The story of the Prophet Hud (as)

The Prophet Hud (as) Calls 'Ad to Allah

And to 'Ad We sent their brother Hud. He said, 'My people! Worship Allah. You have no god apart from Him. You are merely fabricators. (Surah Hud, 50)

And to 'Ad We sent their brother Hud, who said, 'My people, worship Allah! You have no other god than Him. So will you not guard against evil?' (Surat al-A'raf, 65)

When their brother Hud said to them, 'Will you not guard against evil? I am a faithful Messenger to you so have fear of Allah and obey me. I do not ask you for any wage for it. My wage is the responsibility of no one but the Lord of all the worlds. (Surat ash-Shu'ara', 124-127)

His People's Reply to the Prophet Hud (as)

The ruling circle of those of his people who were disbelievers said, 'We consider you a fool and think you are a liar.' He said, 'My people, I am by no means a fool, but rather am a Messenger from the Lord of all the worlds, transmitting my Lord's Message to you, and I am a faithful counsellor to you. Or are you astonished that a reminder should come to you from your Lord by way of a man among you in order to warn you? Remember when He appointed you successors to the people of Nuh, and increased you greatly in stature. Remember Allah's blessings, so that hopefully you will be successful.' (Surat al-A'raf, 66-69)

My people! Ask forgiveness of your Lord and then repent to Him. He will send heaven down to you in abundant rain, and increase you with strength upon strength. Do not turn away as evildoers.' They said, 'Hud, you have not brought us any clear sign. We will not forsake our gods for what you say. We do not believe you. We only say that one of our gods has driven you mad.' He said, 'I call on Allah to be my witness, and you also bear witness, that I am free of all the gods you have apart from Him. So scheme against me, all of you together, and then grant me no respite. I have put my trust in Allah, my Lord and your Lord. There is no creature He does not hold by the forelock. My Lord is on a Straight Path. If you turn your backs, I have transmitted to you what I was sent to you with, and my Lord will replace you with another people, and you will not harm Him at all. My Lord is the Preserver of everything.' (Surah Hud, 52-57)

The Insistence of 'Ad in Denying

They said, 'Have you come to us to make us worship Allah alone and abandon what our fathers used to worship? Then bring us what you have promised us if you are telling the truth.' He said, 'Punishment and anger have come down on you from your Lord. Do you argue with me regarding names which you and your forefathers invented and for which Allah has sent down no authority? Wait, then; I am waiting with you.' (Surat al-A'raf, 70-71)

They said, 'It makes no difference to us whether you preach or do not preach. This is only what the previous peoples did. We are not going to be punished.' (Surat ash-Shu'ara', 136-138)

The ruling circle of his people – those who were disbelievers and denied the encounter of the hereafter and whom We had given opulence in this world – said, 'This is nothing but a human being like yourselves, who eats what you eat and drinks what you drink. If you were to obey a human being like yourselves, you would, in that case, definitely be the losers. Does he promise you that when you have died and become dust and bones you will be brought forth again? What you have been promised is sheer nonsense! What is there but our life in this world? We die and we live and we will not be raised again. What is he but a man who has invented a lie against Allah? We do not believe in him.' (Surat al-Mu'minun, 33-38)

The Prophet Hud (as) Prays to Allah for the Destruction of His People

He said, 'My Lord, help me because of their calling me a liar!' He said, 'In a short while they will be full of regret.' (Surat al-Mu'minun, 39-40)

The Destruction of 'Ad

The Great Blast seized hold of them inexorably and We turned them into dirty scum. Away with the people of the wrongdoers! (Surat al-Mu'minun, 41)

So they denied him and We destroyed them. There is certainly a Sign in that, yet most of them are not believers. (Surat ash-Shu'ara', 139)

'Ad were destroyed by a savage howling wind. (Surat al-Haqqa, 6)

which left nothing it touched without turning it to dust. (Surat adh-Dhariyat, 42)

Allah subjected them to it for seven whole nights and eight whole days without a break. You could see the people flattened in their homes just like the hollow stumps of uprooted palms. Do you see any remnant of them left? (Surat al-Haqqa, 7-8)

