Indeed, their appointed time is the morning – is not the morning near?” (Hūd 81).

“And the ten nights”: These are the seven nights in which ʿĀd perished and the three nights of reprieve given to Thamūd before their punishment – together ten nights. As explained elsewhere: “And as for ʿĀd, they were destroyed by a furious raging wind which He imposed on them for seven nights and eight days in succession, so that you would see the people fallen down as though they were hollow palm trunks. Do you see any remnant of them?” (al-Ḥāqqah 6–8). And concerning Thamūd: “So they hamstrung her, and he said: ‘Enjoy yourselves in your homes for three days – that is a promise not to be belied.’ So when Our command came, We saved Ṣāliḥ and those who believed with him by mercy from Us and from the disgrace of that Day. Indeed, your Lord is All-Strong, All-Mighty. And the wrongdoers were seized by the thunderous blast, so they lay lifeless in their homes, as if they had never prospered there. Indeed, Thamūd disbelieved in their Lord; away with Thamūd” (Hūd 65–68).

“By the even and the odd”: This refers to the days of punishment, some being even, some odd. In the story of ʿĀd both were combined – seven nights and eight days. Likewise, Allah sent Mūsā to Pharaoh with nine signs, then drowned him, which was the tenth.

“By the night when it passes”: This is the night followed by the punishment of Pharaoh. In another place it says: “And We revealed to Mūsā: Set out with My servants by night; you will be pursued … And We saved Mūsā and those with him all together, then We drowned the others” (al-Shuʿarāʾ 52–65). The expression “when it passes” points to the fact that hardship does not stay with the believers – Mūsā journeyed by night, the night passed, and the Israelites witnessed Pharaoh’s drowning the following day.

All these “Days of Allah” are recalled again in the third passage, except the punishment of the people of Lūṭ, which is not mentioned here. Perhaps the reason is that the context is the display of the might and power of those nations, and such strength was not exemplified in the people of Lūṭ. Allah knows best.

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Disclaimer: This article was translated by AI. Original post: https://t.me/DrAkramNadwi/7026