Page 133 - General Knowledge from the Qur'an

People and Societies Cited in the Qur'an 131

cators. (Surah Hud, 50)
Has news not reached you of those who came before you, the peo-
ples of Nuh and 'Ad and Thamud, and those who came after them
who are known to no one but Allah? Their Messengers came to them
with Clear Signs, but they put their hands to their mouths, saying, 'We
reject what you have been sent with. We have grave doubts about
what you are calling us to.' (Surah Ibrahim, 9)
'Ad denied the Messengers. (Surat ash-Shu'ara', 123)
Do you not see what your Lord did with 'Ad. (Surat al-Fajr, 6)

THE DESERT ARABS
The desert arabs came with their excuses asking for permission to
stay, and those who lied to Allah and His Messenger stayed behind. A
painful punishment will afflict those among them who are disbeliev-
ers. (Surat at-Tawba, 90)
The desert arabs are more obdurate in disbelief and hypocrisy and
more likely not to know the limits which Allah has sent down to His
Messenger. Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise. Among the desert arabs
there are some who regard what they give as an imposition and are
waiting for your fortunes to change. The evil turn of fortune will be
theirs! Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing. And among the desert arabs
there are some who believe in Allah and the Last Day and regard what
they give as something which will bring them nearer to Allah and to
the prayers of the Messenger. It does indeed bring them near. Allah
will admit them into His mercy. Allah is Ever-Forgiving, Most Merci-
ful. (Surat at-Tawba, 97-99)
Some of the desert Arabs around you are hypocrites and some of the
people of Madina are obdurate in their hypocrisy. You do not know
them but We know them. We will punish them twice over and then
they will be returned to a terrible punishment. (Surat at-Tawba, 101)
Those Arabs who remained behind will say to you, 'Our wealth and
families kept us occupied, so ask forgiveness for us.' They say with their
tongues what is not in their hearts. Say: 'Who can control anything for
you from Allah in any way whether He wants harm for you or wants
benefit for you?'Allah is aware of what you do. (Surat al-Fath, 11)