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(MESSAGE OF THE QUR’AN) Surah Al-A'raf - Dr. Israr Ahmad
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MESSAGE OF THE QUR’AN
Translation and Brief Elucidation
Dr. Israr Ahmad
Surah Al-A'raf
(The Heights)
(Recap of verses 48 – 58 of Surah 7, Al-A'raf and exposition of
verses 59 – 72 of the same Surah, inclusive)
Translator’s note
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For the sake of continuity and coherent explanation, most of the general discourse has been made by employing the ‘male’ as a prototype, which is in no way
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Recap of verses 48 – 58 (inclusive) of Surah 7, Al-A'raf
This section of Surah 7, Al-A'raf (Verses 48 through 58) commences with a continuation of describing (or narrating) a dialogue that will take place after the Day of Judgement among the companions of the Paradise, the criminals in the Hellfire, and the people of A'raf. The people of A'raf (Heights) will call the people of the Hellfire, and while referring to their attributes of being in large numbers as well as being in their worldly life, say that it has become quite clear that those attributes were of no avail to you in the court of Allah (SWT), thus you have ended up in the Hellfire. It is elucidated that strength in numbers is not a virtue in itself, until it is coupled with righteousness. One of the distinct characteristics of the unbelievers is described to be their haughtiness while refuting the message of Allah (SWT) and His (SWT) Messenger (SAAW), with disdain, and ridiculing those who follow the Right Path.
The people of the Hellfire will be miserable. Their torment is eternal and indescribable. When they would see that Allah (SWT) has had mercy on the people of A'raf (Heights) and entered them into Paradise, they will implore the companions of Paradise to pour some water or any other of the infinite blessings that Allah (SWT) has bestowed on them in Jannah, so that they could get some respite. The companions of Paradise will retort by flatly refusing, saying that Allah (SWT) has forbidden any blessing or mercy for the dwellers of the Hellfire.
The trialogue between the People of Paradise, the People of the Hellfire, and the People of the A'raf (Heights) gives some indication of the tremendous range of human faculties in the Next World. These faculties would increase to such an extent that the People of Paradise, the People of the Hellfire, and the People of the A'raf (Heights) will be able to see, hear and talk to one another.
The Qur'an has spelled out what constitutes the fundamental reality, fully explained the attitude that man ought to adopt, and laid down the fundamentals of the way of life that he ought to follow.
Those who refute the Qur’an and the messenger (SAAW) of Allah (SWT) are not waiting for anything except the end result. The end result could be in terms of the completion of the revelation of the Qur’an, the Dawah of Prophet Muhammad (SAAW), their own worldly life, the striking of the Hour, or all of the above. However, when their time runs out, the disbelievers will be shown the Truth and they will have no choice but to affirm that the message of Allah (SWT) and His (SWT) messenger is the Truth. Hence, in despair they would seek the help of those who they used to believe would be their intercessors in the Hereafter, but they would not be anywhere to be found. It has to be noted that the reference here is to the erroneous notion of false intercession. The correct notion of legitimate intercession is with the permission of Allah (SWT), but that is not the subject of this section of the Qur’an. However, clutching at straws, the disbelievers would hope to be given another chance at worldly life to redeem themselves. Such people will long to return to the world, pleading that they will believe in the truth which they had rejected since they have now witnessed it. They will also ensure that their attitude will be different from that of what had been before. However, there will be no intercession or second chances for the disbelievers and they will be the all-around losers: they will lose their own selves as well as every fabrication they used to imagine and had faith in.
