إِنَّڪُمۡ لَتَأۡتُونَ ٱلرِّجَالَ شَہۡوَةً۬ مِّن دُونِ ٱلنِّسَآءِۚ بَلۡ أَنتُمۡ قَوۡمٌ۬ مُّسۡرِفُونَ
Indeed, you approach men with desire, instead of women. Rather, you are a transgressing people."
The nine wicked persons killed the camel on a Wednesday, and that night, they conspired to kill Salih. They said, "If he is truthful, we should finish him before we are finished. If he is a liar, we will make him follow his camel.''
(They said: "Swear one to another by Allah that we shall make a secret night attack on him and his household, and thereafter we will surely say to his near relatives: `We witnessed not the destruction of his household, and verily, we are telling the truth.''' So they plotted a plot, and We planned a plan, while they perceived not.) (27:49-50) When they conspired to kill Salih and gathered at night to carry out their plot, Allah, to Whom belongs all might and Who protects His Messengers, rained down stones that smashed the heads of these nine people before the rest of the tribe. On Thursday, the first of the three days of respite, the people woke up and their faces were pale (yellow), just as Prophet Salih had promised them. On the second day of respite, Friday, they woke up and found their faces had turned red. On the third day of the respite, Saturday, they woke up with their faces black. On Sunday, they wore the fragrance of Hanut﴿ the perfume for enshrouding the dead before burial﴾ and awaited Allah's torment and revenge, we seek refuge with Allah from it. They did not know what will be done to them or how and from where the torment would come. When the sun rose, the Sayhah (loud cry) came from the sky and a severe tremor overtook them from below; the souls were captured and the bodies became lifeless, all in an hour.
(And they lay (dead), prostrate in their homes.) They became dead and lifeless and none among them, whether young, old, male or female, escaped the torment. The scholars of Tafsir said that none from the offspring of Thamud remained, except Prophet Salih and those who believed in him. A disbelieving man called Abu Righal was in the Sacred Area at the time and the torment that befell his people did not touch him. When he went out of the Sacred Area one day, a stone fell from the sky and killed him. `Abdur-Razzaq narrated that Ma`mar said that Isma`il bin Umayyah said that the Prophet passed by the gravesite of Abu Righal and asked the Companions if they knew whose grave it was. They said, "Allah and His Messenger know better.'' He said,
(This is the grave of Abu Righal, a man from Thamud. He was in the Sacred Area of Allah and this fact saved him from receiving Allah's torment. When he went out of the Sacred Area, what befell his people also befell him. He was buried here along with a branch made from gold.) So the people used their swords and looked for the golden branch and found it. `Abdur-Razzaq narrated that Ma`mar said that Az-Zuhri said that Abu Righal is the father of the tribe of Thaqif.
(79. Then he ﴿Salih﴾ turned from them, and said: "O my people! I have indeed conveyed to you the Message of my Lord, and have given you good advice, but you like not good advisers.'') These are the words of admonishment that Salih conveyed to his people after Allah destroyed them for defying Him, rebelling against Him, refusing to accept the truth, avoiding guidance, and preferring misguidance instead. Salih said these words of admonishment and criticism to them after they perished, and they heard him (as a miracle for Prophet Salih from Allah). Similarly, it is recorded in the Two Sahihs that after the Messenger of Allah defeated the disbelievers in the battle of Badr, he remained in that area for three days, and then rode his camel, which was prepared for him during the latter part of the night. He went on until he stood by the well of Badr (where the corpses of the disbelievers were thrown) and said,
(O Abu Jahl bin Hisham! O `Utbah bin Rabi`ah! O Shaybah bin Rabi`ah! Did you find what your Lord has promised you (of torment) to be true, for I found what my Lord promised me (of victory) to be true.) `Umar said to him, "O Allah's Messenger! Why do you speak to a people who have rotted'' He said,
(By He in Whose Hand is my soul! You do not hear what I am saying better than they, but they cannot reply.) Similarly, Prophet Salih, peace be upon him, said to his people,
("I have indeed conveyed to you the Message of my Lord, and have given you good advice,'') but you did not benefit from it because you do not like the Truth and do not follow those who give you sincere advice,
("but you like not good advisers.'')
