The Verse

Ayah 54:36

وَلَقَدْ أَنذَرَهُم بَطْشَتَنَا فَتَمَارَوْا بِالنُّذُرِ

“And he had already warned them of Our violent seizing, but they disputed the warning”.

Contextual note: In this Ayah, it is stated that Lūṭ (peace be upon him) had already warned them that they will be grabbed in a violent and forceful manner, implying being seized by a violent and an overbearing punishment.

Language Points and Insights

بَطْشَة (Batshah)

Definitions conveyed
  • Extreme weight or pressure upon something until what is under it is almost crushed — like heavy loads do to riding animals, causing them to collapse due to overwhelming weight and pressure.
  • Taking hold of something or someone in a vehement manner — like a crushing grab.
In this Ayah

It signifies that they will be grabbed in a violent and forceful manner, implying a violent and overbearing punishment.

تَمَارَوْا (Tamaaraw)

About مِرْيَة (Miryah)

“Miryah” carries the meaning of doubt in cases where something is agreed upon and there should be no doubt concerning it — it is used when something is clear.

Verb nuance here
  • The verb تَمارَى is infused with the connotation of denial and argumentative rejection.
  • The use of the preposition بِ with النُّذُرِ (the warnings) suggests they contested or rejected them.

Visual Emphasis of the Core Meanings

“Violent seizing” — بَطْشَة

A sense of overbearing force: crushing pressure and a vehement grab.

“They disputed the warning” — تَمَارَوْا بِالنُّذُرِ

Denial and argumentative rejection, directed at warnings that were clear.

Structured Reading from the Explanation

From warning to response

He had already warned them of a violent seizing — expressed through بَطْشَة, carrying both the imagery of crushing weight and a vehement grab.

Their reaction: تَمَارَوْا بِالنُّذُرِ — disputation rooted in denial; the construction with بِ points to contesting the very warnings.