Page 80 - Communication and Argument in the Qur'an

78 COMMUNICATION AND ARGUMENT IN THE QUR’AN

It is interesting that the ruling circle accuses His pro-
phets and messengers of being opportunists. They accuse
these worthy individuals of wanting money, possessions,
power, and other transient worldly things. They made the
same accusation against Musa (as) and Aaron (as):
“Have you come to us to turn us from what we found
our fathers doing, and to gain greatness in the land?...”
(Surah Yunus: 78)
Indeed, those engaged in this attempt are the very ones
who accused the Prophet (saas), although many verses
state that he wanted no return for his attempt to spread
Islam (e.g., Surah Yunus: 72, Surat ash-Shu‘ara’: 179-180,
and Surat al-An‘am: 90).
The ruling circle hurled insults, false accusations,
threats, and extortion attempts at those who were trying to
relay the religion. For example, the unbelievers roused the
t
h
E
x
“
…
l

p
e
e
m
people against Lut (as) and his followers: “…Expel them
h
o
e
w
h

e
!
e
T
k

e
o
r
p

e
p
e

y
a
l

y

m
o
r
e
y
e
v
l
e
s
m
o
p
c

t
i
f from your city! They are people who keep themselves
t
u
h

s
r
u
S
(
r

t
a
r
u
p pure!” (Surat al-A‘raf: 82).
e

”
!

:
f
.
2
8
)
-
a
l
A
a
r
‘
Similar threats were made against Shu‘ayb (as):
The ruling circle of those of his people who were arro-
gant said: “We will drive you out of our city, Shu‘ayb,
you and those who believe along with you, unless you
return to our religion.” (Surat al-A‘raf: 88)
They said: “O Shu‘ayb, we do not understand much of
what you say and we see you are weak among us.
Were it not for your clan, we would have stoned you.
We do not hold you in high esteem.” (Surah Hud: 91)