Surah 34. Saba

But they turned away. So We sent against them a devastating flood, and replaced their orchards with two others producing bitter fruit, fruitless bushes,¹ and a few 'sparse' thorny trees.²

  - Mustafa Khattab

 lit., tamarisks. 

 lit., lote trees.

But they turned away (from Allah) and We sent against them the flood (released) from the Dams and We converted their two Garden (rows) into "gardens" producing bitter fruit and tamarisks and some few (stunted) Lote trees. ^{3812 3813 3814}

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Into that happy Garden of Eden in Arabia Felix (Araby the Blest) came the insidious snake of Unfaith and Wrongdoing. Perhaps the people became arrogant of their prosperity, or of their science, or of their skill in irrigation engineering, in respect of the wonderful works of the Dam which their ancestors had constructed. Perhaps they got broken up into rich and poor, privileged and unprivileged, high-caste and low-caste, disregarding the gifts and closing the opportunities given by Allah to all His creatures. Perhaps they broke the laws of the very Nature which fed and sustained them. The Nemesis came. It may have come suddenly, or it may have come slowly. The pent-up waters of the eastern side of the Yemen highlands were collected in a high lake confined by the Dam of Maarib. A mighty flood came; the dam burst; and it has never been repaired since. This was a spectacular crisis: it may have been preceded and followed by slow desiccation of the country.

"Arim" ( = Dams or Embankments) may have been a proper noun, or may simply mean the great earth-works fined with stone, which formed the Maarib dam, of which traces still exist. The French traveller T.J. Arnaud saw the town and ruins of the Dam of Maarib in 1843, and described its gigantic works and its inscriptions: See Journal Asiatique for January 1874: the account is in French. For a secondary account in English, see W.B. Harris, Journey Through Yemen, Edinburgh, 1893. The dam as measured by Arnaud was two miles long and 120 ft. high. The date of its destruction was somewhere about 120 A.D., though some authorities put it much later.

The flourishing "Garden of Arabia" was converted into a waste. The luscious fruit trees became wild, or gave place to wild plants with bitter fruit. The feathery leaved tamarisk, which is only good for twigs and wattle-work, replaced the fragrant plants and flowers. Wild and stunted kinds of thorny bushes, like the wild Lote-tree, which were good for neither fruit nor shade, grew in place of the pomegranates, the date-palms and the grape-vines. The Lote-tree belongs to the family Rhamnaceae, Zizyphus Spina Christi, of which (it is supposed) Christ's crown of thorns was made, allied to the Zizyphus Jujuba, or ber tree of India. Wild, it is shrubby, thorny and useless. In cultivation it bears good fruit, and some shade, and can be thornless, thus becoming a symbol of heavenly bliss: lvi. 28.

This is how We rewarded them for their ingratitude. Would We ever punish 'anyone in such a way' except the ungrateful?

  - Mustafa Khattab

That was the Requital We gave them because they ungratefully rejected Faith: and never do We give (such) requital except to such as are ungrateful rejecters. ³⁸¹⁵

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Kafur: intensive form: "those who deliberately and continuously reject Allah and are ungrateful for His Mercies, as shown by their constant wrong-doing.

We had also placed between them and the cities¹ We showered with blessings 'many small' towns within sight of one another. And We set moderate travel distances in between, 'saying,' 'Travel between them by day and night safely.'

  - Mustafa Khattab

 i.e., Mecca and Jerusalem.

Between them and the Cities on which We had poured Our blessings We had placed Cities in prominent positions and between them We had appointed stages of journey in due proportion: "Travel therein secure by night and by day." ³⁸¹⁶

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

An instance is now given of the sort of covetousness on the part of the people of Saba, which ruined their prosperity and trade and cut their own throats. The old Frankincense route was the great Highway (imam mubin xv. 79; sabil muqim, xv. 76) between Arabia and Syria. Through Syria it connected with the great and flourishing Kingdoms of the Euphrates and Tigris valleys on the one hand and Egypt on the other, and with the great Roman Empire round the Mediterranean. At the other end, through the Yemen Coast, the road connected, by sea transport, with India, Malaya, and China. The Yemen-Syria road was much frequented, and Madain Salih was one of the stations on that route, and afterwards on the Pilgrim route: see Appendix No: 4 to S. xxvi. Syria was the land on which Allah "had poured His blessings", being a rich fertile country, where Abraham had lived: it includes the Holy Land of Palestine. The route was studded in the days of its prosperity with many stations (cities) close to each other, on which merchants could travel with ease and safety, "by night and by day". The close proximity of stations prevented the inroads of highwaymen.

