Surah Al-Hajj — Verse 45

Word Meanings:

• Qaryah (قَرْيَةٍ): Town, city, or community.
• Khāwiyah (خَاوِيَةٌ): Fallen down, collapsed, or desolate.
• Urūshihā (عُرُوشِهَا): Its roofs or ceilings (the upper structures of buildings).
• Bi’r (بِئْرٍ): A well (source of water).
• Mu‘aṭṭalah (مُعَطَّلَةٍ): Abandoned, left unused, or neglected.
• Qaṣr (قَصْرٍ): Palace or fortified castle.
• Mashīd (مَشِيدٍ): Lofty, strong, and well-constructed (often plastered or raised high).

Tafsir (Explanation):

How many towns and cities have We destroyed while their people were steeped in wrongdoing and disbelief! Their inhabitants were wiped out, and their homes collapsed upon themselves—roofs caved in, walls tumbled down, and the places that once bustled with life became empty ruins. How many wells, once a vital source of water for entire communities, were left abandoned and unused because their owners were gone? And how many towering, beautifully built palaces—strong, elevated, and adorned—could not protect their residents from the punishment of Allah? These magnificent structures stood as monuments of pride, yet they offered no shield against divine justice. The lesson is clear: worldly power, wealth, and grand architecture are fleeting, and no fortress can guard against the decree of the Almighty.

Da‘wah Reflection:

This verse invites every soul to pause and reflect deeply. Look around at the remnants of past nations—the crumbled walls, the dried-up wells, the silent palaces—and ask yourself: what remains of their glory? Nothing but a warning. Allah, in His infinite mercy, has placed these signs in history so that we may learn before we are taught by destruction. Today, you have the precious gift of time and the opportunity to turn to your Creator. Do not let your heart be deceived by the glitter of this world, for it is temporary. The One who destroyed the mighty is fully capable of protecting the humble believer. So, hasten to repentance, strengthen your connection with Allah through prayer and good deeds, and be among those who build for the Hereafter—a home that never decays. Indeed, the Qur’an is a living reminder: every ruined city speaks to us, saying, “Take heed before it is too late.”