Tafsir of Hud 11:64-65

Surah Hud (11): Verses 64-65

[11:64] And O my people, this is the she-camel of Allah, a sign for you, so let her graze upon the land of Allah, and do not touch her with harm, lest a near punishment seize you."

[11:65] But they hamstrung her, and he said, "Enjoy yourselves in your dwellings for three days; that is a promise not to be denied."

It is customary for one who claims prophethood among a people who worship idols to begin by calling them to the worship of Allah, followed by the claim of prophethood. Necessarily, they will then demand a miracle from him. The affair of the Prophet Salih (عليه السلام) was exactly like this.

It is narrated that his people went out for one of their festivals and asked him to bring them a sign, specifically requesting that a she-camel emerge from a particular rock they pointed to. Salih prayed to his Lord, and the she-camel emerged just as they requested.

Know that this she-camel was a miracle in several aspects:

1. First: Allah created her from the rock.
2. Second: Allah created her inside the mountain, then split the mountain for her emergence.
3. Third: Allah created her pregnant (carrying offspring) without a male progenitor.
4. Fourth: Allah created her in that form instantly, without gestation or birth.
5. Fifth: It is narrated that she had a day for drinking water, and the rest of the people had another day.
6. Sixth: She produced abundant milk sufficient for the great multitude of people.

Each of these aspects is a powerful miracle. Although the Quran confirms that the she-camel was a sign and a miracle, it does not explicitly detail which of these specific miraculous aspects were present.

[11:64] Then He said: {So let her graze upon the land of Allah}. This means that the Prophet Salih (عليه السلام) relieved his people of the burden of caring for her. Thus, while being a sign for them, she benefited them and did not harm them, as they benefited from her milk.

It is narrated that Salih (عليه السلام) feared for her safety when he witnessed their persistence in disbelief. The opponent does not like the manifestation of his adversary's proof; rather, he strives to conceal and nullify it as much as possible. For this reason, he feared they might attempt to kill her, so he took precaution and said: {and do not touch her with harm}. He warned them that if they harmed her, a near punishment would seize them. This was a severe warning against proceeding to kill her.

Then Allah the Exalted explained that despite this, they hamstrung her and slaughtered her. It is possible they hamstrung her to nullify the proof, or because she restricted their water supply (by taking turns), or because they desired her fat and meat.

{and a near punishment will seize you} refers to the third day, which is connected to His statement: {Enjoy yourselves in your dwellings}.

[11:65] Then Allah the Exalted clarified that the people hamstrung her. At that point, Salih (عليه السلام) told them: {Enjoy yourselves in your dwellings for three days}.

The meaning of tamattu' (enjoyment) is delighting in the benefits and pleasures perceived by the senses. Since enjoyment is only possible for the living, this phrase is used as a metaphor for their remaining lifespan.

Regarding {in your dwellings}, there are two interpretations:

1. First: The dwelling refers to the city/land, as lands are called diyār because one transacts or moves about in them (yudār fīhā). It is said, diyār bakr (virgin lands), meaning their lands.
2. Second: The dwellings refer to this world (ad-dunyā).

{that is a promise not to be denied}. This means a promise that will not be unfulfilled. The verbal noun (masdar) can sometimes be used in the sense of the passive participle (like majlūd - flogged, or maʿqūl - understood), as in the phrase bi-ayyumakum al-maftūn (by which of you is afflicted). Another view is that it means a promise that will not be doubted.

Ibn Abbas (رضي الله عنهما) narrated that when Allah granted them this three-day respite, He encouraged them toward faith. This is because when they hamstrung the she-camel, Salih (عليه السلام) warned them of the coming punishment. They asked what the sign of that would be. He replied: "On the first day, your faces will turn yellow; on the second day, red; and on the third day, black. Then the punishment will come to you on the fourth day." When they saw their faces turn black, they became certain of the punishment, prepared themselves, and on the fourth morning, the Shout (aṣ-ṣayḥa), the thunderbolt, and the punishment overtook them.

A Question Raised: How is it conceivable that these signs appeared upon them, corresponding to Salih's (عليه السلام) statement, yet they remained insistent upon disbelief?

The Answer: As long as the signs do not reach the level of certainty and final proof, it is not impossible for them to remain in disbelief. However, once they become certain and definitive, the matter reaches a point of compulsion (al-iljāʾ), and faith at that stage is not accepted.

[11:66] So when Our command came, We saved Salih and those who believed with him, by Our mercy, and the disgrace of that Day. Indeed, your Lord—He is the Powerful, the Mighty.

[11:67] And the wrongdoers were seized by the Shout, and they became in their dwellings [dead], prostrate,

[11:68] As if they had never lived therein. Indeed, Thamud denied their Lord. Unquestionably, away with Thamud!