Indexed OCR Text

Lessons and Conclusions
Some Pertinent Facts
With regard to the punishment that the people of the Sabbath received, Allaah
says, "We made it (their punishment) an example (an admonition) for those who were
present before them as well as for those after them, and a lesson (a warning) for those
who fear Allaah (because it is only such people who will heed the lesson)" .323
Scholars differ concerning the people referred to as "those after them". Some
scholars such as Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Abbaas t and Hadhrat Sa'eed bin
Musayyib &l wo, state that these were the inhabitants of the areas surrounding
Ayla.
The author of Ruhul Ma'aani has pointed out a fine point in all of this. He
writes that Allaah has ordained specific forms of Ibaadaat during specific times
in order to eradicate innate evils within people. Therefore, people who do not
adhere to the specific requisites of the Ibaadah will find that their capacity to do
good will be diminished and they may be in danger of eventually deteriorating
into the condition of the people of the Sabbath. It should then not be that they
are also transfigured into heinous creatures by having the characteristics of such
creatures being entrenched within them. People must therefore preserve their
humanity through these prescribed acts of Ibaadah done in the prescribed
manner.
Surah Baqarah, verse 66.
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In fact, some pious people have the ability of actually seeing a person in the form
of the creature he resembled in behaviour. For example, they will see a tyrant
as a wolf and a person steeped in the filth of sin as a pig. However, it needs to
be borne in mind that these visions cannot be used to conclusively prove the
sinful nature of any person.
Inverted Evolution
Mufassireen have no problem in offering a literal interpretation of the
punishment suffered by the people who insolently violated the sanctity of the
Sabbath. They were physically transfigured into monkeys and swine and then
died after three days. They were therefore made to suffer an inverted or
reversed evolution. It is indeed strange that some people believe in the theory of
evolution and concede that their forefathers had been apes, but then refuse to
believe in the inverted evolution stated in the case of the people of the Sabbath.
If they believe that objects can escalate in their composition and structure, why
is it difficult to believe that they can also deteriorate and revert to their former
state?
Nonetheless, the reality of it all is that the transfiguration did occur and is
substantiated by the inviolable words of the Qur'aan. Since this is not a matter to
be decided by mere intellect and logic, but by a true account, there can be
nothing more convincing than the words of the Qur'aan, especially when all the
Mufassireen have interpreted them literally. It then does not matter that the
event is one that is not commonly seen or experienced. The fact that something
does not happen does not mean that it cannot happen. Furthermore, the fact
that it is something unnatural makes it more of a lesson to be heeded. How
would it serve as a deterrent to people if it did not actually happen?
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Not only did the Qur'aan state that they were turned into apes, but it adds that
they were turned into "hated and cursed" monkeys. These words would be
relevant only if the transfiguration was literal. Although it has been reported
from Imaam Mujaahid ail ton, that the transfiguration referred a metaphorical
transfiguration of the hearts and minds of these people, Allaama Ibn Katheer al das y
writes that this conflicts with the interpretation of the majority of Mufassireen.
Therefore, what he was referring to in his statement was that the metaphorical
transfiguration took place together with the physical transfiguration. And Allaah
knows best.
Retribution According to Crime
A study of the Qur'aan will reveal that it has always been the system of Allaah to
grant retribution according to the nature of the action. Therefore, when the
people of the Sabbath violated the sanctity of the Sabbath in a manner that
caused the sanctity to be completely effaced and 'transfigured', this was exactly
what happened to them as well. Haafidh Ibn Katheer als, writes that although
apes resemble humans in form, they are not humans. It is just as the people of
Sabbath appeared to be Mu'mineen, but were really not so in their deeds.
"It is this Page that makes me Weer"
Hadhrat Ikramah ail das, was one of the most eminent students of Hadhrat
Abdullaah bin Abbaas t. He relates that he once saw Hadhrat Abdullaah bin
Abbaas t weeping bitterly as he held a copy of the Qur'aan in his lap. After
waiting a while out of respect, Hadhrat Ikrama al , eventually approached his
teacher when he could wait no longer. He greeted with the words of Salaam and
then said, "May I be sacrificed for you! What is it that makes you weep so
much?"
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Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Abbaas t replied, "It is this page that makes me weep."
When Hadhrat Ikrama al was, looked at the page, he saw that it was a page from
Surah A'raaf. "Do you know Ayla?" Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Abbaas t asked. When
Hadhrat Ikrama aly replied in the affirmative, Hadhrat Abdullah bin Abbaas t
informed him that the Bani Israa'eel lived in the town of Ayla. On Saturdays the
fish would be seen in large schools at the surface of the water, but during the
other days, they would swim deep, making it very difficult to catch. After a while,
Shaytaan inspired some of them with the thought that Allaah had forbidden only
the eating of fish on Saturdays and not catching them. They therefore started to
catch fish on Saturdays and then eat them the following day324.
