Hud 94-95

Hud 94-95

94- WHEN OUR COMMAND CAME, WE SAVED SHOIB AND THOSE WHO BELIEVED WITH HIM THROUGH OUR MERCY, WHILE THOSE WHO TRANSGRESSED WERE TAKEN BY THE SCREAM, AND THEY BECAME LIFELESS BODIES IN THEIR HOMES.

95- AS IF THEY NEVER LIVED AND THRIVED THEREIN, MEDIAN WAS EXPELLED FROM ALLAH’S MERCY JUST AS THEMOD WAS EXPELLED FROM ALLAH’S MERCY.

Allah’s punishment was in the form of a loud scream which killed all the disbelievers, sparing Shoib and all the believers.  The believers were saved through Allah’s Mercy, for only through Allah’s Mercy we can be saved, or gain entry to the Paradise.  Allah’s, messenger prayer and peace upon him, said: “No one will gain entry to Paradise through his deeds”.  They said: “Not even you Allah’s messenger?”  He said: “Not even me unless Allah embraces me with His Mercy and Bounty”.  (Sahih)

Exactly how the believers were saved is not known, but the punishment hit only the disbelievers and directly, and the disbelievers became lifeless bodies in their homes, while the believers were not affected.

No one should be surprised that the believers were not affected by the scream which killed the others.  When Allah the Highest wanted to save the baby Moses from Pharaoh, he told his mother to throw him in the water.  Allah the Highest said: “AND WE SENT REVELATIONS TO MOSES MOTHER TO BREAST FEED HIM, BUT IF YOU FEAR FOR HIS LIFE, THROW HIM IN THE WATER, AND DO NOT FEAR OR GRIEVE, FOR WE WILL RETURN HIM TO YOU AND WILL MAKE HIM ONE OF THE MESSENGERS”.  (S: 28 A: 7)

Allah the Highest compared the people of Median with Themod the people of the prophet Saleh, as in both instances they were destroyed by a loud scream, which killed the disbelievers instantly.  In both instances both people were expelled from Allah’s Mercy; without which we would not succeed in this life, or in the Hereafter.

Hud 91-93

Hud 91-93

91- THEY SAID: O SHOIB, WE DO NOT UNDERSTAND MUCH OF WHAT YOU SAY, AND WE SEE THAT YOU ARE WEAK AMONG US, AND IF IT WAS NOT FOR YOUR FAMILY AND TRIBE, WE WOULD HAVE STONED YOU, FOR YOU ARE NOT OF AN EXALTED STATUS AMONG US.

92- HE SAID: MY PEOPLE; ARE MY FAMILY AND TRIBE ARE OF GREATER ESTEEM TO YOU THAN ALLAH, WHOM YOU NEGLECTED AND IGNORED.  INDEED MY LORD KNOWS ALL YOU DO.

93- AND MY PEOPLE, WORK FOR YOUR STATUS, I CERTAINLY DO WORK, YOU WILL KNOW WHO WILL SUFFER A PUNISHMENT WHICH WILL HUMILIATE HIM, AND HE WHO IS A LIAR, WAIT FOR WHAT WILL HAPPEN, I AM WAITING WITH YOU.

Shoib’s people answer to him was that they did not comprehend or understand what he said to them, or did not wish to understand or accept what he told them.  They would not accept having one God instead of many idols, or changing their way of life, and they way they did business.  

Then they began threatening him, telling his that he is weak amongst them and that if it was not for his family and tribe, they would have stoned him to death, which is a very disgraceful way of killing a person.

A messenger represents the person who sent him.  A messenger of Allah, represent Allah and is under His protection and guardianship. Shoib did not have much power and support among his people, however he had the support and protection of Allah the Highest and therefore he (could have nothing to fear)xxxxxx from his people.  Allah the Highest said: “ISN’T ALLAH SUFFICIENT FOR HIS SLAVE (FOR PROTECTION) AND THEY THREATEN YOU BY WHAT IS LESS THAN HIM”.  (S:39 A:36)

Shoib, peace upon him, knew his status before Allah the Highest, and told his people that they were wrong to give consideration to his family and tribe and not to give greater consideration to God, Allah the Highest.

Shoib gave them another warning of the punishment which awaits them if they do not believe and mend their ways.  Both groups called each other liars, and Shoib told them that the punishment is going to afflict the real liars, and that should they wait, then they will find out who are the real liars, however then it will be too late.

