7. [al-Araf, Mecca 39]
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
وَمَا
أَرْسَلْنَا
فِي
قَرْيَةٍ
مِّن
نَّبِيٍّ
إِلاَّ
أَخَذْنَا
أَهْلَهَا
بِالْبَأْسَاء
وَالضَّرَّاء
لَعَلَّهُمْ
يَضَّرَّعُونَ
﴿٩٤﴾
7: 94. Whenever We sent a prophet to a town, We took up its people in suffering and adversity, in order that they might learn humility.
C1065. Man was originally created pure. The need of a prophet arises when there is some corruption and iniquity, which he is sent to combat.
His coming means much trial and suffering, especially to those who join him in his protest against wrong. Even so peaceful a prophet as Jesus said; "I came not to send peace but a sword" (Matt. 10:34).
But it is all in Allah's Plan, for we must learn humility if we would be worthy of Him.
ثُمَّ
بَدَّلْنَا
مَكَانَ
السَّيِّئَةِ
الْحَسَنَةَ...
7: 95. Then We changed their suffering into prosperity,
...حَتَّى عَفَواْ وَّقَالُواْ قَدْ مَسَّ آبَاءنَا الضَّرَّاء وَالسَّرَّاء...
until they grew and multiplied, and began to say: "Our fathers (too) were touched by suffering and affluence."...
C1066. Allah gives enough rope to the sinful. They grow and multiply, and become scornful.
Neither suffering nor affluence teaches them the lessons which they are meant to learn, viz., patience and humility, gratitude and kindness to others.
They take adversity and prosperity alike as a matter of chance. "O yes!" they say, "such things have happened in all ages! Our fathers had such experience before us, and our sons will have them after us. Thus goes on the world for all time!"
But does it?
What about the decree of Allah?
They are found napping when Nemesis overtakes them in the midst of their impious tomfoolery!
...فَأَخَذْنَاهُم بَغْتَةً وَهُمْ لاَ يَشْعُرُونَ ﴿٩٥﴾
Behold! We called them to account of a sudden, while they realized not (their peril).
7: 94 Asad And never yet have We sent a prophet unto any community without trying its people with misfortune and hardship, so that they might humble themselves;
Pickthall And We sent no prophet unto any township but We did afflict its folk with tribulation and adversity that haply they might grow humble.
Transliteration Wa ma_ arsalna_ fi qaryatim min nabiyyin illa_ akhazna_ ahlaha_ bil ba'sa_'i wad darra_'i la'allahum yaddarra'u_n(a).
7: 95
Asad then We transformed the affliction into ease of life, so that they throve and said [to themselves], “Misfortune and hardship befell our fathers as well” [note 75] – whereupon We took them to task, as of a sudden, without their being aware [of what was coming] (note 76).
Pickthall Then changed We the evil plight for good till they grew affluent and said: Tribulation and distress did touch our fathers. Then We seized them unawares, when they perceived not.
Transliteration Summa baddalna_ maka_nas sayyi'atil hasanata hatta_'afau wa qa_lu_ qad massa a_ba_'anad darra_'u was sarra_'u fa akhazna_hum bagtataw wahum la_ yasy'uru_n(a).
[[ Asad’s note 75 – I.e., they regarded is as a normal course of events and did not draw any lesson from it.]]
[[ Ali’s notes - 1065 Man was originally created pure. The need of a prophet arises when there is some corruption and iniquity, which he is sent to combat. His coming means much trial and suffering, especially to those who join him in his protest against wrong. Even so peaceful a prophet as Jesus said; "I came not to send peace but a sword" (Matt. x. 34). But it is all in Allah's Plan, for we must learn humility if we would be worthy of Him. (7.94)
1066 Allah gives enough rope to the sinful. They grow and multiply, and become scornful. Neither suffering nor affluence teaches them the lessons which they are meant to learn, viz., patience and humility, gratitude and kindness to others. They take adversity and prosperity alike as a matter of chance. "O yes!" they say, "such things have happened in all ages! Our fathers had such experience before us, and our sons will have them after us. Thus goes on the world for all time!" But does it? What about the decree of Allah? They are found napping when Nemesis overtakes them in the midst of their impious tomfoolery! (7.95)
1067 This and the two following verses should be read together. They furnish a commentary on the story of the five prophets that has already been related. Allah's wrath may come by night or by day, whether people are arrogantly defying Allah's laws or are sunk in lethargy or vain dreams of unreality. Who can escape Allah's decree, and who can feel themselves outside it except those who are seeking their own ruin? (7.97)
1068 This closes that chapter of the narrative which deals with Prophets who were rejected by their own people, but who stood firm on Allah's message and were able to rescue a remnant who believed. In each case there were special circumstances and special besetting sins, which have been explained in the notes. The nations which as a body could not be won over to Allah's Law perished. So far we have been dealing with the corruptions and iniquities within each nation. In the story of Moses we have first a struggle against the bondage of Egypt, one of the foremost powers then in the world, the rescue of the Israelites and their wanderings, and their proving themselves unworthy and being left to wander in a new sense when they rejected the new Prophet (Muhammad) who came to renew Allah's Message. (7.99) ]]