(80. And (remember) Lut, when he said to his people: "Do you commit lewdness such as none preceding you has committed in all of the nations) (81. "Verily, you practice your lusts on men instead of women. Nay, but you are a people transgressing beyond bounds.'')
وَمَا ڪَانَ جَوَابَ قَوۡمِهِۦۤ إِلَّآ أَن قَالُوٓاْ أَخۡرِجُوهُم مِّن قَرۡيَتِڪُمۡۖ إِنَّهُمۡ أُنَاسٌ۬ يَتَطَهَّرُونَ
But the answer of his people was only that they said, "Evict them from your city! Indeed, they are men who keep themselves pure."
Allah said, We sent,
(And)
(Lut, when he said to his people..) Lut (Lot) is the son of Haran the son of Azar (Terah), and he was the nephew of Ibrahim, peace be upon them both. Lut had believed in Ibrahim and migrated with him to the Sham area. Allah then sent Lut to the people of Sadum (Sodom) and the surrounding villages, to call them to Allah, enjoin righteousness and forbid them from their evil practices, their sin, and wickedness. It this area, they did things that none of the children of Adam or any other creatures ever did before them. They used to have sexual intercourse with males instead of females. This evil practice was not known among the Children of Adam before, nor did it even cross their minds, so they were unfamiliar with it before the people of Sodom invented it, may Allah's curse be on them. `Amr bin Dinar commented on;
("...as none preceding you has committed in all of the nations.'') "Never before the people of Lut did a male have sex with another male.'' This is why Lut said to them,
("Do you commit lewdness such as none preceding you has committed in all of the nations Verily, you practice your lusts on men instead of women.'') meaning, you left women whom Allah created for you and instead had sex with men Indeed, this behavior is evil and ignorant because you have placed things in their improper places. Lut, peace be upon him, said to them:
("these (the girls of the nation) are my daughters (to marry lawfully), if you must act (so).'') (15:71) So he reminded them of their women, and they replied that they do not desire women!,
(They said: "Surely, you know that we have neither any desire nor need of your daughters, and indeed you know well what we want!'' ) (11:79) meaning, you know that we have no desire for women and you know what we desire with your guests.
(82. And the answer of his people was only that they said: "Drive them out of your town, these are indeed men who want to be pure (from sins)!'') So they answered Prophet Lut by trying to expel and banish him from their village, along with those who believed with him. Allah indeed removed Prophet Lut safely from among them, and He destroyed them in their land in disgrace and humiliation. They said (about Lut and the believers):
("These are indeed men who want to be pure (from sins)!'') Qatadah commented, "They shamed them (Lut and the believers) with what is not a shame at all.'' Mujahid commented, "(Lut's people said about Lut and the believers,) They are a people who want to be pure from men's anuses and women's anuses!'' Similar was narrated from Ibn `Abbas.
(83. Then We saved him and his family, except his wife; she was of the Ghabirin (those who lagged behind).) (84. And We rained down on them a rain (of stones). Then see what was the end of the criminals.)
فَأَنجَيۡنَـٰهُ وَأَهۡلَهُ ۥۤ إِلَّا ٱمۡرَأَتَهُ ۥ كَانَتۡ مِنَ ٱلۡغَـٰبِرِينَ
So We saved him and his family, except for his wife; she was of those who remained [with the evildoers].
Allah said, We sent,
(And)
(Lut, when he said to his people..) Lut (Lot) is the son of Haran the son of Azar (Terah), and he was the nephew of Ibrahim, peace be upon them both. Lut had believed in Ibrahim and migrated with him to the Sham area. Allah then sent Lut to the people of Sadum (Sodom) and the surrounding villages, to call them to Allah, enjoin righteousness and forbid them from their evil practices, their sin, and wickedness. It this area, they did things that none of the children of Adam or any other creatures ever did before them. They used to have sexual intercourse with males instead of females. This evil practice was not known among the Children of Adam before, nor did it even cross their minds, so they were unfamiliar with it before the people of Sodom invented it, may Allah's curse be on them. `Amr bin Dinar commented on;
("...as none preceding you has committed in all of the nations.'') "Never before the people of Lut did a male have sex with another male.'' This is why Lut said to them,
("Do you commit lewdness such as none preceding you has committed in all of the nations Verily, you practice your lusts on men instead of women.'') meaning, you left women whom Allah created for you and instead had sex with men Indeed, this behavior is evil and ignorant because you have placed things in their improper places. Lut, peace be upon him, said to them:
("these (the girls of the nation) are my daughters (to marry lawfully), if you must act (so).'') (15:71) So he reminded them of their women, and they replied that they do not desire women!,
(They said: "Surely, you know that we have neither any desire nor need of your daughters, and indeed you know well what we want!'' ) (11:79) meaning, you know that we have no desire for women and you know what we desire with your guests.
