Tafsir of Az-Zumar 39:51

"Then the evil consequences of what they earned struck them" (i.e., the recompense for the evil of their deeds struck them, or the very things they earned struck them). This is on the basis that the speech contains an implied genitive addition, or that there is a figurative substitution of the term "evil consequences" for what resulted from them. It may also be said that the recompense of an evil deed is called an "evil deed" as a form of stylistic parity (mushakalah), similar to the Almighty’s saying: "And the recompense of an evil deed is an evil one like it." Thus, what is here is a case of implied stylistic parity. If the meaning is predicated upon making the recompense for all that they earned "evil," then the speech indicates that all which they earned was evil; for had there been any good in it, they would have been recompensed for it with a good recompense, and therein lies what is contained of disparagement toward them.

"And those who have done wrong among these" (the polytheists). The "among" (min) is for clarification, for they were all wrongdoers, since polytheism is a great wrong. Or, it is for partition, in which case the intended meaning of "those who have done wrong" are those who persisted in wrongdoing until a calamity struck them, and they are a portion of them.

"The evil consequences of what they earned will strike them," just as it struck those before them. The intended meaning is worldly punishment; they were struck by famine for seven years, and it is said: their leaders were killed at Badr. It is also said that it refers to the punishment of the Hereafter, and it is said that it refers to both. The first is deemed more probable as it is more consistent with the context.

The Almighty’s saying, "And they will not be able to escape," points to—meaning they will not be able to evade—as has been said, the punishment of the Hereafter.