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What is meant by "a thunderbolt like the thunderbolt of 'Ad and Thamud" in the verse addressing Quraish, knowing that Quraish was not afflicted with punishment in this world?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

Al-Qurtubi said regarding the verse: "But if they turn away, then say: 'I have warned you of a thunderbolt like the thunderbolt of 'Ad and Thamud'" — meaning, 'I have warned you of destruction like the destruction of 'Ad and Thamud.' If the intended meaning is a punishment of eradication, then Quraish did not suffer any eradicating punishment. However, they were subjected to torment and calamities, such as their killing at Badr, and drought and hunger after the Messenger's supplication against them. Mujahid interpreted the verse: "And We will surely let them taste the nearer punishment, before the greater punishment" as referring to the killing and hunger suffered by Quraish in this world, and Ubayy ibn Ka'b interpreted it as the Day of Badr.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

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