English Translation of Al-Quran
[40].Surah Al Mumin (The Believer) also known as Surah Ghafir [The Forgiver]
Ayat 82. Have they not travelled through the earth and seen what was the end of those before them? They were more numerous than them and mightier in strength, and in the traces (they have left behind them) in the land, yet all that they used to earn availed them not.
Tafseer of Surah Al Mumin (The Believer) 82. Do they not travel through the earth and see what was the End of those before them? They were more numerous than these and superior in strength and in the traces (they have left) in the land: Yet all that they accomplished was of no profit to them. Cf. 9:69. For any generation to take inordinate pride in its own single achievements in science or skill becomes ridiculous if we consider the broad stream of history- In the first place, men will find that a great deal of what they attribute to their own merits only became possible owing to the earlier work of their predecessors. Secondly, many of their predecessors were more numerous and mightier in power than they, although the perspective of time may have reduced the apparent depth of their influence, and the monuments which they have left behind may have suffered from the destroying hand of Time. Thirdly, and most important of all, when they forgot Allah and His inexorable Law, nothing of their own handiwork profited them: they perished in the common ruin as all vanities must perish. Cf. also 40:21. See how the recapitulation rounds off the argument.
English Translation of Hadith
Hazrat Ibn Umer (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: when Messenger of Allah ﷺ [SAWW](PBUH), and his Companions reached Al-Hijr, the dwellings of the Thamud people, he admonished his Companions (saying), “Do not pass by these people who are being tormented, without weeping, lest the punishment should befall you as it had befallen them.” [Al-Bukhari Book 04, Chapter 55, Hadith # 564].
Another narration is: Hazrat Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) said: When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ [SAWW](PBUH) passed near Al-Hijr, he said, “Do not enter without weeping, the dwellings of those who wronged themselves, lest the same chastisement should fall upon you as it had fallen upon them.” Messenger of Allah ﷺ [SAWW](PBUH) then covered his head and sped up until he crossed the valley of the tormented people.
Lesson: as mentioned above in Surah Al-Mumin Ayat 82. Have they not travelled through the earth and seen what was the end of those before them?” The Thamud were the people to whose guidance Allah sent Prophet Saleh AS. They lived between Al-Madinah and Syria. In 10 A.H. when the Prophet [SAWW](PBUH) went to the Syrian border for the Tabuk expedition, he also passed through this ruined territory. This Hadith is related to the address which he gave to his Companions on the occasion. Here is an instruction that when we happen to pass through the territory of a nation destroyed in the past as a result of Divine wrath, we are advised to quicken one’s pace. That is why we have been commanded to avoid the company of the corrupt and the wrongdoers, lest we meet their bad end, too. As the Qur’an says: “And incline not toward those who do wrong, lest the Fire should touch you.” (11:113) May Allah save us from it!.
