[34].Surah Saba [Sheba]: Ayat 34-35

৩৪. কোন জনপদে সতর্ককারী প্রেরণ করা হলেই তার বিত্তশালী অধিবাসীরা বলতে শুরু  করেছে, তোমরা যে বিষয়সহ প্রেরিত হয়েছ, আমরা তা মানি না। 

৩৫. তারা আরও বলেছে, আমরা ধনে-জনে সমৃদ্ধ, সুতরাং আমরা শাস্তিপ্রাপ্ত হব না।

Ayat 34. And Allah did not send a warner to a township, but those who were given the worldly wealth and luxuries among them said: "We believe not in the (Message) with which you have been sent."

Ayat 35. And they say: "We are more in wealth and in children, and we are not going to be punished."

Tafseer of Surah Saba' (Sheba) Ayat 34 and 35. Never did Allah send a warner to a population, but the wealthy ones among them said: "We believe not in the (Message) with which ye have been sent." Whenever the Message of Allah comes, the vested interests range themselves against it. Worldly power has made them arrogant: worldly pleasures have deadened their sensibility to Truth. They reject the Message because it attacks their false position. 35. They said: "We have more in wealth and in sons, and we cannot be punished." Their arrogance is openly based on their worldly power and position, their family influence, and the strength of their man-power. Turn back again to the contrast drawn between the arrogant ones and those whom they despised, in verses 31-33.

Hazrat Abdullah bin Masud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I can still recall as if I am seeing the Messenger of Allah  [SAWW](PBUH) resembling one of the Prophets whose people scourged him and shed his blood, while he wiped blood from his face, he said: "O Allah! Forgive my people, because they certainly do not know". [Al-Bukhari 09, Chapter 84, Hadith # 63].

Lesson: as mentioned above in Surah Saba Ayat 34. And Allah did not send a warner to a township, but those who were given the worldly wealth and luxuries among them said: "We believe not in the (Message) with which you have been sent." It mentions the refined character and compassion of the Prophets which has an important lesson for those who preach righteousness. They should be always prepared to face hardships involved in inviting people to the right path and, instead of retaliation, forgive their audience and pray for their guidance. These noble qualities are extremely important for those who are devoted to preach religion.

[34].Surah Saba [Sheba]: Ayat 33

৩৩. দুর্বলরা অহংকারীদেরকে বলবে, বরং তোমরাই তো দিবারাত্রি চক্রান্ত করে আমাদেরকে নির্দেশ দিতে যেন আমরা আল্লাহকে না মানি এবং তাঁর অংশীদার সাব্যস্ত করি তারা যখন শাস্তি দেখবে, তখন মনের অনুতাপ মনেই রাখবে। বস্তুতঃ আমি কাফেরদের গলায় বেড়ী পরাব। তারা সে প্রতিফলই পেয়ে থাকে যা তারা করত।

Ayat 33. Those who were deemed weak will say to those who were arrogant: "Nay, but it was your plotting by night and day, when you ordered us to disbelieve in Allah and set up rivals to Him!" And each of them (parties) will conceal their own regrets (for disobeying Allah during this worldly life), when they behold the torment. And We shall put iron collars round the necks of those who disbelieved. Are they requited aught except what they used to do?

Tafseer of Surah Saba' (Sheba) Ayat 33. Those who had been despised will say to the arrogant ones: "Nay! it was a plot (of yours) by day and by night: Behold! Ye (constantly) ordered us to be ungrateful to Allah and to attribute equals to Him!" They will declare (their) repentance when they see the Penalty: We shall put yokes on the necks of the Unbelievers: It would only be requital for their (ill) Deeds. The more intelligent ones who exploit the weaker ones are constantly plotting night and day to keep the latter ignorant and under their thumb. They show them the ways of Evil, because by that means they are more in their power. If all men worshipped the true God, and none but Him, they could not on the one hand be trampled upon, and on the other hand they could not be unjust. It is in the worship of false ideals or false gods that alluring structures of fraud and injustice are built up. Cf. 10:54, all these mutual recriminations would be swallowed up in the general realization of the Truth by both sides in the Hereafter. They would be prepared openly to declare their repentance, but it would be too late. The yoke of slavery to Evil will be on their necks. Allah's justice put it there, but what else could it do? Their own sins will cry out against them and hold them under their yokes.

Hazrat Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah[SAWW](PBUH) said,  "There are three signs of a hypocrite: When he speaks, he lies; when he makes a promise, he breaks it; and when he is trusted, he betrays his trust." Another narration adds the words: 'Even if he observes fasts, performs Salat and asserts that he is a Muslim". [Al-Bukhari Volume 08, Book 73, Hadith # 117].

