Have they not traveled through the earth and observed how was the end of those before them? They were greater than them in power, and they plowed the earth and built it up more than they have built it up, and their messengers came to them with clear evidences. And Allah would not ever have wronged them, but they were wronging themselves.
Tafseer
{ أوَ لم يسيروا في الأرض فينظروا كيف كانَ عاقبة الذين من قبلهم } من الأمم وهي إهلاكهم بتكذيبهم رسلهم { كانوا أشد منهم قوة } كعاد وثمود { وأثاروا الأرض } حرثوها وقلبوها للزرع والغرس { وعمَروها أكثر ممّا عمروها } أي كفار مكة { وجاءَتهم رسلهم بالبينات } بالحجج الظاهرات { فما كان الله ليظلمهم } بإهلاكهم بغير جرم { ولكن كانوا أنفسهم يظلمون } بتكذيبهم رسلهم.
{Have they not traveled through the land and observed how was the end of those before them?} Of the nations, which was their destruction for denying their messengers. {They were mightier than them in strength}, such as Aad and Thamud. {And they tilled the land}, plowed it and turned it over for planting and cultivation. {And populated it more than they had populated it}, that is, the disbelievers of Mecca. {And their messengers came to them with clear proofs}, with clear arguments. {So it was not God who wronged them} by destroying them without a crime. {But they were wronging themselves} by denying their messengers.
