As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters.
Summary
Today’s selection is from Surah 7, Al-A‘rãf or the Heights, verses 163-181. These verses discuss a past Jewish violation of the Sabbath and their mistaken belief about Allah’s forgiveness. Next, mankind’s ancient testimony that Allah is their Lord, an example of those who deny God’s revelations and a comparison that misguided people are like animals, only worse.
If you enjoy the podcast, HELP SPREAD THE WORD! Tell your friends and family, subscribe in iTunes or Stitcher and write us a review.
Verses
Bis-millahi ar-rahman, ar-raheem.
In the name of Allah, most gracious, most merciful.Ask them, about the town which was situated on the sea shore, what happened when they transgressed in the matter of Sabbath. On the day of their Sabbath the fish appeared before them on the surface of the water but on the days other than their Sabbath they never came near them; thus did We tempt them because they transgressed.[163] Also remind them about the conversation among some of them, when some of them asked: “Why do you admonish a people whom Allah will destroy or sternly punish?” They replied: “To be able to offer an excuse before our Lord that we did discharge our duty, and also in the hope that they may refrain from His disobedience.”[164] However, when they disregarded the reminder, We delivered those who forbade evil and We overtook those who were wrongdoers with stern punishment because of their transgression.[165] But when after that they persisted in their forbidden ways, We said to them: “Be detested apes.”[166] Also remind them when your Lord declared that He would raise against them others who would afflict them with grievous torment till the Day of Resurrection. Swift is the retribution of your Lord, yet He is also the Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.[167] We broke their unity as a nation and dispersed them into different communities all over the earth – some of them are righteous and others are the opposite – We tested them with both blessings and misfortunes so that they might turn to the Right Way.[168] 7:[163-168]
Then they were succeeded by an evil generation who inherited the Book; they indulged in the vanities of this nether life, saying: “We expect to be forgiven” assuming that they are favorites of Allah and somehow He will spare them. Yet if similar vanities come their way they would again seize them. Was not a covenant taken from them in the Book that they would not speak anything about Allah except the truth? And they have studied what is in the Book. Best for the righteous is the home of the hereafter, don’t you understand?[169] As for those who strictly observe the Book and establish Salah, surely We never let the reward of such righteous people go waste.[170] Remember when We suspended the mountain over them as though it was an umbrella and they feared it was going to fall on them and We said: “Hold firmly to the Book that We have given you and be mindful of what is in it, so that you may guard yourselves against evil.”[170] 7:[169-171]
O Prophet, remind mankind about the incident when your Lord brought into existence the offspring from the loins of Adam and his descendants (virtually each single individual of mankind) and made them testify about themselves. Allah asked them: “Am I not your Lord?” They all replied: “Yes! We bear witness that You are.” This We did, lest you mankind should say on the Day of Resurrection: “We were not aware of this fact that You are our Lord and that there will be a Day of Judgment.[172] or lest you should say: “Our forefathers started the practice of shirk and we just followed, being their descendants. Will you then destroy us on account of following the sin committed by those wrongdoers?”[173] Thus do We spell out Our revelations so that you might return to the Right Way.[174] 7:[172-174]
Tell them the story of that person to whom We sent our revelations but he turned away from them, as a result Shaitãn persuaded him until he become one of the misguided.[175] Had it been Our will, We would have exalted him through those revelations; but he clung to this earthly life and followed his own desires. His similitude is that of a dog: if you chase him he lolls out his tongue and if you leave him alone he still lolls out his tongue. Such are those who deny Our revelations, tell them these parables, so that they might think over their behavior to Our revelations.[176] Very bad is the example of those people who deny Our revelations and wrong their own souls.[177] Only he whom Allah guides is rightly guided; and whom He confounds will become the losers.[178] 7:[175-178]
Certainly, We have destined many Jinns and human beings for hell; those are the ones who have hearts with which they do not understand, they have eyes with which they do not see, they have ears with which they do not hear. They are like animals – or even worse than them , because they are those who are heedless.[179] Allah has the most excellent names (over ninety-nine attributes); call on Him by them ; and shun those people who use profanity in His Names, such people shall be requited for their misdeeds.[180] Among those whom We have created, there are some people who guide others with the truth and establish justice therewith.[181] 7:[179-181]
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.