Tafsir of Ad-Dhariyat 51:43

(And in Thamud, when it was said to them: "Enjoy yourselves for a time.") [43]

Al-Bayhaqi recorded in his Sunan on the authority of Qatadah that it is three days, and Al-Farra’ and a group [of scholars] held this view. He said: Its explanation is the saying of the Exalted: "Enjoy yourselves in your homes for three days" (Hud: 65).

This was considered problematic because this enjoyment is subsequent to their insolence, due to His saying: "But they hamstrung her, so he said: 'Enjoy yourselves...'" and His saying: "But they insolently defied the command of their Lord," which indicates that the insolence was subsequent.

It was answered that this is ordered according to the completion of the story, as if it were said: "And We placed in the time of Our saying that to Thamud a sign," or, "And in the time of Our saying that to Thamud [there was] a sign." Then, He began to explain how it was a sign, so it was said: