Al-Qur'an Surah Az-Zukhruf Verse 8

Mufti Taqi Usmani

So We have destroyed those who were stronger than these (people of Makkah) in power, and the example of the earlier people has already passed.

Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

So We destroyed those who were far mightier than these ˹Meccans˺. The examples of ˹their˺ predecessors have ˹already˺ been related.[[ For example, in the stories of the people of Noah, Lot, Shu’aib and other nations that were destroyed, found throughout the Quran.]] 

Ruwwad Translation Center

So We destroyed them, although they were greater in might than these [Pagans], and the stories of the earlier nations have already been related.

A. J. Arberry

so We destroyed men stronger in valour than they, and the example of the ancients passed away.

Abdul Haleem

so We have destroyed mightier people than [the disbelievers of Mecca] and their example has gone down in history.

Abdul Majid Daryabadi

Wherefore We destroyed peoples mightier than these in prowess; and there hath gone forth the example of the ancients.

Abdullah Yusuf Ali

So We destroyed (them)- stronger in power than these;- and (thus) has passed on the Parable of the peoples of old.

Abul Ala Maududi

We utterly destroyed them although they were greater in might than these. The examples of ancient peoples have gone before.

Ahmed Ali

So We destroyed far more powerful (nations) than they. The example of earlier people is there.

Ahmed Raza Khan

We therefore destroyed the people who were more forceful than these, and the example of the earlier ones has already gone by.

Ali Quli Qarai

So We destroyed those who were stronger than these, and the example of the former peoples has already come to pass.

Ali Ünal

So We destroyed peoples mightier than these in prowess, and the illustrative histories of those (destroyed peoples) have already have been related.

Amatul Rahman Omar

Look! We destroyed those who were stronger than these (Makkans) in valour, and the example of the former peoples has already gone before. (So how can they escape meeting the same fate?)

English Literal

So We destroyed , (those who were) stronger than them violent destruction/attack, and the first`s/beginner`s proverb/example passed/expired

Faridul Haque

We therefore destroyed the people who were more forceful than these, and the example of the earlier ones has already gone by.

Hamid S. Aziz

Then We destroyed those who were stronger than these in prowess, and the case of the ancients has gone before them,

Hilali & Khan

Then We destroyed men stronger (in power) than these, and the example of the ancients has passed away (before them).

Maulana Mohammad Ali

And no prophet came to them but they mocked him.

Mohammad Habib Shakir

Then We destroyed those who were stronger than these in prowess, and the case of the ancients has gone before,

Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall

Then We destroyed men mightier than these in prowess; and the example of the men of old hath gone (before them).

Muhammad Sarwar

We destroyed the strongest among them in power. The stories of the ancient people have already been mentioned.

Qaribullah & Darwish

so We destroyed those who were mightier in courage than they. And the example of the ancients has passed away.

Safi-ur-Rahman al-Mubarakpuri

Then We destroyed men stronger (in power) than these and the example of the ancients has passed away.

Wahiduddin Khan

so We destroyed those who were mightier than these; such was the example of the earlier peoples.

Talal Itani

We destroyed people more powerful than they, and so the example of the ancients has passed away.

Tafsir jalalayn

So We destroyed those who were mightier than them -- than your people -- in prowess, strength, and [already] there passed, there has been mentioned in previous verses, the example of the ancients, the description of how they were destroyed, and thus the sequel for your people will be the same.

Tafseer Ibn Kathir

فَأَهْلَكْنَا أَشَدَّ مِنْهُم بَطْشًا

Then We destroyed men stronger than these,

means, `We destroyed those who disbelieved in the Messengers, and they were stronger in power than these who disbelieve in you, O Muhammad.'

This is like the Ayah;

أَفَلَمْ يَسِيرُواْ فِى الاٌّرْضِ فَيَنظُرُواْ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَـقِبَةُ الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ كَانُواْ أَكْـثَرَ مِنْهُمْ وَأَشَدَّ قُوَّةً

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. (40;82)

And there are many similar Ayat.

وَمَضَى مَثَلُ الاَْوَّلِينَ



and the example of the ancients has passed away.

Mujahid said, "The way of their life."

Qatadah said, "Their punishment."

Others said,

"Their lesson," i.e., `We made them a lesson for those disbelievers who came after them, that they would suffer the same end as them,' as in the Ayah at the end of this Surah;

فَجَعَلْنَـهُمْ سَلَفاً وَمَثَلً لِّلٌّخِرِينَ

And We made them a precedent, and an example to later generations. (43;56)

سُنَّةَ اللَّهِ الَّتِى قَدْ خَلَتْ فِى عِبَادِهِ

this has been the way of Allah in dealing with His servants. (40;85)

وَلَن تَجِدَ لِسُنَّةِ اللَّهِ تَبْدِيلً

and you will not find any change in the way of Allah. (33;62