فَأَخَذَتْهُمُ ٱلصَّيْحَةُ بِٱلْحَقِّ فَجَعَلْنَـٰهُمْ غُثَآءً ۚ فَبُعْدًا لِّلْقَوْمِ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ 41
Translations
So the shriek seized them in truth, and We made them as [plant] stubble. Then away with the wrongdoing people.
Transliteration
Fa-akhdhatthummu as-sayhatu bil-haqqi fa-ja'alnāhum ghuthā'an fa-bu'dan lil-qawmi adh-dhālimīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the destruction of the people of Hud when the divine punishment overtook them—a severe cry or blast seized them in truth, and Allah reduced them to scattered debris like the foam of a flood. The ayah concludes with a powerful invocation of destruction upon the wrongdoing people. Ibn Kathir notes this refers to the disbelieving Ad people who rejected Prophet Hud, and their annihilation serves as a stern warning to those who persist in rejecting Allah's signs.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears within the section of Surah Al-Mu'minun that recounts stories of the prophets and their peoples, specifically the account of Prophet Hud and the destruction of the Ad civilization. This thematic context emphasizes the recurring pattern of divine punishment for those who reject the message of tawhīd and persist in oppression.
Related Hadiths
The story of Ad's destruction is referenced in Hadith Qudsi and various narrations in Tafsir works. See Surah Al-Ahqaf (46:24-26) and Surah Al-Fajr (89:6-8) for complementary hadiths about the Ad people's destruction with the violent wind.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that rejecting divine guidance and persisting in wrongdoing inevitably leads to destruction, regardless of worldly power or wealth. The graphic imagery of reduction to scattered debris emphasizes that no amount of arrogance or defiance can protect one from Allah's justice, teaching humility and obedience to the Divine message.
Related Ayahs
فَأَرْسَلْنَا فِيهِمْ رَسُولًا مِّنْهُمْ أَنِ ٱعْبُدُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ مَا لَكُم مِّنْ إِلَـٰهٍ غَيْرُهُۥٓ ۖ أَفَلَا تَتَّقُونَ
And We sent among them a messenger from themselves, [saying], "Worship Allāh; you have no deity other than Him; then will you not fear Him?"
وَشَجَرَةً تَخْرُجُ مِن طُورِ سَيْنَآءَ تَنۢبُتُ بِٱلدُّهْنِ وَصِبْغٍ لِّلْـَٔاكِلِينَ
And [We brought forth] a tree issuing from Mount Sinai which produces oil and food [i.e., olives] for those who eat.
فَكَذَّبُوهُمَا فَكَانُوا۟ مِنَ ٱلْمُهْلَكِينَ
So they denied them and were of those destroyed.
أَفَحَسِبْتُمْ أَنَّمَا خَلَقْنَـٰكُمْ عَبَثًا وَأَنَّكُمْ إِلَيْنَا لَا تُرْجَعُونَ
Then did you think that We created you uselessly and that to Us you would not be returned?"