Day 122 · Surah Hud Verses 63-81

Hud 63–81

The people of Thamud were destroyed three days after slaughtering the she-camel that was put as a test, then the angels visited Prophet Ibrahim bringing news of a birth and news of the destruction of the land of Prophet Lut.

• Prophet Saleh affirms that the revelation he received is proof of Allah's mercy, and no one can help him if he disobeys.
• The she-camel must not be harmed in any way, but they slaughtered it anyway.
• Punishment in the form of a terrible thunderbolt came three days later, leaving them lying dead in their homes.
• The angels announced the birth of Ishaq and Ya'qub, which shocked the wife of Prophet Ibrahim because both were already old.
• Prophet Ibrahim prayed that the land of Lut not be destroyed, but was rebuked because that decision had already been decreed by Allah.

Verses 63-68 continue the story of Prophet Saleh and the people of Thamud. They always challenged Prophet Saleh to bring proof of his prophethood. Prophet Saleh explained that he had received revelation from Allah as proof of Allah's mercy toward him and his people. If he disobeyed Allah, then there would be no one to protect him from Allah's wrath. Disobedience to Allah brings only tremendous loss.

Because their disobedience had exceeded all bounds, Allah tested them with a she-camel. They were forbidden to harm her in any way and were to let her graze on the grass she liked. If they harmed her, Allah would send punishment upon them. They refused to obey that prohibition and slaughtered the she-camel. When Allah was about to destroy them, Allah first saved Prophet Saleh and those believers with him. Then Allah sent punishment upon them three days later, in the form of a terrible thunderbolt so that they died in their homes lying dead and becoming frozen corpses. Thus is the way Allah punished the disbelieving and disobedient people of Thamud.

Verses 69-71 explain that Allah sent some angels to Prophet Ibrahim to give him news of the destruction of the people of Lut and at the same time news of the glad tidings of the birth of his son Ishaq and Ya'qub after longing for offspring for so long.

Verses 72-76 continue the previous verse regarding the glad tidings of the birth of Ishaq and Ya'qub. Ibrahim's wife was shocked because both she and Ibrahim were old. The angels said to her: Do not be amazed at Allah's affair and decision. Allah wishes to bestow His mercy and blessing upon the family of Ibrahim, including by bringing forth prophets from his descendants. Ibrahim was known as a generous and compassionate one who greatly longed to meet Allah. Therefore, he asked the angels not to destroy the land of Lut because there were believers in it—namely Lut and a small number of his followers. The angels rebuked Ibrahim not to worry about this matter because it had already become Allah's decision.

Verses 77-81 explain that after coming to Ibrahim, the angels also came to Prophet Lut in the form of handsome young men. Then his people asked Lut to allow them to engage in homosexual practice with them. Lut became frightened. So the angels said: O Lut, we are the messengers of Allah sent to you. They will not be able to harm you. Take your family out of this land at night, except your wife. She will be struck by the same punishment as your people at dawn.

Loading the full version…