They are called 'Asafuna' derived from 'asaf' which means to become very angry. From it is the hadith regarding sudden death: a mercy for the believer and a source of anger for the disbeliever. It means that they have exceeded in sins and have gone beyond their limits, thus they deserve that We hasten to them Our punishment and vengeance, and that We do not overlook them. It is also read as 'salafa', the plural of 'salif', like 'khadim' and 'khuddam'.

'Salafa' - with two Dhammas - is the plural of 'salif', meaning a group that has passed. 'Salafa' is also the plural of 'sulfa', meaning a group that has preceded.

Its meaning is: We made them an example for others among the disbelievers, who follow them in deserving similar punishment and its descent upon them, for they have committed similar actions. And there is a strange hadith that circulates as a proverb, in which they are told: Your example is like that of the people of Pharaoh.