Tafseer of The Moon · Al-Qamar · 54:38
And there came upon them by morning an abiding punishment.
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.
The explanation of the words of the Exalted: "And there overtook them in the early morning an abiding chastisement" (54:38)
The Exalted, whose remembrance is exalted, says: and the people of Lūṭ were overtaken in the early morning. It has been reported that this took place at the breaking of the dawn.
Ibn Ḥumayd related to us, saying: Mihrān related to us, on the authority of Sufyān, "in the early morning (bukratan)," he said: at the breaking of the dawn.
And His words "a chastisement (ʿadhāb)": and that was the overturning of the earth upon them, and the making of its top into its bottom over them, and thereafter the pursuing of them with stones of piled-up clay (sijjīl).
As Ibn Ḥumayd related to us, saying: Mihrān related to us, on the authority of Sufyān, "And there overtook them in the early morning a chastisement," he said: stones with which they were pelted.
And His words "abiding (mustaqirr)": He says: that chastisement continued to abide in them until the Day of Resurrection, until they shall undergo the greater chastisement of Allah in hell (jahannam).
And in accordance with what we have said concerning this, the exegetes have spoken.
* Mention of who said that:
Bishr related to us, saying: Yazīd related to us, saying: Saʿīd related to us, on the authority of Qatāda, "And there overtook them in the early morning an abiding chastisement," he says: there overtook them an abiding chastisement, which continued to endure in them until the Fire of hell (jahannam).
Yūnus related to me, saying: Ibn Wahb informed us, saying: Ibn Zayd said, concerning His words "And there overtook them in the early morning" ... the verse, he said: Then He overtook them after this in the early morning — that is, after Allah had blotted out their eyes — and thus they remain in that chastisement until the Day of Resurrection. He said: And his entire people was thus; do you not hear His word when He says: "Is there not among you a righteous man?" (11:78).
Ibn Ḥumayd related to us, saying: Mihrān related to us, on the authority of Sufyān, "abiding (mustaqirr)": it continued to abide (istaqarra).
