Tafseer Ibn Kathir of AL ANBIYAA' [10]

10. Indeed, We have sent down for you a Book in which there is Dhikrukum. Will you not then understand 11. How many a town given to wrongdoing, have We destroyed, and raised up after them another people! 12. Then, when they sensed Our torment, behold, they (tried to) flee from it. 13. Flee not, but return to that wherein you lived a luxurious life, and to your homes, in order that you may be questioned. 14. They cried: ”Woe to us! Certainly we have been wrongdoers.'' 15. And that cry of theirs ceased not, till We made them as a field that is reaped, extinct. Allah points out the noble status of the Qur'an and urges them to recognize its worth:

(Indeed, We have sent down for you a Book in which there is Dhikrukum). Ibn `Abbas said: ”Honor for you.''

(Will you not then understand) means, will you not understand this blessing, and accept it This is like the Ayah:

(And verily, this is indeed a Reminder for you and your people, and you will be questioned.) ﴿43:44﴾  

(How many a town given to wrongdoing, have We destroyed,) meaning, they were very many. This is like the Ayah:

(And how many generations have We destroyed after Nuh!) ï´¿17:17ï´¾

(And many a township did We destroy while they were given to wrongdoing, so that it lie in ruins) ï´¿22:45ï´¾.

(and raised up after them another people!) means, another nation which came after them.

(Then, when they sensed Our torment,) when they realized that the torment would undoubtedly come upon them, just as their Prophet had warned them,

(behold, they (tried to) flee from it.) they tried to run away.

(Flee not, but return to that wherein you lived a luxurious life, and to your homes,) This is a way of ridiculing them. It will be said to them by way of ridicule: ”Do not run away from the coming torment; go back to the delights and luxuries and fine homes in which you were living.'' Qatadah said, ”Mocking them.''

(in order that you may be questioned) about whether you gave thanks for what you had.

(They cried: ”Woe to us! Certainly we have been wrong- doers.'') They will confess their sins when it will be of no benefit to them.

(And that cry of theirs ceased not, till We made them as a field that is reaped, extinct.) meaning, ”they will keep on saying that, admitting their wrong- doing, until We harvest them as it were, and their movements and voices come to a stop.''