فَأَخَذَتْهُمُ ٱلرَّجْفَةُ فَأَصْبَحُوا۟ فِى دَارِهِمْ جَـٰثِمِينَ 78
Translations
So the earthquake seized them, and they became within their home [corpses] fallen prone.
Transliteration
Fa-akhdhathumu ar-rajfatu fa-asbahu fee darahim jathimeen
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes how the earthquake (ar-rajfah) seized the people of Salih who rejected the message, leaving them dead and prostrate in their homes. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari explain that this was the divine punishment for their arrogance and rejection of the prophet Salih, serving as a clear sign of Allah's power and justice. The 'earthquake' is understood as a sudden, overwhelming punishment that struck them while they were in their homes, rendering them lifeless and immobilized.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the narrative of Prophet Salih and the people of Thamud in Surah Al-A'raf (verses 73-79, a Meccan surah). The context describes how Thamud rejected Salih's call to monotheism despite witnessing miracles, and this ayah presents the consequential punishment they faced, meant to serve as a warning to the Meccans who similarly rejected Prophet Muhammad.
Related Hadiths
The account of Thamud's destruction is referenced in various hadiths about the signs of the Day of Judgment and past nations. See Sahih Muslim (2797) where the Prophet mentions the people of Thamud among those who rejected their messengers and faced divine punishment.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that rejecting divine guidance and turning away from messengers leads to inevitable and severe consequences, while also serving as reassurance that Allah protects the righteous and ultimately brings justice. Modern readers should reflect on the importance of heeding sincere advice and spiritual guidance before it is too late.