Hadith: Do not enter the dwellings of those who have wronged themselves, unless you are weeping

عَنْ عَبْدِ اللهِ بْنِ عُمَرَ رَضيَ اللهُ عنهُما قَالَ: مَرَرْنَا مَعَ رَسُولِ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ عَلَى الْحِجْرِ، فَقَالَ لَنَا رَسُولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ:
«لَا تَدْخُلُوا مَسَاكِنَ الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا أَنْفُسَهُمْ، إِلَّا أَنْ تَكُونُوا بَاكِينَ؛ حَذَرًا أَنْ يُصِيبَكُمْ مِثْلُ مَا أَصَابَهُمْ» ثُمَّ زَجَرَ فَأَسْرَعَ حَتَّى خَلَّفَهَا.
[صحيح] - [متفق عليه] - [صحيح مسلم: 2980]

‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) reported: We passed with the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) by Al-Hijr, and the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said to us:
"Do not enter the dwellings of those who have wronged themselves, unless you are weeping, lest what befell them should befall you." Then he urged and hastened, leaving it behind.
[Authentic hadith] - [Narrated by Bukhari & Muslim] - [Sahih Muslim - 2980]

Explanation

When passing by the dwellings of Thamūd, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) forbade entering the dwellings of those punished people, who wronged themselves, or visiting them, unless the one entering is weeping and reflecting upon their fate, out of fear that the same punishment that befell them might befall him. Then, he commanded his mount to hasten and passed quickly, leaving the area behind.

Benefits from the Hadith

1. Reflection on the conditions of those whom Allah Almighty destroyed, being cautious of what they fell into, and being wary of heedlessness in contemplating the verses.
2. The dwellings of these punished people should not be inhabited after them, nor should they be taken as a place of residence, because a permanent inhabitant cannot remain constantly weeping, and it was forbidden to enter these places except in this state.
3. An-Nawawi said: It encourages vigilance when passing by the dwellings of the wrongdoers and places of punishment, similar to hastening through the valley of Muhassir, where the companions of the elephant perished. Therefore, one should be vigilant, fearful, weeping, and reflecting on their fate, seeking refuge with Allah from such an end.
4. The prohibition and warning apply to the dwellings of Thamūd and others like them from all the nations that were afflicted with punishment.
5. The prohibition of taking such places and areas for tourism, recreation, or similar purposes.