In this section of Surah 7, Al-A'raf (Verses 54 through 58) it is expounded that most certainly our Lord is Allah (SWT), who created all the heavens and the earth in six days. Most exegetes of the Qur’an concur that the word 'day' used in the verse is related to a more general sense of 'period' of serial time and not to absolute time. It is quite difficult to appreciate fully the exact nature of the Qur'anic statement: '(Allah) ascended the Throne.' It is possible that the word 'Throne' stands for dominion and authority and that Allah’s (SWT) ascending the Throne signifies His (SWT) actual taking over the reins of the universe after having created it. Whatever the exact meaning of the expression '(Allah) ascended the Throne', the main thrust is that Allah (SWT) is not just the creator of the universe, but is also its sovereign and ruler; that after creating the universe He (SWT) did not detach Himself (SWT) from, nor became indifferent to, His (SWT) creation. Allah (SWT) created the sun, the moon, the planets, the stars, the galaxies, the entire universe, and more, and He (SWT) has set certain instructions for them all, which we call the laws of the nature, governing every known celestial body as well as those which are not visible or known to humans. His (SWT) laws govern all those too which belong to any different realm than our existence. The realms of Khalq and Amr both belong to Him (SWT). Creation and control both belong to Him (SWT) alone. At the level of Amr, no concept of space and time exists. Whatever, Allah (SWT) Wills, He (SWT) says Be and it Is… That is the pre-material creation when the souls of humans and the angels were created from light (Nur) without any material existence. This world of material creation, according to Divine Wisdom, involves serial time, such as a seed becoming a plant over time and a baby being born approximately nine months after conception in the womb of the mother. Therefore, the creation of the universe - the heavens and the earth – is mentioned in a progression of a period of time, implying that the reference is to the material creation of the realm of Amr (امر). Therefore, science is only able to see or discuss whatever happened in the realm of Khalq (خلق). The realm of Amr is beyond the understanding of science.
The fundamental truth which the Qur'an emphatically affirms is – Allah’s (SWT) sovereignty over the heavens and the earth. It negates, with equal emphasis, that sovereignty belongs to anyone else. Moreover, to say that Allah (SWT) is full of barakah means that His (SWT) goodness knows no bounds; that endless beneficence emanates from Him (SWT); that He (SWT) is the Exalted One Whose loftiness knows no end; that His (SWT) beneficence and loftiness are permanent, and thus they will never vanish or suffer decline.
The supplication and invocation of Allah (SWT) can be done in public, such as in a mosque, or in private. Humility while supplicating to Allah (SWT) is a key prerequisite for the divine acceptance of prayers. The virtues of supplicating in private with humility are elucidated. Allah (SWT) is the All-Seeing and All-Hearing. He (SWT) knows whatever is in their hearts. It does not mean that supplications to Allah (SWT) cannot be done in public or in a loud voice. While calling upon Allah (SWT), in addition to humility and preference to private supplication, man should realize that he is totally dependent on Allah’s (SWT) favour and that he can attain success only if Allah (SWT) helps and guides him to it. The converse also holds true.
The command not to make mischief in the earth means not to vitiate the right order of life. What basically, constitutes 'mischief-making' is to surrender oneself to one's lusts, commit acts in subservience to other human beings, and to subscribe to base morals, social orders, civilizations, principles, and laws derived from sources other than Allah’s (SWT) Guidance. In other words, man's life on earth did not start with ignorance, savagery, polytheistic beliefs, rebellion against Allah (SWT), and moral disorder whereafter reforms were gradually introduced. On the contrary, man's life began with good order and was later corrupted because of man's perversity and folly. Allah (SWT) sent Prophets (AS) from time to time to eradicate the disorder that had set in and to restore the original, good order. The Prophets (AS) constantly exhorted people to refrain from disrupting the original order and creating mischief. Allah’s (SWT) mercy is reserved for those alone who believe in the One True Lord (SWT) and follow the commandments of Allah (SWT) and His (SWT) messengers (AS), doing good deeds.
The reference to the movement of winds, the appearance of rain-laden clouds, and the fall of life-sustaining raindrops, which turn a dead barren land into one with life that brings forth all forms of fruit and vegetation are used to elucidate that Allah (SWT) has the power to raise people from the dead on the Day of Judgement. In the same way that only fertile soil profits from rainfall, with Allah’s (SWT) permission, so only men of a righteous nature can profit from the blessings of prophethood, with Allah’s (SWT) permission for guidance. As for the wicked, they are like a wasteland. Rainfall can cause such land to bring forth only thorny bushes and cacti. Similarly, when the wicked come into contact with the teaching of the Prophets (AS), the hidden evils of their nature come into full play. All these have been called signs of Allah (SWT) for all those who are grateful for His (SWT) benedictions, the most fundamental of which is His (SWT) blessing of faith and guidance to the Right Path.
