Surah Ghafir Tafseer

فَلَمَّا جَاءتْهُمْ رُسُلُهُم بِالْبَيِّنَاتِ فَرِحُوا بِمَا عِندَهُم مِّنَ الْعِلْمِ

Have they not traveled through the earth and seen what was the end of those before them? They were more in number than them and mightier in strength, and in the traces in the land; yet all that they used to earn availed them not.

Then when their Messengers came to them with clear proofs, they were glad (and proud) with that which they had of the knowledge (of worldly things).

Allah tells us about the nations who rejected their Messengers in ancient times. He mentioned the severe punishment they suffered despite their great strength, He mentioned the traces which they left behind in the earth and the great wealth they amassed. None of that availed them anything and could not prevent the punishment of Allah at all.

That is because when the Messengers came to them with clear signs and decisive evidence, they did not pay any attention to them. Instead, they were content with the knowledge with them, or so they claimed, and they said that they did not need what the Messengers brought them.

Mujahid said,

"They said, we know better than them, we will not be resurrected and we will not be punished."

As-Suddi said,

"In their ignorance, they rejoiced in what they had of (worldly) knowledge. So Allah sent upon them a punishment which they could not escape or resist."

وَحَاقَ بِهِم

and surrounded them.

means, encompassed them.

مَّا كَانُوا بِهِ يَسْتَهْزِوُون

that at which they used to mock,

means, that which they used to disbelieve in and said would never happen,

فَلَمَّا رَأَوْا بَأْسَنَا

So when they saw Our punishment,

means, when they saw with their own eyes the punishment which came upon them, they said