﴿ فَعَتَوْا۟ عَنْ أَمْرِ رَبِّهِمْ فَأَخَذَتْهُمُ ٱلصَّٰعِقَةُ وَهُمْ يَنظُرُونَ ﴾

“after they had turned with disdain from their Sustainer’s commandment - whereupon the thunderbolt of punishment overtook them while they were [helplessly] looking on:”

(But they rebelled against their Lord's decree) they refused to comply to their Lord's command, (and so the thunderbolt) the cry of doom (overtook them even while they gazed) while looking at the torment descending upon them;