The Holy Quran with Five Volume Commentary (Vol 3) — Page 176
CH. 11 HŪD PT. 12 are believers. And I am not a keeper over you. '1467 88. They replied, ‘O Shu‘aib, ¿ËÁÍRÁJÉ does thy Prayer bid thee that we مؤْمِنِينَ ۚ وَمَا أَنَا عَلَيْكُمْ بِحَفِيظ نَّتْرُكَ مَا يَعْبُدُ ابَاؤُنَا اَوْ اَنْ نَّفْعَلَ فِي should leave what our fathers أَمْوَالِنَا مَا نَشْؤُا إِنَّكَ لَاَنْتَ الْحَلِيمُ worshipped, or that we cease to do with our property what we please? Thou art indeed very intelligent and right- minded. '1468 الرَّشِيدُ قَالَ يُقَوْمِ اَرَعَيْتُمُ إِنْ كُنْتُ عَلَى بَيْنَةٍ He said, “O my people, tell. 89 me if I stand on a clear evidence مِنْ رَّبِّ وَرَزَقَنِي مِنْهُ رِزْقًا حَسَنًا وَمَا from my Lord, and He has أرِيدُ أَنْ أَخَالِفَكُمْ إِلَى مَا أَنْهَكُمْ provided me from Himself with a handsome provision, what 1467. Commentary: "11:64. The word (that which is left) is used to express goodness and perfection. The term is applied to a person who is one of the best men of his people or community. See also 2:249. The word a therefore, here signifies wealth earned by fair and honest means and in accordance with the laws of God. It may also mean God-given and capabilities. powers By the words, I am not a keeper over you, Shu'aib warns his people that they should not remain under the illusion that he would be able to save them from Divine punishment. The words embody the implication that such is the goodness of the Prophets of God that disbelievers, 1384 notwithstanding their hostility towards them, look upon them as a source of protection and blessing. 1468. Commentary: The words, does thy Prayer bid thee, etc. have been spoken ironically. Shu'aib's opponents mean to say that they see nothing good in him except that he is given to the saying of Prayers and has no concern with the affairs of the world, not even knowing how to work and earn a respectable living. Should they too give themselves up to praying, which to him was the chief business of life, and part company with their hardly- won wealth and worldly honour? They were not going to be so foolish as to act upon his advice.