سُوْرَةُ الْفَجْرِ

Surah Al-Fajr (89) — Ayah 9

The Dawn · Meccan · Juz 30 · Page 593

وَثَمُودَ ٱلَّذِينَ جَابُوا۟ ٱلصَّخْرَ بِٱلْوَادِ ﴿9﴾
And (with) Thamûd (people), who hewed out rocks in the valley (to make dwellings)?
وَثَمُودَ wathamūda And Thamud
ٱلَّذِينَ alladhīna who
جَابُوا۟ jābū carved out
ٱلصَّخْرَ l-ṣakhra the rocks
بِٱلْوَادِ bil-wādi in the valley

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 9){ وَ ثَمُوْدَ الَّذِيْنَ جَابُوا الصَّخْرَ بِالْوَادِ: ’’ جَابُوْا ‘‘ ’’جَابَ يَجُوْبُ جَوْبًا‘‘} (N) To cut. {’’ الصَّخْرَ ‘‘} is a generic noun, meaning rocks. The commentators say that Thamud were the first people who carved houses out of mountains. (Shawkani) Nowadays, this "Wadi al-Qura" is called "Al-Ula," which is in Saudi Arabia, and it is located about twenty miles from Mada'in Salih (which was the central city of Thamud). (See Surah Al-Hijr: 82) (Ashraf al-Hawashi)

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.

9. 1. This was the people of Salih. Allah granted them a special skill and strength for carving stones, to the extent that they would carve mountains and build their dwellings within them, as the Quran has said (وَتَنْحِتُوْنَ مِنَ الْجِبَالِ بُيُوْتًا فٰرِهِيْنَ 149؀ۚ) 26. Ash-Shu'ara:149)

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.

9. And with Thamud, who carved out rocks in the valley [8],

[8]
Mention of the People of Thamud:

The second was the people of Thamud, who are also called ‘Ad Thani. They were expert stone carvers. Not only did they make their homes inside mountains, but they had carved entire cities out of stone. Their dwelling was Wadi al-Qura, which lies on the route between Madinah and Tabuk. They too denied the Hereafter, and thus were rebellious against Allah. Allah destroyed them with the punishment of an earthquake and a cry. The earthquake was so severe that cracks and fissures appeared in their stone houses. Then, many of those houses became ruins due to the weight of the mountain, and they themselves died, unable to withstand the earthquake and the cry.