with a furious, icy gale that He drove against them for seven nights and eight consecutive days. You would see the people lying lifeless, as though they were hollow trunks of date-palms—so do you see any trace of them left? Allah has mentioned their story in several passages of the Qur’an so that the believers may take lesson from their annihilation.

Thus His words, “Iram—those of the lofty pillars,” form an explanatory apposition that further identifies them.

His words, “those of the lofty pillars,” allude to the fact that they lived in hair-woven tents raised upon massive poles. They were the strongest and most physically imposing people of their time. For that reason Hūd reminded them of this favour and directed them to use it in obedience to their Lord who created them, saying: “And remember when He made you successors after the people of Noah and increased you greatly in stature. So remember the favours of Allah, that you may prosper” (al-Aʿrāf 7:69). That concludes his words—may Allah have mercy on him.

In light of the foregoing, the meaning of the verse, “Have you not seen how your Lord dealt with ʿĀd—Iram, those of the lofty pillars?” becomes clear. Allah knows best.

***

Exegesis of Sura al-ʿĀdiyāt

Question: What is the interpretation of Allah’s words, “By the galloping chargers whose panting is heard, striking sparks of fire…” (al-ʿĀdiyāt 100:1-2), and what is meant by al-ʿĀdiyāt here?

Answer: Allah swears by al-ʿĀdiyāt, meaning the horses that race forward bearing their riders when needed, such as in fighting for the sake of Allah and in raids.

Ḍabḥan (“panting”) refers to the sounds they make when they gallop.

Al-mūriyāt qadḥan (“striking sparks of fire”) means that their hooves strike the stones and kindle sparks when they charge.

Al-mughīrāt ṣubḥan (“then raiding at dawn”) refers to these very horses as well.