English Translation of Al-Quran
[29].Surah Al-Ankabut [The Spider]
Ayat 38. And ‘Ad and Thamud (people)! And indeed (their destruction) is clearly apparent to you from their (ruined) dwellings. Shaitan (Satan) made their deeds fair-seeming to them, and turned them away from the (Right) Path, though they were intelligent.
Tafseer of Surah Al-Ankabut (The Spider) Ayat 38. (Remember also) the ´Ad and the Thamud (peoples): clearly will appear to you from (the traces) of their buildings (their fate): the Evil One made their deeds alluring to them, and kept them back from the Path, though they were gifted with intelligence and skill. For ‘Ad people see 7:65-72, and n. 1040, and for Thamud, 7:73-79, The remains of their buildings show (1) that they were gifted with great intelligence and skill; (2) that they were proud of their material civilization; and (3) their destruction argues how the greatest material civilization and resources cannot save a People who disobey Allah’s moral law. They were so arrogant and self-satisfied, that they missed the higher purpose of life, and strayed clean away from the Path of Allah. Though their intelligence should have kept them straight, Evil made them crooked and led them and kept them astray.
English Translation of Hadith
Hazrat Ibn Umer (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: when Messenger of Allah [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 [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 [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- Ankabut Ayat 38. “Thamud (people)! And indeed (their destruction) is clearly apparent to you from their (ruined) dwellings” The Thamud were the people to whose guidance Allah sent Prophet Salih 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!