When this trend caught on, people of the truth advised them that catching fish
as well as eating them was all prohibited. They warned them that violating the
sanctity of the Sabbath would attract the wrath of Allaah and that they should
immediately desist. However, the people ignored them. The following week,
some of the people of the truth departed from the town and went with their
families to live elsewhere. There were some other people from the town who
continued to live amongst the transgressors and associated with them, though
still refraining from the sin. This group of people said to the people of the truth,
"Why do you advise people whom Allaah shall destroy or afflict with a severe
punishment?" In reply, they said, "(We are trying to stop them) To be absolved (excused) of
guilt before your Rabb (so that Allaah does not ask us why we did not make an effort to stop them
from sin) and so that they may abstain (from fishing and be saved from punishment)".
Eventually, the people of the truth told the transgressors that Allaah's
punishment would be coming the following day if they did not desist.
324 It appears that the people of the Sabbath engaged in various schemes to evade the restrictions of
the Sabbath, this being yet another.
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Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Abbaas t further explained that Allaah discussed two
groups in the verses of the Qur'aan. These were the group of people who sinned
and were punished and the group who engaged in Amr bil Ma'roof wan Nahy
anil Munkar. The Qur'aan is silent about the third group, who were those who
remained silent. Although these people may not have engaged in the sin, they
did not advise the sinners, nor did they disassociate from them. Concerning
them, Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Abbaas t said, "I do not wish to say what I believe
happened to them (they were also punished)."
Hadhrat Ikrama ¿il ., then said, "May I be sacrificed for you! You need not worry
about this group of people because they were also saved from punishment. The
Qur'aan clearly states that they asked the others, 'Why do you advise people whom
Allaah shall destroy or afflict with a severe punishment?' The fact that the Qur'aan
speaks about them like this indicates that they were regarded as a separate
group and not as a part of the sinful group. They also did not deserve the
punishment because they said this after losing hope of the sinners desisting from
their sinful ways." This made Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Abbaas t very happy and he
rewarded Hadhrat Ikrama al way for this insight. 325
It needs to be noted that it is no longer Waajib (compulsory) to advise people
to desist from evil when one knows that his advice will fall on deaf ears. It is
then permissible to remain silent, though it would be best to persevere and
continue advising. While one group of the Bani Israa'eel opted to remain silent
afterwards, the other group took the courage to persevere and continue the
noble effort of Amr bil Ma'roof wan Nahy anil Munkar. Nonetheless, both groups
were saved from the punishment.
325 Durrul Manthoor.
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This situation must not be confused with the situation where people continue
to associate with sinners without advising them at all and without
disapproving of their sin. Such people will be regarded to be a member of the
sinful group. Hadhrat Maalik bin Dinaar alto, reports that Allaah once dispatched
an angel with instructions to capsize a particular town. "O Allaah!" The angel
asked, "But there is a man in the town who worships you?" Another narration
states that the angel added, "He has never disobeyed you for the duration of
the wink of an eye." Allaah said to the angel, "Let him taste the punishment
with the rest of them because he was never perturbed when he saw the people
disobeying Me. Never did his face reveal any expression of disapproval."
Allaah once revealed to Hadhrat Yusha bin Noon v that a hundred thousand of
his people would be punished. Allaah told him that sixty thousand of these
people were sinners while the other forty thousand did not engage in the sin
they were being punished for. When Hadhrat Yusha v asked why it was that
those not guilty of the sin would be punished, Allaah explained that these
people continue to associate with the sinners, joined them in all their functions
and never expressed any resentment for the sinful acts that the others
perpetrated.326
What Became of the Punished People?
The nations that suffered the punishment of transfiguration died within three
days after being punished. Their progenies therefore did not live on so that the
future generations were saved from perpetual humiliation. Hadhrat Abdullaah
bin Mas'ood t reports that Rasulullaah p was once asked whether the existing
apes and swine were the progeny of the transfigured nations. Rasulullaah p
replied, "No. Whenever Allaah transfigured a nation, their progeny never lived
326
Bahrul Muheet.
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on. The animals you see are a separate creation. When Allaah's wrath struck the
Jews, they were transfigured into the forms of these animals." 327
Another narration adds that whenever Allaah transfigured a nation, He does not
leave them to survive on earth and they never produce any offspring. The apes
and swine had been in existence even before these nations were transfigured.
Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Abbaas t stated that the transfigured nations never lived
more than three days. During these three days, they neither ate, drank nor
engaged in any acts of reproduction. 328 And Allaah knows best.
327
Ahmed, Abu Dawood Tayaalisi and Muslim.
328 Tafseer Ibn Katheer (Vol.1).
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The People of Ris
The Arabic word Riss generally refers to an open well that has not been built
upon. It therefore also refers to any ditch or pit in the ground, as well as a cave.
With regard to the people referred to by the Qur'aan as the people of Riss,
Mufassireen have the following opinions:
1. The historian Ibn Asaakir al , has written that the people of Riss lived
centuries before the Aad. Allaah had sent the Nabi Hadhrat Handhala bin
Safwaan v to guide them to Islaam, but they rejected his message and
martyred him. They were then destroyed when Allaah punished them for
this heinous crime
2. Ibn Abi Haatim al was, has quoted from Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Abbaas t that
Riss was a well close to Azerbaijan (formerly part of Russia) and the incident
refers to the people who lived there
3. Hadhrat Ikrama Mil wau, stated that the reference is to a nation who martyred
their Nabi and buried him in a well
4. Hadhrat Qataadah al mentioned that the people of Riss lived in a town
named Falaj, which was located in Yamaamah. He states that they were the
same people referred to as the People of the Village in Surah Yaaseen
(discussed earlier)
5. Hadhrat Abu Bakr bin Naqqaash il , and Allaama Suhayli al tuo, have both
stated that the people of Riss had a very large well from which they drank
and also irrigated their crops. They were ruled by a just king, whom they
loved very dearly. However, they missed him bitterly after he died. Seizing
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this opportunity, Shaytaan adopted the appearance of the king and
summoned all the people of the town. He addressed them saying, "I have
been parted from you for a few days, but am back now and shall be here
forever." The people were overjoyed and truly believed that their king was
back with them. "However," he said to them, "From now on, you will have to
speak to me only from behind a screen." The people happily accepted his
condition and he then started to mislead them from behind his screen.
It was then that Allaah sent the Nabi Hadhrat Handhala bin Safwaan v. He
invoked the people to believe in Towheed and also informed them that the
person behind the screen was not the king, but Shaytaan. The people did not
like what he told them and eventually martyred him by casting him into the
well. Allaah then annihilated these people when His punishment struck them
and the green fields and settlements that they occupied were soon turned
into a barren and scorched landscape. 329
6. Hadhrat Muhammad bin Ka'b Qurazi als, reports from Rasulullaah p that a
black slave will be amongst the first person to enter Jannah. He then
explained that this slave was the only person to believe in a Nabi v whom
Allaah sent to some nation. Not stopping at rejecting his message, the
people eventually cast the Nabi v into a well and then sealed the entrance
with a large boulder. This slave used to collect firewood in the forest, sell
it, use the money to purchase food and then serve the food to the Nabi v in
the well. This continued for a while until Allaah caused the slave to fall into
a deep sleep one day as he sat down to rest in the forest. He then slept like
this for fourteen years. In the meantime, the people of the town regretted
their deed, set the Nabi v free and accepted his message of Imaan. When
the slave woke up fourteen years later, the Nabi v had already passed
away. Thinking that he had slept only a short while, the slave hurried with
his firewood to the marketplace, only to find everything very different.
329 Tafseer and Taareekh of Ibn Katheer (Vol. 1).
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Upon his enquiries from the people, he learnt what had happened and
related his story to the people. 330
7. The historian Mas'oodi stated that the people of Riss were the from the
progeny of Hadhrat Ismaa'eel v. The consisted of two tribes, known as the
Qidma and Yaameen and they lived in Yemen. The author of Ardhul Qur'aan
Allaama Sulaymaan Nadwi al tao, has preferred this opinion
8. Hadhrat Dahhaak ail ton, and other Mufassireen have stated that there were
four thousand people who had believed in Hadhrat Saalih v and were
therefore saved from the punishment that struck the nation of Thamud.
These people settled in Hadramaut in Yemen with Hadhrat Saalih v and
established their settlement close to a well. Their progeny continued to live
there long after the demise of Hadhrat Saalih v and eventually started to
worship idols. Allaah then sent a Nabi v to them to guide them back to
Towheed, but they rejected his message and resorted to the worst act of
assassinating him. Allaah then sent His punishment to them and they were
annihilated. Referring to their settlements after the punishment, Allaah says,
"They now lie collapsed on their roofs. Many were the (now) disused wells and the
(now ruined) fortresses that were once well built" .331
The People of Riss in the Qur'an
Allaah refers to the people of Riss in Surah Furqaan as well as in Surah Qaaf.