(82. And the answer of his people was only that they said: "Drive them out of your town, these are indeed men who want to be pure (from sins)!'') So they answered Prophet Lut by trying to expel and banish him from their village, along with those who believed with him. Allah indeed removed Prophet Lut safely from among them, and He destroyed them in their land in disgrace and humiliation. They said (about Lut and the believers):
("These are indeed men who want to be pure (from sins)!'') Qatadah commented, "They shamed them (Lut and the believers) with what is not a shame at all.'' Mujahid commented, "(Lut's people said about Lut and the believers,) They are a people who want to be pure from men's anuses and women's anuses!'' Similar was narrated from Ibn `Abbas.
(83. Then We saved him and his family, except his wife; she was of the Ghabirin (those who lagged behind).) (84. And We rained down on them a rain (of stones). Then see what was the end of the criminals.)
وَأَمۡطَرۡنَا عَلَيۡهِم مَّطَرً۬اۖ فَٱنظُرۡ ڪَيۡفَ كَانَ عَـٰقِبَةُ ٱلۡمُجۡرِمِينَ
And We rained upon them a rain [of stones]. Then see how was the end of the criminals.
Allah said, We sent,
(And)
(Lut, when he said to his people..) Lut (Lot) is the son of Haran the son of Azar (Terah), and he was the nephew of Ibrahim, peace be upon them both. Lut had believed in Ibrahim and migrated with him to the Sham area. Allah then sent Lut to the people of Sadum (Sodom) and the surrounding villages, to call them to Allah, enjoin righteousness and forbid them from their evil practices, their sin, and wickedness. It this area, they did things that none of the children of Adam or any other creatures ever did before them. They used to have sexual intercourse with males instead of females. This evil practice was not known among the Children of Adam before, nor did it even cross their minds, so they were unfamiliar with it before the people of Sodom invented it, may Allah's curse be on them. `Amr bin Dinar commented on;
("...as none preceding you has committed in all of the nations.'') "Never before the people of Lut did a male have sex with another male.'' This is why Lut said to them,
("Do you commit lewdness such as none preceding you has committed in all of the nations Verily, you practice your lusts on men instead of women.'') meaning, you left women whom Allah created for you and instead had sex with men Indeed, this behavior is evil and ignorant because you have placed things in their improper places. Lut, peace be upon him, said to them:
("these (the girls of the nation) are my daughters (to marry lawfully), if you must act (so).'') (15:71) So he reminded them of their women, and they replied that they do not desire women!,
(They said: "Surely, you know that we have neither any desire nor need of your daughters, and indeed you know well what we want!'' ) (11:79) meaning, you know that we have no desire for women and you know what we desire with your guests.
(82. And the answer of his people was only that they said: "Drive them out of your town, these are indeed men who want to be pure (from sins)!'') So they answered Prophet Lut by trying to expel and banish him from their village, along with those who believed with him. Allah indeed removed Prophet Lut safely from among them, and He destroyed them in their land in disgrace and humiliation. They said (about Lut and the believers):
("These are indeed men who want to be pure (from sins)!'') Qatadah commented, "They shamed them (Lut and the believers) with what is not a shame at all.'' Mujahid commented, "(Lut's people said about Lut and the believers,) They are a people who want to be pure from men's anuses and women's anuses!'' Similar was narrated from Ibn `Abbas.
(83. Then We saved him and his family, except his wife; she was of the Ghabirin (those who lagged behind).) (84. And We rained down on them a rain (of stones). Then see what was the end of the criminals.)
