As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters.
Summary
Today’s selection concludes Surah 29, Al-‘Ankabüt or the Spider, verses 31-44. These verses tell of how the people of Prophet Lot and the nations of ‘Ad, Thamüd and Madyan as well as the Pharaoh of Egypt and his people rejected the Messengers of God and were destroyed as a result. Also told is the parable of those who take protectors other than God.
Verses
Bis-millahi ar-rahman, ar-raheem.
In the name of Allah, most gracious, most merciful.When Our Messengers (angels) came to Abraham (Ibrãhïm ) with the good news (the birth of a son in his old age), they said: “We are to destroy the people of that township, for its people are indeed wrongdoers.”[31] Abraham said: “But Lot (Lüt) is in there.” The angels replied: “We know who is in there: we shall certainly save him and his family, except his wife, who will remain behind!”[32] And when Our Messengers (angels) came to Lot he became sad and anxious on their account, for he felt powerless to protect them. But they said “Do not fear nor grieve (we are the angels assigned for their torment): we shall save you and your family except your wife; she will be of those who will remain behind.[33] We are going to bring down a scourge from heaven upon the people of this town on account of their transgression.”[34] Surely We have left a clear sign from it (the ruins of this town) for people who care to understand.[35] 29:[31-35]
To the people of Madyan, We sent their brother Shu‘aib, who said: “O my people! Worship Allah and look forward to the Last Day, and do not transgress in the land wickedly.”[36] But they denied him, so a severe earthquake seized them and by the morning they were lifeless bodies in their own homes.[37] Likewise We destroyed the people of ‘Ad and the Thamüd: you have seen the traces of their dwellings. Shaitãn had made their foul deeds fair-seeming to them and diverted them from the Right Way, though they were intelligent people.[38] Musa (Moses) came to Qarün (Korah), Fir’on (Pharaoh) and Hamãn with clear signs but they remained arrogant in the land; yet they could not go ahead of Us.[39] We seized all of them for their sinfulness: against some We sent a violent tornado full of stones, some were seized by a mighty blast, some were swallowed up by the earth, and yet some We drowned. It was not Allah Who was unjust to them, but they were unjust to their own souls.[40] 29:[36-40]
The parable of those who take protectors other than Allah is that of a spider who builds for itself a dwelling, and surely, the weakest of all dwellings is the dwelling of a spider, if they only knew.[41] Surely, Allah knows whatever they invoke besides Him; He is the All-Mighty, the Wise.[42] These are the parables that We cite for mankind; but none will grasp them except the wise.[43] Allah has created the heavens and the earth to manifest the Truth. Surely, in this there is a sign for the believers.[44] 29:[41-44]
Ameen.
This concludes today’s episode of the 17 Verses Podcast. I hope that this selection has helped increase your understanding of the holy Qur’an just a little bit.
Thank you and be well.