Surah Al-Hijr
Chapter 15 · Verse 79 · Revealed in Makkah
“So We took retribution from them, and indeed, both [cities] are on a clear highway.”
Translation: Saheeh International
Listen to recitation
Mishary Rashid Alafasy
Reflection — Ibn Kathir
The Destruction of the Dwellers of Al-Aykah, the People of Shu`ayb
The Dwellers of Al-Aykah, were the people of Shu`ayb. Ad-Dahhak, Qatadah and others said that Al-Aykah refers to intertwined trees. Their evildoing included associating partners with Allah (Shirk), banditry and cheating in weights and measures. Allah punished them with the Sayhah (the awful cry or torment), the earthquake, and the torment of the Day of Shadow. They lived near the people of Lut, but at a later time, and the people of Lut were known to them, which is why Allah says,
وَإِنَّهُمَا لَبِإِمَامٍ مُّبِينٍ
Reflection — Maarif ul Quran
Commentary
Aikah means a dense forest. There are other views too. Some commentators say that there was a dense forest near Madyan, therefore, Aikah is actually the title of the people of Madyan. Others have said that the people of Aikah and the people of Madyan were two different people. It was after the destruction of one of them that Sayyidna Shu'ayb (علیہ السلام) was sent to the other.
What does this verse bring up for you today?