Tafsir Surah Al-Hijr ayah 73 | Learn Quran Tafsir

The Destruction of the People of Lut

Allah said;

فَأَخَذَتۡهُمُ الصَّيۡحَةُ مُشۡرِقِينَ

So the Sayhah overtook them at the time of sunrise.

This is the piercing sound that came to them when the sun rose, which was accompanied by the city being flipped upside down, and stones of baked clay (As-Sijjil) raining down upon them.

فَجَعَلۡنَا عَالِيَهَا سَافِلَهَا وَأَمۡطَرۡنَا عَلَيۡهِمۡ حِجَارَةً مِّن سِجِّيلٍ

And We turned them upside down and rained stones of baked clay upon them.

The discussion of As-Sijjil in Surah Hud is a sufficient explanation.

Allah said:

إِنَّ فِي ذَلِكَ لايَاتٍ لِّلۡمُتَوَسِّمِينَ

Surely, in this are signs for those who see.

meaning that the traces of the destruction of that city are easily visible to any one who ponder about it, whether they look at it with physical eyesight or mental and spiritual insight, as Mujahid said concerning the phrase,

لِّلۡمُتَوَسِّمِينَ

(those who see) he said,

""those who have insight and discernment.""

It was reported from Ibn Abbas and Ad-Dahhak that;

it referred to those who look.

Qatadah said:

""those who learn lessons.""

لِّلۡمُتَوَسِّمِينَ

(those who see),

therefore the meaning is ""those who ponder.""

The City of Sodom on the Highroad

Allah tells;

وَإِنَّهَا لَبِسَبِيلٍ مُّقيمٍ

And verily, they were right on the highroad.

meaning that the city of Sodom, which was physically and spiritually turned upside down, and pelted with stones until it became a foul smelling lake (the Dead Sea), is on a route that is easily accessible until the present day.

This is like the Ayah,

وَإِنَّكُمۡ لَّتَمُرُّونَ عَلَيۡهِمۡ مُّصۡبِحِينَ

وَبِالَّيۡلِ أَفَلَ تَعۡقِلُونَ

Verily, you pass by them in the morning, and at night. Will you not then reflect! (37:137-138)

إِنَّ فِي ذَلِكَ لايَةً لِّلۡمُومِنِينَ

Surely, there is indeed a sign in that for the believers.

meaning, `All that We did to the people of Lut, from the destruction and the vengeance, to how We saved Lut and his family, these are clear signs to those who believe in Allah and His Messengers."

Al-Hijr: 73

Ayah

Translation

Tafsir

Al-Hijr: 73