( أَفَأَمِنَ ) (Then, did the people of the cities feel secure): How could they feel secure that there is nothing that will disrupt their lives. When Allah (swt) says: (Then, did the people of the cities feel secure): In the Arabic text of the verse, the word used (Afa’amina) meaning (feel secure), it begins with the letter (hamza) used for interrogation, followed by the letter (fa) used for continuation, and (security) is the assurance in matter that does not stir fears or troubles. The rhetorical question in this verse asks: ‘Did the people of the town felt secure and had a sense of safety for themselves that the punishment would not come to them while they were asleep, even after they disbelieved?’

(بَأْسُنَا ) (Our punishment): Refers to a severe hardship.