Hud 88-90

Hud 88-90

88- HE SAID: “O MY PEOPLE, IF I HAVE UNDERSTANDING CONCERNING MY LORD AND HE PROVIDED ME WITH A GOOD PROVISION, AND I DO NOT WISH TO DISAGREE WITH YOU, THEN DO WHAT I AM FORBIDDING YOU, BUT I WISH TO CORRECT MATTERS AS MUCH AS I CAN, MY SUCCESS WILL ONLY DEPEND ON ALLAH, UPON HIM I RELY AND TO HIM I REFER FOR EVERY THING THAT MATTERS.

89- AND MY PEOPLE, DO NOT LET YOUR ANIMOSITY TO ME MAKE YOU SIN AND DO WRONG, FOR THEN WHAT AFFLICTED THE PEOPLE OF NOAH, OR THE PEOPLE OF HUD OR THE PEOPLE OF SALAH, AND THE PEOPLE OF LUTE, ARE NOT LONG GONE.

90- ASK YOUR LORD FOR FORGIVENESS THEN REPENT TO HIM, FOR MY LORD IS MOST MERCIFUL AND AMIABLE.

Allah the Highest makes his prophets and messengers clear about their Lord and His commands.  This is part of the wisdom they are given “ALLAH GRANTS WISDOM TO WHOM HE WILLS.  INDEED, HE WHO IS GRANTED THE WISDOM, HE HAS BEEN GIVEN A GREAT DEAL OF GOODNESS, BUT ONLY THOSE OF SOUND MINDS KNOW IT”.  (S: 2 A: 269)

The believers should obey Allah’s commands, manifestly and in secret, for Allah the Highest knows what we reveal and what we hide, otherwise, it is hypocrisy to be good manifestly and disobedient in secret.  A person’s deeds should always be in line with what they say, not like those whom Allah the Highest said this Ayah about: “HOW WOULD YOU COMMAND OTHERS TO BE RIGHTEOUS WHILE FORGETTING YOURSELVES, WHILE YOU READ THE BOOK? HAVE YOU NO UNDERSTANDING?”  (S: 2 A: 44)

The mission of the prophet is to put matters right for his people, in their belief and worship, and also in their everyday life practices and in the way they deal with each other.

A believer should remember always, that every achievement and success he enjoys is because Allah meant it to happen, and whatever happens to him, happens with Allah’s knowledge and permission.  We should also examine our decisions and deeds against Allah’s rules and commands, to see that we are doing right in Allah’s eyes.  Allah the Highest supports and helps people when what they do is according to His wishes and rules.  We should be aware that animosity and strive between people may blind their eyes from seeing and doing what is right.

Shoib, peace upon him, advised his people not to let their anger and animosity to him, lead them to disbelieving his message, as then they would be punished like the people of Noah, Salah, Hud and Lute.  They, the people of Lute did not live long before them, and they were still remembered.

Shoib was in fact showing a great deal of caring and affection for his people,  not wanting them to suffer, and even his awareness of their hatred and animosity to him, did not prevent him advising them.

Shoib advised them, about the way to save themselves from being punished:

• To ask Allah the Highest for forgiveness for their sin, the greatest of which was disbelief.
• To repent; that is not to return to doing such sins.

No one should despair of Allah’s forgiveness even after committing the greatest sins, for Allah the Highest said: “SAY: O MY SLAVES WHO TRANSGRESSED AGAINST THEMSELVES EXCESSIVELY, DO NOT DESPAIR OF ALLAH’S MERCY, FOR ALLAH FORGIVES ALL SINS, FOR HE IS THE MOST FORGIVING, THE MOST MERCIFUL”.  (S: 39 A: 53)

Indeed Allah the Highest is very pleased with a person’s repentance, which Allah’s messenger, prayer and peace upon him, said about: “Your Lord is more joyful of His slaves repentance that a person losing his camel in a dry desert then finding his camel”.

Hud 87

Hud 87

87- THEY SAID: “ O SHOIB, DO YOUR PRAYERS COMMAND YOU THAT WE SHOULD NOT WORSHIP WHAT OUR FATHERS USED TO WORSHIP, OR TO DO WHAT WE LIKE WITH OUR MONEY, AND YOU ARE THE FORBEARING AND WISE.

The disbelievers asked Shoib if is his Salah, which is a manifestation of his religion that is commanding him to abandon the Idols they worship and to stop cheating in buying and selling, as well as in the other dealings of their life and interaction.

