Recitation with direct translation, Shaykh Mishari Rashid al-Afasy,
09:15 Prophet Noah did 'daawah' for 950 years...only a handful followed him[ 80 Muslims ].
Hardship and tribulation are a necessary means of purification and refinement for human society. Prophet Muhammad was reported to have said: " Nothing befalls a Muslim, whether anxiety, or depression, hardship, or illness, even if a thorn pricks his skin, but could be taken into consideration by God in forgiving his sins." Power and wealth are liable to drive men to arrogance and oppression of those less fortunate than them. This is exactly what happened to the Prophet's people during the early part of his commission; so much so that he was heard asking God: " Help me against them as you helped Joseph: send them seven lean years. " In some cases, the curse or punishment is prolonged, or recurs, because the people have not heeded the call: "Though We had mercy on them and relieved them of the harm afflicting them, they still would wander blindly on in their contumacy "(75). The Arabs of Makkah resisted Islam for almost twenty years. Their opposition to it drained their resources and brought about their disintegration as a power in the region. It affected all aspects if their society and caused them to suffer politically, socially, and economically. This surah, which was revealed in Makkah,continues to threaten the Arabs with the aims of dissuading them from perpetrating hostility towards Muhammad and his followers. It says: Already have We grasped them with punishment, but they humble not themselves unto their Lord, nor do they pray, (76)Until, when We open for them the gate of extreme punishment, behold! they are aghast thereat [ in utter despair ] (77) . " A Thematic Commentary On The Qur'an " Shaykh Muhammad al-Ghazali [ 1917 - 1996 ] Benefit of Trials and Tribulations :[ A Book by Shaykh Aizzudin Abdul Aziz ibni Abdus-Salam , circa hijrah 660 ] Discussed by Shaykh Hamza Yusuf
...zikr, fikr, him' [ positive forbearance ] 43:20 Sir..you don't even know your co-ordinates in this universe, how can you know where God is ! 44:15 you are deluded ....
THE SURAH THEN TAKES us back in history, citing communities who had rejected their prophets and rebelled against God, turning their backs on His guidance. it mentioned the people of Noah and those of Hud, and then say: Then after them We brought forth other generations. (42) No nation can outstrip its term, nor yet postpone it. (43) Then We sent our messengers one after another. Whenever its messenger came unto a nation they denied him; so We caused them to follow one another (to disaster) and We made them bywords[ we destroyed them, we made them tales of history ]. A far removal for folk who believe not! (44) All the communities which the surah mentions lived in what is known today as the Middle east. Noah lived in northern Iraq, Abraham came from iraq and travelled through the Hijaz in the western Arabia, Egypt, and Palestine. Moses was born and raised in the Nile valley, whence he tried to escape with his people, the Israelites, and then died in the Sinai desert. Jesus was born in Palestine and visited Egypt. Salih and Shu'aib lived in northern Arabia, and Hud in the Yemen. We may conclude from this that people in this part of the world have always been more aware, or have had a richer experience, of heavenly revealed messages than people in other parts of the world. Therefore, those of them who rejected these messages or opposed them stand heavier divine punishment. God's messengers were wise, reasonable and considerate leaders and teachers, never over-burdening their followers or coercing them to believe. God has directed His prophets thus: "O ye messengers! Eat of the good things, and do right. Lo! I am Aware of what ye do. (51) And lo! this your religion is one religion and I am your Lord, so keep your duty unto Me "(52). A few verses later we read: "And we task not any soul beyond its scope, and with Us is a Record which speaketh the truth, and they will not be wronged. "(62) " A Thematic Commentary On The Qur'an " Shaykh Muhammad al-Ghazali Reflection and commentary by Imam Zia, Session 5, ayat 42 - ayat 56
