11. Surah Hud, Mecca 52

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

وَإِلَى ثَمُودَ أَخَاهُمْ صَالِحًا...   

11: 61.   To the Thamud People (We sent) Salih, one of their own brethren.

C1556. The story of Salih and the Thamud people has been told from another point of view in 7:73-79. The difference in the point of view there and here is the same as in the story of Hud: see n. 1545 to 11:50.

Note how the story now is the same, and yet new points and details are brought out to illustrate each new argument.

Note, also, how the besetting sin of the 'Ad-pride and obstinacy -is distinguished from the besetting sin of the Thamud- the oppression of the poor, as illustrated by the test case and symbol of the She-camel: see n. 1044 to 7:73.

All sin is in a sense pride and rebellion; yet sins take particular hues in different circumstances, and these colours are brought out as in a most artistically painted picture-with the greatest economy of words and the most piercing analysis of motives.

For the locality and history of the Thamud see n. 1043 t0 7:73.

...قَالَ يَا قَوْمِ اعْبُدُواْ اللّهَ مَا لَكُم مِّنْ إِلَـهٍ غَيْرُهُ...

He said:

"O my people! worship Allah: ye have no other god but Him.

...هُوَ أَنشَأَكُم مِّنَ الأَرْضِ وَاسْتَعْمَرَكُمْ فِيهَا ...

It is He Who hath produced you from the earth and settled you therein:

C1557. For Anshaa as process of creation see n. 923 to 6:98 and the further references given there.

As to his body, man has been produced from earth or clay, and his settlement on earth is a fact of his material existence. Therefore we must conform to all the laws of our physical being, in order that through our life on this earth we may develop that higher Life which belongs to the other part of our being, our spiritual heritage. Through the use we make of our health, of our tilth, of our pastures, of material facts of all kinds, will develop our moral and spiritual nature.

... فَاسْتَغْفِرُوهُ ثُمَّ تُوبُواْ إِلَيْهِ...

then ask forgiveness of Him, and turn to Him (in repentance):

...إِنَّ رَبِّي قَرِيبٌ مُّجِيبٌ ﴿٦١﴾

for my Lord in (always) near, ready to answer."

Asad’s Version:

(19:92) although it is inconceivable that the Most Gracious should take unto Himself a son! 77

19:93

Not one of all [the beings] that are in the heavens or on earth appears before the Most Gracious other than as a servant: 78