Bukhari

Hadith Commentary:
1.
Imam Bukhari rahimahullah’s second argument is this marfu’ hadith: when the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, while traveling for the expedition of Tabuk, passed through the land of Thamud, i.e., the place of Hijr, he sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said that if one is compelled to pass through such places, one should do so fearing Allah’s punishment, and should not act heedlessly or carelessly.

Allamah Ibn Battal rahimahullah, disagreeing with Imam Bukhari rahimahullah’s argument, has written that it is permissible to pray at such places, because prayer also involves weeping and humility.
(Sharh Ibn Battal: 2/87)
Thus, according to Ibn Battal rahimahullah, the aforementioned hadith does not conform to the action of Ali radi Allahu anhu.

Hafiz Ibn Hajar rahimahullah says that the hadith fully conforms to the action of Ali radi Allahu anhu, because in this hadith it is mentioned
that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam did not camp there.
As is mentioned in another narration, the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam lowered his head and hastened his pace until he had crossed that valley.
(Sahih al-Bukhari, al-Maghazi, Hadith: 4419)
From this narration, it is understood that he did not stay there, nor did he pray there.
Just as Ali radi Allahu anhu did when passing through the sunken place of Babylon, thus it is known that to stay in places of punishment and sunken locations and to perform prayer there is not liked by the Lawgiver alayhis-salam.
And this is precisely the intent of Imam Bukhari rahimahullah.

There should be no doubt that weeping and lamentation are signs of perfect humility, and this state is desirable in prayer, so how can prohibition of prayer be established? The answer is that the humility and submissiveness required in prayer is related to the prayer itself, whereas in the mentioned situation, the weeping that would occur is related to reflection upon the conditions of the punished nations, which is contrary to the presence of heart required in prayer.
And Allah knows best.

2.
From this hadith, it is also understood that a person should keep watch over himself, and that it is prohibited to reside in the places of punished nations; if one is ever compelled to pass through them, one should do so quickly.
As is also indicated by the following noble verse:
﴿ وَسَكَنتُمْ فِي مَسَاكِنِ الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا أَنفُسَهُمْ وَتَبَيَّنَ لَكُمْ كَيْفَ فَعَلْنَا بِهِمْ وَضَرَبْنَا لَكُمُ الْأَمْثَالَ﴾ “And you dwelled in the dwellings of those who wronged themselves, and it became clear to you how We dealt with them, and We set forth for you many parables.”
(Ibrahim: 14:45)

Hadith Commentary:
Although this hadith includes all generally immoral people, the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam stated this hadith at the time when he passed by Al-Hijr, where the people of Thamud used to dwell, as is evident from the previous narration.

Hadith Commentary:
These ahadith include all immoral people, even though you (the Prophet, sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) gave this command when you passed by the place of Hijr, which was the dwelling of the people of Thamud. In any case, one should always fear Allah’s punishment and avoid the company of those who oppose the Shari‘ah, because the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) forbade his noble companions (radi Allahu anhum) from entering the homes of such oppressive people. In fact, he also prohibited the use of water from their wells, and ordered that any dough kneaded with that water should be given to animals.
And Allah is the One whose help is sought.

© Note:
In the instructional edition of Sahih Bukhari, the mentioned chapter heading and the ahadith cited under it come after the mention of Prophet Lut (alayhis salam). That placement was completely unsuitable and inappropriate for this chapter heading and these ahadith.
Since in the Noble Qur’an, after our master Nuh (alayhis salam), the mention is of Prophet Hud (alayhis salam), and after him, Prophet Salih (alayhis salam), we have recorded the mention of Prophet Salih (alayhis salam) in this same order.
Hafiz Ibn Hajar (rahimahullah) has also observed this sequence and has written a note on it.
(Fath al-Bari: 6/460)

Hadith Commentary:
Imam Bukhari rahimahullah has established this chapter heading regarding these ahadith, stating that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam camped at the place of Hijr, even though these narrations do not mention camping there, but rather describe passing through that place. In reality, Imam Bukhari rahimahullah, through this heading, is alluding to a hadith in which camping is explicitly mentioned: when the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam camped at the place of Hijr, he instructed the noble Companions radi Allahu anhum ajma'in:
"Do not drink from the water of this well yourselves, nor let your animals drink from it. Rather, if any dough has been kneaded with this water, then feed it to the animals."
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Ahadith al-Anbiya, Hadith: 3378)
Since this incident occurred on the return from the Battle of Tabuk, Imam Bukhari rahimahullah has mentioned it in this context.
And Allah knows best.

Hadith Commentary:
How greatly one should fear the punishment of Allah, and how much one should avoid those who openly oppose Allah and His Messenger (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), is evident from the aforementioned hadiths: the people were not even allowed to take water from the settlement of such individuals, and the dough that had already been kneaded with that water was also ordered by the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) to be thrown before the animals.
Allahumma ahfazna (O Allah, protect us).

Hadith Commentary:
The location "Hijr" mentioned in the narration is the name of the settlement of the people of Thamud, the people of Prophet Salih (alayhis salam).
This is the very nation upon whom Allah Ta'ala sent His punishment in the form of an earthquake, violent blasts, and thunderous lightning.
When the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) was traveling for the Battle of Tabuk, this location came along the route.
Hijr is a settlement situated between Sham (Greater Syria) and Madinah.

Hadith Commentary:
➊
In another hadith, it is mentioned that when the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) reached the place of Hijr during the expedition of Tabuk, he instructed the noble Companions (radi Allahu anhum ajma'in) not to drink water from their wells nor to draw water from them. The Companions (radi Allahu anhum ajma'in) submitted: "We have already kneaded dough and filled water." He (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said: "Throw away the dough and pour out the water." (Sahih al-Bukhari, Ahadith al-Anbiya, Hadith: 3378)
According to another narration, he (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) permitted that dough to be fed to the camels and instructed that water should be drawn from the well from which the she-camel used to drink. (Sahih al-Bukhari, Ahadith al-Anbiya, Hadith: 3379)
Then he (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) covered his head with his cloak and quickly urged his mount onward, departing from there. (Sahih al-Bukhari, Ahadith al-Anbiya, Hadith: 3380)

➋
The purpose of mentioning these incidents was to indicate that if the polytheists of Makkah are following the path of the people of Thamud, then their end will also be the same. Therefore, there is no need to engage with them; when the appropriate time comes, Allah the Exalted will deal with them.
Wallahu al-musta‘an.

Hadith Commentary: Benefits and Issues: The region of Hijr, where the people of Thamud resided, was passed through during the expedition of Tabuk, because this place is situated between Khaybar and Tabuk, where even today ruins are present. When passing through the regions of nations upon whom punishment was sent, one should weep, or at the very least adopt a weeping appearance, lest we too become victims of such punishment. One should only go to these areas out of necessity or for the purpose of taking admonition and learning a lesson.

Benefit:
The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) did not camp at his place, rather he lowered his head and began to walk quickly until he had crossed that valley. [صحيح البخاري: 4419]
Also, it is not permissible to perform prayer in places where punishment has descended.