وَإِلَىٰ مَدۡيَنَ أَخَاهُمۡ شُعَيۡبً۬اۗ قَالَ يَـٰقَوۡمِ ٱعۡبُدُواْ ٱللَّهَ مَا لَڪُم مِّنۡ إِلَـٰهٍ غَيۡرُهُ ۥۖ قَدۡ جَآءَتۡڪُم بَيِّنَةٌ۬ مِّن رَّبِّڪُمۡۖ فَأَوۡفُواْ ٱلۡڪَيۡلَ وَٱلۡمِيزَانَ وَلَا تَبۡخَسُواْ ٱلنَّاسَ أَشۡيَآءَهُمۡ وَلَا تُفۡسِدُواْ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ بَعۡدَ إِصۡلَـٰحِهَاۚ ذَٲلِڪُمۡ خَيۡرٌ۬ لَّكُمۡ إِن ڪُنتُم مُّؤۡمِنِينَ
And to [the people of] Madyan [We sent] their brother Shu‘ayb. He said, "O my people, worship Allah; you have no deity other than Him. There has come to you clear evidence from your Lord. So fulfill the measure and weight and do not deprive people of their due and cause not corruption upon the earth after its reformation. That is better for you, if you should be believers.
Allah said in another Ayah,
(So We brought out from therein the believers. But We found not there any household of the Muslims except one (of Lut and his daughters)) (51: 35-36). Only his wife (from his family) did not believe, remaining on the religion of her people. She used to conspire with them against Lut and inform them of who came to visit him, using certain signals that they agreed on. This is why when Lut was commanded to leave by night with his family, he was ordered not to inform his wife or take her with him. Some said that she followed them, and when the torment struck her people, she looked back and suffered the same punishment as them. However, it appears that she did not leave the town and that Lut did not tell her that they would depart. So she remained with her people, as apparent from Allah's statement,
(except his wife; she was of the Ghabirin) meaning, of those who remained, or they say: of those who were destroyed, and this is the more obvious explanation. Allah's statement,
(And We rained down on them a rain) is explained by His other statement,
(And rained on them stones of baked clay, in a well-arranged manner one after another. Marked from your Lord; and they are not ever far from the wrongdoers.) (11:82-83). Allah said here,
(Then see what was the end of the criminals.) This Ayah means: `See, O Muhammad, the end of those who dared to disobey Allah and reject His Messengers.' Imam Ahmad, Abu Dawud, At-Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah, all recorded a Hadith (from) Ibn `Abbas who said that Allah's Messenger said;
(Whoever is found doing the act of the people of Lut, then kill them; the doer and the one it is done to.)
(85. And to (the people of) Madyan, (We sent) their brother Shu`ayb. He said: "O my people! Worship Allah! You have no other God but Him. Verily, a clear proof (sign) from your Lord has come unto you; so give full measure and full weight and wrong not men in their things, and do not do mischief on the earth after it has been set in order, that will be better for you, if you are believers.)
وَلَا تَقۡعُدُواْ بِڪُلِّ صِرَٲطٍ۬ تُوعِدُونَ وَتَصُدُّونَ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ مَنۡ ءَامَنَ بِهِۦ وَتَبۡغُونَهَا عِوَجً۬اۚ وَٱذۡڪُرُوٓاْ إِذۡ ڪُنتُمۡ قَلِيلاً۬ فَكَثَّرَڪُمۡۖ وَٱنظُرُواْ كَيۡفَ كَانَ عَـٰقِبَةُ ٱلۡمُفۡسِدِينَ
And do not sit on every path, threatening and averting from the way of Allah those who believe in Him, seeking to make it [seem] deviant. And remember when you were few and He increased you. And see how was the end of the corrupters.
Muhammad bin Ishaq said, "They (the people of Madyan) are the descendents of Madyan, son of Midyan, son of Ibrahim. Shu`ayb was the son of Mikil bin Yashjur. And in the Syrian language, his name was Yathrun (Jethro)''. I (Ibn Kathir) say, Madyan was the name of the tribe and also a city that is close to Ma`an on route to the Hijaz (from Ash-Sham). Allah said in another Ayah,
(And when he arrived at the water (a well) of Madyan he found there a group of men watering (their flocks).) (28:23) They are also the people of Al-Aykah (the Woods), as we will mention later on, Allah willing, and our trust is in Him.