But they said, 'Our Lord! Make 'the distances of' our journeys longer,' wronging themselves.¹ So We reduced them to 'cautionary' tales, and scattered them utterly. Surely in this are lessons for whoever is steadfast, grateful.

  - Mustafa Khattab

 They became bored of living comfortably and traveling easily. A similar example can be found in 2:61, where the Children of Israel became bored with the manna and quails and wanted to eat other things such as onions and garlic.

But they said: "Our Lord! place longer distances between our journey-stages." But they wronged themselves (therein). At length We made them as a tale (that is told) and We dispersed them all in scattered fragments. Verily in this are Signs for every (soul that is) patiently constant and grateful. ^{3817 3818 3819}

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Said: in this and other places in the Qur-an, "language" is used for thought or deed. The Commentators call it the "language of actual facts" (zaban hal) as opposed to the "language of words" (zaban qal).

The covetous Saba people, in order to get more profit from travellers' supplies by concentrating them on a few stations which they could monopolise, tended to choke off traffic and ruin the big trade. Selfishness often runs counter to true self-interest. It is a historical fact that the great Yemen-Syria route in Arabia declined with the decline of Yemen. There were no doubt physical causes, but supreme above all were the moral causes, the grasping nature of the people, and their departure from the highest standards of righteousness.

The people of Saba were given every chance. They had prosperity, skill, trade and commerce, and a healthy and beautiful country. They also had, apparently, great virtues, and as long as they remained true to their virtues, i.e., to the Law of Allah, they remained happy and contented. But when they became covetous and selfish, and became jealous of other people's prosperity instead of rejoicing in it, they fell from grace and declined. It may be that the climate changed, the rainfall became scantier, perhaps on account of the cutting down of hill forests; trade routes changed, on account of the people falling off in the virtues that make men popular: behind all the physical causes was the root-cause, that they began to worship mammon, self, greed, or materialism. They fell into the snare of Satan. They gradually passed out of history, and became only a name in a story. Moral: it is only Allah's Mercy that can give true happiness or prosperity, and happiness or prosperity is only a snare unless used for the highest service of Allah and man.

Indeed, Iblîs' assumption about them has come true,¹ so they 'all' follow him, except a group of 'true' believers.

  - Mustafa Khattab

 Iblîs was the name of Satan before his fall from grace (see footnote for 2:33). His assumption (or vow) was that he could easily mislead the majority of people (see 7:16-17, 15:39-40, and 38:82-83).

And on them did Satan prove true his idea and they followed him all but a Party that believed. ³⁸²⁰

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Cf. xvii. 62. Satan out of arrogance had said, when he asked for respite from the Most High; "I will bring (Adam's) descendants under my sway, all but a few." This was now proved true on the Saba people. He had no power to force them. It was their own will that went wrong and put them into his power.

He does not have any authority over them, but 'Our Will is' only to distinguish those who believe in the Hereafter from those who are in doubt about it. And your Lord is a 'vigilant' Keeper over all things.'

  - Mustafa Khattab

But he had no authority over them except that We might test the man who believes in the Hereafter from him who is in doubt concerning it: and thy Lord doth watch over all things. ³⁸²¹

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Might test: the word in the original is might know. It is not that Allah does not know all. Why does He want to test? It is in order to help us subjectively, to train our will, to put us definitely the question, "Will you obey Allah or other than Allah?" Cf. n. 467 to iii. 154.

Say, 'O Prophet,' 'Call upon those you claim 'to be divine' besides Allah. They do not possess 'even' an atom's weight either in the heavens or the earth, nor do they have any share in 'governing' them. Nor is any of them a helper to Him.'

  - Mustafa Khattab

Say: "Call upon other (gods) whom ye fancy besides Allah: they have no power not the weight of an atom in the heavens or on earth; no (sort of) share have they therein nor is any of them a helper to Allah. ^{3822 3823}

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Other objects of worship, such as Self, or Money, or Power, or things we imagine will bring us luck or prosperity, though they can do nothing of the kind.

The false gods have no power whatever either in heaven or on earth, either in influencing our spiritual life or our ordinary worldly life. To suppose that they have some share, or that they can give some help to Allah, even though Allah is Supreme, is both false and blasphemous. Allah is One and Supreme, without sharer, helper, or equal.

No intercession will be of any benefit with Him, except by those granted permission by Him. 'At last,' when the dread 'of Judgment Day' is relieved from their hearts 'because they are permitted to intercede', they will 'excitedly' ask 'the angels', 'What has your Lord 'just' said?' The angels will reply, 'The truth! And He is the Most High, All-Great.'

