فِرْعَوْنَ وَثَمُودَ 18
Translations
[Those of] Pharaoh and Thamūd?
Transliteration
Fir'awn wa Thamud
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to Pharaoh and the people of Thamud, two nations that rejected the signs of Allah and His messengers. According to classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, these are cited as prime examples of peoples who disbelieved despite receiving clear proofs, resulting in their destruction. The mention of these two distinct nations emphasizes that rejection of divine guidance leads to inevitable ruin, regardless of the nation's power or resources.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Buruj is a Meccan surah that addresses the disbelievers of Mecca by referencing previous nations who rejected their prophets. This ayah appears within a passage reminding the Quraysh of the fate of Pharaoh (who opposed Prophet Moses) and Thamud (who opposed Prophet Salih), serving as a warning to those rejecting Prophet Muhammad. The broader context emphasizes that Allah's pattern with those who reject His messengers is consistent throughout history.
Related Hadiths
The destruction of Thamud is referenced in multiple hadiths, including in Sahih Bukhari where the Prophet warned against entering the dwellings of those whom Allah destroyed except in a state of weeping. The fate of Pharaoh is extensively mentioned in Sahih Muslim regarding the signs Allah showed to Pharaoh before his drowning.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that no power or civilization is exempt from Allah's justice when they reject His signs and messengers, and should serve as a sobering reminder for believers to heed the message of the Quran lest they repeat the mistakes of those who came before.