Surah Ash-Shu'ara • Ayah 143

Salih and the People of ThamudHere Allah tells us about His servant and Messenger Salih, whom He sent to his people Thamud. They were Arabs living in the city of Al-Hijr -- which is between Wadi Al-Qura and Greater Syria. Their location is well known. In our explanation of Surat Al-A`raf, we mentioned the Hadiths which tell how the Messenger of Allah ﷺ passed by their dwelling place when he wanted to launch a raid on Syria. He went as far as Tabuk, then he went back to Al-Madinah to prepare himself for the campaign. Thamud came after `Ad and before Ibrahim, peace be upon him. Their Prophet Salih called them to Allah, to worship Him alone with no partner or associate, and to obey whatever commands were conveyed to them, but they refused, rejecting him and opposing him. He told them that he did not seek any reward from them for his call to them, but that he would seek the reward for that with Allah. Then he reminded them of the blessings of Allah.

صالح علیہ السلام اور قوم ثمود ٭٭اللہ تعالیٰ کے بندے اور رسول صالح علیہ السلام کا واقعہ بیان ہو رہا کہ آپ علیہ السلام اپنی قوم ثمود کی طرف رسول بنا کر بھیجے گئے تھے یہ لوگ عرب حجر نامی شہر میں رہتے تھے جو وادی القری اور ملک شام کے درمیان ہے۔ یہ عادیوں کے بعد اور ابراہمیوں سے پہلے تھے شام کی طرف جاتے ہوئے آپ صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم کا اس جگہ سے گزرنے کا بیان سورۃ الاعراف کی تفسیر میں پہلے گزر چکا ہے۔ انہیں ان کے نبی علیہ السلام نے اللہ کی طرف بلایا کہ یہ اللہ کی توحید کو مانیں اور صالح علیہ السلام کی رسالت کا اقرار کریں لیکن انہوں نے بھی انکار کر دیا اور اپنے کفر پر جمے رہے اللہ کے پیغمبر علیہ السلام کو جھوٹا کہا۔ باوجود اللہ سے ڈرتے رہنے کی نصیحت سننے کی پرہیزگاری اختیار نہ کی۔ باوجود رسول امین کی موجودگی کے راہ ہدایت اختیار نہ کی۔ حالانکہ نبی کا صاف اعلان تھا کہ ”میں اپنا کوئی بوجھ تم پر ڈال نہیں رہا میں تو رسالت کی تبلیغ کے اجرا کا صرف اللہ تعالیٰ سے خواہاں ہوں۔‏“ اس کے بعد اللہ کی نعمتیں انہیں یاد دلائیں۔صفحہ نمبر6275

آیت 138 وَمَا نَحْنُ بِمُعَذَّبِیْنَ ”یہ آپ علیہ السلام خواہ مخواہ ہم پر دھونس جما رہے ہیں ‘ ہم پر کوئی عذاب وغیرہ آنے والا نہیں ہے۔

CommentaryExplanation of some difficult wordsأَتَبْنُونَ بِكُلِّ رِ‌يعٍ آيَةً تَعْبَثُونَ ﴿128﴾ وَتَتَّخِذُونَ مَصَانِعَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَخْلُدُونَ ﴿129﴾Do you erect on every height a sign having no sound purpose, [ 128] and take the objects of architecture as if you are going to live forever, (26:128-129)Ibn Jarir (رح) has related from Mujahid (رح) that the passage between two hills is called Ri (ریع). But Sayyidna Ibn ` Abbas ؓ and majority have taken the meaning of Ri (ریع) as a high place, and its derivative is ri`-un-na bat' (ریع البنات), which means growing and climbing vegetation. Literal meaning of 'Ayah (آیۃ) is symbol or sign, but here it means a high palace. تَعْبَثُونَ is derived from ` abath (عَبَث), which is something of no value and benefit neither in reality nor by implication. So, the meaning of the verse is that they used to make very high palaces of no benefit and which they did not need. It was just to fulfill their ego and pride. masani' (مَصَانِع) is the plural of Masna` (مَصنَع). Sayyidna Qatadah has taken masani' (مَصَانِع) for the water tank, whereas Hadrat Mujahid (رح) take it to mean strong palace.لَعَلَّكُمْ تَخْلُدُونَ (as if you are going to live forever) Imam al-Bukhari (رح) has commented in Sahih al-Bukhari that the word la'alla (لَعَلَّ ) in the verse, is used as a word of simile, and that Sayyidna Ibn ` Abbas ؓ has translated it as کانَكُمْ تَخْلُدُونَ that is ` as if you are..'. (Ruh al-Ma’ ani)Construction of buildings without any need is contemptibleThis verse indicates that the construction of houses and buildings without need is a condemnable act. The hadith quoted by Imam Tirmidhi (رح) on the authority of Sayyidna Anas ؓ conveys exactly the same message: النفقۃ کلھا فی سبیل اللہ إلّا البناء فلا خیر فیہ (All spendings are in Allah's way, except construction, which has no merit). It means that the building which is constructed in excess of requirement has no benefit or virtue. Another narration of Sayyidna Anas ؓ also confirms this: اِن کُلّ بناء وبال علی صاحبہ إلّا – مَالا ، إلّا مالا، یعنی اِلَّا مالا بدّ منہ - ` Every building is a tribulation for the builder, except that which is necessary, because it is not a nuisance'. It is commented in Ruh al-Ma’ ani that without genuine requirement construction of tall buildings is contemptible and condemned under the Sharl'ah of the Holy Prophet ﷺ .