Transliteration:( Falammaa ra awhu 'aaridam mustaqbila awdiyatihim qaaloo haazaa 'aaridum mumtirunaa; bal huwa masta'jaltum bihee reehun feehaa 'azaabun aleem )
Then when they saw it (punishment) like clouds coming to their valleys, they said: "This is a cloud which will rain [69] over us." No, rather it is that which you sought to hasten—a windstorm [70], wherein is a painful punishment.
The people of Ahqaaf had suffered drought for a long time. So, when they saw black clouds approaching, they rejoiced, thinking rain was finally coming. In reality, it was the approach of Divine punishment, not mercy.
This shows their spiritual blindness—even when punishment stared them in the face, they could not recognize it.
These words were spoken by Hazrat Hud (peace be upon him). He clarified: “This is not a raincloud, but the very punishment you had mockingly demanded.”
It was a violent windstorm carrying painful torment. From this, we learn that Prophets are granted deep insight into events of the unseen and realities behind appearances. They not only warn about the future but are also fully aware when Divine decrees begin to unfold.
The tafsir of Surah Ahqaf verse 24 by Ibn Kathir is unavailable here.
Please refer to Surah Ahqaf ayat 21 which provides the complete commentary from verse 21 through 25.
(46:24) When they saw the scourge advancing towards their valleys, they said: “This is a cloud that will bring much rain to us.” “By no means;[28] it is what you had sought to hasten � a wind-storm bearing a grievous chastisement
28. Here, there is no indication as to who gave them this answer. However, the style shows explicitly that this was the answer they were given by the existing conditions. They thought it was a cloud which was coming to give rain to their valleys, but in reality it was a windstorm that was coming on to completely exterminate them.
[1486]- When you challenged your prophet. See verse 22 of this sūrah.
For a faster and smoother experience,
install our mobile app now.
Related Ayat(Verses)/Topics