159 Page Notes

07 Surah Al-Araf (continued)

Page 159 - Related Hadith/Sunnah

7:68

7:69

7:70

7:71

7:72

7:73

Translation of the meaning by Sahih International.

Page 159 - Related Hadiths and Sunnah

Page 159 of the Quran covers Surah Al-A'raf (The Heights), verses 68 through 73.

This page concludes the dialogue of Prophet Hud with the ancient civilization of 'Aad, detailing how they demanded a physical sign and were subsequently destroyed while Hud and his followers were saved. The text then transitions directly into the narrative of the next major ancient civilization: the people of Thamud and their Messenger, Prophet Salih, introducing the historic miracle of the divine She-Camel.

The Sunnah and authentic Hadiths provide rich, highly descriptive background information regarding the physical nature of these people, the locations they inhabited, and how Muslims should interact with their ruins.

1. The Immense Physical Stature of 'Aad

“And remember when He made you successors after the people of Noah and increased you in stature extensively...”

— Surah Al-A'raf (7:69)

The text highlights that the people of 'Aad were given a massive physical advantage over other civilizations, described as an extensive increase in "stature" (Bastan fil-Khalq). The Sunnah provides explicit scale for what early human generations looked like.

The Original Height of Humanity

The Prophet Muhammad confirmed that early human populations were vastly taller than modern humans, structural remnants of which were famously displayed by societies like 'Aad.

• Hadith: Abu Hurairah narrated that the Prophet said:
  "Allah created Adam, making his height sixty cubits (approximately 90 feet / 27 meters)... Any person who enters Paradise will resemble Adam in his appearance and height. Human beings have been diminishing in stature since then."
  (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 3326 / Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2841)

2. Passing Through the Destroyed Lands of Ancient Civilizations

“So the punishment befell them. Then We saved him and those with him by mercy from Us, and We uprooted those who denied Our signs...”

— Surah Al-A'raf (7:72)

Verse 72 touches upon the absolute destruction of 'Aad. While 'Aad lived in the sand dunes (Al-Ahqaf) of southern Arabia, the very next verse shifts to Thamud in northern Arabia (Al-Hijr / Mada'in Salih).

The Sunnah establishes strict spiritual protocols for Muslims traveling through these geographical regions of past divine punishment.

Do Not Enter Punished Sites Except in Weeping

When the Prophet Muhammad led the Muslim army past the rock-cut homes of Thamud during the expedition to Tabuk, he issued an urgent command regarding how to behave around ruins of civilizations destroyed by divine wrath.

• Hadith: Abdullah bin Umar narrated that the Messenger of Allah said to his companions regarding the dwellings of Thamud:
  "Do not enter the places of those who systematically wronged themselves unless you are weeping, lest you suffer the same punishment that befell them."
  Then, the Prophet covered his head with his cloak and hurried his pace until he had completely crossed the valley.
  (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 433 / Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2980)

• Hadith: In another narration from the same journey, the companions had drawn water from the wells used by Thamud and used it to knead bread dough. The Prophet explicitly ordered them:
  He commanded them to pour out the water they had drawn and to feed the kneaded dough to their camels, instructing them to only draw water from the specific well that Prophet Salih's she-camel used to drink from.
  (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 3379 / Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2981)

3. The Miracle of Prophet Salih's She-Camel

“...There has come to you a clear evidence from your Lord. This is the she-camel of Allah [sent] to you as a sign. So leave her to eat within Allah's earth and touch her not with harm, lest there seize you a painful punishment.”

— Surah Al-A'raf (7:73)

The "clear evidence" referenced here is the massive camel that Allah brought forth miraculously out of a solid rock face as a visual proof for Thamud.

The Terms of the Miracle

The Sunnah adds context to Verse 73, explaining the unique arrangement made between Prophet Salih, the people, and this miraculous camel. It was an ultimate test of social justice and resource sharing.

• Hadith: Jabir bin Abdullah narrated that when the Prophet passed through Al-Hijr, he pointed out the features of the miracle:
  "This is the trail from which the she-camel used to emerge, and that is the trail from which she used to go to drink water. She would drink all their water on her day, and in return, they would milk her, filling all their vessels with pure milk on that day."
  (Musnad Ahmad, Hadith 14601 / Sunan al-Kubra by Al-Nasai; graded Hasan)