Iram Dhat al-Imad
Definition
Iram dhat al-imad — Iram of the pillars — is the legendary city of 'Ad, described in the Quran as a civilization 'the like of which had not been created in the land.' Ibn Kathir discusses scholarly opinions about whether Iram refers to the lineage of 'Ad, a specific city they built, or the name of their ancestor. Most classically, it is understood as referring to their capital — a city of towering pillars and extraordinary construction whose very existence was itself a declaration of human greatness. That this civilization, described as unmatched in all the earth, was erased completely by divine command is precisely the point: no human achievement is permanent without divine approval.
As understood in the classical tradition of Ibn Kathir and the scholars of his school.
How the scholars use Iram Dhat al-Imad.
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"merely for amusement, as they lived in tents. As the exalted said, Have you not seen how your Lord dealt with Ad-Iram of the pillars, the like of which was never created in the lands? Ad-Iram were the first, Adi who lived in the pillars that held up tents. Claims that Iram is a city of gold and silver that moves from place to place are erroneous. Regarding his saying, And you take for yourselves palaces, it is said these are castles, pigeon-towers, or water reservoirs, so that you might live forever, meaning they hoped for long lives in this abode."
— Ibn Kathir, Hud, Salih & the Destroyed Nations
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"God destroyed the People of the Well, and Ad's descendants spread throughout the whole of Yemen, and thereafter multiplied across the whole earth. So it was that Jayrun, son of Sad, son of Ad, son of Aws, son of Iram, son of Sam, son of Nuh, settled in Damascus and built its city, naming it Jayrun; and it is Iram of the Pillars. There is no place with more columns of stone than Damascus."
— Ibn Kathir, The Destroyed Nations & Yunus
Appears in
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