(He said: "O my people! Worship Allah! You have no other God but Him'') and this is the call of all Messengers,
("Verily, a clear proof (sign) from your Lord has come unto you;'') meaning, `Allah has presented the proof and evidences of the truth of what I brought you.' He then advised them and commanded them to give full measure and full weight and not to wrong men in their dealings, meaning, to refrain from cheating people in buying and selling. They used to treacherously avoid giving full weight and measure. Allah said in other Ayat,
(Woe to Al-Mutaffifin (those who give less in measure and weight)...) (83:1) until He said,
(before the Lord of all that exists) (83:6). These Ayat contain a stern warning and sure promise that we ask Allah to save us from. Shu`ayb was called `Speaker of the Prophets', because of his eloquent words and eloquent advice, and Allah stated that Shu`ayb said:
(86. "And sit not on every road, threatening, and hindering from the path of Allah those who believe in Him, and seeking to make it crooked. And remember when you were but few, and He multiplied you. And see what was the end of the mischief-makers.) (87. "And if there is a party of you who believes in that with which I have been sent and a party who does not believe, so be patient until Allah judges between us, and He is the best of judges.'')
وَإِن كَانَ طَآٮِٕفَةٌ۬ مِّنڪُمۡ ءَامَنُواْ بِٱلَّذِىٓ أُرۡسِلۡتُ بِهِۦ وَطَآٮِٕفَةٌ۬ لَّمۡ يُؤۡمِنُواْ فَٱصۡبِرُواْ حَتَّىٰ يَحۡكُمَ ٱللَّهُ بَيۡنَنَاۚ وَهُوَ خَيۡرُ ٱلۡحَـٰكِمِينَ
And if there should be a group among you who has believed in that with which I have been sent and a group that has not believed, then be patient until Allah judges between us. And He is the best of judges."
Muhammad bin Ishaq said, "They (the people of Madyan) are the descendents of Madyan, son of Midyan, son of Ibrahim. Shu`ayb was the son of Mikil bin Yashjur. And in the Syrian language, his name was Yathrun (Jethro)''. I (Ibn Kathir) say, Madyan was the name of the tribe and also a city that is close to Ma`an on route to the Hijaz (from Ash-Sham). Allah said in another Ayah,
(And when he arrived at the water (a well) of Madyan he found there a group of men watering (their flocks).) (28:23) They are also the people of Al-Aykah (the Woods), as we will mention later on, Allah willing, and our trust is in Him.
(He said: "O my people! Worship Allah! You have no other God but Him'') and this is the call of all Messengers,
("Verily, a clear proof (sign) from your Lord has come unto you;'') meaning, `Allah has presented the proof and evidences of the truth of what I brought you.' He then advised them and commanded them to give full measure and full weight and not to wrong men in their dealings, meaning, to refrain from cheating people in buying and selling. They used to treacherously avoid giving full weight and measure. Allah said in other Ayat,
(Woe to Al-Mutaffifin (those who give less in measure and weight)...) (83:1) until He said,
(before the Lord of all that exists) (83:6). These Ayat contain a stern warning and sure promise that we ask Allah to save us from. Shu`ayb was called `Speaker of the Prophets', because of his eloquent words and eloquent advice, and Allah stated that Shu`ayb said:
(86. "And sit not on every road, threatening, and hindering from the path of Allah those who believe in Him, and seeking to make it crooked. And remember when you were but few, and He multiplied you. And see what was the end of the mischief-makers.) (87. "And if there is a party of you who believes in that with which I have been sent and a party who does not believe, so be patient until Allah judges between us, and He is the best of judges.'')
۞ قَالَ ٱلۡمَلَأُ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱسۡتَكۡبَرُواْ مِن قَوۡمِهِۦ لَنُخۡرِجَنَّكَ يَـٰشُعَيۡبُ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ مَعَكَ مِن قَرۡيَتِنَآ أَوۡ لَتَعُودُنَّ فِى مِلَّتِنَاۚ قَالَ أَوَلَوۡ كُنَّا كَـٰرِهِينَ
Said the eminent ones who were arrogant among his people, "We will surely evict you, O Shu‘ayb, and those who have believed with you from our city, or you must return to our religion." He said, "Even if we were unwilling?"
