قَالُوا۟ تَقَاسَمُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ لَنُبَيِّتَنَّهُۥ وَأَهْلَهُۥ ثُمَّ لَنَقُولَنَّ لِوَلِيِّهِۦ مَا شَهِدْنَا مَهْلِكَ أَهْلِهِۦ وَإِنَّا لَصَـٰدِقُونَ 49
Translations
They said, "Take a mutual oath by Allāh that we will kill him by night, he and his family. Then we will say to his executor, 'We did not witness the destruction of his family, and indeed, we are truthful.'"
Transliteration
Qālū taqāsamū billāhi lanubayyitannahu wa-ahlahu thumma lanaqulanna li-waliyyihi mā shahidnā mahlaka ahlihī wa-innā la-sādiqūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the plot of the people of Thamud against the Prophet Salih, wherein they conspired by oath to kill him and his family at night, then lie to his guardian (or the people) claiming they did not witness the destruction of his household. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this represents their deliberate conspiracy and false testimony, demonstrating their rejection of truth and willingness to commit murder and perjury. Al-Qurtubi emphasizes that this ayah illustrates the depths of human wickedness when hearts are sealed from divine guidance.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the Quranic narrative of Thamud (verses 27:45-53), a Meccan surah addressing the disbelievers of Mecca. The context shows how ancient peoples rejected their prophets; Thamud's rejection of Salih culminated in their conspiracy to murder him, which Allah prevented. This narrative serves as a warning to the Quraysh about the consequences of rejecting divine messengers.
Related Hadiths
While no hadith directly narrates this specific event, it relates thematically to the general principle found in Sahih Muslim regarding the prohibition of false testimony and conspiracy. The Quran itself is the primary source for details of Thamud's plot, as mentioned in multiple surahs (7:73-79, 11:61-68, 26:141-159).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah warns against joining in conspiracies and false testimony, no matter how many people participate or swear oaths—truth ultimately prevails through Allah's justice. For modern readers, it emphasizes the spiritual and moral danger of collective wrongdoing and the futility of lies against the divine plan.
Related Ayahs
وَكَانَ فِى ٱلْمَدِينَةِ تِسْعَةُ رَهْطٍ يُفْسِدُونَ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَلَا يُصْلِحُونَ
And there were in the city nine family heads causing corruption in the land and not amending [its affairs].
أَمَّن يَهْدِيكُمْ فِى ظُلُمَـٰتِ ٱلْبَرِّ وَٱلْبَحْرِ وَمَن يُرْسِلُ ٱلرِّيَـٰحَ بُشْرًۢا بَيْنَ يَدَىْ رَحْمَتِهِۦٓ ۗ أَءِلَـٰهٌ مَّعَ ٱللَّهِ ۚ تَعَـٰلَى ٱللَّهُ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ
Is He [not best] who guides you through the darknesses of the land and sea and who sends the winds as good tidings before His mercy? Is there a deity with Allāh? High is Allāh above whatever they associate with Him.
وَجَدتُّهَا وَقَوْمَهَا يَسْجُدُونَ لِلشَّمْسِ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ وَزَيَّنَ لَهُمُ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنُ أَعْمَـٰلَهُمْ فَصَدَّهُمْ عَنِ ٱلسَّبِيلِ فَهُمْ لَا يَهْتَدُونَ
I found her and her people prostrating to the sun instead of Allāh, and Satan has made their deeds pleasing to them and averted them from [His] way, so they are not guided,
أَلَّا تَعْلُوا۟ عَلَىَّ وَأْتُونِى مُسْلِمِينَ
Be not haughty with me but come to me in submission [as Muslims].'"