It is very significant that they saw Shoib’s Salah as the foremost manifestation of his Faith; as it is the direct contact between a person and God.  It is the first thing one is to be judged by on the Day of Judgement, Salah is a duty upon every believer and one is exempted under a very limited set of circumstances.

They asked him if his Salah is what commands him not to worship Idols and to worship Allah the Highest only, and if his Salah is what commands him not to cheat.

These are the two most important aspects of faith, the worship of Allah and dealing with people righteously, as Allah the Highest commands.

The Salah is our contact with Allah the Highest, and the other is our dealing with other people or creations, like us, which should be done righteously as Allah the Highest commanded.  Our Salah, which is our contact with Allah the Highest, worshipping Him, directs us to be righteous, obeying Allah’s commands regarding the way in which we live and deal with others.  Allah the Highest also said in the Quran “RECITE THE PARTS OF THE BOOK THAT HAS BEEN REVEALED TO YOU, AND (BE)STEADFAST IN SALAH, FOR THE SALAH FORBIDS THE WICKED DEEDS AND WHAT IS FORBIDDEN, AND REMEMBERING ALLAH IS EVEN GREATER, AND ALLAH KNOWS WHAT YOU DO”.  (S: 29 A: 45)

 Reciting the Quran by itself and in Salah, should remind us of Allah’s way and commands for us.

Hud 84-86

Hud 84-86

84- AND TO MADIAN WE SENT THEIR BROTHER SHOIB, HE SAID: “O MY PEOPLE, WORSHIP ALLAH, YOU HAVE NO GOD OTHER THAN HIM, AND DO NOT CHEAT IN MEASURE AND WEIGHT, I SEE THAT YOU ARE DOING WELL, AND I FEAR FOR YOU THE PUNISHMENT OF AN ALL EMBRACING DAY”.

85- “MY PEOPLE, FULFIL THE MEASURES AND THE WEIGHTS, AND DO NOT UNDERVALUE PEOPLE’S THINGS, AND DO NOT GO THROUGH THE EARTH CAUSING MISCHIEF”. 

86- “WHAT ALLAH GIVES YOU (WITHOUT CHEATING) IS BETTER FOR YOU IF YOU ARE BELIEVERS, AND I CAN NOT PROTECT YOU (FROM ALLAH)”.

Allah the Highest sent all His prophets and messengers with the same message, that of calling people to believe in Allah the Highest, and to worship and obey him.

Allah the Highest sent Shoib to the people of Madian, and he was one of them, which is why he was called their brother.  

Calling people to believe in Allah the Highest is the most important and foremost duty of the prophets and messengers and after that comes commanding them to obey Allah’s commands.

There is usually a prevalent sin among the people the prophet is sent to, and Allah the Highest directs His prophets to command the stoppage of this sin.  In the case of the people of Madian at the time, it was cheating in weighing and measuring when they bought and sold.  

This means cheating people and not giving them their money’s worth of goods.  This may include selling faulty goods, or selling used goods as new, or selling some goods on the basis of having certain specifications, while they are not as good as they are claimed to be.

It also includes not paying the money owed by them, or not paying them fully, or unnecessarily delaying their payment.

Allah the Highest also forbids us from undervaluing people’s good and paying less than it is worth.  One might do that if a person is ignorant of the value of his goods, or if a person needs to sell his goods in a hurry because of some emergency.  Using such circumstances to under value and under pay people for their goods is a form of cheating.  It is not clever and it is not taking an opportunity.

Allah the Highest is also forbidding them and us from causing mischief through the Earth.  This mischief means all the acts and deeds Allah the Highest has forbidden us to do.

Allah the Highest is telling us that we do not need to cheat or do wrong to make our living.  Allah the Highest provides for us better in the Halal money we have and in the great reward of Paradise for those who believe in Him and obey Him.

Shoib, peace upon him, duty was to deliver the message, which he delivered, he then has no power to protect people from Allah’s punishment.  Allah the Highest said: “THE MESSENGER’S DUTY IS ONLY TO DELIVER THE MESSAGE, AND ALLAH KNOWS WHAT YOU REVEAL AND WHAT YOU HIDE”.  (S: 5 A: 99)

 

