سُوْرَةُ الْحِجْرِ

Surah Al-Hijr (15) — Ayah 82

The Rock · Meccan · Juz 14 · Page 266

وَكَانُوا۟ يَنْحِتُونَ مِنَ ٱلْجِبَالِ بُيُوتًا ءَامِنِينَ ﴿82﴾
And they used to hew out dwellings from the mountains (feeling themselves) secure.
وَكَانُوا۟ wakānū And they used (to)
يَنْحِتُونَ yanḥitūna carve
مِنَ mina from
ٱلْجِبَالِ l-jibāli the mountains
بُيُوتًا buyūtan houses
ءَامِنِينَ āminīna secure

Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim is a 4-volume Quran commentary by Hafiz Abdus Salam bin Muhammad Bhutvi, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar and Sheikh ul-Hadith from Pakistan. Based on over 45 years of teaching and research, this tafsir follows the methodology of Tafsir bil-Ma'thur — interpreting the Quran through authentic Hadith, statements of the Companions, and the understanding of the early generations (Salaf). It is distinguished by its complete avoidance of Israeliyyat (Judeo-Christian narratives) and unverified reports. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

(Ayah 82 to 84){وَ كَانُوْا يَنْحِتُوْنَ مِنَ الْجِبَالِ بُيُوْتًا اٰمِنِيْنَ … :} That is, the previous nation of ‘Ad was destroyed by a storm, so in their opinion, they carved out secure dwellings in the mountains, in which there was no fear or danger. But in the morning, such a scream came that all their hearts burst, and an extremely terrifying sound ({اَلطَّاغِيَةُ}) along with the resulting earthquake completed the destruction. Then their architectural and agricultural progress and skill did not benefit them at all.

Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan is a well-known Quran commentary by Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. This tafsir explains the meanings of the Quran in accordance with the methodology of the Salaf (early righteous generations), relying on authentic sources and straightforward language. Due to its reliability and adherence to sound Islamic scholarship, the Saudi government publishes and distributes this tafsir among the Hujjaj (pilgrims) visiting the Haramain. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

82. 1. That is, they used to carve out mountains without any fear. In 9 Hijri, when the Messenger of Allah ﷺ passed by this settlement while going to Tabuk, he ﷺ wrapped a cloth over his head and hastened his mount, and instructed the companions to pass through this settlement weeping and fearing Allah's punishment (Ibn Kathir). This narration is also found in Sahih Bukhari and Muslim.

Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

82. They used to carve out homes in the mountains, living securely [44].

[44]
The People of Al-Hijr or the Nation of Thamud:

These people were very tall, strong-bodied, and long-lived. They were stone carvers and engineer-type people. And they were so skilled in this art that they would carve mountains and make their homes within them. And these homes were so strong that they could withstand all kinds of earthly and heavenly calamities, such as earthquakes, floods, storms, winds, and rains, etc. Therefore, they lived in them fearlessly, free from all kinds of fear and danger.