A Reminder of the Story of `Aad and Thamud
Creator: Imam Ibn Kathir
Date: 2006-05-07
Format: text
Identifier: http://www.islaam.com/Article.aspx?id=578
Language: en
Source: Tafsir Ibn Kathir (Abridged), Volume 8
Subject: quran
Title: A Reminder of the Story of `Aad and Thamud
Created on: Sun May 07 12:02:32 -0400 2006
Updated on: Mon Sep 25 13:29:22 -0400 2006
Version: 3
Abstract: ... for `Ad, they were arrogant in the land without right."means, they were arrogant, stubborn and disobedient. "and they said: 'Who is mightier than us in strength?'"They boasted of their physical strength, and power; they thought that this would protect them from Allah's punishment. "See they not that Allah Who created them was mightier in strength than them."Means, do they not realize, when they are showing enmity, that He is the Almighty Who created all things and gave them whatever strength they have, and that His onslaught will be far greater? This is like the Ayah: "With Hands did We construct the heaven. Verily, We are able to extend the vastness of space thereof." (51:47) They openly opposed the Almighty and denied His signs and disobeyed His Messenger. Allah said: "So We sent upon them a Sarsar wind." Some said that this was strongly blowing wind; others said that it was a cold wind. It was also said that it is the wind that makes a noise. The truth that it was all of these things, for it was a strong wind that was an apt punishment for their being deceived by their physical strength. It was also intensely cold, as Allah says: "with a Sarsar wind!" (69:6), meaning a very cold wind. It also made a furious sound. Additionally, there is a famous river in the east which is called Sarsar because of the noise it makes as it flows. "in days of calamity" means, consecutive days. "seven nights and eight days in succession" (69:7). This is like the Ayah: "on a day of calamity, continuous" (54:19) i.e., the punishment began on a day which was of evil omen for them, and this evil omen continued for them, "seven nights and eight days in succession" (69:7) until they were destroyed, every last one of them, and their humiliation in this world was joined to their punishment in the Hereafter. Allah says: "that We might give them a taste of disgracing torment in this present worldly life. But surely the torment of the Hereafter will be more disgracing." meaning, more humiliating for them. "and they will never be helped." means, in the Hereafter, just as they were never helped in this world, and they had no one who could protect them from Allah or save them from His punishment. "And as fir Thamu... [Full Article...]
