[22].Surah Al-Hajj [The Pilgrimage]: Ayat 47-48

Ayat 47. And they ask you to hasten on the torment! And Allah fails not His Promise. And verily, a day with your Lord is as a thousand years of what you reckon.

Ayat 48. And many a township did I give respite while it was given to wrong-doing. Then (in the end) I seized it (with punishment). And to Me is the (final) return (of all).

[Tafseer] Yet they ask thee to hasten on the Punishment! But Allah will not fail in His Promise. Verily a Day in the sight of thy Lord is like a thousand years of your reckoning. If Allah gives respite, those to whom it is given have a real chance of repentance and amendment. He will not curtail His promise of respite. But on the other hand He has promised to call everyone to account for his deeds, and this involves justice and punishment for sin. This promise will also come true. It is foolish to try to hasten it. Time with Him is nothing. We keep count of time for our relative calculations. His existence is absolute, and not conditioned by Time or Place. What we call a thousand years may be nothing more than a day or a minute to Him (Cf. 26:204 and 37:176). And to how many populations did I give respite, which were given to wrong-doing? in the end I punished them. To me is the destination (of all). The argument begun in 22:45 is now rounded oft and closed. 

Hazrat Ibn Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: When the Messenger of Allah [SAWW](PBUH) and his Companions reached Al-Hijr, the dwellings of the Thamud people, he admonished his Companions (saying), "Do not pass by these people who are being tormented, without weeping, lest the punishment should befall you as it had befallen them.'' [Al-Bukhari Book 04, Chapter 55, Hadith # 564].

Another narration is: Ibn Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) said: When the Messenger of Allah [SAWW](PBUH) passed near Al-Hijr, he said, "Do not enter without weeping, the dwellings of those who wronged themselves, lest the same chastisement should fall upon you as it had fallen upon them.'' Messenger of Allah (PBUH) then covered his head and sped up until he crossed the valley of the tormented people.

Lesson : as mentioned above in Surah Al-Hajj Ayat 48."many a township did I give respite while it was given to wrong-doing. Then (in the end) I seized it (with punishment)." . The Thamud were the people to whose guidance Allah sent Prophet Salih PBUH. They lived between Al-Madinah and Syria. In 10 A.H. when the Prophet [SAWW](PBUH) went to the Syrian border for the Tabuk expedition, he also passed through this ruined territory. This Hadith is related to the address which he gave to his Companions on the occasion. Here is an instruction that when we happen to pass through the territory of a nation destroyed in the past as a result of Divine wrath, we are advised to quicken one's pace. That is why we have been commanded to avoid the company of the corrupt and the wrongdoers, lest we meet their bad end, too. As the Qur'an says: "And incline not toward those who do wrong, lest the Fire should touch you.'' (11:113) May Allah save us from it! .

[22].Surah Al-Hajj [The Pilgrimage]: Ayat 45-46

Ayat 45. And many a township have We destroyed while it was given to wrong-doing, so that it lies in ruins (up to this day), and (many) a deserted well and lofty castles!

Ayat 46. Have they not travelled through the land, and have they hearts wherewith to understand and ears wherewith to hear? Verily, it is not the eyes that grow blind, but it is the hearts which are in the breasts that grow blind.

[Tafseer] How many populations have We destroyed, which were given to wrong- doing? They tumbled down on their roofs. And how many wells are lying idle and neglected, and castles lofty and well-built? The roofs fell in first, and the whole structure, walls and all, came tumbling after, as happens in ruins. The place was turned upside down. In a dry country like Arabia, a well stands as a symbol for a living, flourishing population, and many place-names mean "the well of so-and-so" e.g., Bir 'Ali, a village just south of Madinah, the quality of whose drinking water is  famous, or Abyar Ibn Hassan, a noted stopping place on the road from Makkah to Madinah, about 92 miles from Madinah. Do they not travel through the land, so that their hearts (and minds) may thus learn wisdom and their ears may thus learn to hear? Truly it is not their eyes that are blind, but their hearts which are in their breasts. The word for "heart" in Arabic speech imports both the seat of intelligent faculties and understanding as well as the seat of affections and emotions. Those who reject Allah's Message may have their physical eyes and ears, but their hearts are blind and deaf. If their faculties of understanding were active, would they not  see the Signs of Allah's Providence and Allah's Wrath in nature around them and in the cities and ruins if they travel intelligently? 

