إِنَّآ أَرْسَلْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ صَيْحَةً وَٰحِدَةً فَكَانُوا۟ كَهَشِيمِ ٱلْمُحْتَظِرِ 31
Translations
Indeed, We sent upon them one shriek [i.e., blast from the sky], and they became like the dry twig fragments of an [animal] pen.
Transliteration
Inna arsalna 'alaihim saihatan wahidatan fakanu ka hashimi al-muhtazir
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes how Allah sent a single blast or cry upon the people of 'Ad, completely destroying them and reducing them to scattered debris like dry pasture eaten by livestock. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari interpret the 'saihah' (cry/blast) as a violent windstorm or overwhelming sound from the heavens that annihilated the entire nation, demonstrating Allah's power over those who reject His messengers. The simile 'like the stubble of pasture' emphasizes their utter destruction and the uselessness of their wealth, strength, and false pride.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Qamar (The Moon) is a Meccan surah that repeatedly recounts stories of destroyed nations—'Ad, Thamud, the people of Lut, and Pharaoh's people—to warn the Quraysh of similar destruction if they persist in disbelief. This specific ayah is part of the narrative about 'Ad, a powerful Arabian people who rejected Prophet Hud and were subsequently destroyed as a clear sign to humanity.
Related Hadiths
The hadith in Sahih Bukhari (2/206) describes that the 'Aad people were destroyed by a cold wind sent upon them for seven nights and eight days. Additionally, Surah Al-Haqqah (69:6-7) provides further detail about this destruction, which is referenced in various tafsir works when explaining this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah serves as a sobering reminder that no amount of worldly power, wealth, or strength can protect those who turn away from Allah's guidance and His messengers; believers should reflect on the fate of arrogant nations and remain humble in obedience to Allah.
Related Ayahs
إِنِّىٓ أَخَافُ عَلَيْكُمْ عَذَابَ يَوْمٍ عَظِيمٍ
Indeed, I fear for you the punishment of a terrible day."
وَمَن يُشَاقِقِ ٱلرَّسُولَ مِنۢ بَعْدِ مَا تَبَيَّنَ لَهُ ٱلْهُدَىٰ وَيَتَّبِعْ غَيْرَ سَبِيلِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ نُوَلِّهِۦ مَا تَوَلَّىٰ وَنُصْلِهِۦ جَهَنَّمَ ۖ وَسَآءَتْ مَصِيرًا
And whoever opposes the Messenger after guidance has become clear to him and follows other than the way of the believers - We will give him what he has taken and drive him into Hell, and evil it is as a destination.
قَالَ عَمَّا قَلِيلٍ لَّيُصْبِحُنَّ نَـٰدِمِينَ
[Allāh] said, "After a little, they will surely become regretful."
ثُمَّ بَدَّلْنَا مَكَانَ ٱلسَّيِّئَةِ ٱلْحَسَنَةَ حَتَّىٰ عَفَوا۟ وَّقَالُوا۟ قَدْ مَسَّ ءَابَآءَنَا ٱلضَّرَّآءُ وَٱلسَّرَّآءُ فَأَخَذْنَـٰهُم بَغْتَةً وَهُمْ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ
Then We exchanged in place of the bad [condition], good, until they increased [and prospered] and said, "Our fathers [also] were touched with hardship and ease." So We seized them suddenly while they did not perceive.