The term 'tatra' indicates that the alif is for femininity, because the messengers are a group. It has also been read as 'tutraa' with tanween, and the ta is a substitute for the waw, as in 'tawlij' and 'tayqur'. The term 'tawlij' refers to the den of wild animals that one enters. Sibawayh said: the ta is substituted for the waw, and it is a form of fa'ool, as mentioned in the dictionaries. It also includes 'tayqur' and 'waqar'. Its origin is 'waqur', where the waw is changed to a ta. Its form is 'fi'ool'. This means they are successive one after another, from 'witr' which is the singular. The messengers are attributed to Him, glorified and exalted is He, and to their nations. 'And certainly Our messengers came to them with clear signs.' 'And certainly their messengers came to them with clear signs.' This is because the attribution is by proximity, and the messenger is in proximity to both the one who sends and the one who is sent to. 'So We followed the nations or the generations one after another in destruction.' 'And We made them stories to be told and marveled at.' The term 'ahadith' can be a collective noun for hadith. Among them are the hadiths of the Messenger of Allah, blessings and peace be upon him. It can also be a plural for 'ahduthah', which refers to something like a joke, a plaything, or a marvel. It is something that people talk about for amusement and astonishment, which is the intended meaning here.