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.