Lesson: as mentioned above in Surah Saba Ayat 33.” each of them (parties) will conceal their own regrets (for disobeying Allah during this worldly life)”

A hypocrite is the one who professes Islam before the Muslims but conceals hatred and animosity against them. This double-dealing is worse than Kufr. This is the reason the Noble Qur'an has declared about them that they will be in the lowest depths of the Hell. The hypocrites referred to here lived at the time of the Prophet (PBUH) and he was informed about them through Wahy (Revelation). It is very difficult to identify the class of hypocrites in this age. It is almost impossible to know the hypocrisy of Faith. The practical hypocrisy is, however, now very common among the Muslims. It can be identified on the strength of the traits which have been stated in the Ahadith about them. These traits are very common among many of the present-day Muslims. Their conduct bears the marks of hypocrisy. This practical hypocrisy is, however, not Kufr as is the case with the hypocrisy of Faith.   

[34].Surah Saba [Sheba]: Ayat 32

৩২. অহংকারীরা দুর্বলকে বলবে, তোমাদের কাছে হেদায়েত আসার পর আমরা কি তোমাদেরকে বাধা দিয়েছিলাম? বরং তোমরাই তো ছিলে অপরাধী।

Ayat 32. And those who were arrogant will say to those who were deemed weak: "Did we keep you back from guidance after it had come to you? Nay, but you were Mujrimun (polytheists, sinners, criminals, disobedient to Allah, etc.).

Tafseer of Surah Saba' (Sheba) Ayat 32. The arrogant ones will say to those who had been despised: "Was it we who kept you back from Guidance after it reached you? Nay, rather, it was ye who transgressed. In the mutual reproaches between the misleaders and the misled ones, there will be a grain of truth on both sides, and yet both were guilty in not realizing their own personal responsibility.

Hazrat Irbad bin Sariyah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: One day Messenger of Allah  [SAWW](PBUH) delivered us a very eloquent Khutbah on account of which eyes shed tears and hearts were full of tears. A man said: "O Prophet of Allah, this is as if it were a parting advice. So advise us". He  [SAWW](PBUH) said, "I admonish you to fear Allah, to listen and obey even if an Abyssinian slave is appointed as your leader. Because whosoever among you shall live after me, will see much discord. So hold fast to my Sunnah and the examples of the Rightly-Guided Caliphs who will come after me. Adhere to them and hold to it fast. Beware of new things (in Deen) because every Bid’ah is a misguidance". [Abu Dawud Hadith # 4607 and At-Tirmidhi Hadith # 2676].

Lesson: as mentioned above in Surah Saba Ayat 32. “"Did we keep you back from guidance after it had come to you?” This Hadith stresses piety, obedience to the leader, following in the footsteps of the Prophet  [SAWW](PBUH) and the first four noble caliphs. It strictly forbids innovation in Deen. This Hadith also reveals the prediction of the Prophet [SAWW](PBUH) that the Muslim Ummah will become a victim of dissension. He also prescribed the right means to counteract it. The remedy that he has proposed for this problem is that Muslims should never deviate from the path laid for them by him and his righteous successors. This is the touchstone for discovering the truth from the mess of different views. All the troubles of Muslims would come to an end if they accept this as the one singular criterion of right and wrong.  

[34].Surah Saba [Sheba]: Ayat 31

৩১. কাফেররা বলে, আমরা কখনও এ কোরআনে বিশ্বাস করব না এবং এর পূর্ববর্তী কিতাবেও নয়। আপনি যদি পাপিষ্ঠদেরকে দেখতেন, যখন তাদেরকে তাদের পালনকর্তার সামনে দাঁড় করানো হবে, তখন তারা পরস্পর কথা কাটাকাটি করবে। যাদেরকে দুর্বল মনে করা হত, তারা অহংকারীদেরকে বলবে, তোমরা না থাকলে আমরা অবশ্যই মুমিন হতাম।

Ayat 31. And those who disbelieve say: "We believe neither in this Qur’an nor in that which was before it," but if you could see when the Zalimun (polytheists and wrong­doers, etc.) will be made to stand before their Lord, how they will cast the (blaming) word one to another! Those who were deemed weak will say to those who were arrogant: "Had it not been for you, we should certainly have been believers!"

