These buildings were probably the site of diversion and play and lusts...

These buildings were probably the site of diversion and play and lusts, as at our time it is customary among tyrannical ones. Then, in the next verse, the holy Qur’an criticizes them for another fault of theirs. It says: “And you get strong buildings in the hope of living therein for ever.” The Arabic word /masani‘/ is the plural form of the word /masna‘/ which means: ‘a place and a beautiful strong building’.

Hud does not protest them why they had got some good and comfortable houses, but he says they have so engaged themselves with the world, and adorning themselves with building some useless strong castles and fortresses that they have neglected the Hereafter. They have not considered the world as a sojourn but as a perpetual dwelling. Yes, such buildings which causes negligence and pride are certainly blameworthy.

A tradition narrated from the Prophet (S) indicates that once he was passing a road when he saw a splendid building which was located on the way. He asked: “What is this?” The companions said: “It belongs to one of the Helpers (ansar).” The Prophet (S) stopped for a while When its owner arrived and greeted, the Prophet (S) turned his face from him.

The man asked his friends about the matter and told them that, by Allah, he saw that the Prophet (S) was inconvenient with him and he did not know what had happened about him and what wrong he had done. They answered him that the Prophet (S) had seen that splendid building of his and became inconvenient. After that the man destroyed down that building. Later, one day when the Prophet (S) was passing there, he found no building over there.

He questioned what happened to that building which was over there, and the companions explained the event for him. The holy Prophet (S) said: “Verily every building is a burden for its owner on the Hereafter Day, except that one that he has to have.” [^1] This tradition, and other traditions like it, all make the view of Islam quietly clear that Islam does not agree with aristocratic buildings built extravagantly and cause negligence.

Islam does not let Muslims build such buildings, like those of the proud oppressors, in particular that they are built in the places where the deprived are in dire need of dwelling. It is interesting that the Messenger of Islam (S) did not resort to any force to reach this aim, and he did not order to ruin that building, but by means of a gentle ethical reaction, which was heedlessness, he provided the content of his aim.