Faatir • EN-TAFSIR-IBN-ABBAS
﴿ أَوَلَمْ يَسِيرُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ فَيَنظُرُوا۟ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَٰقِبَةُ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ وَكَانُوٓا۟ أَشَدَّ مِنْهُمْ قُوَّةًۭ ۚ وَمَا كَانَ ٱللَّهُ لِيُعْجِزَهُۥ مِن شَىْءٍۢ فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَلَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ عَلِيمًۭا قَدِيرًۭا ﴾
“Have they never journeyed about the earth and beheld what happened in the end to those [deniers of the truth] who lived before their time and were [so much] greater than they in power? And [do they not see that the will of] God can never be foiled by anything whatever in the heavens or on earth, since, verily, He is all-knowing, infinite in His power?”
(Have they) i.e. the disbelievers of Mecca (not travelled in the land and seen) and reflect upon (the nature of the consequence) the punishment (for those who were before them) when they disbelieved in their messengers, (and they were mightier) in physical strength (than these in power) and had more children? (Allah is not such that aught in the heavens or in the earth) of creation (escapeth Him. Lo! He is the Aware) He knows His creation, (the Mighty) He has power over them.