Tafseer of Surah Saba' (Sheba) Ayat 31. The Unbelievers say: "We shall neither believe in this scripture nor in (any) that (came) before it." Couldst thou but see when the wrong-doers will be made to stand before their Lord, throwing back the word (of blame) on one another! Those who had been despised will say to the arrogant ones: "Had it not been for you, we should certainly have been believers!" To the Pagans all scriptures are taboo, whether it be the Qur'an or any Revelation that came before it. The people of the Book despised the Pagans, but in their arrogant assumption of superiority, prevented them, by their example, from accepting the latest and most universal Scripture when it came in the form of the Qur'an. This relative position of men who fancy themselves on their knowledge, and men whom they despise but exploit and mislead, always exists on this earth. I have mentioned the people of the Book and the Pagan Arabs merely by way of illustration. One disbelief is as bad as another. There is little to choose between them. But when the final account will be taken, there will be mutual recriminations between the one and the other. The Pagans will naturally say to the people of the Book; 'You misled us; you had previous Revelations, and you should have known how Allah sent His Messengers; had it not been for your bad example, we should have received Allah's Revelation and become Believers." Or the humble followers will say this to their leaders, or those less gifted will say to those by whom they were misled and exploited. The dichotomy is between such as pretentiously held their heads high in the world and such as they profited by but held in contempt.

Hazrat An-Numan bin Bashir (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: Messenger of Allah   [SAWW](PBUH) said, "What is lawful is clear and what is unlawful is clear, but between them are certain doubtful things which many people do not know. So he who guards against doubtful things keeps his religion and his honour blameless. But he who falls into doubtful things falls into that which is unlawful, just as a shepherd who grazes his cattle in the vicinity of a pasture declared prohibited (by the king); he is likely to stray into the pasture. Mind you, every king has a protected pasture and Allah's involved limits are that which He has declared unlawful. 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 Saba Ayat 31. And those who disbelieve say: "We believe neither in this Qur’an nor in that which was before it," There are such meeting-points between what is permissible and what is not permissible in the matter of religion of which the majority of people are ignorant. If man abstains from them, it means that he is keeping his duty to Allah. Yet, if he is involved in them without caring for what is allowable or unallowable, he may be supposed to have out stepped the Divine limits. Businessmen and traders are particularly warned here to avoid things of dubious nature and are urged to adopt only that pattern which is lawful. Another important point underlying this Hadith concerns the 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.

[34].Surah Saba [Sheba]: Ayat 30

৩০. বলুন, তোমাদের জন্যে একটি দিনের ওয়াদা রয়েছে যাকে তোমরা এক মহূর্তও বিলম্বিত করতে পারবে না এবং ত্বরান্বিত ও করতে পারবে না।

Ayat 30. Say (O Muhammad [SAWW](PBUH) : "The appointment to you is for a Day, which you cannot put back for an hour (or a moment) nor put forward."

Tafseer of Surah Saba' (Sheba) Ayat 30. Say: "The appointment to you is for a Day, which ye cannot put back for an hour nor put forward." When that Day actually arrives, your period of probation will have passed. It will be too late. Now is the time for action and spiritual profit.

Hazrat Abu Said Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah  [SAWW](PBUH) said, "How can I feel at ease when the Angel of the Trumpet, (Israfil) has put his lips to the Trumpet and is waiting for the order to blow it". He  [SAWW](PBUH) perceived as if this had shocked his Companions, so he  [SAWW](PBUH) told them to seek comfort through reciting: `Hasbunallah WA ni`mal-Wakil [Allah (Alone) is Sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs (for us)]". [At-Tirmidhi Hadith # 2431] 

Lesson: as mentioned above in Surah Saba Ayat 30. "The appointment to you is for a Day, which you cannot put back for an hour (or a moment) nor put forward"

1. This Hadith tells us about the fear of Allah and the fright of the hereafter entertained by theProphet  [SAWW](PBUH) and his Companions. It has a lesson for us that how, in spite of being innocent and having the assurance of the forgiveness of Allah, they were always fearful of Allah and the horrors of the Day of Resurrection. As against them, we are immersed in sins, neglect and violate the Divine injunctions day and night but even then we have neither the fear of Allah nor the fright of the Day of Resurrection.

2. In the event of fear and anxiety one should seek the help of Allah and frequently recite the Verse of the Noble Qur'an "Hasbunallahu WA Ni`mal Wakil'' [Allah (Alone) is Sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs (for us).]'' (3:173).

[34].Surah Saba [Sheba]: Ayat 28-29

২৮. আমি আপনাকে সমগ্র মানবজাতির জন্যে সুসংবাদাতা ও সতর্ককারী রূপে পাঠিয়েছি; কিন্তু অধিকাংশ মানুষ তা জানে না।

২৯. তারা বলে, তোমরা যদি সত্যবাদী হও, তবে বল, এ ওয়াদা কখন বাস্তবায়িত হবে?

