As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters.
Summary
Today’s selection is Surah 38, Sâd, verses 1-26. Overall this Surah talks about how spiritual strength is superior to physical strength. The verses selected talk of the arrogance of the unbelievers in rejecting the message of the Prophets sent to them by God. It tells the story of Prophet Daûd, or David, and the two men who came to him asking for his guidance in a dispute.
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Verses
Bis-millahi ar-rahman, ar-raheem.
In the name of Allah, most gracious, most merciful.Sâd. By the Qur’an which is full of admonition![1] Surely, the unbelievers are in sheer arrogance and perverseness.[2] How many generations have We destroyed before them? When their doom approached, they all cried out for mercy, but it was no longer the time to be saved.[3] They wonder that a Warner has come to them from among themselves, and the disbelievers say: “He is a sorcerer telling lies![4] Does he claim that there is only One God in place of all other gods? Surely, this is a strange thing.”[5] 38:[1-5]
Their leaders go about saying: “Pay no heed, stand firm in the service of your gods; this slogan of One God is designed against you. [6] We have not heard such a thing from anyone of the people of latter days (Jews and Christians): it is nothing but a fabrication.[7] Is he the only fit person among us to whom the admonition is revealed?” But in fact, they doubt My admonition, for they have not yet tasted My punishment.[8] 38:[6-8]
Do they have the treasures of the mercy of your Lord, the All-Mighty, the Munificent One.[9] Or do they have sovereignty over the heavens and the earth and all that lies between them? If so, let them ascend by any means to be in a position of dictating to Allah according to their wishes. [10] They are no more than a faction of soldiers who will certainly be defeated.[11] Before them the people of Noah, ‘Ad and Pharaoh, the man of stakes, denied their Messengers, [12] So did Thamûd, the people of Lût (Lot) and those of Aiykah (the people of Median) – all divided themselves into factions;[13] all denied their Messengers, so just was my torment that had befallen them. [14] 38:[9-14]
These people also await nothing but a single mighty Blast (the blowing of the trumpet) – the one which none may retard.[15] They say: “Our Lord, hasten our doom for us before the Day of Reckoning.”[16] O Prophet, have patience at what they say, and remember Our servant Daûd (or David), the man of strength, who was frequent in turning to Allah. [17] We made the mountains join him in Our praises at evening and the sunrise.[18] And the birds, too, with all their flocks, join in glorifying Allah with him.[19] We strengthened his kingdom and gave him wisdom and sound judgment in speech and decision. [20] 38:[15-20]
Have you heard the story of the two litigants who made an entry into his prayer chamber through climbing over the wall?[21] When they entered in upon David and he became terrified, they said: “Have no fear, we are two litigants, one of whom has wronged the other. Judge rightly between us and do not be unjust, and guide us to the Right Way.[22] This man is my brother; he has ninety nine ewes while I have only one ewe. Yet, he says: ‘Turn her over to me’ and overpowered me in speech.”[23] 38:[21-23]
Without listening to the other litigant, David said: “He has certainly wronged you in seeking to add your ewe to his flock: in fact, many partners are unjust to one another; except those who believe and do good deeds, and they are few indeed.” – While saying this, David realized that We had tested him. So he sought forgiveness of his Lord and fell down prostrating himself and turned to Allah in repentance.[24] So We forgave his error. He will enjoy a place of nearness with Us and an excellent abode![25] We said: “O David! We have made you a vicegerent in the earth, so rule among the people with justice and do not follow your own desires lest they mislead you from the Way of Allah. As for those who go astray from the Way of God, they shall surely have a severe punishment because of forgetting the Day of Reckoning.[26] 38:[24-26]
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.