سُوْرَةُ الشُّعَرَآءِ
Surah Ash-Shu'araa (26) — Ayah 158
فَأَخَذَهُمُ ٱلْعَذَابُ ۗ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَةً ۖ وَمَا كَانَ أَكْثَرُهُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ ﴿158﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
So the torment overtook them. Verily, in this is indeed a sign, yet most of them are not believers.
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
فَأَخَذَهُمُ
fa-akhadhahumu
So seized them
ٱلْعَذَابُ ۗ
l-ʿadhābu
the punishment
إِنَّ
inna
Indeed
فِى
fī
in
ذَٰلِكَ
dhālika
that
لَـَٔايَةًۭ ۖ
laāyatan
surely is a sign
وَمَا
wamā
but not
كَانَ
kāna
are
أَكْثَرُهُم
aktharuhum
most of them
مُّؤْمِنِينَ
mu'minīna
believers
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran — Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani
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.
158. So the punishment overtook them [97]. Surely, in this is a sign [98], but most of them would not believe.
[97]
The Plot to Assassinate Sayyiduna Salih (ؑ):
That wretched man attacked the she-camel’s hamstrings (the veins in her legs) with a sword or something similar and cut them. The she-camel let out a loud scream and disappeared into that very mountain. In the same way, her calf also disappeared into that mountain. Now these people began to sense the threat of punishment. When circumstances become alarming, usually a person loses his senses and starts thinking in reverse. Thus, these wretches began to secretly consult about getting rid of Hazrat Salih (ؑ) as well. Their minds led them to believe that if Salih was also gone, perhaps the punishment would not come. When Salih (ؑ) became aware of these circumstances, he, by Allah’s command, gave them an ultimatum of three days, saying: “Enjoy yourselves for three days. After that, punishment will descend upon you.” [11: 65] The total number of those who believed in Hazrat Salih (ؑ) was one hundred and twenty. He took them with him and migrated towards Al-Mada’in and settled near Ramla. It was at this very place that Hazrat Salih (ؑ) passed away.
[98]
The Punishment of Earthquake and Thunderbolt on the People of Thamud:
A severe punishment of earthquake descended upon this nation, which shook the very roots of the mountains. Cracks appeared in them and stones began to fall upon stones, turning most of their houses into ruins. During this time, terrifying and ear-splitting sounds were also emitted. Thus, through this double punishment, this wretched nation was wiped off the face of the earth. The destruction of the people of Thamud also occurred exactly according to the way of Allah, and in this too are hidden many reasons for reflection. If only these people would take a lesson from this incident. But the majority of these people are such that they do not turn towards faith.
[97]
The Plot to Assassinate Sayyiduna Salih (ؑ):
That wretched man attacked the she-camel’s hamstrings (the veins in her legs) with a sword or something similar and cut them. The she-camel let out a loud scream and disappeared into that very mountain. In the same way, her calf also disappeared into that mountain. Now these people began to sense the threat of punishment. When circumstances become alarming, usually a person loses his senses and starts thinking in reverse. Thus, these wretches began to secretly consult about getting rid of Hazrat Salih (ؑ) as well. Their minds led them to believe that if Salih was also gone, perhaps the punishment would not come. When Salih (ؑ) became aware of these circumstances, he, by Allah’s command, gave them an ultimatum of three days, saying: “Enjoy yourselves for three days. After that, punishment will descend upon you.” [11: 65] The total number of those who believed in Hazrat Salih (ؑ) was one hundred and twenty. He took them with him and migrated towards Al-Mada’in and settled near Ramla. It was at this very place that Hazrat Salih (ؑ) passed away.
[98]
The Punishment of Earthquake and Thunderbolt on the People of Thamud:
A severe punishment of earthquake descended upon this nation, which shook the very roots of the mountains. Cracks appeared in them and stones began to fall upon stones, turning most of their houses into ruins. During this time, terrifying and ear-splitting sounds were also emitted. Thus, through this double punishment, this wretched nation was wiped off the face of the earth. The destruction of the people of Thamud also occurred exactly according to the way of Allah, and in this too are hidden many reasons for reflection. If only these people would take a lesson from this incident. But the majority of these people are such that they do not turn towards faith.
