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
وَصَدَّهَا مَا كَانَت تَّعْبُدُ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ ۖ إِنَّهَا كَانَتْ مِن قَوْمٍ كَـٰفِرِينَ
And that which she was worshipping other than Allāh had averted her [from submission to Him]. Indeed, she was from a disbelieving people."
حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَآ أَتَوْا۟ عَلَىٰ وَادِ ٱلنَّمْلِ قَالَتْ نَمْلَةٌ يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّمْلُ ٱدْخُلُوا۟ مَسَـٰكِنَكُمْ لَا يَحْطِمَنَّكُمْ سُلَيْمَـٰنُ وَجُنُودُهُۥ وَهُمْ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ
Until, when they came upon the valley of the ants, an ant said, "O ants, enter your dwellings that you not be crushed by Solomon and his soldiers while they perceive not."
وَأَدْخِلْ يَدَكَ فِى جَيْبِكَ تَخْرُجْ بَيْضَآءَ مِنْ غَيْرِ سُوٓءٍ ۖ فِى تِسْعِ ءَايَـٰتٍ إِلَىٰ فِرْعَوْنَ وَقَوْمِهِۦٓ ۚ إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوا۟ قَوْمًا فَـٰسِقِينَ
And put your hand into the opening of your garment [at the breast]; it will come out white without disease. [These are] among the nine signs [you will take] to Pharaoh and his people. Indeed, they have been a people defiantly disobedient."
أَمَّن يَبْدَؤُا۟ ٱلْخَلْقَ ثُمَّ يُعِيدُهُۥ وَمَن يَرْزُقُكُم مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۗ أَءِلَـٰهٌ مَّعَ ٱللَّهِ ۚ قُلْ هَاتُوا۟ بُرْهَـٰنَكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ صَـٰدِقِينَ
Is He [not best] who begins creation and then repeats it and who provides for you from the heaven and earth? Is there a deity with Allāh? Say, "Produce your proof, if you should be truthful."