Tafsir Ibn Kathir on Qaf 50:36

Surah Qaf 50:36

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ﱁ ﱂ ﱃ ﱄ ﱅ ﱆ ﱇ ﱈ ﱉ ﱊ ﱋ ﱌ ﱍ ﱎ ﱏ

And how many a generation before them did We destroy who were greater than them in [striking] power and had explored throughout the lands. Is there any place of escape?

Warning the Disbelievers of the imminent Torment; Allah says,

وكم أهلكنا قبلهم

And how many ... Allah the Exalted asks, `how many We have destroyed before these denying disbelievers?'

من قرن هم أشد منهم بطشا

a generation who were stronger in power than they. they were more numerous, mightier than they and who constructed on the earth and built on it more than they. The statement of Allah the Exalted,

فنقبوا في البﻼد هل من محيص

And they went about the land! Could they find any place of refuge? Ibn Abbas commented, "They left the traces throughout the land,'' Qatadah said, "They traveled throughout the land seeking provisions through trade and business, more than you have.'' Allah's statement,

هل من محيص

(Could they find any place of refuge?) means, `could they find a shelter from Allah's decision and appointed destiny? Have what they collected benefited them or averted Allah's torment when it came to them on account of their denial of the Messengers? Likewise, you will never be able to avert, avoid, or find refuge or shelter (from His torment).' Allah the Exalted and Most Honored said,

Tafsir of Qaf 50:36

Tafsir Ibn Kathir