("And sit not on every road, threatening,'') threatening people with death if they do not give up their money, as they were bandits, according to As-Suddi. Ibn `Abbas, Mujahid and several others commented:
("And sit not on every road, threatening.'') the believers who come to Shu`ayb to follow him.'' The first meaning is better, because Prophet Shu`ayb first said to them,
("on every road...'') He then mentioned the second meaning,
("and hindering from the path of Allah those who believe in Him, and seeking to make it crooked.'') meaning, you seek to make the path of Allah crooked and deviated,
("And remember when you were but few, and He multiplied you.'') meaning, you were weak because you were few. But you later on became mighty because of your large numbers. Therefore, remember Allah's favor.
("And see what was the end of the mischief-makers. '') from the previous nations and earlier generations. See the torment and punishment they suffered, because they disobeyed Allah and rejected His Messengers. Shu`ayb continued;
("And if there is a party of you who believes in that with which I have been sent and a party who does not believe,'') that is, if you divided concerning me,
("so be patient'') that is, then wait and see,
("until Allah judges between us,''), and you,
("and He is the best of judges.'') Surely, Allah will award the best end to those who fear and obey Him and He will destroy the disbelievers.
(88. The chiefs of those who were arrogant among his people said: "We shall certainly drive you out, O Shu`ayb and those who have believed with you from our town, or else you (all) shall return to our religion.'' He said: "Even though we hate it'') (89. "We should have invented a lie against Allah if we returned to your religion, after Allah has rescued us from it. And it is not for us to return to it unless Allah, our Lord, should will. Our Lord comprehends all things in His knowledge. In Allah (Alone) we put our trust. Our Lord! Judge between us and our people in truth, for You are the best of those who give judgment.'')
قَدِ ٱفۡتَرَيۡنَا عَلَى ٱللَّهِ كَذِبًا إِنۡ عُدۡنَا فِى مِلَّتِڪُم بَعۡدَ إِذۡ نَجَّٮٰنَا ٱللَّهُ مِنۡہَاۚ وَمَا يَكُونُ لَنَآ أَن نَّعُودَ فِيہَآ إِلَّآ أَن يَشَآءَ ٱللَّهُ رَبُّنَاۚ وَسِعَ رَبُّنَا كُلَّ شَىۡءٍ عِلۡمًاۚ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ تَوَكَّلۡنَاۚ رَبَّنَا ٱفۡتَحۡ بَيۡنَنَا وَبَيۡنَ قَوۡمِنَا بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَأَنتَ خَيۡرُ ٱلۡفَـٰتِحِينَ
We would have invented against Allah a lie if we returned to your religion after Allah had saved us from it. And it is not for us to return to it except that Allah, our Lord, should will. Our Lord has encompassed all things in knowledge. Upon Allah we have relied. Our Lord, decide between us and our people in truth, and You are the best of those who give decision."
("And sit not on every road, threatening,'') threatening people with death if they do not give up their money, as they were bandits, according to As-Suddi. Ibn `Abbas, Mujahid and several others commented:
("And sit not on every road, threatening.'') the believers who come to Shu`ayb to follow him.'' The first meaning is better, because Prophet Shu`ayb first said to them,
("on every road...'') He then mentioned the second meaning,
("and hindering from the path of Allah those who believe in Him, and seeking to make it crooked.'') meaning, you seek to make the path of Allah crooked and deviated,
("And remember when you were but few, and He multiplied you.'') meaning, you were weak because you were few. But you later on became mighty because of your large numbers. Therefore, remember Allah's favor.
("And see what was the end of the mischief-makers. '') from the previous nations and earlier generations. See the torment and punishment they suffered, because they disobeyed Allah and rejected His Messengers. Shu`ayb continued;
("And if there is a party of you who believes in that with which I have been sent and a party who does not believe,'') that is, if you divided concerning me,
("so be patient'') that is, then wait and see,
("until Allah judges between us,''), and you,
("and He is the best of judges.'') Surely, Allah will award the best end to those who fear and obey Him and He will destroy the disbelievers.
(88. The chiefs of those who were arrogant among his people said: "We shall certainly drive you out, O Shu`ayb and those who have believed with you from our town, or else you (all) shall return to our religion.'' He said: "Even though we hate it'') (89. "We should have invented a lie against Allah if we returned to your religion, after Allah has rescued us from it. And it is not for us to return to it unless Allah, our Lord, should will. Our Lord comprehends all things in His knowledge. In Allah (Alone) we put our trust. Our Lord! Judge between us and our people in truth, for You are the best of those who give judgment.'')
