فَأَهۡلَكۡنَآ أَشَدَّ مِنۡهُم بَطۡشٗا وَمَضَىٰ مَثَلُ ٱلۡأَوَّلِينَ ٨
And We destroyed greater than them1 in [striking] power, and the example of the former peoples has preceded.
Translation: Saheeh International (English)
1 The disbelievers of the Quraysh, who denied Prophet Muḥammad (ﷺ).
Each word's meaning and sound
I destroyed those who were mightier than those nations, so we not incapable of destroying those who are weaker than them. The description of the destruction of the previous nations has passed in the Qur’ān, such as the Ad, Thamud, nation of Lot and the people of Madyan.
Al-Mukhtasar in interpreting the Noble Quran