Ghafir 40:84

<h2>The Lesson to be learned from what happened to Those Who Came before</h2><p>Allah tells us about the nations who rejected their Messengers in ancient times. He mentioned the severe punishment they suffered despite their great strength, He mentioned the traces which they left behind in the earth and the great wealth they amassed. None of that availed them anything and could not prevent the punishment of Allah at all. That is because when the Messengers came to them with clear signs and decisive evidence, they did not pay any attention to them. Instead, they were content with the knowledge with them, or so they claimed, and they said that they did not need what the Messengers brought them. Mujahid said, "They said, we know better than them, we will not be resurrected and we will not be punished." As-Suddi said, "In their ignorance, they rejoiced in what they had of (worldly) knowledge. So Allah sent upon them a punishment which they could not escape or resist."</p><div class="arabic uthmani">وَحَاقَ بِهِم</div><p>(and surrounded them.) means, encompassed them.</p><div class="arabic uthmani">مَا كَانُواْ بِهِ يَسْتَهْزِءُونَ</div><p>(that at which they used to mock,) means, that which they used to disbelieve in and said would never happen,</p><div class="arabic uthmani">فَلَمَّا …

Then, when they saw Our doom, they said: We believe in Allah only and reject (all) that we used to associate (with Him).

But when they saw Our Punishment, they said: "We believe in Allah,- the one Allah - and we reject the partners we used to join with Him."

So when they saw Our punishment, they said: "We believe in Allah Alone and reject (all) that we used to associate with Him as (His) partners.

Then, when they witnessed Our might, they said, “We believe in God alone, and we reject what we used to associate with Him.”