۞ وَإِلَىٰ ثَمُودَ أَخَاهُمْ صَـٰلِحًا ۚ قَالَ يَـٰقَوْمِ ٱعْبُدُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ مَا لَكُم مِّنْ إِلَـٰهٍ غَيْرُهُۥ ۖ هُوَ أَنشَأَكُم مِّنَ ٱلْأَرْضِ وَٱسْتَعْمَرَكُمْ فِيهَا فَٱسْتَغْفِرُوهُ ثُمَّ تُوبُوٓا۟ إِلَيْهِ ۚ إِنَّ رَبِّى قَرِيبٌ مُّجِيبٌ 61
Translations
And to Thamūd [We sent] their brother Ṣāliḥ. He said, "O my people, worship Allāh; you have no deity other than Him. He has produced you from the earth and settled you in it, so ask forgiveness of Him and then repent to Him. Indeed, my Lord is near and responsive."
Transliteration
Wa ilā Thamūda akhāhum Sālihan, qāla yā qawmi'budū Allāha mā lakum min ilāhin ghayruhu, huwa ansha'akum mina al-ardi wa-ista'marakum fīhā fa-astaghfirūhu thumma tūbū ilayhi, inna rabbī qarībun mujībun
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah sent Salih as a messenger to the people of Thamud, commanding them to worship Allah alone and abandon idolatry. The phrase 'He created you from the earth and made you successors in it' emphasizes both creation and stewardship—that humans are responsible for cultivating and maintaining the earth. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir note that Salih's call to seek forgiveness (istighfar) and repentance (tawbah) represents the comprehensive path to spiritual renewal, followed by his reassurance that the Lord is near and responsive to sincere supplication.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the Meccan surah Hud, which extensively narrates stories of previous prophets and their nations. The account of Thamud appears here to provide the Meccan disbelievers with historical precedent—warning them of the consequences of rejecting divine guidance, as Thamud similarly rejected Salih despite clear signs and miracles (particularly the she-camel). This narrative serves as both admonition and evidence of Allah's justice.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: 'The closest the Lord comes to His servant is in the middle of the night, so if you can be among those who remember Allah at that time, do so' (Tirmidhi). This relates to the concept of Allah's closeness (qurbun) mentioned in the ayah. Additionally, the hadith emphasizing repentance: 'Whoever repents before the sun rises from the west, Allah will accept their repentance' (Sahih Muslim) echoes Salih's call to tawbah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that true spiritual transformation requires both seeking forgiveness for past wrongs and genuine repentance, combined with the assurance that Allah is ever-present and responsive to sincere hearts. As stewards of the earth entrusted with its development, believers must recognize their accountability before Allah and maintain constant awareness of His nearness as motivation for righteous conduct.
Related Ayahs
أَن لَّا تَعْبُدُوٓا۟ إِلَّا ٱللَّهَ ۖ إِنِّىٓ أَخَافُ عَلَيْكُمْ عَذَابَ يَوْمٍ أَلِيمٍ
That you not worship except Allāh. Indeed, I fear for you the punishment of a painful day."
إِلَّا مَن رَّحِمَ رَبُّكَ ۚ وَلِذَٰلِكَ خَلَقَهُمْ ۗ وَتَمَّتْ كَلِمَةُ رَبِّكَ لَأَمْلَأَنَّ جَهَنَّمَ مِنَ ٱلْجِنَّةِ وَٱلنَّاسِ أَجْمَعِينَ
Except whom your Lord has given mercy, and for that He created them. But the word of your Lord is to be fulfilled that, "I will surely fill Hell with jinn and men all together."
وَجَآءَهُۥ قَوْمُهُۥ يُهْرَعُونَ إِلَيْهِ وَمِن قَبْلُ كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ ٱلسَّيِّـَٔاتِ ۚ قَالَ يَـٰقَوْمِ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ بَنَاتِى هُنَّ أَطْهَرُ لَكُمْ ۖ فَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَلَا تُخْزُونِ فِى ضَيْفِىٓ ۖ أَلَيْسَ مِنكُمْ رَجُلٌ رَّشِيدٌ
And his people came hastening to him, and before [this] they had been doing evil deeds. He said, "O my people, these are my daughters; they are purer for you. So fear Allāh and do not disgrace me concerning my guests. Is there not among you a man of reason?"
قَالُوا۟ يَـٰنُوحُ قَدْ جَـٰدَلْتَنَا فَأَكْثَرْتَ جِدَٰلَنَا فَأْتِنَا بِمَا تَعِدُنَآ إِن كُنتَ مِنَ ٱلصَّـٰدِقِينَ
They said, "O Noah, you have disputed [i.e., opposed] us and been frequent in dispute of us. So bring us what you threaten us, if you should be of the truthful."