However, they are mentioned only as one of the nations amongst others who
were sinful. No further details of them are stated since these are not necessary
for the intended objective of the Qur'aan. In fact, it is only because this nation
has been mentioned in the Qur'aan that they have had any recognition at all.
Otherwise, they would have been another name in the long list of nations that
have perished and been long forgotten.
330
Muroojudh Dhahab Pg.86.
331
Surah Hajj, verse 45.
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There have been many nations who have blatantly rejected the message of the
Ambiyaa pull # and unashamedly made their opposition public. These nations
were all destroyed together with their pomp and arrogance, becoming the
ultimate losers in both worlds. Amongst this list of nations were the people of
Riss.
In the Words of the Qur'aan
Speaking about these people in verses 38-39 of Surah Furqaan, Allaah says:
وَّعَادًا وَّ تَّمُوْدَا وَأَصْحُبَ الرَّسِّ وَقُرُؤْنًّا بَيْنَ ذُلِكَ كَثِيْرًا (٣٨) وَكُلَّ ضَرَبْنَا لَمَّ الْأَمْثَالَ نْ وَكُلَّا تَبَّرْنَا تَتْبِيْرًا
(٣٩)
TRANSLATION: (Just as the destruction of this nation is a lesson, do not forget that) We also
annihilated the Aad, the Thamud, the people of Riss (the well) and numerous nations
between them. We had cited (many) examples to each of them (to explain Towheed to them)
and (when they refused to accept Imaan, We) demolished each one of them.
Verses 12-14 of Surah Qaaf state:
كَذَّبَتْ قَبْلَهُمْ قَوْمُ نُوْحٍ وَّ أَصْحُبُ الرَّسِّ وَ ثَمُؤْدُ (١٢) وَ عَادٌ وَ فِرْعَوْنُ وَ إِخْوَانُ لُوْطٍ (١٣) وَ أَصْحُبُ
الْآَيْكَةِ وَ قَوْمُ تُبَّعِ ٥ * كُلٌّ كَذَّبَ الرُّسُلَ فَحَقَّ وَعِيْدِ (١٢)
TRANSLATION: The nation of Nooh v, the people of the well and the Thamud rejected (the
message of their Ambiyaa) before them. So too did the Aad, Fir'oun, the people of Loot v, the
people of the forest (Madyan) and the nation of Tubba. Each one of them rejected their
Rusul so My warning (of punishment) came to pass.
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Lessons and Conclusions
A Profound Reality
History has repeatedly taught mankind the profound reality that whenever a
nation mocks the messenger of Allaah and behave insolently towards him, they
are eventually annihilated by the punishment of Allaah despite the immense
power and wealth they may possess. However, the irony of it all is that despite
hearing and knowing about the plight of the previous nations, the people coming
after them repeat their mistakes and behaviour, thereby suffering the
consequences. This is evident from the incidents of the nation of Hadhrat Nooh
0, the nation of Aad, the nation of Thamud, the nation of Hadhrat Ibraheem v,
the nation of Hadhrat Su'ayb v, the nation of Hadhrat Moosa v, the nation of
Hadhrat Loot v, the nation of Aykah, the nation of Tubba and the nation of Riss.
These are just some of the ancient nations that have been destroyed because of
their evil and have been mentioned in the Qur'aan as a reminder to mankind.
Allaah has highlighted this in several verses of the Qur'aan, some of which are:
Allaah states in verses36-37 of Surah Qaaf:
وَكَمْ أَبْلَكْنَا قَبْلَهُمْ مِّنْ قَرْنٍ بُمْ أَشَدُّ مِنْهُمْ بَطْشَا فَنَقَبُوْا فِى الْبِلَادِ ﴿ بَلْ مِنْ مَّحِيْصٍ (٣٢) إِنَّ فِئْ ذُلِكَ
لَذِكْرَى لِمَنْ كَانَ لَمَّ قَلْبٌ أَوْ اَلْقَى السَّمْعَ وَ بُوَ شَهِيُّدٌ (٣٧)
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TRANSLATION: How many were the nations that We destroyed before them (the people of
Makkah) who were mightier than them? So (when the punishment arrived) they journeyed
through the cities (searching for an escape and calling) "Is there any escape?" (However,
despite their strength and resources, they could not escape Allaah's punishment.) There is certainly
a reminder in this for him who has a heart or who listens attentively.
