Transliteration:( Fakullan akhaznaa bi zanbihee faminhum man arsalnaa 'alaihi haasibaa; wa minhum man akhazat hus saihatu wa minhum man khasafnaa bihil arda wa minhum man aghraqnaa; wa maa kaanal laahu li yazlimahum wa laakin kaanoo anfusahum yazlimoon )
"Then We seized each of them on account of his sin [98], then as to some of them We sent the storm of stoning, and as to some of them, a roaring blast overtook them and as to some of them, We buried in the earth and as to some of them, We drowned [99]. And it was not befitting to the Dignity of Allah that He would have oppressed them; indeed, they themselves oppressed their souls [100]."
This verse clarifies that each nation or group faced destruction due to their own evil deeds, not because of others’ wrongdoing. The true believers were separated before any divine punishment was sent. Though some innocents like children and animals were also destroyed outwardly, this occurred in the worldly realm and does not contradict divine justice, as the Hereafter will provide full compensation and fairness.
The punishment matched the crime and people:
People of Lut were stoned from above.
Thamud were destroyed by a roaring cry.
Qarun was swallowed by the earth.
Nation of Nuh was drowned.
These various forms demonstrate Allah’s limitless power and serve as lessons for all generations. Each punishment reflects a direct response to the specific arrogance or rebellion shown by that community.
Allah affirms that He does not wrong anyone. The people invited destruction upon themselves. Just like a person committing suicide is responsible for his own death, these communities were the cause of their own ruin.
Even if external injustice was inflicted on others, ultimately, they also wronged their own souls by violating divine laws. A sinner misuses the soul entrusted by Allah, denying its rights and dragging it toward Hell. Thus, both inwardly and outwardly, such people are oppressors by choice.
The tafsir of Surah Ankabut verse 40 by Ibn Kathir is unavailable here.
Please refer to Surah Ankabut ayat 38 which provides the complete commentary from verse 38 through 40.
(29:40) So We seized each for their sin. We let loose upon some a violent tornado with showers of stones;[68] some were overtaken by a mighty Cry;[69] some were caused to be swallowed up by the earth,[70] and some We drowned.[71] Allah would not wrong them, but it is they who wronged themselves.[72]
68. That is, Aad who were subjected to a furious windstorm which blew on them for seven nights and eight days continuously.
69. That is, Thamud.
70. That is, Korah.
71. That is, Pharaoh and Haman.
72. The stories that have been related in the foregoing verses, have been addressed and directed both to the believers and to the disbelievers. To the believers they have been addressed so that they do not feel discouraged and distressed at heart, and keep aloft the banner of the truth firmly and patiently even in the face of the severe persecutions and hardships, and should have full faith in Allah that His succor shall ultimately come, and He will frustrate the designs of the wicked people and make the word of the truth to prevail. On the other hand, these have been addressed to those wicked people also, who in their arrogance were bent upon exterminating the Islamic movement. They have been warned to the effect: “You have formed a wrong opinion about Allah’s forbearance and clemency. You think; that His is a lawless Kingdom. If you have not been seized so far for your rebellion and your tyrannies and wicked deeds and have been granted a long respite so that you may reform yourselves, you have inferred that there exists no power whatsoever which can call you to account, and that one can go on doing whatever one likes endlessly on this earth. This misconception will ultimately lead you to the same doom that has already been met by the peoples of Noah and Lot and Shuaib, (peace be upon them) and experienced by Aad and Thamud, and seen by Korah and Pharaoh.
For a faster and smoother experience,
install our mobile app now.
Related Ayat(Verses)/Topics