381 Page Notes

27 Surah An-Naml (continued)

Page 381 - Related Hadith/Sunnah

Translation of the meaning by Sahih International.

Page 381 - Related Hadiths and Sunnah

Page 381 of the standard Madinah Mushaf contains Surah An-Naml (27:45–55). This page spans two major prophetic periods:

1. The Story of Salih and the people of Thamud (Verses 45–53): Detailing how the tribe split into two factions, the conspiracy of the nine family leaders who plotted to assassinate Prophet Salih and his family under the cover of night, and their subsequent destruction.

2. The Story of Lut and his people (Verses 54–55): Re-emphasizing their boundary-crossing sins and sexual misconduct.

The Sunnah and classical Hadith literature provide profound insights into these verses, outlining the mechanics of divine plotting, the physical remnants of Thamud, and the moral boundaries re-established by the Prophet Muhammad ($\rho$).

1. Hadiths Related to Salih and the Conspiracy of Thamud (Verses 45–53)

“And there were in the city nine family leaders causing corruption in the land and not amending [its affairs]. They said, 'Take a mutual oath by Allah that we will kill him by night and his family. Then we will say to his next of kin, "We did not witness the destruction of his family..."' And they planned a plan, and We planned a plan, while they perceived not.” (27:48–50)

The Nine Leaders and the Slaughter of the She-Camel

While verse 48 highlights the "nine family leaders" who orchestrated the plot against Salih, the Sunnah provides the specific names and psychological profiles of these individuals, particularly the chief instigator who killed the miraculous She-camel first.

Hadith: The Prophet ($\rho$) gave a sermon and mentioned the she-camel of Salih and the man who hamstrung it. He recited the verse from Surah Ash-Shams ("When the most wretched of them was sent forth...") and said: “A mischievous, powerful, and wicked man from among the family leaders—possessing strong influence among his people like Abu Zam'ah—stepped forward to kill it.”

• Source Citation: Sahih al-Bukhari (Hadith 4942), Sahih Muslim (Hadith 2855).

Passing Through the Land of the Destroyed Plotters

Verses 51–52 describe the absolute ruin of their homes: "So look at how was the outcome of their plan... See, those are their houses, desolate because of the wrong they had done." The Sunnah establishes strict spiritual etiquette when modern Muslims pass by or visit the archaeological site of these verses (known today as Hegra or Mada'in Salih).

Hadith: When the Messenger of Allah ($\rho$) passed by the valley of Al-Hijr (the homes of Thamud) during the expedition of Tabuk, he commanded his companions: “Do not enter the houses of those who wronged themselves unless you are weeping, lest you should suffer the same punishment as they suffered.” He then covered his head with his cloak and hurried his pace until he left the valley.

• Source Citation: Sahih al-Bukhari (Hadith 3381), Sahih Muslim (Hadith 2980).

The Ban on Using Their Water

During the same journey past the ruins mentioned on page 381, the companions used water from the wells of Thamud to make dough for bread. The Prophet PBUH enforced a strict spiritual quarantine based on the divine anger that fell on that location.

Hadith: Ibn Umar (r.a.) narrated: "The people landed at Al-Hijr, the land of Thamud, and drew water from its wells to drink and knead dough. The Prophet  commanded them to pour out the water they had drawn and to feed the dough to their camels, and he ordered them to draw water from the well which Salih’s camel used to drink from."

• Source Citation: Sahih al-Bukhari (Hadith 3379), Sahih Muslim (Hadith 2981).

2. Hadiths Related to Lut and Moral Boundaries (Verses 54–55)

“And [mention] Lut, when he said to his people, 'Do you commit immorality while you see? Do you indeed approach men with desire instead of women? Rather, you are a people behaving ignorantly.'” (27:54–55)

The Repetition of Lut's Narrative as a Severe Warning

The Sunnah emphasizes that the continuous repetition of Lut's story across different Surahs (such as As-Shu'ara on page 374 and here in An-Naml on page 381) serves to underscore the gravity of their crime. The Prophet ($\rho$) repeatedly voiced his anxiety that his own Ummah might copy these exact behaviors.

Hadith: The Prophet ($\rho$) said: “What I fear most for my nation is the deed of the people of Lut.”

• Source Citation: Sunan al-Tirmidhi (Hadith 1457), Sunan Ibn Majah (Hadith 2563). Classed as Sahih.

Legal Definition of "Behaving Ignorantly" (Tajhalun)

In verse 55, Lut describes their inversion of natural relationships as "behaving ignorantly." The Sunnah defines true "ignorance" (Jahl) not as a lack of academic knowledge, but as the deliberate defiance of divine law while fully aware of the moral consequences.

Hadith: The Companions of the Prophet ($\rho$), including Ibn Abbas and Abu al-Aliyah, clarified the Prophetic understanding of this concept: “Every sin committed by a servant of Allah is an act of ignorance (Jahl), even if they are highly educated, because their lusts or anger overrode their intellect at the moment of the sin.”

• Source Citation: Tafsir Ibn Kathir (under the commentary for Surah An-Nisa 4:17 and matched with An-Naml 27:55).

References

• Al-Bukhari, M. (1997). Sahih al-Bukhari (Vols. 1-9). Darussalam Publishers.

• Al-Tirmidhi, M. (2007). Sunan al-Tirmidhi. Darussalam Publishers.

• Ibn Kathir, I. (2000). Tafsir al-Qur'an al-Azim. Dar Taybah.

• Ibn Majah, M. (2007). Sunan Ibn Majah. Darussalam Publishers.

• Muslim, I. (2007). Sahih Muslim. Darussalam Publishers.