Verse 58 of Surah Qasas states:
وَكَمْ أَبْلَكْنَا مِنْ قَرْيَةٍ بَطِرَتْ مَعِيْشَتَهَا وَّ فَتِلْكَ مَسْكِنُهُمْ لَمْ تُسْكَنْ مِّنَّ بَعْدِيِمْ إِلَّا قَلِيْلًا * وَكُنَّا نَحْنُ الْوُرِثِيْنَ
(٥٨)
TRANSLATION: Many were the towns that We have destroyed (because of their kufr), who
boasted about their affluence (their wealth which was of no help to them against Allaah's
punishment). There lie (the ruins of) their homes, which were occupied only a short while
after them (for a few days or hours by passing travellers). We have always been the successors
(of all nations because We remain after them).
This verse makes it apparent that (apart from losing everything) the destroyed
nations did not even leave behind any progeny to benefit from their possessions
and accomplishments. What then was it that they boasted about? Many people
are dazzled and impressed by the wealth and prosperity of the western world,
least realising that this is completely converse to the lessons taught by the
Qur'aan in the stories of previously destroyed nations.
In Surah Hood, the Qur'aan has narrated details of the incidents of the people
living between the times of Hadhrat Nooh v and Hadhrat Moosa v. After
speaking of the preaching of the Ambiyaa pul and the rebelliousness of the
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people, the lesson is summarised in a manner that only the Qur'aan can present.
Allaah says:
دُلِكَ مِنْ أَثْبَاءِ الْقُرَى نَقُصُّمَ عَلَيْكَ مِنْهَا قَائِمٌ وَّحَصِيْدٌ (١٠٠) وَمَا ظَلَمْنُهُمْ وَلَكِنْ ظَلَمُوْا أَنْفُسَهُمْ فَمَا أَغْنَتْ
عَنْهُمْ اْلِهَتُهُمُ الَّتِى يَدْعُوْنَ مِنْ دُوْنِ اللهِ مِنْ شَىْءٍ لَّمَّا جَاءَ آَمْرُ رَبِّكَ ﴿ وَمَا زَادُوْبُمْ غَيْرَ تَتْبِيْبٍ (١٠١)
وَكَذَلِكَ أَخْذُ رَبِّكَ إِذَا آَخَذَ الْقُرُىِ وَبِىَ ظَالِمَةٌ ٥* إِنَّ أَخْذَهَ الِيَمْ شَدِيْدٌ (١٠٢) إِنَّ فِى ذَلِكَ لَأَيَةَّ لِّمَنْ خَافَ
عَذَابَ الْآخِرَةِ ٥* ذُلِكَ يَوْمٌ مَّجْمُوْعٌ ◌ٌ لَّمُ النَّاسُ وَذَلِكَ يَوْمٌ مَّشْهُوْدٌ (١٠٣)
TRANSLATION: This (incident of Moosa v and Fir'oun) is from the narratives of the cities that
We relate to you (O Muhammad &). Some of them are still standing, while others have been
harvested (have been destroyed). We did not oppress (wrong) them (the destroyed people) but
they oppressed themselves (by inviting Allaah's punishment when they committed Shirk). Their
gods which they called upon (worshipped) besides Allaah were of no benefit to them at all
when the command (punishment) of your Rabb came. (On the contrary,) They only increased
them in destruction (because they were punished according to the extent to which they worshipped
these gods). Such is the grasp (punishment) of your Rabb when He seized a town that is
oppressive (that commits Shirk). Indeed His grasp (punishment) is painful and severe. Surely
in them (in the narratives mentioned) are signs (lessons) for him who fears the punishment of
the Aakhirah. That (Day of Qiyaamah) shall be a day when people will be gathered (on the
Plain of Reckoning to account for their actions) and that will be the day when all will be present
(no one will be able to absent himself).
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Dhul Qarnayn
Introduction
A study of reliable historical reports reveals that the incident of Dhul Qarnayn
includes the following three important episodes:
1. Dhul Qarnayn himself
2. The wall that he erected
3. The Ya'jooj and Ma'jooj (Gog and Magog) tribes
Since each of these three incidents is unique and important by itself, historians
have discussed each separately. While there have been many different opinions
amongst the early scholars with regard to these incidents, the latter day scholars
adhere to one of two opinions.
The first opinion states that since the Qur'aan has mentioned details concerning
all of these three incidents, it suffices for us to believe only that which the
Qur'aan had revealed. As for other details that the Qur'aan does not mention
(such as where the wall is and who the Ya'jooj and Ma'jooj are), these should be
left unspecified. Therefore, scholars of this opinion state that Dhul Qarnayn was
a pious and just king who travelled to the east and west, conquered many lands
and established peace and justice there. Allaah has granted him the means to do
whatever he needed to do. Amongst his travels was a journey to the extreme
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