Tafsir of Al-`Ankabut 29:38-39

Surah Al-Ankabut (The Spider): Verses 38–39

{And [We destroyed] 'Ad and Thamud. And indeed, it has become clear to you from their dwellings.}

The Almighty then said: {And 'Ad and Thamud}, meaning, We destroyed 'Ad and Thamud. This is inferred because His statement: {And the blast seized them} (implied from the context of the preceding verses, referring to their destruction) indicates annihilation. {And indeed, it has become clear to you from their dwellings}—the matter and what you can learn from them.

Then He clarified the reason for what befell them: {and Satan had made their deeds attractive to them, and he diverted them from the way}.

His statement {and Satan had made their deeds attractive to them} means their worship of other than Allah. {and he diverted them from the way} means diverting them from the worship of Allah. {and they were people of insight}—meaning, they had been enlightened by the Messengers, so they had no excuse in this matter, as the Messengers had clarified the paths.

Then the Almighty said: {And Qarun and Pharaoh and Haman}, connecting them to those previously mentioned, meaning: And We destroyed Qarun, Pharaoh, and Haman.

{And indeed, Moses came to them with clear signs, but they were arrogant in the land.}

Then the Almighty said: {And indeed, Moses came to them with clear signs}, just as He mentioned regarding 'Ad and Thamud: {and they were people of insight}—meaning, enlightened by the Messengers.

Then the Almighty said: {but they were arrogant in the land}. His statement {in the land} points to the foolishness of their arrogance. This is because those on earth are the weakest category of accountable beings, while those in the heavens are the strongest. Furthermore, those in the heavens do not become arrogant toward Allah or refuse to worship Him, so how could one on earth be arrogant?

Then the Almighty said: {and they could not outstrip Us}, meaning they could not escape Allah’s grasp. We have already clarified in His statement: {And you will never frustrate [Us] on earth} (Al-Ankabut: 22) that the intent is that the regions of the earth are within the grip of Allah’s power.

{So each [of them] We seized for his sin. And among them were those upon whom We sent a harsh wind, and among them were those seized by the blast, and among them were those whom We caused the earth to swallow, and among them were those whom We drowned. And Allah would not have wronged them, but they wronged themselves.}