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Corrigendum
The text published on page86, last paragraph, (page 11 of the “Message of the Qur’an” section)in volume 41 Issue 1 (January – March 2022) of Hikmat e Quran (viz. verse 54 of Surah Al-Ar’af)may please be read as follows:
“At the level of Amr, no concept of space and time exists”
The text published on pages 85, first paragraph,(page 12 of the “Message of the Qur’an” section) in volume 41 Issue 1 (January – March 2022) of Hikmat e Quran (viz. verse 54 of Surah Al-Ar’af) may please be read as follows:
“Therefore, science is only able to see or discuss about whatever happened in the realms of Khalq (creation). The realm of Amr (control) is beyond the understanding of science.”
Exposition of verses 59 – 72 of Surah Al-A'raf
Verse 59
لَقَدْ اَرْسَلْنَا نُوْحًا اِلٰی قَوْمِہٖ فَقَالَ یٰقَوْمِ اعْبُدُوا اللہَ مَا لَکُمْ مِّنْ اِلٰہٍ غَیْرُہٗ ۭ اِنِّیْٓ اَخَافُ عَلَیْکُمْ عَذَابَ یَوْمٍ عَظِیْمٍ (۵۹)
We had certainly sent Noah to his people, and he said, "O my people, worship Allah; you have no deity other than Him. Indeed, I fear for you the punishment of a tremendous Day."
The central theme of the teachings of Prophet Noah (AS), like all messengers of Allah (SWT), was the Oneness of Allah (Tauhid). Prophet Noah (AS) warned his (AS) people of an impending punishment if they did not worship Allah (SWT) alone, without associating partners with Him (SWT). Ibadah ( اعْبُدُوا) of Allah (SWT) has at least four innate dimensions and characteristics, namely, unpartnered worship, unconditional obedience, absolute love, and total servitude (of and for Allah SWT). When these four traits are present in tandem then the real essence of Ibadah is realized.
This historical narrative opens with an account of the Prophet Noah (AS) and his (AS) people. The people of Noah (AS) were the first to drift away, as a whole, from the right way of life which had been followed by the Prophet Adam (AS) and his descendants till then. Allah (SWT), therefore, sent His (SWT) messenger Noah (AS) to guide and reform them.
In light of the Qur'anic allusions and Biblical statements, it seems almost certain that the people of Noah (AS) inhabited the land presently known as Iraq. This view is also supported by inscriptions of pre-Biblical times discovered in the course of archaeological excavations in Babylonia. Those inscriptions contain almost the same account which is recounted in the Qur'an and the Torah. The locale of the event is the vicinity of Mosul. Kurdish and Armenian traditions also corroborate this account insofar as they mention that it was in this area that Noah's (AS) Ark was anchored.
Traditions similar to the story of Noah are also found in classical Greek, Egyptian, Indian, and the Chinese literature. Moreover, stories of identical import have been popular since time immemorial in Burma, Malaya, the East Indies, Australia, New Guinea, and various parts of Europe and America. This shows clearly that the event took place at some point in the distant past when men lived together in one region and it was after Noah's (AS) Flood that they dispersed to different parts of the world. This is why traditions of all nations mention the Flood of the early time. This is notwithstanding the fact that the actual event has increasingly been shrouded in mystery, and the authentic elements of the event are overlaid with myth and legend. Allah (SWT) Knows Best!
It is evident from the above verse and other Qur'anic descriptions of the people of Noah (AS) that they were neither ignorant of, nor denied the existence of Allah (SWT), nor were they opposed to the idea of worshipping Him (SWT). Their real malady was polytheism. They had associated others with Allah (SWT) in His (SWT) Godhead and considered them akin to Allah (SWT) in their claim that human beings should worship them as well. This basic error gave rise to a number of evils among them. There had arisen among them a class of people representing the false gods they had contrived. Gradually this class of people virtually monopolized all religious, economic, and political authority. This class also introduced a hierarchical structure of society which led to immense corruption and injustice. The moral degeneration which that system promoted sapped the roots of mankind's higher characteristics. When corruption reached a high peak, Allah (SWT) sent Noah (AS) to improve the state of affairs. For long, Noah (AS) strived with patience and wisdom to bring about reform. All his (AS) efforts, however, were thwarted by the clergy which craftily kept people under its powerful hold. Eventually, Noah (AS) prayed to Allah (SWT) not to spare even a single unbeliever on the face of the earth, for they would go about misguiding human beings, and their progeny would likewise be wicked and ungrateful.