هود ٨٤- ٩٥

هود ٨٤- ٩٥

٨٤-  ۞ وَإِلَىٰ مَدۡيَنَ أَخَاهُمۡ شُعَيۡبٗاۚ قَالَ يَٰقَوۡمِ ٱعۡبُدُواْ ٱللَّهَ مَا لَكُم مِّنۡ إِلَٰهٍ غَيۡرُهُۥۖ وَلَا تَنقُصُواْ ٱلۡمِكۡيَالَ وَٱلۡمِيزَانَۖ إِنِّيٓ أَرَىٰكُم بِخَيۡرٖ وَإِنِّيٓ أَخَافُ عَلَيۡكُمۡ عَذَابَ يَوۡمٖ مُّحِيطٖ

٨٥- وَيَٰقَوۡمِ أَوۡفُواْ ٱلۡمِكۡيَالَ وَٱلۡمِيزَانَ بِٱلۡقِسۡطِۖ وَلَا تَبۡخَسُواْ ٱلنَّاسَ أَشۡيَآءَهُمۡ وَلَا تَعۡثَوۡاْ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ مُفۡسِدِينَ

٨٦- بَقِيَّتُ ٱللَّهِ خَيۡرٞ لَّكُمۡ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤۡمِنِينَۚ وَمَآ أَنَا۠ عَلَيۡكُم بِحَفِيظٖ

٨٧- قَالُواْ يَٰشُعَيۡبُ أَصَلَوٰتُكَ تَأۡمُرُكَ أَن نَّتۡرُكَ مَا يَعۡبُدُ ءَابَآؤُنَآ أَوۡ أَن نَّفۡعَلَ فِيٓ أَمۡوَٰلِنَا مَا نَشَٰٓؤُاْۖ إِنَّكَ لَأَنتَ ٱلۡحَلِيمُ ٱلرَّشِيدُ

٨٨- قَالَ يَٰقَوۡمِ أَرَءَيۡتُمۡ إِن كُنتُ عَلَىٰ بَيِّنَةٖ مِّن رَّبِّي وَرَزَقَنِي مِنۡهُ رِزۡقًا حَسَنٗاۚ وَمَآ أُرِيدُ أَنۡ أُخَالِفَكُمۡ إِلَىٰ مَآ أَنۡهَىٰكُمۡ عَنۡهُۚ إِنۡ أُرِيدُ إِلَّا ٱلۡإِصۡلَٰحَ مَا ٱسۡتَطَعۡتُۚ وَمَا تَوۡفِيقِيٓ إِلَّا بِٱللَّهِۚ عَلَيۡهِ تَوَكَّلۡتُ وَإِلَيۡهِ أُنِيبُ

٨٩- وَيَٰقَوۡمِ لَا يَجۡرِمَنَّكُمۡ شِقَاقِيٓ أَن يُصِيبَكُم مِّثۡلُ مَآ أَصَابَ قَوۡمَ نُوحٍ أَوۡ قَوۡمَ هُودٍ أَوۡ قَوۡمَ صَٰلِحٖۚ وَمَا قَوۡمُ لُوطٖ مِّنكُم بِبَعِيدٖ

٩٠- وَٱسۡتَغۡفِرُواْ رَبَّكُمۡ ثُمَّ تُوبُوٓاْ إِلَيۡهِۚ إِنَّ رَبِّي رَحِيمٞ وَدُودٞ

٩١- قَالُواْ يَٰشُعَيۡبُ مَا نَفۡقَهُ كَثِيرٗا مِّمَّا تَقُولُ وَإِنَّا لَنَرَىٰكَ فِينَا ضَعِيفٗاۖ وَلَوۡلَا رَهۡطُكَ لَرَجَمۡنَٰكَۖ وَمَآ أَنتَ عَلَيۡنَا بِعَزِيزٖ

٩٢- قَالَ يَٰقَوۡمِ أَرَهۡطِيٓ أَعَزُّ عَلَيۡكُم مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَٱتَّخَذۡتُمُوهُ وَرَآءَكُمۡ ظِهۡرِيًّاۖ إِنَّ رَبِّي بِمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ مُحِيطٞ

٩٣- وَيَٰقَوۡمِ ٱعۡمَلُواْ عَلَىٰ مَكَانَتِكُمۡ إِنِّي عَٰمِلٞۖ سَوۡفَ تَعۡلَمُونَ مَن يَأۡتِيهِ عَذَابٞ يُخۡزِيهِ وَمَنۡ هُوَ كَٰذِبٞۖ وَٱرۡتَقِبُوٓاْ إِنِّي مَعَكُمۡ رَقِيبٞ

٩٤- وَلَمَّا جَآءَ أَمۡرُنَا نَجَّيۡنَا شُعَيۡبٗا وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ مَعَهُۥ بِرَحۡمَةٖ مِّنَّا وَأَخَذَتِ ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُواْ ٱلصَّيۡحَةُ فَأَصۡبَحُواْ فِي دِيَٰرِهِمۡ جَٰثِمِينَ

