Al-Qur'an Surah Ar-Ra'd Verse 32

Mufti Taqi Usmani

Messengers have been mocked at before you, so I let the disbelievers go on for a while. Then I seized them. So, how was My punishment?

Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

Other messengers had already been ridiculed before you, but I delayed the disbelievers ˹for a while˺ then seized them. And how ˹horrible˺ was My punishment!

Ruwwad Translation Center

There were messengers before you who were ridiculed, but I gave respite to those who disbelieved, then I seized them. How [terrible] was My chastisement!

A. J. Arberry

Messengers indeed were scoffed at before thee, and I respited the unbelievers; then I seized them -- and how was my retribution?

Abdul Haleem

Many messengers before you [Muhammad] were mocked, but I granted respite to the disbelievers: in the end, I took them to task- how terrible My punishment was!

Abdul Majid Daryabadi

And assuredly mocked were apostles before thee; then I respited those who disbelieved; thereafter took hold of them; so of what wise hath been My requital.

Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Mocked were (many) messengers before thee; but I granted respite to the unbelievers, and finally I punished them; Then how (terrible) was my requital!

Abul Ala Maududi

Surely the Messengers before you were ridiculed, but I always initially granted respite to those who disbelieved, and then I seized them (with chastisement). Then, how awesome was My chastisement!

Ahmed Ali

Many an apostle have they mocked before you; but I allowed the unbelievers respite, then I seized them. How severe was My punishment then!

Ahmed Raza Khan

And indeed the Noble Messengers before you were also mocked – I therefore gave the mockers respite for some days and then seized them; so how (dreadful) was My punishment!

Ali Quli Qarai

Apostles were certainly derided before you. But then I gave respite to those who were faithless, then I seized them; so how was My retribution?

Ali Ünal

Messengers were certainly mocked before you. Yet (despite all that they did), I gave respite to those who disbelieved, but then I seized them (with terrible destructions). Then, (see) how was My retribution!

Amatul Rahman Omar

And surely Messengers before you were treated scornfully. But (at first) I granted respite to those who disbelieved, after that I took them to task; and (behold) how (exemplary) was then My punishment.

English Literal

And with messengers from before you had been mocked/made fun (of), so I extended to those who disbelieved in time/enjoyment , then I punished them , so how was My punishment?

Faridul Haque

And indeed the Noble Messengers before you were also mocked - I therefore gave the mockers respite for some days and then seized them; so how (dreadful) was My punishment!

Hamid S. Aziz

And if there were a Quran by which the mountains were moved, or by which the earth was torn asunder, or the dead made to speak (this would be the one, but what would be the point) - Nay, Allah´s is the whole command! Did not those who believe know that if Allah had pleased He would have guided all mankind? As for those who disbelieve calamity (disaster) does not cease to overtake them for what they do, or it dwells close by their homes until Allah´s promise comes to pass. Verily, Allah fails not in His promise.

Hilali & Khan

And indeed (many) Messengers were mocked at before you (O Muhammad SAW), but I granted respite to those who disbelieved, and finally I punished them. Then how (terrible) was My Punishment!

Maulana Mohammad Ali

And if there could be a Qur’an with which the mountains were made to pass away, or the earth were cloven asunder, or the dead were made to speak -- nay, the commandment is wholly Allah’s. Do not those who believe know that, if Allah please, He would certainly guide all the people? And as for those who disbelieve, disaster will not cease to afflict them because of what they do, or it will alight close by their abodes, until the promise of Allah come to pass. Surely Allah will not fail in (His) promise.

Mohammad Habib Shakir

And apostles before you were certainly mocked at, but I gave respite to those who disbelieved, then I destroyed them; how then was My requital (of evil)?

Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall

And verily messengers (of Allah) were mocked before thee, but long I bore with those who disbelieved. At length I seized them, and how (awful) was My punishment!

Muhammad Sarwar

(Muhammad), people have mocked the Messengers who lived before you. I gave a respite to the unbelievers (so that they would repent, but they did not). Then I struck them with a terrible retribution.

Qaribullah & Darwish

Other Messengers were mocked before you but I respited the unbelievers, then I seized them. And how was My retribution!

Safi-ur-Rahman al-Mubarakpuri

And indeed (many) Messengers were mocked at before you but I granted respite to those who disbelieved, and finally I punished them. Then how (terrible) was My punishment!

Wahiduddin Khan

Other messengers were also mocked before you; but though I granted respite to those who denied the truth, at last I seized them, and how awful was My punishment.

Talal Itani

Messengers before you were ridiculed, but I granted the disbelievers respite, and then I seized them. What a punishment it was!

Tafsir jalalayn

messengers were certainly mocked before you, in the same way that you have been mocked -- this is meant as solace for the Prophet (s) -- but I gave respite to those who disbelieved; then I seized them, with retribution, and how was My retribution?, that is to say, it [My retribution] will come to pass; and I shall deal with those who have mocked you in the same way.

Tafseer Ibn Kathir

Comforting the Messenger of Allah

Allah says to His Messenger, while comforting him in facing his people's denial of him,

وَلَقَدِ اسْتُهْزِىءَ بِرُسُلٍ مِّن قَبْلِكَ

And indeed (many) Messengers were mocked at before you,

so you have a good example in them,

فَأَمْلَيْتُ لِلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ

but I granted respite to those who disbelieved,

deferred their judgment for a term appointed,

ثُمَّ أَخَذْتُهُمْ

and finally I punished them.

with encompassing punishment.

How did you obtain the news of how I gave them respite and then took them with punishment!'

فَكَيْفَ كَانَ عِقَابِ



Then how (terrible) was My punishment!

Allah said in another Ayah,

وَكَأَيِّن مِّن قَرْيَةٍ أَمْلَيْتُ لَهَا وَهِىَ ظَـلِمَةٌ ثُمَّ أَخَذْتُهَا وَإِلَىَّ الْمَصِيرُ

And many a township did I give respite while it was given to wrongdoing. Then (in the end) I seized it (with punishment). And to Me is the (final) return (of all). (22;48)

It is recorded in the Two Sahihs that the Prophet said,

إِنَّ اللهَ لَيُمْلِي لِلظَّالِمِ حَتَّى إِذَا أَخَذَهُ لَمْ يُفْلِتْه

Verily, Allah gives respite to the unjust until when He seizes him, He never lets go of him.

The Messenger next recited this Ayah,

وَكَذلِكَ أَخْذُ رَبِّكَ إِذَا أَخَذَ الْقُرَى وَهِىَ ظَـلِمَةٌ إِنَّ أَخْذَهُ أَلِيمٌ شَدِيدٌ

Such is the punishment of your Lord when He seizes the (population of) towns while they are doing wrong. Verily, His punishment is painful, (and) severe. (11;102)