Verse 60
قَالَ الْمَلَاُ مِنْ قَوْمِہٖٓ اِنَّا لَنَرٰىکَ فِیْ ضَلٰلٍ مُّبِیْنٍ (۶۰)
Said the eminent among his people, "Indeed, we see you in clear error."
In reply to the calling of Prophet Noah (AS) towards the Oneness of Allah (Tauhid) and his (AS) warnings to his (AS) people of impending punishment, if they did not worship Allah (SWT) alone, without associating partners with Him (SWT), the chiefs of his (AS) nation said to him (AS) that we find you in a manifest error and a mistake.
Verse 61
قَالَ یٰقَوْمِ لَیْسَ بِیْ ضَلٰلَۃٌ وَّ لٰکِنِّیْ رَسُوْلٌ مِّنْ رَّبِّ الْعٰلَمِیْنَ (۶۱)
[Noah] said, "O my people, there is no error in me, but I am a messenger from the Lord of the worlds.
Prophet Noah (AS) retorted by asserting to his (AS) nation that he (AS) was not in error, instead, he was the messenger (AS) from the Lord of all the worlds, reiterating that in fact, he (AS) was the one rightly guided and his (AS) nation was the one in error and transgressing.
Verse 62
اُبَلِّغُکُمْ رِسٰلٰتِ رَبِّیْ وَاَنْصَحُ لَکُمْ وَاَعْلَمُ مِنَ اللہِ مَا لَا تَعْلَمُوْنَ (۶۲)
I convey to you the messages of my Lord and advise you; and I know from Allah what you do not know.
The Prophet Noah (AS) informed his (AS) people as follows:
- He (AS) was a Messenger of Allah (SWT), to them.
- All the Messengers (AS) received knowledge from Allah (SWT).
- He (AS) is conveying to them the same knowledge as sincere advice and the warning.
The revelations of Allah (SWT) are given to His (SWT) prophets (AS) and messengers (AS) and they (AS) have knowledge from Allah (SWT) that others do not have.
Verse 63
اَوَ عَجِبْتُمْ اَنْ جَاۗءَکُمْ ذِکْرٌ مِّنْ رَّبِّکُمْ عَلٰی رَجُلٍ مِّنْکُمْ لِیُنْذِرَکُمْ وَلِتَتَّقُوْا وَلَعَلَّکُمْ تُرْحَمُوْنَ (۶۳)
Then do you wonder that there has come to you a reminder from your Lord through a man from among you, that he may warn you and that you may fear Allah so you might receive mercy?"
Prophet Noah (AS) asked his (AS) nation are you wondering how a reminder has come to you from Allah (SWT) through a man among yourselves?
Allah (SWT) made Noah (AS), a Prophet, and a Messenger. He (AS) brought a reminder and warning of an impending punishment so that his (AS) people may have Taqwa (fear Allah SWT) to save themselves from the punishment, and to beg for mercy.
There were striking similarities between Prophet Noah (AS) and the Holy Prophet (SAAW). The message that each of them (AS) preached was the same. Likewise, the doubts and objections raised by the people of Prophet Noah (AS) about his prophethood were the same as those raised by opponents of the Holy Prophet (SAAW), after several thousand years. Similarly what Prophet Noah (AS) said in response to the doubts and objections raised against him (AS) was the same as our Holy Prophet (SAAW) had said.
The Qur'anic narration of the stories of the Prophets (AS) makes it amply clear that the attitude of the nations to whom the Prophets (AS) were sent had always been the same as that of the Makkans towards the Message of Prophet Muhammad (SAAW). Apart from this, the accounts of the various Prophets (AS) and their (AS) people, display the same striking resemblances. Likewise, the Prophet Muhammad's (SAAW) vindication of his (SAAW) teaching in response to the Makkans is identical to similar attempts by other Prophets (AS) to vindicate their teachings. So doing, the Qur'an seeks to emphasize that in the same way as the error and misguidance of which men become victims have remained essentially the same throughout the ages, the Message of Allah’s (SWT) messengers (AS) has also been the same in all places and at all times. Again, there is a striking resemblance in the ultimate fate of all those peoples who rejected the message of the prophets (AS) and who persisted in their erroneous and evil ways. This too has also been the same, namely the utter destruction.
