And We divided them into twelve descendant tribes [as distinct] nations. And We inspired to Moses when his people implored him for water, "Strike with your staff the stone," and there gushed forth from it twelve springs. Every people [i.e., tribe] knew its watering place. And We shaded them with clouds and sent down upon them manna and quails, [saying], "Eat from the good things with which We have provided you." And they wronged Us not, but they were [only] wronging themselves.
Sahih International
وَقَطَّعْنَـٰهُمُ
waqaṭṭaʿnāhumu
And We divided them
Word breakdown
وَ
Harf · Resumption particleand
قَطَّعْ
Fi'l · VerbAnd We divided them
to cut, cut off, separate, turn aside
36× in the Quran · Occasional
نَٰ
Ism · Personal pronounus/our
هُمُ
Ism · Personal pronounthem/their
Grammar rules
وَقَطَّعْنَـٰهُمُ (And We divided them) is a past tense verb — the action already happened and is complete.
We translate it in past tense — "did", "created", "said", etc.
Lesson 8 · Verbs — Past & Presentوَقَطَّعْنَـٰهُمُ (And We divided them) uses form II (فَعَّلَ) — the middle letter is doubled, which makes the meaning stronger or causative.
The meaning is more intense than the basic form, or means "to make someone do [action]".
Lesson 12 · Verb Families II–IV