At-Taghaabun (Mutual Disillusion)

5. Has not the news reached you of those who disbelieved aforetime? They tasted the evil consequences of their deeds in this world and an excruciating torment will be in store for them in the Hereafter.

The Arabic word wabal attested four times in the Holy Qur’an designates anything leading to loss and all the Qur’anic instances of the word connote mundane hardships and entanglements.

Divine torment is not restricted to those in store for people on the Day of Resurrection, but it may befall people in this world as well instances of which include the drowning of Noah’s people, Hud’s people being afflicted with gale, Salih’s people being tormented by the awe inspiring cries from the heaven, Lot’s people being stoned, and the people of the Elephant who tasted their dire fate by the burning rocks falling upon them.

One of the most effective means of fostering and warning is to make mention of the fates of ancient peoples.

Thus, the blessed Verse in question briefly mentions the fates of some of the disobedient peoples addressing people

“Has not the news reached you of those who disbelieved aforetime? They tasted the evil consequences of their deeds in this world and an excruciating torment will be in store for them in the Hereafter?”

The blessed Verse is saying that you pass by the ruined cities on your way to Sham and other places witnessing the dire consequences of their wrong-doing and disobedience and read about them in historical works. Those people tasted torments and trod the path of perdition by tempests, torrents, lightning, earthquakes, and gales in this world and excruciating torments are in store for them in the Hereafter.