English Translation of Al-Quran
[34].Surah Saba [Sheba]
Ayat 45. And those before them believed; they have not received one tenth (1/10th) of what We had granted to those (of old), yet they believed My Messengers, then how (terrible) was My denial (punishment)!
Tafseer of Surah Saba’ (Sheba) Ayat. 45. And their predecessors rejected (the Truth); these have not received a tenth of what We had granted to those: yet when they rejected My messengers, how (terrible) was My rejection (of them)! Passing to Peoples before the immediate ancestors, the People of the Book, or the People of Saba’ and ‘Ad and Thamud, had received favors and gifts, power and wealth, ten times more than were enjoyed by the Pagan Quraysh. Yet when they turned away from them, and what terrible consequences descended on them when they lost Allah’s Grace! This should make everyone humble, not least the posterity of Muhammad the Messenger if they forsake Allah’s Truths! For they have received a higher Teaching!
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 [SAWW](PBUH) then covered his head and sped up until he crossed the valley of the tormented people.
Lesson: as mentioned above in Surah Saba Ayat 45. “Those before them believed; these have not received one tenth (1/10th) of what We had granted to those” The Thamud were the people to whose guidance Allah sent Prophet Salih PBUH. They lived between Al-Madinah and Syria. In 10 A.H. when the Prophet ﷺ [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!