Hazrat An-Nu'man bin Bashir reported: Messenger of Allah [SAWW](PBUH) said "Verily, there is a piece of flesh in the body, if it is healthy, the whole body is healthy, and if it is corrupt, the whole body is corrupt. Verily, it is the heart.''

[Muslim Book 10, Chapter 41, Hadith # 3882]. 

Lesson : as mentioned above in Surah Al-Hajj Ayat 46."but it is the hearts which are in the breasts that grow blind" As in Quran and this Hadith specially concerns the condition of ones heart. Its purity or impurity directly affects the human conduct in a good or bad way. It is, therefore, absolutely necessary to cleanse the heart of all wiles and impurities, and this is not possible without sound Faith and consciousness of Allah.

[22].Surah Al-Hajj [The Pilgrimage]: Ayat 42-44

Ayat 42. And if they belie you (O Muhammad  [SAWW](PBUH), so were belied the Prophets before them, (by) the people of Nuh (Noah), 'Ad and Thamud,

Ayat 43. And the people of Ibrahim (Abraham) and the people of Lout (Lot),

Ayat 44. And the dwellers of Madyan (Midian); and belied was Musa (Moses), but Allah granted respite to the disbelievers for a while, then Allah seized them, and how (terrible) was Allah's Punishment (against their wrong-doing).

[Tafseer] If they treat thy (mission) as false, so did the peoples before them (with their prophets),- the People of Noah, and ´Ad and Thamud; It is nothing new if the Prophet of Allah is accused of  imposture. This was done in all ages: e.g., Noah (7:64); Hud the prophet of the 'Ad people (7:66); Salih prophet of Thamud (7:76); Abraham (21:55); Lut (7:82); Shuaib the prophet of the Madyan people (7:85) and also of the Companions of the Wood (15:78). The case of Moses is mentioned apart, as his people survived to the time of our Prophet and survive to the present, and they frequently rebelled against Moses (2:49-61).Those of Abraham and Lut; 44. And the Companions of the Madyan People; and Moses was rejected (in the same way). But I granted respite to the Unbelievers, and (only) after that did I punish them: but how (terrible) was my rejection (of them)! Were they the same as the Companions of the Wood? Allah's Wrath on them, and the complete reversal of their fortune in consequence.

Hazrat Abdullah bin Zam'ah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that he heard the Messenger of Allah [SAWW](PBUH) giving a speech when he mentioned the she-camel (of Prophet Salih PBUH) and the man who had killed her. Messenger of Allah [SAWW](PBUH) said: "When the most wicked man among them went forth (to kill the she-camel).' (91:12) signifies that a distinguished, wicked and most powerful chief of the people jumped up to kill the she-camel. He was supported by his tribe (nation)''

[Muslim Book 40, Chapter 13, Hadith # 6837].

Lesson : as mentioned above in Surah Al-Hajj Ayat 44."then Allah seized them, and how (terrible) was Allah's Punishment (against their wrong-doing)." When entire nation in involve in sinful activities and there are very few pious people left than Allah sent down the signs of warning, and to make them afraid (of destruction). 

[22].Surah Al-Hajj [The Pilgrimage]: Ayat 41

Ayat 41. Those (Muslim rulers) who, if We give them power in the land, (they) order for Iqamat-as-Salat. [i.e. to perform the five compulsory congregational Salat (prayers) (the males in mosques)], to pay the Zakat and they enjoin Al-Ma'ruf (i.e. Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam orders one to do), and forbid Al-Munkar (i.e. disbelief, polytheism and all that Islam has forbidden) [i.e. they make the Qur'an as the law of their country in all the spheres of life]. And with Allah rests the end of (all) matters (of creatures).

[Tafseer] (They are) those who, if We establish them in the land, establish regular prayer and give regular charity, enjoin the right and forbid wrong: with Allah rests the end (and decision) of (all) affairs. Enjoining the right and forbidding the wrong" is an essential duty of the Muslim Ummah and one of the main purposes for which it has been raised. The root idea is attainment of desires; happiness, in this world and the next; success; prosperity; freedom from anxiety, care, or a disturbed state of mind-the opposite of 'adhab in the next verse, which includes: failure; misery; punishment or penalty; agony or anguish. The ideal Muslim community is happy, untroubled by conflicts or doubts, sure of itself, strong, united, and prosperous; because it invites to all that is good, enjoins the right; and forbids the wrong -a master-stroke of description in three clauses. The logical conclusion to the evolution of religious history is a non-sectarian, non-racial, non-doctrinal, universal religion, which Islam claims to be. For Islam is just submission to the Will of Allah. This implies (1) Faith, (2) doing right, being an example to others to do right, and having the power to see that the right prevails, (3) eschewing wrong, being an example to others to eschew wrong, and having the power to see that wrong and injustice are defeated. Islam therefore lives, not for itself, but for mankind. The People of the Book, if only they had faith, would be Muslims, for they have been prepared for Islam. Unfortunately there is Unfaith, but it can never harm those who carry the banner of Faith and Right, which must always be victorious.