وَقَالَ ٱلۡمَلَأُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ مِن قَوۡمِهِۦ لَٮِٕنِ ٱتَّبَعۡتُمۡ شُعَيۡبًا إِنَّكُمۡ إِذً۬ا لَّخَـٰسِرُونَ
Said the eminent ones who disbelieved among his people, "If you should follow Shu‘ayb, indeed, you would then be losers."
The chiefs spoke the words mentioned here to the Messenger Shu`ayb, but intended it for those who followed his religion too. The statement,
("Even though we hate it''), means, would you force us to do that, even though we hate what you are calling us to Certainly if we revert to your religion and accept your ways, we will have uttered a tremendous lie against Allah by calling partners as rivals to Him,
(And it is not for us to return to it unless Allah, our Lord, should will.) This part of the Ayah refers all matters to Allah's will, and certainly, He has perfect knowledge of all matters and His observation encompasses all things,
(In Allah (Alone) we put our trust. ), concerning all our affairs, what we practice of them and what we ignore,
(Our Lord! Judge between us and our people in truth) judge between us and our people and give us victory over them,
(for You are the best of those who give judgment) and You are the Most Just Who never wrongs any in His judgment.
(90. The chiefs of those who disbelieved among his people said (to their people): "If you follow Shu`ayb, be sure then you will be the losers!'') (91. So the earthquake seized them and they lay (dead), prostrate in their homes.) (92. Those who belied Shu`ayb, became as if they had never dwelt there (in their homes). Those who belied Shu`ayb, they were the losers.) Allah describes the enormity of disbelief, rebellion, transgression and misguidance (of Shu`ayb's people) and the defiance of truth encrypted in their hearts. They vowed, saying,
("If you follow Shu`ayb, be sure then you will be the losers!'') Allah answered them,
(So the earthquake seized them and they lay (dead), prostrate in their homes) Allah said that the earthquake shook them, as punishment for threatening to expel Shu`ayb and his followers. Allah mentioned their end again in Suah Hud,
(And when Our commandment came, We saved Shu`ayb and those who believed with him by a mercy from Us. And the Sayhah (loud cry) seized the wrongdoers, and they lay (dead) prostrate in their homes.) (11:94) This Ayah mentions the Sayhah (cry) that struck them after they mocked Shu`ayb, saying,
(Does your Salah (prayer) command you...) so it was befitting to mention here the cry that made them silence. In Surat Ash-Shu`ara', Allah said,
(But they belied him, so the torment of the Day of Shadow (a gloomy cloud) seized them. Indeed that was the torment of a Great Day) (26:189) because they challenged Shu`ayb,
("So cause a piece of the heaven to fall on us, if you are of the truthful!'') (26:187). Therefore, Allah stated that each of these forms of punishment struck them on the Day of the Shadow. First,
(So the torment of the Day of Shadow (a gloomy cloud) seized them) (26:189) when a gloomy cloud came over them (containing) fire, flames and a tremendous light. Next, a cry from the sky descended on them and a tremor shook them from beneath. Consequently, their souls were captured, their lives were taken and their bodies became idle,
(and they lay (dead), prostrate in their homes). Allah said next,
(They became as if they had never dwelt there) meaning, after the torment seized them, it looked as if they never dwelled in the land from which they wanted to expel their Messenger Shu`ayb and his followers. Here, Allah refuted their earlier statement,
(Those who belied Shu`ayb, they were the losers.)
(93. Then he (Shu`ayb) turned from them and said: "O my people! I have indeed conveyed my Lord's Messages unto you and I have given you good advice. Then how can I grieve over people who are disbelievers.'') Prophet Shu`ayb, peace be upon him, turned away from his people after the torment, punishment and destruction struck them, admonishing and censuring them by saying to them,
("O my people! I have indeed conveyed my Lord's Messages unto you and I have given you good advice.'') Shu`ayb said, I have conveyed to you what I was sent with, so I will not feel any sorrow for you since you disbelieved in what I brought you,
("Then how can I grieve over people who are disbelievers'')
(94. And We sent no Prophet unto any town (and they denied him), but We seized its people with Ba'sa' and Darra', so that they might humble themselves (to Allah).) (95. Then We changed the evil for the good, until they `Afaw (increased), and said: "Our fathers were touched with evil and with good.'' So We seized them all of a sudden while they were unaware.)