Tafsir of Al-`Ankabut 29:37

(So they denied him) regarding what his words contained—namely, that if they did not comply with his commands and prohibitions, punishment would befall them (this is the view adopted by Abu Hayyan), or—it is said—that Allah, Exalted is He, is the only One worthy of being worshipped, or that the Last Day is certain to occur, or something similar.

(So there seized them) on account of their denying him, (the earthquake), meaning the violent tremor. In Surah Hud, it is mentioned: "And the shriek seized those who had wronged," meaning the shriek of Gabriel, peace be upon him; for it is what caused the earthquake due to its disturbance of the air and the parts of the earth adjacent to it. Mujahid interpreted "the earthquake" here as the "shriek," saying that it is so because the hearts trembled (rajafat) from it.

(And they became within their home), meaning their city—for "home" (dar) is used to refer to a city, which is why Medina is called the "Home of Hijrah"—or it refers to their dwellings. The singular form is used in place of the plural because there is no danger of confusion, as they would not all be in one single house. Perhaps this contains an indication that the earthquake destroyed their dwellings and demolished the walls between them, so they became like a single dwelling.

(Jathimeen), meaning kneeling upon their knees; the intent is that they were dead. This is narrated from Qatada. In Mufradat al-Raghib, it is a metaphor for those who are stationary, derived from the saying: "The bird jathama," meaning when it settles and presses itself against the ground. This also refers back to being dead.