Verse 64
فَکَذَّبُوْہُ فَاَنْجَیْنٰہُ وَالَّذِیْنَ مَعَہٗ فِی الْفُلْکِ وَاَغْرَقْنَا الَّذِیْنَ کَذَّبُوْا بِاٰیٰتِنَا ۭ اِنَّھُمْ کَانُوْا قَوْمًا عَمِیْنَ (۶۴)
But they denied him, so We saved him and those who were with him in the ship. And We drowned those who denied Our signs. Indeed, they were a blind people.
Despite the message and warnings of Prophet Noah (AS), his nation rejected him, denied him, and refuted him. Allah (SWT) saved Prophet Noah (AS) and the handful of people who had believed in him (AS), and all those who were with him (AS) in the Ark, that he (AS) made, under the command of Allah (SWT). The rest of his (AS) nation was drowned in a devastating flood for rejecting the Signs of Allah (SWT) and being a people blind towards the Truth. The messenger Noah (AS) was the first messenger of Allah (SWT) and his (AS) people were the first nation. Before Prophet Noah (AS) we have a record of three prophets (AS). Prophet Adam (AS), Prophet Idrees (AS), and Prophet Shees (AS). All three were prophets, not the messengers. From among the people of Prophet Noah (AS) saved from the flood were three of his (AS) sons. The nations of the world today are the progeny of those three sons of Noah (AS). Sam (AS), Ham (AS) and Yafis (AS), and the Qur’an only discuss the history of the Semitic nations, who are the progeny of Sam (AS). It is believed by religious historians, anthropologists, and sociologists that the progeny of Yafis (AS) migrated to the north towards the areas of Kurdistan.
Modern archaeologists have also pointed out that the most probable place where the Ark rested is Mount Judi, however, the Ark itself has not been discovered as yet. Some relics ascribed to Prophet Noah (AS) have been claimed to be found in Jazirat Ibn 'Urnar, situated to the north of Mosul and on the frontiers of Armenia in the vicinity of the Ararat Mountain mass. The inhabitants of Nakhichevan believe to this day that their town was founded by Prophet Noah (AS). The exact location of the Ark has not been found, maybe, because the Qur’an says that it has been reserved as a sign, so that sign will come to light when Allah (SWT) wills. Allah (SWT) Knows Best! However, it does help us estimate the directions in which the progeny of Prophet Noah’s (AS) three sons spread. The progeny of Sam (AS) went towards the south and these are the Semitic nations, including Iraq, Syria, Palestine, and the Arabian Peninsula. The progeny of Yafis (AS) migrated across the mountain range of central Asia and then to the left, to the right. The European nations, the Russians, especially the Chinese and Mongols, are all progeny of Yafis (AS). The progeny of Ham (AS) went to the west and the east, ranging from the Indian subcontinent to Egypt and Sudan. However, the Qur’an gives us the history mainly of the Semitic nations.
The Qur'an has narrated in just a few lines the entire story of Prophet Noah (AS). He preached over a long period. The brevity of the Qur'anic description owes itself to the fact that the Qur'an is not interested per se in story-telling; that its narration and purpose are didactic. Hence, while recounting a historical event, the Qur'an mentions only those fragments of the event which are relevant, ignoring those details which are irrelevant to Qur'anic purposes. Again, at different places in the Qur'an, the same event is mentioned for a variety of reasons. On every occasion, only those fragments of the story which are relevant to a specific purpose are mentioned and the rest are left out. An instance in point is the above narrative about Prophet Noah (AS). In narrating Prophet Noah's (AS) story the Qur'an aims to point out the consequences attendant upon the rejection of the Prophet's (AS) message. Since the total period spent on conveying the message does not have any direct relationship with that purpose, the Qur'an altogether ignores it in this part of the Qur’an. However, in passages where the Prophet (SAAW) and the Companions (RAA) have been asked to remain patient, the long duration of the Prophet Noah's (AS) missionary, effort has been mentioned. This has been done precisely, to raise the morale of the believers and prevent them from feeling low because they did not see any, good results coming out of that struggle. By mentioning how Prophet Noah (AS) strived patiently for such a long period and in the face of discouraging circumstances is quite relevant in this context as it helps to teach the lesson which is intended.
