Surah 15:77

Surah 15

"Surely in that is a sign indeed for the believers."

Islamic Commentaries (1)Manuscripts (43)

The City of Sodom on the Highroad Verses 15:73-77

Show Full Scripture Context (15:73-77) — 5 Verses

Verse 73

فَأَخَذَتۡهُمُ ٱلصَّيۡحَةُ مُشۡرِقِينَ

So the cry seized them at sunrise.

Verse 74

فَجَعَلۡنَا عَٰلِيَهَا سَافِلَهَا وَأَمۡطَرۡنَا عَلَيۡهِمۡ حِجَارَةٗ مِّن سِجِّيلٍ

We turned (the city) upside down and rained on them stones of baked clay.

Verse 75

إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَأٓيَٰتٖ لِّلۡمُتَوَسِّمِينَ

Surely in that are signs indeed for the discerning.

Verse 76

وَإِنَّهَا لَبِسَبِيلٖ مُّقِيمٍ

Surely it is indeed on a (path)way (which still) exists.

Verse 77

إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَأٓيَةٗ لِّلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ

Surely in that is a sign indeed for the believers.

down, and stones of baked clay [As-Sijjil] raining down upon them. The discussion of As-Sijjil in Surah Hud is a sufficient explanation.

Allah said:

Quoted Scripture

"Surely, in this are signs for those who see."

meaning that the traces of the destruction of that city are easily visible to any one who ponder about it, whether they look at it with physical eyesight or mental and spiritual insight, as Mujahid said concerning the phrase.

{those who see} he said, "those who have insight and discernment."

It was reported from Ibn 'Abbas and Ad-Dahhak that it referred to those who look.' Qatadah said: "those who learn lessons".

{those who see} therefore the meaning is "those who ponder".

Quoted Scripture

"And verily, they were right on the highroad."

meaning that the city of Sodom, which was physically and spiritually turned upside down, and pelted with stones until it became a foul smelling lake (the Dead Sea), is on a route that is easily accessible until the present day. This is like the Ayah,

{Verily, you pass by them in the morning, and at night. Will you not then reflect?} (37:137-138).

Quoted Scripture

"Surely, there is indeed a sign in that for the believers."

meaning, 'All that We did to the people of Lut, from the destruction and the vengeance, to how We saved Lut and his family, these are clear signs to those who believe in Allah and His Messengers.'

About this Source & Scholarly Authority (Tafsir Ibn Kathir)

Universal Sunni Consensus: Tafsir al-Qur'an al-Azim by Hafiz Ibn Kathir (701–774 AH / 1301–1373 AD) is universally regarded across all major schools of Sunni Islam (traditional, Salafi, Ash'ari) as the most authoritative classical exegesis. It is prized because it relies on Tafsir bil-Ma'thur—interpreting the Quran using the Quran itself, authentic Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad, and recorded statements of the early Companions (Sahabah).

Standard English Edition: This text is from the standard 10-volume English abridgment published by Dar-us-Salam Publications (supervised by Shaykh Safiur-Rahman Al-Mubarakpuri), which is the official, most widely distributed English Quranic commentary in mosques and Islamic libraries worldwide today.

Navigation