سُوْرَةُ الشُّعَرَآءِ
Surah Ash-Shu'araa (26) — Ayah 176
كَذَّبَ أَصْحَـٰبُ لْـَٔيْكَةِ ٱلْمُرْسَلِينَ ﴿176﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
The dwellers of Al-Aikah [near Madyan (Midian)] belied the Messengers.
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
كَذَّبَ
kadhaba
Denied
أَصْحَـٰبُ
aṣḥābu
(the) companions
لْـَٔيْكَةِ
al'aykati
(of the) Wood
ٱلْمُرْسَلِينَ
l-mur'salīna
the Messengers
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim — Hafiz Abdus Salam Bin Muhammad Bhutvi
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 177,176) {كَذَّبَ اَصْحٰبُ لْـَٔيْكَةِ الْمُرْسَلِيْنَ … : ’’اَلْئَيْكَةُ‘‘} refers to a cluster of trees; these clusters were located around Madyan. Shu‘ayb (peace be upon him) was sent to both the people of Madyan and the Companions of the Thicket, but since his residence was in Madyan and his lineage was also connected to the people of Madyan, and Allah Almighty has chosen all prophets from among those who dwell in towns (see Yusuf: 109), therefore, in the mention of Madyan, Shu‘ayb (peace be upon him) was called their brother, as He said: «{ وَ اِلٰى مَدْيَنَ اَخَاهُمْ شُعَيْبًا }» [ الأعراف : ۸۵ ] “And to Madyan, their brother Shu‘ayb.” Whereas in the mention of the Companions of the Thicket, He said: «{ اِذْ قَالَ لَهُمْ شُعَيْبٌ }» [ الشعراء : ۱۷۷ ] “When Shu‘ayb said to them,” from which it is understood that Shu‘ayb (peace be upon him) was indeed sent to them, but there was no such connection of lineage, in-laws, or residence among them that he would be called their brother. (Al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir)
Ibn Kathir (may Allah have mercy on him) said: “The authentic opinion is that the Companions of the Thicket are the people of Madyan themselves; both were advised to give full measure and weight. They were called the Companions of the Thicket because ‘the Thicket’ was a tree or a cluster of trees which they used to worship. When the mention was of Madyan (the city or the people), Shu‘ayb (peace be upon him) was called their brother, but when their association was made with tree worship, He said: «{ اِذْ قَالَ لَهُمْ شُعَيْبٌ }» ‘When Shu‘ayb said to them,’ meaning the bond of brotherhood was ended.”
Ibn Kathir (may Allah have mercy on him) said: “The authentic opinion is that the Companions of the Thicket are the people of Madyan themselves; both were advised to give full measure and weight. They were called the Companions of the Thicket because ‘the Thicket’ was a tree or a cluster of trees which they used to worship. When the mention was of Madyan (the city or the people), Shu‘ayb (peace be upon him) was called their brother, but when their association was made with tree worship, He said: «{ اِذْ قَالَ لَهُمْ شُعَيْبٌ }» ‘When Shu‘ayb said to them,’ meaning the bond of brotherhood was ended.”