It would be appropriate to remove, at this stage, a doubt which might agitate the minds of some people. One frequently reads in the Qur'an the accounts of nations that rejected their Prophets (AS) and charged them with lying. One also reads about the Prophets (AS) warning them of Allah’s (SWT) punishment, and then about its sudden advent, scourging the nation and destroying it. This gives rise to the question: Why do such catastrophic incidents not take place in our own time? Nations still rise and fall, but the phenomenon of their rise and fall is different. We do not see it happen that a nation is served with a warning, and is then destroyed by a calamity such as an earthquake. a flood, a storm, or a thunderbolt.
To understand this, it should be remembered that a nation that has directly received Allah’s (SWT) message from a messenger is treated by Allah (SWT) differently from nations that have not witnessed a messenger. For if a nation directly witnesses a messenger (AS) – an embodiment of righteousness – and receives Allah’s (SWT) message from his tongue, it has no valid excuse left for rejecting that message. And if it still rejects the message, it indeed deserves to be summarily punished. Other nations are to be placed in a different category since they received Allah’s (SWT) message indirectly. Hence, if the nations of the present time are not visited by the devastating punishments which struck the nations of the Prophets (AS) in the past, one need not wonder since prophethood came to an end with the advent of Prophet Muhammad (SAAW). One should indeed have cause to wonder if one saw the opposite to happen – that is if the nations of the present were visited by punishments from Allah (SWT) which had afflicted thosenations that rejected their Prophets (AS) face to face.
This does not mean, however, that Allah (SWT) has ceased to inflict severe punishments on nations that turn away from Him (SWT) and are sunk in ideological and moral error. The fact is that Allah’s (SWT) punishments still afflict different nations of the world. These punishments are both minor and major. Minor punishments are aimed at warning those nations, and the major ones are of a much more serious character and cause considerable damage. However, in the absence of the Prophets (AS) who are wont to draw attention to moral degeneration as the basic cause of these calamities, the historians and thinkers of our time only scratch the surface and explain these in terms of physical laws or historical causes. These sophisticated explanations are of little help. On the contrary, nations so afflicted with heedlessness and moral stupor are thereby further prevented from appreciating that Allah (SWT) has always warned evil-doing nations against following their evil ways and that when they willfully disregard these warnings and adamantly stick to their erroneous ways. He (SWT) ultimately inflicts disastrous punishments upon them.
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Verse 65
وَاِلٰی عَادٍ اَخَاھُمْ ھُوْدًا ۭ قَالَ یٰقَوْمِ اعْبُدُوا اللہَ مَا لَکُمْ مِّنْ اِلٰہٍ غَیْرُہٗ ۭ اَفَلَا تَتَّقُوْنَ (۶۵)
And to the Aad [We sent] their brother Hud. He said, "O my people, worship Allah; you have no deity other than Him. Then will you not fear Him?"
Among the Semitic nations after the people of Prophet Noah (AS) arose the people of Aad, were described as a very strong nation (both physically and as a civilization) in the Holy Qur’an. Allah (SWT) sent His (SWT) messenger Hud (AS), described as their brother i.e., from within themselves, to the nation of Aad. The central theme of the teachings of Prophet Hud (AS), was the same as Prophet Noah (AS), i.e., the Oneness of Allah (Tauhid). Prophet Hud (AS) commanded his (AS) people to worship Allah (SWT) alone, without associating partners with Him (SWT). Prophet Hud (AS), warned his nation to acquire Taqwa (fear Allah SWT) and be able to save themselves from impending punishment and strive for the mercy of Allah (SWT).
Aad, an ancient Arab people, were well-known throughout Arabia. They were known for their proverbial glory and grandeur. And when they were destroyed, their extinction also became proverbial. According to the Qur'an, the people of Aad lived mainly in the Ahqaf region which is situated to the southwest of the Empty Quarter (al-Rub' al-Khali) and which lies between Hijaz, Yemen, and Yamamah. It was from there that the people of Aad spread to the western coast of Yemen and established their hegemony in Oman, Hadramawt, and Iraq. There is very little archaeological evidence about the Aad. Only a few ruins in South Arabia are ascribed to them. Allah (SWT) Knows Best!
