وَثَمُودُ وَقَوْمُ لُوطٍ وَأَصْحَـٰبُ لْـَٔيْكَةِ ۚ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ ٱلْأَحْزَابُ 13
Translations
And [the tribe of] Thamūd and the people of Lot and the companions of the thicket [i.e., people of Madyan]. Those are the companies.
Transliteration
Wa Thamudu wa qawmu Lutin wa ashaabu al-Aikah, Ulaaika al-Ahzab
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah mentions three destroyed nations: Thamud, the people of Lot, and the inhabitants of al-Aikah (the forest dwellers, often identified as the people of Madyan). Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari note that these peoples are grouped together as examples of communities that rejected their messengers and were consequently destroyed, emphasizing the pattern of divine punishment for those who turn away from revelation. The term 'al-Ahzab' (the confederates/parties) refers to these various groups as united in their defiance and opposition to their respective prophets.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Sad, which discusses various prophets and past nations. The surah was revealed in Mecca during a period when the Quraysh were being reminded of previous peoples who rejected divine guidance. This ayah serves as part of a broader historical narrative meant to warn the Meccan disbelievers by drawing parallels to the destruction of earlier civilizations.
Related Hadiths
The destruction of these peoples is referenced in Sahih Muslim, where the Prophet (peace be upon him) mentioned the torment that befell previous nations as a warning to believers. Additionally, Surah Al-Hajj 44-45 provides Quranic context about the people of al-Aikah and their destruction.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that rejection of divine guidance leads to inevitable destruction, regardless of a nation's power or numbers, serving as a timeless warning against arrogance and turning away from the message of the prophets. It demonstrates that Allah's pattern with nations is consistent and just.