ٱلَّذِينَ
alladhīna
(of) those who
كَانُوا۟
kānū
were
مِن
min
before them
قَبْلِهِمْ ۚ
qablihim
before them
كَانُوا۟
kānū
They were
هُمْ
hum
[they]
أَشَدَّ
ashadda
superior
مِنْهُمْ
min'hum
to them
قُوَّةًۭ
quwwatan
(in) strength
وَءَاثَارًۭا
waāthāran
and (in) impressions
فِى
fī
in
ٱلْأَرْضِ
l-arḍi
the land
فَأَخَذَهُمُ
fa-akhadhahumu
but Allah seized them
ٱللَّهُ
l-lahu
but Allah seized them
بِذُنُوبِهِمْ
bidhunūbihim
for their sins
وَمَا
wamā
and not
كَانَ
kāna
was
لَهُم
lahum
for them
مِّنَ
mina
against
ٱللَّهِ
l-lahi
Allah
مِن
min
any
وَاقٍۢ
wāqin
protector
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.
Have they not traveled through the land and seen what was the end of those before them? They were stronger than them in power and left more traces in the land. But Allah seized them for their sins, and they had no protector [29] against Allah.
[29]
The Desire to Leave a Legacy:
The desire to leave a legacy is found in a person who considers himself to be something significant. However, in this matter, every person has his own unique taste. These people left behind such monuments that indicated their grandeur and glory. But when Allah's punishment came, neither their grandeur nor the monuments they left behind were of any use to them. So, when nothing in this world could save them from Allah's punishment, who will be able to save them in the Hereafter?
[29]
The Desire to Leave a Legacy:
The desire to leave a legacy is found in a person who considers himself to be something significant. However, in this matter, every person has his own unique taste. These people left behind such monuments that indicated their grandeur and glory. But when Allah's punishment came, neither their grandeur nor the monuments they left behind were of any use to them. So, when nothing in this world could save them from Allah's punishment, who will be able to save them in the Hereafter?
