Help Regarding Quran 16:26

Question

Asalamu Alaykum, I have recently come across verse 16:26 in the Quran and I would like to understand the wisdom behind it.

“Those before them had already plotted, but Allah came at their building from the foundations, so the roof fell upon them from above them, and the punishment came to them from where they did not perceive.”

I would be very grateful if somebody could explain to me Allah’s wisdom in stating that roof fell from above them because I thought that was already implied. Any help with greatly be appreciated. JazakAllah.

Answer 1

It may refer to the Tower of Babel, as suggested by Al-Qurtubi*, see Genesis 11. I tend to see a hint to the doom of Sodom and Gomorrha, mentionned in Quran 54:33, referring to the Torah Genesis 18-19

I am not so bold to say that I can see Allah's Wisdom ; the take-away for me is that Allah is patient with the sinners to repent but He can also punish immediately. «From above» to me is an allegory to a punishment «from Heaven».

*thanks to the hint of UmH see above