Tafseer of The Groups · Az-Zumar · 39:25
Those before them denied, and punishment came upon them from where they did not perceive.
Important: The Arabic source text is always authoritative. This translation is a study aid and has not been verified by scholars — do not use it as a basis for religious proof or for deriving rulings (ahkam). When in doubt, always consult the Arabic text and a qualified scholar.
And His statement: Kadhdhaba alladhīna min qablihim ("Those who were before them denied") — the Exalted, whose praise is memorable, says: those who were before these polytheists (mushrikīn) of the Quraysh, from the communities that have passed away in bygone ages, denied their messengers. Fa-atāhumu al-ʿadhābu min ḥaythu lā yashʿurūn ("so that the punishment came to them from where they did not perceive it") — He says: thus the punishment (ʿadhāb) of Allah came to them from the place where they did not perceive it, that is to say: they did not know of its coming from there.
