[And how many a city]—meaning: how many a city [did We destroy while it was committing wrong]—that is, We destroyed its inhabitants. [And it is fallen into ruin on its roofs]—meaning its ceilings, such that its upper part became its lower part. [And a neglected well]—[meaning: its inhabitants have perished]. [And a tall palace]—Al-Kalbi said: meaning fortified.
Muhammad said: It is said that it is what is built with al-shid, which is gypsum. It was also said: The meaning of "tall" (mushayyad) is elevated.
﴿فكأين من قَرْيَة﴾ أَيْ: فَكَمْ مِنْ قَرْيَةٍ ﴿أَهْلَكْنَاهَا وَهِي ظالمة﴾ يَعْنِي: أَهْلَكْنَا أَهْلَهَا ﴿فَهِيَ خَاوِيَةٌ على عروشها﴾ سَقْفِهَا، فَصَارَ أَعْلَاهَا أَسْفَلَهَا ﴿وَبِئْرٍ معطلة﴾ [أَيْ: قَدْ بَادَ أَهْلُهَا] ﴿وَقَصْرٍ مشيد﴾ قَالَ الْكَلْبِيُّ: أَيْ: حَصِينٌ.
قَالَ مُحَمَّدٌ: يُقَالُ: هُوَ مَا بُنِيُ بِالشِّيدِ، وَهُوَ الْجَصُّ. وَقِيلَ: مَعْنَى (مشيد) مطول
