53. Surah An-Najm (The Unfolding)

Mecca Period [23]

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

وَأَنَّهُ أَهْلَكَ عَادًا الْأُولَى ﴿٥٠﴾

53: 50.  And that it is He Who destroyed the (powerful) ancient 'Ad (people),

C5120. The eleventh and last aphorism

For the 'Ad people, see n. 1040 to 7:65, and for the Thamud, see n. 1043 to 7:73. They were strong; and they were talented: but their strength and their talents did not save them from being destroyed for their sins.

The same may be said about the earlier generation of Noah, who were destroyed in the Flood: they "rejected Our Signs: they were indeed a blind people" (7:64); see also n. 1039 to 7:59; and 11:25-49.

Ancient 'Ad (people): some Commentators construe, "First 'Ad people", distinguishing them from the later 'Ad people, a remnant that had their day and passed away.

وَثَمُودَ فَمَا أَبْقَى ﴿٥١﴾

53: 51.  And the Thamud, nor gave them a lease of perpetual life.

وَقَوْمَ نُوحٍ مِّن قَبْلُ إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوا هُمْ أَظْلَمَ وَأَطْغَى ﴿٥٢﴾

53: 52.  And before them, the people of Noah,

for that they were (all) Most unjust and most insolent transgressors.



وَالْمُؤْتَفِكَةَ أَهْوَى ﴿٥٣﴾

53: 53.  And He destroyed the Overthrown Cities (of Sodom and Gomorrah),

C5121. Verses 53-60 may be construed as a commentary on the aphorisms.

The story of the Overthrown Cities, to which Lut was sent for a warning, will be found in 11:74-83 and the notes thereon.

This story may well be treated as separate from the aphorisms as it refers to events that happened in the later life of Abraham.

فَغَشَّاهَا مَا غَشَّى ﴿٥٤﴾

53: 54 So that (ruins unknown) have covered them up.


Asad’s Version:




(53:50) and that it is He who destroyed the ancient [tribes of] 'Ad


(53:51) and Thamud, leaving no trace [of them], 37


(53:52) as well as the people of Noah before them - [since,] verily, they all had been most wilful in their evildoing and most overweening –


(53:53) just as He thrust into perdition those cities that were overthrown


(53:54) and then covered them from sight 38 forever


[[Asad’s notes - 37 For the story of the tribe of Ad, see second half of note 48 on 7:65; for that of the Thamud, note 56 on 7:73.


38 Lit., "so that there covered them that which covered" : a reference to Sodom and Gomorrah, the cities of "Lot's people" (see, in particular, 1 1 :77-83). ]]


Yuksel’s version

53:50 He is the One who destroyed Aad the first.

53:51 Of Thamud He left nothing.

53:52 The people of Noah before that; they were evil transgressors.

53:53 The evil communities were the lowliest.

53:54 Consequently, they utterly vanished.


[[Asad’s notes - 37 For the story of the tribe of Ad, see second half of note 48 on 7:65; for that of the Thamud, note 56 on 7:73.


38 Lit., "so that there covered them that which covered" : a reference to Sodom and Gomorrah, the cities of "Lot's people" (see, in particular, 1 1 :77-83).]]