The Holy Quran with Five Volume Commentary (Vol 3) — Page 557
CH. 17 PT. 15 18. "How BANI ISRĀ'ĪL have We destroyed after Noah! وَكَمْ أَهْلَكْنَا مِنَ الْقُرُونِ مِنْ بَعْدِ many generations نُوحٍ وَكَفَى بِرَبِّكَ بِذُنُوبِ عِبَادِهِ And thy Lord suffices as the خَيْرًا بَصِيرًا Knower and Seer of the sins of His servants. 1947 "21:12; 65:9. and in wrongdoing; or made him lead a life of ease and plenty. therefore means, one left to do what he wills; one enjoying a life of ease and plenty; luxurious or indulging himself largely in the pleasures or delights of the present life; one who is not prevented from enjoying himself; one whose means of subsistence are made ample or plentiful; one whom a life of ease and plenty or wealth causes to exult, or to exult excessively, and to behave insolently and ungratefully; one who magnifies himself; or behaves proudly, haughtily or insolently. The Quranic expression means, the worst of its chiefs; and the leaders in evil (Lane & Aqrab). See also 11:117. Commentary: Some critics of Islam have first translated this verse as "We command its rebellious inhabitants and they transgress therein" and then have made it a target for objection, saying that God Himself first commands the people to transgress and then punishes them for their transgression. The words of the verse do not justify this objection. The verse clearly states that disbelievers defied the commandments of God and as a result of their defiance and transgression they were destroyed. Elsewhere the Quran expressly says that it is only good deeds that God commands men to do. See 7:29 & 16:91. The expression, We address our commandment to its rebellious people, should not be understood to mean that the command to obey was given only to one section of the people. It was given to all the people as the word (lit. one who does what he pleases and is rebellious) comprises all sorts of disobedient and rebellious people, whether rich or poor. Even if the expression may appear to refer to only one class of people, according to Quranic style and diction, it applies to all peoples. Analogous expressions have been used in the Quran where a command intended for all people seems to have been addressed to one person only. In 38:76 the command to obey Adam was given to all the angels but it seems to have been addressed to Iblis only. See also 2:35. 1765 By (a township) is here meant the mother-town, a town which culture and politics for other towns. serves as a metropolis or centre of 1947. Commentary: The verse means to say that the appearance of a Divine Messenger is no new phenomenon. Prophets have been appearing in the world since the days of Noah and the enemies of