Transliteration:( Wa as haabu Madyana wa kuzziba Moosaa fa amlaitu lilkaafireena summa akhaztuhum fakaifa kaana nakeer )
"And the dwellers of Madyan [98] and Musa too was belied, [99] then I let loose the infidels, then I seized them, so how was My torment."
Madyan refers to the settlement of Prophet Shu’aib (عليه السلام).
It was named after Madyan ibn Ibrahim, from whom the community descended.
These people rejected the message of Tawheed and justice, just as other earlier communities did.
Prophet Musa (عليه السلام) was rejected, but not by the Israelites — rather by the Pharaoh and his people.
Therefore, the word “nation” (which might imply Israelites) is not used here.
This verse highlights a recurring pattern: disbelievers throughout history have mocked and rejected prophets.
Allah reminds the Prophet ﷺ — and believers — that facing denial is not a new challenge. It happened even to the greatest of messengers, such as Musa (عليه السلام).
After allowing the disbelievers to persist for some time, Allah seized them with His severe punishment.
The phrase "how was My torment" serves as a stern warning — asking the listener to reflect on the outcome of persistent disbelief.
This verse is meant to strengthen the resolve of the Prophet ﷺ and to warn those who oppose the truth.
The tafsir of Surah Al-Hajj verse 44 by Ibn Kathir is unavailable here.
Please refer to Surah Hajj ayat 42 which provides the complete commentary from verse 42 through 46.
(22:44) and so did the dwellers of Midian, and Moses too was branded a liar. Initially I granted respite to the unbelievers for a while and then seized them.[88] How dreadful was My punishment![89]
88 The instances of some peoples who rejected their Prophets have been cited to impress that they were given respite to reform themselves before they were punished. Therefore: O people of Makkah, you should not be deluded by the delay in your punishment. When the term of respite comes to an end, you shall also be punished like the former people, if you do not mend your ways in the meantime.
89. The Arabic word nakeer is very comprehensive and implies two meanings:
(1) Displeasure at the evil conduct of the other.
(2) A terrible punishment which disfigures the culprit so badly that he cannot even be recognized. The sentence therefore will mean: Just see when I seized them for this evil conduct, how terrible was My chastisement.
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