Surah Fussilat Tafseer

فَأَمَّا عَادٌ فَاسْتَكْبَرُوا فِي الاْأَرْضِ بِغَيْرِ الْحَقِّ

As for `Ad, they were arrogant in the land without right.

means, they were arrogant, stubborn and disobedient.

وَقَالُوا مَنْ أَشَدُّ مِنَّا قُوَّةً

and they said:"Who is mightier than us in strength."

They boasted of their physical strength, and power; they thought that this would protect them from Allah's punishment.

أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا أَنَّ اللَّهَ الَّذِي خَلَقَهُمْ هُوَ أَشَدُّ مِنْهُمْ قُوَّةً

See they not that Allah Who created them was mightier in strength than them.

means, do they not realize, when they are showing enmity, that He is the Almighty Who created all things and gave them whatever strength they have, and that His onslaught will be far greater.

This is like the Ayah:

وَالسَّمَأءَ بَنَيْنَـهَا بِأَيْدٍ وَإِنَّا لَمُوسِعُونَ

With Hands did We construct the heaven. Verily, We are able to extend the vastness of space thereof. (51:47)

وَكَانُوا بِأيَاتِنَا يَجْحَدُونَ

And they used to deny Our Ayat!

They openly opposed the Almighty and denied His signs and disobeyed His Messenger.

Allah said