وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَآ إِلَىٰ ثَمُودَ أَخَاهُمْ صَـٰلِحًا أَنِ ٱعْبُدُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ فَإِذَا هُمْ فَرِيقَانِ يَخْتَصِمُونَ 45
Translations
And We had certainly sent to Thamūd their brother Ṣāliḥ, [saying], "Worship Allāh," and at once they were two parties conflicting.
Transliteration
Wa-laqad arsalnā ilā Thamūda akhāhum Sālihan an i'budū Allāh fa-idhā hum farīqān yakhtasimūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah sent the Prophet Salih to the people of Thamud, calling them to worship Allah alone, yet they divided into two factions and disputed with one another. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari emphasize that despite receiving clear guidance from their own brother and messenger, the people of Thamud rejected the message due to their arrogance and stubbornness, exemplifying how divine guidance is rejected when hearts are sealed in disbelief. This ayah demonstrates the tragic pattern of human response to prophetic calls—division and argumentation rather than unified acceptance of truth.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the historical narratives in Surah An-Naml that recount the stories of various prophets and their peoples. The surah was revealed in Mecca during the early Islamic period when the Quraysh were also divided regarding the Prophet Muhammad's message. The mention of Thamud serves as a cautionary example of a nation that rejected their messenger and faced divine punishment, providing comfort to the Prophet and believers facing similar opposition.
Related Hadiths
The account of Thamud and Prophet Salih is referenced in Sahih Bukhari (3156) where the Prophet Muhammad warned against the fate of those who rejected their messengers. Additionally, Sunan Ibn Majah contains hadith regarding the she-camel of Salih as a sign from Allah that was rejected, correlating with the Quranic narrative of Thamud's rejection.
Themes
Key Lesson
When people receive divine guidance, their response reveals the true condition of their hearts—some accept and unite in faith while others divide and dispute out of pride and worldly attachment. Modern readers should reflect on how they respond to truth and whether they allow ego and material interests to divide them from those calling them to righteousness.