There is a tradition from Imam Muhammad Taqi (a.

So how many a town did We destroy while it was unjust, so it was fallen down upon its roofs, and (how many a) deserted well and palace (Qasr) raised high. (Surah Haj 22:45) Most commentators say that it is the well located at the foot of the mountain, Hadaramaut. And ‘Qasr’ refers to the palace on the top of that mountain; and they were built by the people of Hanzala Ibne Safwan who were the surviving people from the nation of Prophet Saleh (a.s.).

When Hanzala killed their Prophet, Allah destroyed them, and the well and the palace became deserted.[^1] Ibne Babawayh from authentic chains has narrated from Imam Sadiq (a.s.) that the deserted well refers to the silent Imam, whose right has been usurped and due to fear of opposition he was unable to declare his Imamate; whosoever desires can gain wisdom from that well and benefit himself.

The ‘palace’ refers to the speaking Imam, who can speak without dissimulation (Taqaiyyah) and fear and can openly declare his Imamate and that Imam is in occultation who does not speak and whose time of Imamate has not come. The speaking Imam is the one who has appeared. Also according to another tradition the ‘palace raised high’ refers to Ali (a.s.) and the ‘deserted well’ is Fatima (s.a.) and her children and the Imams who are away from rulership and kingship and their right was snatched away.

And as for the good land, its Vegetation springs forth (abundantly) by the permission of its Lord, and (as for) that which is inferior (its herbage) comes forth but scantily, thus do we repeat the communications for a people who give thanks.