٩٥- كَأَن لَّمۡ يَغۡنَوۡاْ فِيهَآۗ أَلَا بُعۡدٗا لِّمَدۡيَنَ كَمَا بَعِدَتۡ ثَمُودُ

أرسل الله عز وجل الى مدين في فلسطين نبي الله شعيب عليه السلام الذي دعاهم الى عبادة الله وحده لا شريك له والى أصلاح معاملاتهم المالية , فقد كانوا من الطففين , الذين إذا أكتالوا على الناس يستوفون وإذا كالوهم أو وزنوهم ينقصون وكانوا ينقصون الناس أشياءهم.

يجب أن ندرك أن نقص الناس أشياءهم له عدة أشكال :

• أن تدفع في سلعة أقل من سعرها الذي تعرفه لمعرفتك أن البائع مضطر لسرعة البيع أو لأنه لا يعرف قيمة السلعة وسعرها الحقيقي.
• أن تحقر من سلعة ما أو عمل عامل ما لكي تبخس الثمن أو الأجر
• أن تقبل شراء سلعة لا يعرف صاحبها ثمنها الحقيقى ويعرضها بثمن بخس

عدم أعطاء الناس حقوقهم والجور على حقوق الناس (المطففين) هؤلاء ليسوا من يغشون في الميزان فقط , ولكن من يأخذون من الناس حقوقهم في وظيفة أو عمل ما عن طريق واسطه أو رشوة , فكلها من أنواع أكل الحقوق بصورة رسمية التي نهى عنها الله عز وجل بقوله : ”وَلَا تَأۡكُلُوٓاْ أَمۡوَٰلَكُم بَيۡنَكُم بِٱلۡبَٰطِلِ وَتُدۡلُواْ بِهَآ إِلَى ٱلۡحُكَّامِ لِتَأۡكُلُواْ فَرِيقٗا مِّنۡ أَمۡوَٰلِ ٱلنَّاسِ بِٱلۡإِثۡمِ وَأَنتُمۡ تَعۡلَمُونَ“  (البقرة ١٨٨)

أخبرهم شعيب أن حسناتهم عند الله عز وجل بعبادته وأتباع أوامره ونواهيه خير لهم من مكاسبهم في الدنيا من أكل حقوق الناس.

تعجب قوم شعيب من أن تكون صلاته تنهاه عن عبادة الأوثان وأكل حقوق الناس , وهذا ما نراه كثيرا هذه الأيام من فصل الناس للدين عن المعاملات , والمعاملات من حسن الأخلاق وقد قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : ”إنما بُعِثْتُ لأُتَمِّمَ مكارمَ و في روايةٍ ( صالحَ ) الأخلاقِ“. ( أحمد , بيهقي , الحاكم ـ صحيح)

وقد مكث رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم بعد بعثه رسولا يدعوا الناس الى عبادة الله وحده وترك عبادة الأصنام والى مكارم الأخلاق لمدة عشرة سنوات , قبل أن يفرض الله عز وجل علي أمته الصلاة.

نصح شعيب قومه أن لا يدعوهم غضبهم منه الى أن لا يلبوا دعوته الى التوحيد وعدم الفساد , وذكرهم بأمثلة من الأقوام الذين عصوا الله عز وجل من قبل فأهلكهم سبحانه وتعالى وكان قوم لوط ليسوا قبلهم بزمن فكانت ذكراهم عندهم , فعليهم الايمان وأتباعه وأستغفار الله عز وجل لما مضى من ذنوبهم.  لكن قومه لم يستجيبوا وأخبروه أنهم كانوا ليقتلوه بالرجم لولا أنه كان له قبيله وعائله تمنعه منهم وتنتقم له.

تعجب شعيب عليه السلام المؤمن الموحد من أن يخاف الناس من قبيلته ولا يخافون من الله عز وجل , ونصحهم على أن يؤمنوا ويعملوا صالحا ليكونوا ذو مكانة عند الله عز وجل فيقيهم العذاب.  لما لم يستجيبوا بعث الله عز وجل عليهم صيحة أهلكتهم جميعا وهو في بيوتهم , فأصبحوا كأن لم يعيشوا ويعمروا هذه الديار يوما.  هلكوا ومعهم لعنة الله عز وجل كما حدث لثمود.