Transliteration:( Awalam yaseeroo fil ardi fa yanzuroo kaifa kaana 'aaqibatul lazeena kaanoo min qablihim; kaanoo hum ashadda minhum quwwatanw wa aasaaran fil ardi fa akhazahumul laahu bizunoobihim wa maa kaana lahum minal laahi minw waaq )
54. From this, emerge two issues:
1. To undertake a journey to see the symbols and signs of Almighty Allah is commendable.Says Allah Almighty: "Travel in the earth, then see how Allah makes first, then Allah brings up second growth" (S29 V20).
2. If, to frequent the localities of the infidels for the purpose of seeing the effects of punishment is an act of worship, then being in the localities of the beloveds of Allah for witnessing Divine mercy, too, is an act of worship.
55. Very strong buildings, rivers, bridges, etc. through which their strength, wealth and skills are being revealed.
56. This tells us that Allah Almighty will appoint many servants to save the believers from the punishment.
21. Have they not traveled 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 in the land. But Allah seized them with punishment for their sins. And none had they to protect them from Allah. 22. That was because there came to them their Messengers with clear evidences but they disbelieved (in them). So Allah seized them. Verily, He is All-Strong, Severe in punishment.
(Have they not traveled), `these people who disbelieve in your Message, O Muhammad,’
(in the land and seen what was the end of those who were before them) means, the nations of the past who disbelieved in their Prophets (peace be upon them), for which the punishment came upon them even though they were stronger than Quraysh.
(and in the traces in the land.) means, they left behind traces in the earth, such as structures, buildings and dwellings which these people ï´¿i.e., the Qurayshï´¾ cannot match. This is like the Ayat:
(And indeed We had firmly established them with that wherewith We have not established you!) (46:26)
(and they tilled the earth and populated it in greater numbers than these have done) (30:9). Yet despite this great strength, Allah punished them for their sin, which was their disbelief in their Messengers.
(And none had they to protect them from Allah.) means, they had no one who could protect them or ward off the punishment from them. Then Allah mentions the reason why He punished them, and the sins which they committed. Allah says:
(That was because there came to them their Messengers with clear evidences) meaning with clear proof and definitive evidence.
(but they disbelieved.) means, despite all these signs, they disbelieved and rejected the Message.
(So Allah seized them.) means, He destroyed them utterly, and a similar fate awaits the disbelievers.
(Verily, He is All-Strong, Severe in punishment) means, He is possessed of great strength and might.
(Severe in punishment, ) means, His punishment is severe and agonizing; we seek refuge with Allah, may He be blessed and exalted, from that.
There is no commentary by Abul Maududi available for this verse.
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