Hazrat Umar bin Al-Khattab (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah [SAWW](PBUH) said, "Verily, Allah elevates some people with this Qur'an and abases others.''

[Muslim Book 04, Chapter 138, Hadith # 1780]

Lesson : as mentioned above in Surah Al-Hajj Ayat 41."and forbid Al-Munkar (i.e. disbelief, polytheism and all that Islam has forbidden) [i.e. they make the Qur'an as the law of their country in all the spheres of life]." Only such people will be elevated who act upon the teachings of the Qur'an and abstain from what is forbidden by Allah. The Muslims of the early centuries of Islam were blessed with great honour by Allah because they loved and applied the Qur'an. Because of this meaningful attachment with the Qur'an, they made great achievements in religious and worldly spheres. Those who neglected the teachings of Islam will be disgraced and humiliated. May Allah guide and enable us to re-establish our contact with the Qur'an so that we can regain our past glory. Exaltation and humiliation mentioned in the Hadith is bound to happen in both this life and the Hereafter.

[22].Surah Al-Hajj [The Pilgrimage]: Ayat 39-40

Ayat 39. Permission to fight is given to those (i.e. believers against disbelievers), who are fighting them, (and) because they (believers) have been wronged, and surely, Allah is Able to give them (believers) victory.

Ayat 40. Those who have been expelled from their homes unjustly only because they said: "Our Lord is Allah." - For had it not been that Allah checks one set of people by means of another, monasteries, churches, synagogues, and Masjids, wherein the Name of Allah is mentioned much would surely have been pulled down. Verily, Allah will help those who help His (Cause). Truly, Allah is All-Strong, All-Mighty.

[Tafseer] To those against whom war is made, permission is given (to fight), because they are wronged;- and verily, Allah is most powerful for their aid;- Several translators have failed to notice that yuqa taluna is in the passive voice, "against whom war is made"-not "who take arms against the unbelievers" as Sale translates it. The clause "and verily... their aid" is parenthetical. Verse 40 connects on with "they are wronged". The wrong is indicated: 'driven by persecution from their home, for no other reason than that they worshipped the One True God 1 . This was the first occasion on which fighting-in self-defense-was permitted. This passage therefore undoubtedly dates from Madinah. (They are) those who have been expelled from their homes in defiance of right,- (for no cause) except that they say, "our Lord is Allah.. Did not Allah check one set of people by means of another, there would surely have been pulled down Masjid and other place of worships, in which the name of Allah is commemorated in abundant measure. Allah will certainly aid those who aid his (cause);- for verily Allah is full of Strength, Exalted in Might, (able to enforce His Will).  To allow a righteous people to fight against a ferocious and mischief-loving people was fully justified. But the justification was far greater here, when the little Muslim community was not only fighting for its own existence against the Makkan Quraish, but for the very existence of the Faith in the One True God. They had as much right to be in Makkah and worship in the Kabah as the other Quraish; yet they were exiled for their Faith. It affected not the faith of one particular people.

Hazrat Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah [SAWW](PBUH) said, "The dearest parts on the face of the earth near Allah are its Masjid, and the most hated parts near Allah are its markets.'' [Muslim Book 04, Chapter 92, Hadith # 1416] Lesson : as mentioned above in Surah Al-Hajj Ayat 40."Allah checks one set of people by means of another, monasteries, churches, synagogues, and Masjids, wherein the Name of Allah is mentioned much would surely have been pulled down." The superiority of the mosques is self evident. People pray and worship Allah in the mosques and recitation of Qur'an goes on there. While in the market places people forget to remember Allah and indulge in such forbidden acts as fraud, lies and gossip. In fact, it is not the place itself which is disliked but the bad things which are bound to happen in it, they are not the places of choice and are not liked.