[43]. Surah Al Zukhruf (The Gold Adornments): Ayat 048

৪৮. আমি তাদেরকে যে নিদর্শনই দেখাতাম, তাই হত পূর্ববর্তী নিদর্শন অপেক্ষা বৃহৎ এবং আমি তাদেরকে শাস্তি দ্বারা পাকড়াও করলাম, যাতে তারা ফিরে আসে।

Ayat 48. And not an Ayah (sign, etc.) Allah showed them (the Fir’aun and his nation via Musa PBUH) but it was greater than its fellow, and Allah seized them with torment, in order that they might turn [from their polytheism to Allah’s Religion (Islamic Monotheism)].

Tafseer of Al Zukhruf (The Gold Adornments) Ayat 48. Moses PBUH showed them nine Clear Signs: see reference 7:133; also 17:101. Each one of them in its own setting and circumstances was greater than any of its "sister" Signs. The object was if possible to reclaim as many Egyptians as possible from their defiance of Allah.

Hazrat Abu Dharr and Mu`adh bin Jabal (May Allah be pleased with them) reported that: Messenger of Allah [SAWW](PBUH) said, "Fear Allah wherever you are, do good deeds after doing bad ones, the former will wipe out the latter, and behave decently towards people"

[At-Tirmidhi Hadith # 1987].

Lesson: as mentioned above in Surah Al Zukhruf Ayat 48. “Allah seized them with torment, in order that they might turn [from their polytheism to Allah’s Religion (Islamic Monotheism)]" Virtue obliterates vice means that virtue becomes an atonement for sin. But this applies to minor sins only because major ones will not be forgiven without sincere repentance. Similar is the case of encroachment on public rights which will not be forgiven without their compensation.