Ayat 28. And Allah have not sent you (O Muhammad [SAWW](PBUH) except as a giver of glad tidings and a warner to all mankind, but most of men know not.

Ayat 29. And they say: "When is this promise (i.e. the Day of Resurrection will be fulfilled) if you are truthful?"

Tafseer of Surah Saba' (Sheba) Ayat 28 and 29. Allah have not sent thee but as a universal (Messenger) to men, giving them glad tidings, and warning them (against sin), but most men understand not. Allah's Revelation, through the Prophet, was not meant for one faith or tribe, one race or set of people. It was meant for all mankind, to whom, if they turn to Allah, it is a Message of the glad tidings of His Mercy, and if they do not turn to Him, it is a warning against sin and the inevitable Punishment. That the Punishment does not come immediately (as far as they perceive) is no reason for doubting it. It has been declared in clear and unequivocal terms, and nothing can be more certain. Why delay? Why ask carping questions? Why not profit by the Message, turn to Allah in repentance, and bring forth the fruits of righteousness? They say: "When will this promise (come to pass) if ye are telling the truth?"

Hazrat Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah  [SAWW](PBUH) said, "O Allah! To You I have submitted, and in You do I believe, and in You I put my trust, to You do I turn, and for You I argued. O Allah, I seek refuge with You through Your Power; there is none worthy of worship except You Alone; that You safeguard me against going astray. You are the Ever Living, the One Who sustains and protects all that exists; the One Who never dies, whereas human beings and jinn will all die". 

[Muslim Book 35, Chapter 17, Hadith # 6561] 

Lesson: as mentioned above in Surah Saba Ayat 28. And Allah have not sent you (O Muhammad [SAWW](PBUH) except as a giver of glad tidings and a warner to all mankind, but most of men know not” Even in the worst circumstances one should always have faith and trust in Allah, Allah (SWT) says "I am just as My slave thinks of Me when he remembers Me". Allah is more pleased with the repentance of His servants than anything else. This Hadith highlights the merits of expecting good treatment of Allah. But this has to be backed by good actions, in the same way as one can hope for good results after ploughing and sowing seeds. It is obvious that one who accomplishes good deeds will expect good consequences, and one who does evil deeds will expect evil consequences. Allah will treat people according to their expectation that are founded on their actions, and the reward will match their deeds.   

[34].Surah Saba [Sheba]: Ayat 27

২৭. বলুন, তোমরা যাদেরকে আল্লাহর সাথে অংশীদাররূপে সংযুক্ত করেছ, তাদেরকে এনে আমাকে দেখাও। বরং তিনিই আল্লাহ, পরাক্রমশীল, প্রজ্ঞাময়।

Ayat 27. Say (O Muhammad  [SAWW](PBUH) to these polytheists and pagans): "Show me those whom you have joined to Him as partners. Nay (there are not at all any partners with Him)! But He is Allah (Alone), the All Mighty, the All Wise."

Tafseer of Surah Saba' (Sheba) Ayat 27. Say: "Show me those whom ye have joined with Him as partners: by no means (can ye). Nay, He is Allah, the Exalted in Power, the Wise." Wisdom and Power only belong to Allah. If you put your trust in other things, they will fail you, because they do not exist—as objects of worship. All else that you set your hearts upon will and must fail you, because they cannot in any wise be brought in to rivalry with Allah.

Hazrat Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah[SAWW](PBUH) said, "Almighty Allah says, `I am the One who is most free from want of partners. He who does a thing for the sake of someone else beside Me, I discard him and his polytheism”. [Muslim Book 042, Chapter 06, Hadith # 7114]. 

Lesson: as mentioned above in Surah Saba Ayat 27. Say (O Muhammad  [SAWW](PBUH) to these polytheists and pagans): "Show me those whom you have joined to Him as partners. Nay (there are not at all any partners with Him)!” He who does a thing for the sake of someone else beside Me'' here means to do something virtuous for mere show for worldly benefit, or to gain the reputation of being pious. "I discard him and his polytheism'' means that "I nullify his good deeds and deprive him of the reward.'' In this Hadith any virtue done for the sake of mere show has been likened to Shirk to make its viciousness and harm obvious. However, this is Ash-Shirk Al-Asghar, and those who commit it will not be forbidden access to Jannah. They will, after the punishment in Hell, ultimately enter Jannah. Whereas, those who are guilty of Ash-Shirk Al-Akbar and sheer Shirk will abide in Hell forever.