Ash-Shu'araa (The Poets)

146. “Will you be left secure, in (the enjoyment of) all that you have here?”

147. “In the gardens and springs,”

148. “And cornfields and date palms with slender spathes?”

149. “And you hew houses (skillfully) out of the mountains exultingly.”

150. “Then be in awe of Allah and obey me.”

When the bounties of security, finance, and welfare are not enriched with the obedience from the immaculate Imam, they work as a preparation for mischief and corruption.

Man is not free in front of Divine bounties, but he has responsibility before them. That is why in this verse the Qur’an refers to the sensitive points of their life. And, in a court procedure, through their inner sense, their prophet condemns them.

He asks them whether they imagine that they remain safe and sound fully in that security and affluence of bounties forever. Do they think that this material and negligent life is eternal and that they will not counter death, revenge, and retribution?

Then he explains his previous brief sentence in details when he asks them whether they think that they will live eternally in these gardens, springs, and fanning lands that produce ripe, sweet, and pleasant fruits.

The verse says:

“Will you be left secure, in (the enjoyment of) all that you have here?” “In the gardens and springs,” “And cornfields and date palms with slender spathes?”

Then it refers to their strong and comfortable houses, and says:

“And you hew houses (skillfully) out of the mountains exultingly.”

The Arabic word /farih/ is derived from /farah/ originally in the sense of ‘joy accompanied with unawareness and sensuality’. Sometimes it has also been used in the sense of skillfulness in doing an action. Although both meanings are in line with the above verse, regarding to the reproach and blame of Salih (as), the first meaning seems more appropriate.

Comparing these verses with the qualities mentioned in the former verses about the people of ‘Ad, it is understood that the People of ‘Ad mostly used to apply egotism, love of position, and ostentation, while the People of Thamud were mostly the captives of their belies, comfortable life, and affluence.

But they were alike each other in one evil thing, they both ignore the call of Divine prophets for coming out of the prison of egotism and reaching the rank of theism and, consequently, they were punished as the retribution of their deeds.