وَثَمُودَ ٱلَّذِينَ جَابُوا۟ ٱلصَّخْرَ بِٱلْوَادِ 9
Translations
And [with] Thamūd, who carved out the rocks in the valley?
Transliteration
Wa Thamooda alladhina jaboo as-sakhrah bil-wadi
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to the people of Thamud, an ancient Arabian nation who carved their dwellings out of the rocks in the valley, demonstrating their advanced architectural skills and prosperity. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari emphasize that despite their material achievements and ability to hew stones, they rejected the message of Prophet Salih and were ultimately destroyed as a sign of Allah's punishment for those who deny His signs and messengers.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears within Surah Al-Fajr's recounting of destroyed civilizations (Iram, Pharaoh, Thamud, Aad) as historical reminders of divine punishment. The broader context of the surah uses these historical examples to warn the Meccan disbelievers about the consequences of rejecting revelation, emphasizing the cyclical pattern of messenger-rejection throughout human history.
Related Hadiths
The destruction of Thamud is referenced in multiple ahadiths. Sahih Bukhari records that the Prophet (peace be upon him) warned against the sins of the people of Thamud, particularly their defiance of Prophet Salih and their slaying of the she-camel. Sunan Ibn Majah contains accounts of the Prophet's warnings about the archaeological remnants of Thamud's dwellings.
Themes
Key Lesson
Material advancement and architectural ingenuity cannot substitute for spiritual obedience and acceptance of divine guidance; nations that possess worldly capabilities but reject their prophets face inevitable destruction. This serves as a timeless reminder that true success lies in believing in and obeying Allah's messengers.