فَعَقَرُوهَا فَأَصْبَحُوا۟ نَـٰدِمِينَ 157
Translations
But they hamstrung her and so became regretful.
Transliteration
Fa'aqarūhā fa-asbahū nādimīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes how the people of Thamud hamstrung (killed) the she-camel that was sent to them as a sign from Allah, after which they awoke filled with regret and remorse. Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari explain that their immediate regret demonstrates the punishment of Allah was swift—they killed the camel in defiance of Prophet Salih's warning, yet their hearts were seized with regret before the divine punishment fully descended upon them, showing the internal torment that precedes external chastisement.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the broader narrative of Surah Ash-Shu'ara, which recounts stories of various prophets and their peoples' rejection. The context here is the account of Prophet Salih and the people of Thamud, who were given the miraculous she-camel as a sign and a test of their faith. When they killed it in arrogance and disbelief, they sealed their own doom, fulfilling the pattern of those who reject divine signs.
Related Hadiths
The account of the she-camel is mentioned in Sahih Muslim (2286) where the Prophet ﷺ describes the people of Thamud and their punishment. Additionally, Sunan Ibn Majah contains reports about the she-camel of Salih as a sign from Allah that was rejected by the people.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that rejecting clear signs from Allah and following one's desires leads to swift internal regret and external punishment, reminding believers that defiance of divine guidance brings immediate spiritual turmoil before physical consequences arrive. It serves as a warning that sincere repentance must come before actions are taken, not after they have sealed one's fate.