Al-Qur'an Surah Ghafir Verse 83

Mufti Taqi Usmani

When their messengers came to them with manifest signs, they exulted because of whatever knowledge they had, and they were encircled by what they used to ridicule.

Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

When their messengers came to them with clear proofs, they were prideful in whatever ˹worldly˺ knowledge they had,[[ And ridiculed the divine knowledge brought to them by their messengers. ]] and were ˹ultimately˺ overwhelmed by what they used to ridicule.

Ruwwad Translation Center

When their messengers came to them with clear proofs, they exulted in whatever knowledge they had, and they were overwhelmed by what they used to ridicule.

A. J. Arberry

So, when their Messengers brought them the clear signs, they rejoiced in what knowledge they had, and were encompassed by that they mocked at.

Abdul Haleem

When messengers came to them with clear signs, they revelled in the knowledge they had, and so they were engulfed by the very punishment they mocked:

Abdul Majid Daryabadi

And when their apostles came Unto them with evidences, they exulted in the knowledge which was with them, and there surrounded them that which they had been mocking.

Abdullah Yusuf Ali

For when their messengers came to them with Clear Signs, they exulted in such knowledge (and skill) as they had; but that very (Wrath) at which they were wont to scoff hemmed them in.

Abul Ala Maududi

When their Messengers came to them with Clear Signs, they arrogantly exulted in whatever knowledge they had. They were then encompassed by what they had mocked.

Ahmed Ali

For when Our apostles came to them with clear proofs, they boasted and exulted at the knowledge they possessed; but what they used to mock recoiled back on them,

Ahmed Raza Khan

So when their Noble Messengers came to them with clear signs, they remained happy over the worldly knowledge they possessed, and upon them only reverted what they used to mock at!

Ali Quli Qarai

When their apostles brought them manifest proofs, they boasted about the knowledge they possessed, but they were besieged by what they used to deride.

Ali Ünal

When their Messengers came to them with manifest truths, they chose to remain in pleasure and pride only in the (narrow, superficial) knowledge they had (about the worldly life and the means to enjoy it), and what they used to mock (God’s promised punishment) overwhelmed them.

Amatul Rahman Omar

And when their Messengers (of God) came to them with clear proofs they (vainly) boasted of their own partial knowledge. But they were caught by the very thing (- the calamity) which they used to treat very lightly.

English Literal

So when their messengers came to them with the evidences, they became happy/rejoiced/delighted with what (is) at them from the knowledge; and what they were with it mocking/making fun surrounded/afflicted with them.

Faridul Haque

So when their Noble Messengers came to them with clear signs, they remained happy over the worldly knowledge they possessed, and upon them only reverted what they used to mock at!

Hamid S. Aziz

Then when their messengers came to them with clear arguments, they exulted in what they had with them of knowledge, and there beset them that which they used to mock.

Hilali & Khan

Then when their Messengers came to them with clear proofs, they were glad (and proud) with that which they had of the knowledge (of worldly things): And that at which they used to mock, surrounded them (i.e. the punishment).

Maulana Mohammad Ali

Do they not travel in the land and see what was the end of those before them? They were more numerous than these and greater in strength and in fortifications in the land, but what they earned availed them not.

Mohammad Habib Shakir

Then when their apostles came to them with clear arguments, they exulted in what they had with them of knowledge, and there beset them that which they used to mock.

Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall

And when their messengers brought them clear proofs (of Allah's Sovereignty) they exulted in the knowledge they (themselves) possessed. And that which they were wont to mock befell them.

Muhammad Sarwar

They were far too content with their own knowledge (to pay attention to the Messengers) when Our Messengers came to them with illustrious evidence. They were encompassed by the torment for mocking Our guidance.

Qaribullah & Darwish

When their Messengers brought them clear verses they rejoiced in such knowledge as they had; but they were encompassed by that which they mocked.

Safi-ur-Rahman al-Mubarakpuri

Then when their Messengers came to them with clear proofs, they were glad (and proud) with that which they had of the knowledge (of worldly things). And that at which they used to mock, surrounded them.

Wahiduddin Khan

When messengers came to them with clear signs, they revelled in whatever knowledge they had, and so they were engulfed by the very punishment they mocked:

Talal Itani

When their messengers came to them with clear proofs, they rejoiced in the knowledge they had, and the very things they used to ridicule besieged them.

Tafsir jalalayn

And when their messengers brought them clear signs, manifest miracles, they, the disbelievers, exulted in the knowledge they, the messengers, possessed, an exultation that entailed mockery and amusement, as they rejected such [knowledge], and there besieged, befell, them that which they used to deride, namely, the chastisement.

Tafseer Ibn Kathir

فَلَمَّا جَاءتْهُمْ رُسُلُهُم بِالْبَيِّنَاتِ فَرِحُوا بِمَا عِندَهُم مِّنَ الْعِلْمِ

Have they not traveled through the earth and seen what was the end of those before them? They were more in number than them and mightier in strength, and in the traces in the land; yet all that they used to earn availed them not.

Then when their Messengers came to them with clear proofs, they were glad (and proud) with that which they had of the knowledge (of worldly things).

Allah tells us about the nations who rejected their Messengers in ancient times. He mentioned the severe punishment they suffered despite their great strength, He mentioned the traces which they left behind in the earth and the great wealth they amassed. None of that availed them anything and could not prevent the punishment of Allah at all.

That is because when the Messengers came to them with clear signs and decisive evidence, they did not pay any attention to them. Instead, they were content with the knowledge with them, or so they claimed, and they said that they did not need what the Messengers brought them.

Mujahid said,

"They said, we know better than them, we will not be resurrected and we will not be punished."

As-Suddi said,

"In their ignorance, they rejoiced in what they had of (worldly) knowledge. So Allah sent upon them a punishment which they could not escape or resist."

وَحَاقَ بِهِم

and surrounded them.

means, encompassed them.

مَّا كَانُوا بِهِ يَسْتَهْزِوُون



that at which they used to mock,

means, that which they used to disbelieve in and said would never happen,

فَلَمَّا رَأَوْا بَأْسَنَا

So when they saw Our punishment,

means, when they saw with their own eyes the punishment which came upon them, they said