Transliteration:( Wa ammaa Samoodu fahadinaahum fastahabbul 'ama 'alal huda fa akhazathum saa'iqatul 'azaabil hooni bimaa kaanoo yaksiboon )
And as for the Thamud, We guided [47] them, but they preferred blindness over guidance. So, the thunder of the degrading penalty overtook [48] them as a consequence of their deeds [49].
This verse reveals that although Prophet Salih (عليه السلام) conveyed the message to the people of Thamud, Allah says: “We guided them” — because the guidance delivered by the Prophet is the work of Allah Himself.
This affirms that true guidance originates from Allah, and when He grants one true insight, it leads a person directly to success.
Once divine guidance is embraced, misguidance cannot overcome it.
The punishment that struck them came in the form of a mighty shriek (Saaihah) — a piercing sound delivered by Jibreel (عليه السلام), which instantly destroyed them all.
It is referred to as a "thunder" because such deadly sounds are sometimes associated with natural calamities like thunder and lightning, which can also kill.
According to some scholars, it is possible that:
First came Jibreel’s shriek,
Followed by thunder and lightning from the sky.
This reconciles with verses such as:
"Then the scream overtook them" (Surah Al-Mu’minoon, 23:41), where different aspects of the same punishment are described across verses without contradiction.
The punishment was a direct consequence of their evil deeds and beliefs.
Even though children, animals, and lands were also affected, the real cause was the corruption and disbelief of the adults.
This reflects the communal impact of sin—the innocent may suffer in this world due to the actions of the guilty, though they will not be punished in the Hereafter for it.
The tafsir of Surah Fussilat verse 17 by Ibn Kathir is unavailable here.
Please refer to Surah Fussilat ayat 13 which provides the complete commentary from verse 13 through 19.
(41:17) As for Thamud, We bestowed guidance upon them, but they preferred to remain blind rather than be guided. At last a humiliating scourge overtook them on account of their misdeeds.
There is no commentary by Abul Maududi available for this verse.
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