Verse 66
قَالَ الْمَلَاُ الَّذِیْنَ کَفَرُوْا مِنْ قَوْمِہٖٓ اِنَّا لَنَرٰىکَ فِیْ سَفَاھَۃٍ وَّاِنَّا لَنَظُنُّکَ مِنَ الْکٰذِبِیْنَ (۶۶)
Said the eminent ones who disbelieved among his people, "Indeed, we see you in foolishness, and indeed, we think you are of the liars."
Just like the nation of Prophet Noah (AS) had refuted him (AS), the chiefs among the nation of Prophet Hud (AS) said to him (AS) that we find you in a manifest error and a mistake, and that they deemed Prophet Hud (AS) to be in fallacy, being foolish and that he (AS) was a liar. (Note: We seek Allah’s SWT refuge from such blasphemous statements.)
Verse 67
قَالَ یٰقَوْمِ لَیْسَ بِیْ سَفَاھَۃٌ وَّلٰکِنِّیْ رَسُوْلٌ مِّنْ رَّبِّ الْعٰلَمِیْنَ (۶۷)
[Hud] said, "O my people, there is no foolishness in me, but I am a messenger from the Lord of the worlds.
Prophet Hud (AS) retorted by asserting to his (AS) nation that he (AS) was not being foolish nor was he a liar or in error, instead, he (AS) was the messenger (AS) from the Lord of all the worlds (SWT).
Verse 68
اُبَلِّغُکُمْ رِسٰلٰتِ رَبِّیْ وَاَنَا لَکُمْ نَاصِحٌ اَمِیْنٌ (۶۸)
I convey to you the messages of my Lord, and I am to you a trustworthy adviser.
Prophet Hud (AS) told his (AS) nation that he (AS) is conveying to his (AS) people the message of Allah (SWT) and giving them sincere and trustworthy advice (and warnings) from Allah (SWT).
Verse 69
اَوَعَجِبْتُمْ اَنْ جَاۗءَکُمْ ذِکْرٌ مِّنْ رَّبِّکُمْ عَلٰی رَجُلٍ مِّنْکُمْ لِیُنْذِرَکُمْ ۭ وَاذْکُرُوْٓا اِذْ جَعَلَکُمْ خُلَفَاۗءَ مِنْۢ بَعْدِ قَوْمِ نُوْحٍ وَّ زَادَکُمْ فِی الْخَلْقِ بَصْۜطَۃً ۚ فَاذْکُرُوْٓا اٰلَاۗءَ اللہِ لَعَلَّکُمْ تُفْلِحُوْنَ (۶۹)
Then do you wonder that there has come to you a reminder from your Lord through a man from among you, that he may warn you? And remember when He made you successors after the people of Noah and increased you in stature extensively. So remember the favours of Allah that you might succeed."
Prophet Hud (AS) said to his (AS) nation that are you wondering and amazed that a reminder has come to you from Allah (SWT) via a man, i.e., Prophet Hud (AS), from among yourselves, i.e., Aad. The Aad were familiar with the entire episode of Allah’s (SWT) wrath on the nation of Prophet Noah (AS), so Prophet Hud (AS) impressed upon his (AS) nation to gratefully recognize the favours Allah (SWT) has lavished upon them, making them the successors to the people of Prophet Noah (AS), making them robustly strong physically and increased their overall success. The place of the nation of Aad is estimated to be in the southern part of the Arabian Peninsula, which is a most barren desert today. Back during the time of Aad, Allah (SWT) had made it a very fertile land. It is also estimated that it is the same place where the city of Shaddad, the name or title of the king of Aad, was claimed to be located, buried deep down in that desert, using satellite imagery and radar penetration. (And Allah SWT Knows Best!) The message being delivered is that Allah (SWT) also has the Power to take all these favours away and condemn the entire nation to a harrowing punishment.
Verse 70
قَالُوْٓا اَجِئْتَنَا لِنَعْبُدَ اللہَ وَحْدَہٗ وَنَذَرَ مَا کَانَ یَعْبُدُ اٰبَاۗؤُنَا ۚ فَاْتِنَا بِمَا تَعِدُنَآ اِنْ کُنْتَ مِنَ الصّٰدِقِیْنَ (۷۰)
They said, "Have you come to us that we should worship Allah alone and leave what our fathers have worshipped? Then bring us what you promise us if you should be of the truthful."
