Tafsir of Ash-Shams 91:15

Surah Ash-Shams (The Sun): Verse 15

{وَلَا يَخَافُ عُقْبَاهَا} (And he fears not its consequence.)

There are several interpretations regarding the subject of the verb "fears" (يَخَافُ):

First Interpretation: It refers to God Almighty (الرَّبُّ تَعَالَى)

This is because God is the closest mentioned entity. Scholars differed on the meaning in this context:

1. He fears no repercussion in the Hereafter (العَاقِبَة): Because for Him, the consequence (العُقْبَى) and well-being (العَافِيَة) are the same. This implies that God does what is just and true, and whatever He does based on wisdom and truth, He does not fear the consequence of His action.
2. It is mentioned not as a statement of fact, but to belittle the action: Meaning, the act (of punishment) is too insignificant for God to fear any consequence from it. However, God is too exalted to be described this way.
3. It serves as a warning about the severity of the punishment: Every ruler fears the consequence of their actions and exercises some restraint. Since God fears no consequence, He restrains Himself from nothing, thus inflicting the full punishment.

Second Interpretation: It refers to Salih (صَالِح), the Messenger

Meaning, Salih does not fear the consequence of this punishment descending upon them. This serves as a promise of his support and protection from harm, should anyone attempt to injure him because of this warning.

Third Interpretation: It refers to the most wretched one (الأَشْقَى) of Thamud (Aḥaymir)

Meaning, the one who hamstrung the she-camel (عَقْر النَّاقَة) does not fear the consequence of his action.

Although this verse appears later, under this interpretation, it is considered contextually preceding the verses describing the she-camel incident. It is as if the text means: *({When the most wretched among them rose up, And he feared not its consequence. *We know not but that a trial is intended for those on earth, or that their Lord intends for them a right course? *And We are among the righteous, and among us are those less than that; we are in divergent paths. *And indeed, we thought that we would never frustrate Allah on earth, nor would we escape Him by flight. And when we heard the guidance, we believed in it. So whoever believes in his Lord, he will not fear...})

Narrative Support (Riwāyah):

It is narrated that when Salih warned them of punishment after three days, the nine men who hamstrung the she-camel said: "Let us go and kill Salih. If he is truthful, we will hasten the punishment upon ourselves; if he is lying, we will be joined with him (in death)."

They went to ambush him, but the angels struck them with stones. When they did not return to their companions, the others went to Salih's house and found them crushed by stones. They accused Salih: "You killed them!" Then they moved to attack him, but his clan stood up for him, taking up arms and saying: "By God, you will not kill him! He warned you that the punishment would descend in three days. If he is truthful, you will only increase your Lord's wrath upon yourselves; if he is lying, you will achieve what you desire." So they left him that night.

The next morning, their faces were yellowed, and they became certain of the punishment. They sought Salih to kill him, but Salih fled and took refuge with the leader of one of the Thamud clans, who was a polytheist, and hid him. They could not reach him. Then, the punishment that descended upon them distracted them from seeking him.

This, God knows best, is what is meant by {وَلَا يَخَافُ عُقْبَاهَا}.

And peace and blessings be upon our Master Muhammad, his family, and his companions.