  - Mustafa Khattab

"No intercession can avail in His Presence except for those for whom He has granted permission. So far (is this the case) that when terror is removed from their hearts (at the Day of Judgement then) will they say `What is it that your Lord commanded?' They will say `That which is true and just; and He is the Most High Most Great.' " ^{3824 3825 3826}

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Cf. xx. 109, n. 2634, where I have explained the two possible modes of interpretation. Each soul is individually and personally responsible. And if there is any intercession, it can only be by Allah's gracious permission. For the Day of judgment will be a terrible Day, or Day of Wrath (Dies Irae) according to the Latin hymn, when the purest souls will be stupefied at the manifestation of Allah's Power. See next note.

"Their hearts": the pronoun "their" is referred to the angels nearest to Allah. On the Day of Judgment there will be such an irresistible manifestation of Power that even they will be silent for a while, and will scarcely realise what is happening. They will question each other, and only thus will they regain their bearings. Or "their" may refer to those who seek intercession.

In their mutual questionings they will realise that Allah's Judgment, as always, is right and just.

Ask 'them, O Prophet', 'Who provides for you from the heavens and the earth?' Say, 'Allah! Now, certainly one of our two groups¹ is 'rightly' guided; the other is clearly astray.'

  - Mustafa Khattab

 The believers and polytheists.

Say: "Who gives you sustenance from the heavens and the earth?" Say: "It is Allah and certain it is that either we or ye are on right guidance or in manifest error!" ^{3827 3828}

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

There are six propositions introduced here with the word "Say", at verses 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, and 30. They clearly explain the doctrine of Unity (verse 22), the Mercy of Allah (verse 24), man's Personal Responsibility (verse 25), the Final Justice of Allah (verse 26), Allah's Power and Wisdom (verse 27), and the Inevitability of the Judgment, by which true values will be restored (verse 30).

Right and Wrong, Good and Evil, are incompatible, one with another. In this matter we can make no compromise. It is true that in men there may be various degrees of good or evil mixed together, and we have to tolerate men as our fellow-creatures, with all their faults and shortcomings. But this does not mean that we can worship Allah and Mammon together. Wrong is the negation of Right as light is of darkness. Though there may be apparently varying depths of darkness, this is only due to the imperfection of our vision: it is varying strengths of light as perceived by our relative powers of sight. So we may perceive the Light of Allah in varying degrees according to our spiritual vision. But in simple questions of Right or Wrong, we are faced by the Categorical Imperative.

Say, 'You will not be accountable for our misdeeds, nor will we be accountable for your deeds.'

  - Mustafa Khattab

Say: "Ye shall not be questioned as to our sins nor shall we be questioned as to what ye do." ³⁸²⁹

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Therefore do not persecute us, or bring personal animus to bear on us. We must do our duty in declaring the universal Message, which is for you as much as for us.

Say, 'Our Lord will gather us together, then He will judge between us with the truth. For He is the All-Knowing Judge.'

  - Mustafa Khattab

Say: "Our Lord will gather us together and will in the end decide the matter between us (and you) in truth and justice: and He is the One to decide the One Who knows all." ³⁸³⁰

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Human controversies are vain and inconclusive. If you put your trust in Allah and we put our trust in Allah, we belong to one Brotherhood, and we shall see the perfect Truth finally when the Time comes.

Say, 'Show me those 'idols' you have joined with Him as partners. No! In fact, He 'alone' is Allah- the Almighty, All-Wise.'

  - Mustafa Khattab

Say: "Show me those whom ye have joined with Him as partners: by no means (can ye). Nay He is Allah the Exalted in Power the Wise." ³⁸³¹

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Wisdom and Power only belong to Allah. If you put your trust in other things, they will fail you, because they do not exist-as objects of worship. All else that you set your hearts upon will and must fail you, because they cannot in any wise be brought into rivalry with Allah.

We have sent you 'O Prophet' only as a deliverer of good news and a warner to all of humanity, but most people do not know.

  - Mustafa Khattab

We have not sent thee but as a universal (Messenger) to men giving them glad tidings and warning them (against sin) but most men understand not. ³⁸³²

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Allah's Revelation, through the holy Prophet, was not meant for one family or tribe, one race or set of people. It was meant for all mankind, to whom, if they turn to Allah, it is a Message of the glad tidings of His Mercy, and if they do not turn to Him, it is a warning against sin and the inevitable Punishment. That the Punishment does not come immediately (as far as they perceive) is no reason for doubting it. It has been declared in clear and unequivocal terms, and nothing can be more certain. Why delay? Why ask carping questions? Why not profit by the Message, turn to Allah in repentance, and bring forth the fruits of righteousness?

And they ask 'the believers', 'When will this threat come to pass, if what you say is true?'

  - Mustafa Khattab

They say: "When will this promise (come to pass) if ye are telling the truth?"

