Surah Al-Hijr 15:79
ﱱ ﱲ ﱳ ﱴ ﱵ
So We took retribution from them, and indeed, both [cities] are on a clear highway.
Tafsir of Al-Hijr 15:78-79
Tafsir
Mafatih al-Ghayb
Verse range: 15:78-79
| Al-Hijr: (78-79) And indeed, the companions of...
Know that this is the third story mentioned in this Surah. The first was the story of Adam and Iblis, the second was the story of Ibrahim and Lut, and the third is this story.
The companions of the Aykah (thicket) were the people of Shu'ayb, peace be upon him. They were people of dense groves, and they denied Shu'ayb. Allah Almighty destroyed them with the punishment of the Day of the Cloud (Yawm al-Ẓallah). Allah the Exalted mentioned their story in Surah Ash-Shu'ara.
Al-Aykah means dense, intertwined trees. It is said aykah (singular) and ayk (plural), like shajarah (tree) and shajar (trees). Ibn Abbas said: Al-Ayk refers to the Maql tree. Al-Kalbi said: Al-Aykah is a dense thicket. Al-Zajjaj said: They were the people of a place that was full of trees.
Al-Wahidi said: The meaning of Inna (Indeed) and the Lām (for emphasis) is for affirmation. Inna here is the lightened form of the heavy Inna.
Regarding His saying, {فانتقمنا منهم} (So We took vengeance upon them): The exegetes said that the heat intensified upon them for several days, then the place erupted in fire upon them, and they were all destroyed.
Regarding His saying, {وإنهما} (And indeed, they [two]): There are two opinions:
The First Opinion: What is meant are the towns of the people of Lut, peace be upon him, and Al-Aykah.
The Second Opinion: The pronoun refers to Al-Aykah and Madyan, because Shu'ayb, peace be upon him, was sent to both peoples. When Al-Aykah was mentioned, it implied Madyan by mentioning it, so the dual pronoun was used for both.
Regarding His saying, {لإمام مبين} (to a clear Imam/path): Meaning a clear way. Imam is the name given to whatever is followed. Al-Farra' and Al-Zajjaj said: The path is called an Imam because it is followed and adhered to. Ibn Qutaybah said: Because the traveler follows it until he reaches the destination he desires.
Regarding His saying, {مبين} (clear): It could mean it is clear in itself, or it could mean it makes others clear, because the path guides one to the destination.