The factions who allied against the messengers and opposed them are 'Aad, Thamud, Pharaoh, and others. Every nation among these nations, which are the people of Noah and the factions, intended against their messenger, and it is recited as 'her messenger.' They intended to seize him so that they could overpower him and inflict upon him what they desired of torture or killing. The captive is called 'akhidh.' So I seized them, meaning they aimed to seize him. Thus, I made their punishment for intending to seize him that I seized them. So how was the punishment? Indeed, you pass by their lands and dwellings and witness the traces of that. This is a statement that contains a meaning of astonishment.