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Say, 'O Prophet,' 'A Day has 'already' been appointed for you, which you can neither delay nor advance by a 'single' moment.'

  - Mustafa Khattab

Say: "The appointment to you is for a day which ye cannot put back for an hour nor put forward." ³⁸³³

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

When that Day actually arrives, your period of probation will have passed. It will be too late. Now is the time for action.

The disbelievers vow, 'We will never believe in this Quran, nor in those 'Scriptures' before it.' If only you could see when the wrongdoers will be detained before their Lord, throwing blame at each other! The lowly 'followers' will say to the arrogant 'leaders', 'Had it not been for you, we would certainly have been believers.'

  - Mustafa Khattab

The Unbelievers say: "We shall neither believe in this scripture nor in (any) that (came) before it." Couldst thou but see when the wrong-doers will be made to stand before their Lord throwing back the word (of blame) on one another! Those who had been despised will say to the arrogant ones: "Had it not been for you we should certainly have been believers!" ^{3834 3835 3836}

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

To the Pagans all scriptures are taboo, whether it be the Qur-an or any Revelation that came before it. The people of the Book despised the Pagans, but in their arrogant assumption of superiority, prevented them, by their example, from accepting the latest and most universal Scripture when it came in the form of the Qur-an. This relative position, of men who fancy themselves on their knowledge, and men whom they depise but exploit and mislead, always exists on this earth. I have mentioned the people of the Book and the Pagan Arabs merely by way of illustration.

One disbelief is as bad as another. There is little to choose between them. But when the final account will be taken, there will be mutual recriminations between the one and the other.

The Pagans will naturally say to the people of the Book: "You misled us; you had previous Revelations, and you should have known how Allah sent His Messengers; had it not been for your bad example, we should have received Allah's Revelation and become Believers." Or the humble followers will say this to their leaders, or those less gifted will say to those by whom they were misled and exploited. The dichotomy is between such as pretentiously held their heads high in the world and such as they profited by but held in contempt.

The arrogant will respond to the lowly, 'Did we ever hinder you from guidance after it came to you? In fact, you were wicked 'on your own'.'

  - Mustafa Khattab

The arrogant ones will say to those who had been despised: "Was it we who kept you back from Guidance after it reached you? Nay rather it was ye who transgressed." ³⁸³⁷

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

In the mutual reproaches between the misleaders and the misled ones, there will be a grain of truth on both sides, and yet both were guilty in not realising their own personal responsibility.

The lowly will say to the arrogant, 'No! It was your plotting by day and night- when you ordered us to disbelieve in Allah and to set up equals with Him.' They will 'all' hide 'their' remorse when they see the torment. And We will put shackles around the necks of the disbelievers. Will they be rewarded except for what they used to do?

  - Mustafa Khattab

Those who had been despised will say to the arrogant ones: "Nay! it was a plot (of yours) by day and by night. Behold! ye (constantly) ordered us to be ungrateful to Allah and to attribute equals to Him!" They will declare (their) repentance when they see the Penalty: We shall put yokes on the necks of the Unbelievers: it would only be a requital for their (ill) deeds. ^{3838 3839 3840}

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

The more intelligent ones who exploit the weaker ones are constantly plotting night and day to keep the latter ignorant and under their thumb. They show them the ways of Evil, because by that means they are more in their power.

If all men worshipped the true God, and none but Him, they could not on the one hand be trampled upon, and on the other hand they could not be unjust. It is in the worship of false ideals or false gods that alluring structures of fraud and injustice are built up.

Cf. x. 54, and n. 1445. All these mutual recriminations would be swallowed up in the general realisation of the Truth by both sides in the Hereafter. They would be prepared openly to declare their repentance, but it would be too late. The yoke of slavery to Evil will be on their necks. Allah's justice put it there, but what else could it do? Their own sins will cry out against them and hold them under their yokes.

Whenever We sent a warner to a society, its elite would say, 'We truly reject what you have been sent with.'

  - Mustafa Khattab

Never did We send a Warner to a population but the wealthy ones among them said: "We believe not in the (message) with which ye have been sent." ³⁸⁴¹

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Whenever the Message of Allah comes, the vested interests range themselves against it. Worldly power has made them arrogant; worldly pleasures have deadened their sensibility to Truth. They reject the Message because it attacks their false position.

Adding, 'We are far superior 'to the believers' in wealth and children, and we will never be punished.'

  - Mustafa Khattab

They said: "We have more in wealth and in sons and we cannot be punished." ³⁸⁴²

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Their arrogance is openly based on their worldly power and position, their family influence, and the strength of their man-power. Turn back again to the contrast drawn between the arrogant ones and those whom they despised, in verses 31-33.