قَالُوا۟ تَقَاسَمُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ لَنُبَيِّتَنَّهُۥ وَأَهْلَهُۥ ثُمَّ لَنَقُولَنَّ لِوَلِيِّهِۦ مَا شَهِدْنَا مَهْلِكَ أَهْلِهِۦ وَإِنَّا لَصَـٰدِقُونَ 49
Translations
They said, "Take a mutual oath by Allāh that we will kill him by night, he and his family. Then we will say to his executor, 'We did not witness the destruction of his family, and indeed, we are truthful.'"
Transliteration
Qālū taqāsamū billāhi lanubayyitannahu wa-ahlahu thumma lanaqulanna li-waliyyihi mā shahidnā mahlaka ahlihī wa-innā la-sādiqūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the plot of the people of Thamud against the Prophet Salih, wherein they conspired by oath to kill him and his family at night, then lie to his guardian (or the people) claiming they did not witness the destruction of his household. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this represents their deliberate conspiracy and false testimony, demonstrating their rejection of truth and willingness to commit murder and perjury. Al-Qurtubi emphasizes that this ayah illustrates the depths of human wickedness when hearts are sealed from divine guidance.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the Quranic narrative of Thamud (verses 27:45-53), a Meccan surah addressing the disbelievers of Mecca. The context shows how ancient peoples rejected their prophets; Thamud's rejection of Salih culminated in their conspiracy to murder him, which Allah prevented. This narrative serves as a warning to the Quraysh about the consequences of rejecting divine messengers.
Related Hadiths
While no hadith directly narrates this specific event, it relates thematically to the general principle found in Sahih Muslim regarding the prohibition of false testimony and conspiracy. The Quran itself is the primary source for details of Thamud's plot, as mentioned in multiple surahs (7:73-79, 11:61-68, 26:141-159).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah warns against joining in conspiracies and false testimony, no matter how many people participate or swear oaths—truth ultimately prevails through Allah's justice. For modern readers, it emphasizes the spiritual and moral danger of collective wrongdoing and the futility of lies against the divine plan.
Related Ayahs
وَلَقَدْ ءَاتَيْنَا دَاوُۥدَ وَسُلَيْمَـٰنَ عِلْمًا ۖ وَقَالَا ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ ٱلَّذِى فَضَّلَنَا عَلَىٰ كَثِيرٍ مِّنْ عِبَادِهِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ
And We had certainly given to David and Solomon knowledge, and they said, "Praise [is due] to Allāh, who has favored us over many of His believing servants."
وَقُلِ ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ سَيُرِيكُمْ ءَايَـٰتِهِۦ فَتَعْرِفُونَهَا ۚ وَمَا رَبُّكَ بِغَـٰفِلٍ عَمَّا تَعْمَلُونَ
And say, "[All] praise is [due] to Allāh. He will show you His signs, and you will recognize them. And your Lord is not unaware of what you do."
وَإِنَّهُۥ لَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةٌ لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ
And indeed, it is guidance and mercy for the believers.
أَمَّنْ خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ وَأَنزَلَ لَكُم مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً فَأَنۢبَتْنَا بِهِۦ حَدَآئِقَ ذَاتَ بَهْجَةٍ مَّا كَانَ لَكُمْ أَن تُنۢبِتُوا۟ شَجَرَهَآ ۗ أَءِلَـٰهٌ مَّعَ ٱللَّهِ ۚ بَلْ هُمْ قَوْمٌ يَعْدِلُونَ
[More precisely], is He [not best] who created the heavens and the earth and sent down for you rain from the sky, causing to grow thereby gardens of joyful beauty which you could not [otherwise] have grown the trees thereof? Is there a deity with Allāh? [No], but they are a people who ascribe equals [to Him].