Interpretation of Sura Hud - Verses 90-92
90. "(Then come)and ask forgiveness of your Lord, and turn unto Him(in repentance): Verily my Lord is Merciful, Loving. "
Commentary
?The dissidents and unbelievers must not only be warned and informed of the punishment to come, but they must also be shown the method by which they can reform themselves and the course of action that may attract Divine mercy. They must be notified that in order to receive Allah's favor and friendship 39, they must follow the path of the prophets and the leadership of the Sinless Ones. If they repent and reconstruct their lives, they will receive positive answers from Allah. The verse says:
"(Then come)and ask forgiveness of your Lord, and turn unto Him(in repentance): ..."
Allah's(s.w.t.) favor is not a passing affair, rather it is a continuous process and possesses numerous signs and characteristics, He does not only accept repentance, but He also loves those who repent. It says:
"... Verily my Lord is Merciful, Loving. "
91. " They said: 'O Shu'ayb! We do not understand much of what you say; and most surely we see you weak among us. Were it not for your family, we would certainly stone you; and you are not mighty against us'. "
Commentary
The prophets and the divine preachers have had to bear the utmost contempt and humiliation in the course of their mission in leading mankind on to the Right Path. Shu'ayb(a.s.) is one of those examples, for they did both to him. They ridiculed and belittled his words and saw him as someone weak and insignificant. They denigrated his family, threatened him with death, and did not give due regard to his honor. The verse says:
" They said: 'O Shu'ayb! We do not understand much of what you say; and most surely we see you weak among us. Were it not for your family, we would certainly stone you; and you are not mighty against us'. "
The idol worshippers told Shu'ayb(a.s.) that they did not grasp the meaning of his words. But what was his speech about which they claimed they did not understand Was it not but the following
1- I am empowered to perform miracles and to offer you valid proofs. "If I be upon a clear proof ..."
2- I have no financial difficulties and I am not in need of your assistance.
3- I practice what I preach.
4- I intend to reform the society. "I desire naught save reform ..."
5- I struggle with all my might. "... so far as I am able ..."
6- I put all my hopes and trust in Allah. "... On Him do I rely ..."
7- I warn you of the consequences at the end of time and the actions of past generations. "... The like of what befell the people of Noah, ..."
92. " He said: 'O my people! Is then my family more esteemed with you than Allah And you cast Him behind your back, with neglect. Verily my Lord encompasses what you do'. "
Commentary
We should not give priority to the rights of the people, or of groups, parties, or even of international law over Divine rights. We must stop excluding Allah's role in the political and social domains and not let it be dominated by any other matter. According to the verse, these people refrained from doing harm to Shu'ayb because of the fear of retaliation from his tribe. The verse says:
" He said: 'O my people! Is then my family more esteemed with you than Allah? ..."
Shu'ayb's response was why could they not accept his words simply for Allah's sake Given that Allah was infinitely more powerful than his tribe, they did not give any importance to Him at all ignoring Him and violating His commandments. It continues:
"... And you cast Him behind your back, with neglect. ..."
In fact they should stop thinking that Allah was not seeing what they did and did not hear what they said, for one can be sure, that the Lord is aware of all of our deeds. The verse concludes:
"... Verily my Lord encompasses what you do'. "
Notes :
(39) The term/ wadoud/ refers to that kind of friendship which is everlasting.
Adopted from the book : "The Light of the Holy Qur'an; Interpretation of Surah Hud" by : "Sayyid Kamal Faghih Imani and a Group of Muslim Scholars"