Page 163 - An Index to the Qur'an

DESERT ocrites and some of the people of Madina are ob-
He (Yusuf) raised his parents up onto the throne. durate in their hypocrisy. You do not know them
The others fell prostrate in front of him. He said, but We know them. We will punish them twice
‘My father, truly this is now the interpretation of over and then they will be returned to a terrible
the dream I had. My Lord has made it all come punishment. (9:101)
true; and He was kind to me by letting me out of It was not for people of Madina, and the desert
prison and brought you from the desert when arabs around them, to remain behind the
Satan had caused dissent between me and my Messenger of Allah nor to prefer themselves to
brothers. My Lord is kind to anyone He wills. He him. That is because no thirst or weariness or
is indeed All-Knowing and All-Wise.’ (12:100) hunger will afflict them in the Way of Allah, nor
But the actions of those who disbelieve are like a will they take a single step to infuriate the disbe-
mirage in the desert. A thirsty man thinks it is lievers, nor secure any gain from the enemy,
water but when he reaches it, he finds it to be without a right action being written down for
nothing at all, but he finds Allah there. He will them because of it. Allah does not let the wage of
pay him his account in full. Allah is swift at reck- the good-doers go to waste. (9:120)
oning. (24:39) They think that the Confederates have not de-
They think that the Confederates have not de- parted and if the Confederates did appear then
parted and if the Confederates did appear then they would wish they were out in the desert with
they would wish they were out in the desert with the Arabs, asking for news of you. If they were
the Arabs, asking for news of you. If they were with you they would only fight a very little.
with you they would only fight a very little. (33:20)
(33:20) Those (desert) Arabs who remained behind will
say to you, ‘Our wealth and families kept us oc-
DESERT ARABS cupied, so ask forgiveness for us.’ They say with
The desert arabs came with their excuses asking their tongues what is not in their hearts. Say:
for permission to stay, and those who lied to ‘Who can control Allah for you in any way
Allah and His Messenger stayed behind. A whether He wants harm for you or wants benefit
painful punishment will afflict those among them for you?’ Allah is aware of what you do. (48:11)
who disbelieve. (9:90) Say to the (desert) Arabs who remained behind:
The desert arabs are more obdurate in disbelief ‘You will be called up against a people who pos-
and hypocrisy and more likely not to know the sess great force whom you must fight unless they
limits which Allah has sent down to His submit. If you obey, Allah will give you an excel-
Messenger. Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise. lent reward. But if you turn your backs as you did
(9:97) before, He will punish you with a painful punish-
Among the desert arabs there are some who re- ment.’ (48:16)
gard what they give as an imposition and are The desert Arabs say, ‘We believe.’ Say: ‘You do
waiting for your fortunes to change. The evil turn not believe. Say rather, "We have become
of fortune will be theirs! Allah is All-Hearing, All- Muslim," for faith has not yet entered into your
Knowing. (9:98) hearts. If you obey Allah and His Messenger, He
And among the desert arabs there are some who will not undervalue your actions in any way.
believe in Allah and the Last Day and regard Allah is Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful.’ (49:14)
what they give as something which will bring
them nearer to Allah and to the prayers of the DESPAIR
Messenger. It does indeed bring them near. Allah (Ya‘qub said,) ‘My sons! Seek news of Yusuf and
will admit them into His mercy. Allah is Ever- his brother. Do not despair of solace from Allah.
Forgiving, Most Merciful. (9:99) No one despairs of solace from Allah except for
Some of the desert Arabs around you are hyp- people who are disbelievers.’ (12:87)
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