The initial part of the dialogue in this verse makes it clear that the people of Aad neither disbelieved in Allah (SWT) nor refused to worship Him (SWT). They did not, however, follow, the teachings of Prophet Hud (AS) who proclaimed Allah (SWT) alone should be worshipped, and that none other may be associated in servitude to Him (SWT).
In essence, they resented being called out for polytheism (shirk) and wanted to continue worships of other deities other than Allah (SWT), as their (immediate) forefathers had done. They then challenged Prophet Hud (AS) to bring upon them the severe punishment that he (AS) was warning his (AS) people about if whatever he (AS) was saying was true. They said it satirically as they did not believe that any punishment could ever befall them.
Verse 71
قَالَ قَدْ وَقَعَ عَلَیْکُمْ مِّنْ رَّبِّکُمْ رِجْسٌ وَّغَضَبٌ ۭ اَتُجَادِلُوْنَنِیْ فِیْٓ اَسْمَاۗءٍ سَمَّیْتُمُوْھَآ اَنْتُمْ وَاٰبَاۗؤُکُمْ مَّا نَزَّلَ اللہُ بِھَا مِنْ سُلْطٰنٍ ۭ فَانْتَظِرُوْٓا اِنِّیْ مَعَکُمْ مِّنَ الْمُنْتَظِرِیْنَ (۷۱)
[Hud] said, "Already have defilement and anger fallen upon you from your Lord. Do you dispute with me concerning [mere] names you have named them, you and your fathers, for which Allah has not sent down any authority? Then wait; indeed, I am with you among those who wait."
Prophet Hud (AS) said to them that they had already been engulfed in the curse and wrath of Allah (SWT), as they were disputing with a messenger (AS) of Allah (SWT) and falsely arguing about the veracity of mere names that were invented by them and their forefathers, as false deities. The argument made by Prophet Hud (AS) against their false beliefs was simple and profound – bring proof from Allah (SWT) of the existence and authority of such deities that you worship besides Allah (SWT)! Prophet Hud (AS) said that wait for that divine punishment and I (AS) am waiting, too, and the Truth will manifest itself and you will see who was in error.
It must be noted here that indeed Allah (SWT) has created angels who are managing this world, on His (SWT) command. They could be referred to as ‘the bureaucracy’ or ‘civil service’ of this universal divine government created by Allah (SWT) in His (SWT) wisdom and not out of any weakness, but none is worthy of worship or worthy of seeking help from except Allah (SWT). Worship is for Allah (SWT) alone. The people of Aad invoked gods and goddesses of rain, wind, wealth, health, etc. They were all false gods created by themselves on their whims. Unfortunately, there are many instances, even today, of people whose beliefs reflect the ones mentioned above. Some people invoke, other than Allah (SWT), as 'the remover of distress' or 'the bestower of treasures'. But Allah’s (SWT) creatures cannot remove the distresses of other creatures like themselves, nor do they have any treasure that they might give away to others. Their titles are merely empty words, bereft of the qualities attributed to them. All argumentation aimed at justifying those titles is ridiculous, to say the least.
Verse 72
فَاَنْجَیْنٰہُ وَالَّذِیْنَ مَعَہٗ بِرَحْمَۃٍ مِّنَّا وَقَطَعْنَا دَابِرَ الَّذِیْنَ کَذَّبُوْا بِاٰیٰتِنَا وَمَا کَانُوْا مُؤْمِنِیْنَ (۷۲)
So We saved him and those with him by mercy from Us. And We eliminated those who denied Our signs, and they were not [at all] believers.
Thus, Allah (SWT) brought His (SWT) wrath on the nation of Aad and saved Prophet Hud (AS) and the believers from within his (AS) nation, with His (SWT) mercy. Allah (SWT) cut the roots of that nation who had denied, refuted, and rejected His (SWT) revelations and His (SWT) Prophet Hud (AS).
The Qur'an informs us that Allah (SWT) brought about the total extermination of the Aad, a fact borne out by both Arabian historical traditions and recent archaeological discoveries. The Aad people were so destroyed and their monuments so completely effaced that the Arab historians refer to them as one of the umam ba'idah (extinct peoples) of Arabia. The Arab tradition also affirms that the only people belonging to the Aad who survived were the followers of the Prophet Hud (AS).
And Allah (SWT) Knows the Best!