Ghafir 40:22

<h2>The Severe Punishment for the Disbelievers</h2><div class="arabic uthmani">أَوَلَمْ يَسيرُواْ</div><p>(Have they not traveled), `these people who disbelieve in your Message, O Muhammad,'</p><div class="arabic uthmani">فِى الاٌّرْضِ فَيَنظُرُواْ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَـقِبَةُ الَّذِينَ كَانُواْ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ</div><p>(in the land and seen what was the end of those who were before them) means, the nations of the past who disbelieved in their Prophets (peace be upon them), for which the punishment came upon them even though they were stronger than Quraysh.</p><div class="arabic uthmani">وَءَاثَاراً فِى الاٌّرْضِ</div><p>(and in the traces in the land.) means, they left behind traces in the earth, such as structures, buildings and dwellings which these people i.e., the Quraysh cannot match. This is like the Ayat:</p><div class="arabic uthmani">وَلَقَدْ مَكَّنَـهُمْ فِيمَآ إِن مَّكَّنَّـكُمْ فِيهِ</div><p>(And indeed We had firmly established them with that wherewith We have not established you!) (46:26)</p><div class="arabic uthmani">وَأَثَارُواْ الاٌّرْضَ وَعَمَرُوهَآ أَكْثَرَ مِمَّا عَمَرُوهَا</div><p>(and they tilled the earth and populated it in greater numbers than these have done) (30:9). Yet despite this great strength, Allah punished them for their sin, which was their disbelief in their Messengers.</p><div class="arabic uthmani">وَمَا كَانَ لَهُم مِّنَ اللَّهِ مِن وَاقٍ</div><p>(And none had they to protect them from Allah.) means, they had no one who could protect them or …

That was because their messengers kept bringing them clear proofs (of Allah's Sovereignty) but they disbelieved; so Allah seized them. Lo! He is Strong, severe in punishment.

That was because there came to them their messengers with Clear (Signs), but they rejected them: So Allah called them to account: for He is Full of Strength, Strict in Punishment.

That was because there came to them their Messengers with clear evidences, proofs and signs but they disbelieved (in them). So Allah seized them with punishment. Verily, He is All-Strong, Severe in punishment.

That is because their messengers used to come to them with clear proofs, but they disbelieved, so God seized them. He is Strong, Severe in retribution.