وَكَذَّبُوا۟ وَٱتَّبَعُوٓا۟ أَهْوَآءَهُمْ ۚ وَكُلُّ أَمْرٍ مُّسْتَقِرٌّ 3
Translations
And they denied and followed their inclinations. But for every matter is a [time of] settlement.
Transliteration
Wa-kazzabū wa-ttaba'ū ahwā'ahum, wa-kullu amrin mustaqirr
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes how the people of Thamūd rejected the truth brought by the Prophet Ṣāliḥ and followed their desires instead, abandoning divine guidance. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Ṭabarī explain that 'every matter has its appointed term' (wa-kullu amrin mustaqirr) refers to how every nation's appointed deadline for punishment is fixed and established—their rejection sealed their fate. The ayah emphasizes that following one's whims instead of Allah's signs leads inevitably to destruction.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Al-Qamar, which is primarily Meccan and focuses on accounts of nations that rejected their prophets and faced divine punishment. This verse specifically recounts the fate of the Thamūd people, illustrating the pattern of rejection and its consequences as a warning to the Quraysh of Mecca.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The best of you are those who have the best character' (Sahih Bukhari 3331), which stands in contrast to following desires. Additionally, 'Whoever follows his desires without knowledge, his deeds will be of no avail' relates to the principle established in this verse.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that abandoning truth in favor of personal desires inevitably leads to destruction, as every nation's end is predetermined by Allah's justice. For believers today, it serves as a reminder to prioritize obedience to divine guidance over worldly inclinations and fleeting desires.
Related Ayahs
فَقَدْ كَذَّبُوا۟ بِٱلْحَقِّ لَمَّا جَآءَهُمْ ۖ فَسَوْفَ يَأْتِيهِمْ أَنۢبَـٰٓؤُا۟ مَا كَانُوا۟ بِهِۦ يَسْتَهْزِءُونَ
For they had denied the truth when it came to them, but there is going to reach them the news of what they used to ridicule.
بَلِ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ يُكَذِّبُونَ
But those who have disbelieved deny,
فَلَمَّا جَآءَهُم بِٱلْحَقِّ مِنْ عِندِنَا قَالُوا۟ ٱقْتُلُوٓا۟ أَبْنَآءَ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ مَعَهُۥ وَٱسْتَحْيُوا۟ نِسَآءَهُمْ ۚ وَمَا كَيْدُ ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ إِلَّا فِى ضَلَـٰلٍ
And when he brought them the truth from Us, they said, "Kill the sons of those who have believed with him and keep their women alive." But the plan of the disbelievers is not except in error.
قَالُوا۟ حَرِّقُوهُ وَٱنصُرُوٓا۟ ءَالِهَتَكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ فَـٰعِلِينَ
They said, "Burn him and support your gods - if you are to act."