Then We raised up other generations after them. (Surat al-Mu'minun, 42)

So We rescued him and those with him by mercy from Us, and We cut off the last remnant of those who denied Our Signs and were not believers. (Surat al-A'raf, 72)

That was 'Ad. They denied the Signs of their Lord and disobeyed His Messengers and followed the command of every obdurate tyrant. They were pursued by a curse in this world and on the Day of Rising. Yes indeed! 'Ad rejected their Lord, so away with 'Ad, the people of Hud! (Surah Hud, 59-60)

THE STORY OF the PROPHET SALIH (AS)

The Prophet Salih (as) was sent to Thamud as a Messenger

To Thamud We sent their brother Salih telling them to worship Allah, and straightaway they divided in two, arguing with one another. (Surat an-Naml, 45)

And to Thamud We sent their brother Salih... (Surat al-A'raf, 73)

The Call to Religion

And to Thamud We sent their brother Salih, who said, 'My people, worship Allah! You have no other god than Him. A Clear Sign has come to you from your Lord. This is the She-Camel of Allah as a Sign for you. Leave her alone to eat on Allah's earth and do not harm her in any way or a painful punishment will afflict you. (Surat al-A'raf, 73)

To Thamud We sent their brother Salih. He said, 'My people, worship Allah! You have no god apart from Him. He brought you into being from the earth and made you its inhabitants. So ask His forgiveness and then repent to Him. My Lord is Close and Quick to Respond.' (Surah Hud, 61)

Remember when He appointed you successors to 'Ad and settled you in the land. You built palaces on its plains and carved out houses from the mountains. Remember Allah's blessings and do not go about the earth, corrupting it.' (Surat al-A'raf, 74)

When their brother Salih said to them, 'Will you not guard against evil? I am a faithful Messenger to you so have fear of Allah and obey me. I do not ask you for any wage for it. My wage is the responsibility of no one but the Lord of all the worlds. Are you going to be left secure amid what is here, amid gardens and clear springs, and cultivated fields and palms with supple spathes? Will you continue hewing houses from the mountains with exultant skill? So have fear of Allah and obey me. (Surat ash-Shu'ara', 142-150)

Thamud's Opposition to the Prophet Salih (as)

Thamud denied in their excessive tyranny. (Surat ash-Shams, 11)

They said, 'Salih, we had great hopes in you before this happened. Do you forbid us to worship what our fathers worshipped? We have grave doubts about what you are calling us to.' (Surah Hud, 62)

The ruling circle of those of his people who were arrogant said to those who were oppressed – those among them who believed – 'Do you know that Salih has been sent from his Lord?' They said, 'We believe in what he has been sent with.' Those who were arrogant said, 'We reject Him in whom you believe.' (Surat al-A'raf, 75-76)

Thamud denied the warnings. They said, 'Are we to follow a human being, one of us? Then we would truly be misguided, quite insane! Has the Reminder been given to him of all of us? No indeed! He is an impudent liar.' 'They will know tomorrow who the impudent liar is. (Surat al-Qamar, 23-26)

The People of the Prophet Salih (as) Are Tested With the She-Camel

He said, 'My people! What do you think? If I were to possess a Clear Sign from my Lord and He had given me mercy from Him: who would help me against Allah if I disobeyed Him? You would not increase me in anything but loss. My people! Here is the she-camel of Allah as a Sign for you. So leave her alone to eat on Allah's earth and do not inflict any harm on her or you will be overcome by an imminent punishment.' (Surah Hud, 63-64)

He said, 'Here is a she-camel. She has a time for drinking and you have a time for drinking – on specified days. Do not do anything to harm her or the punishment of a terrible day will come down on you.' (Surat ash-Shu'ara', 155-156)

We will send the she-camel as a trial for them. Just keep a watchful eye on them and be steadfast. Inform them that the water is to be shared out between them, each drinking by turn.' They called on their companion and he set to it and hamstrung her. (Surat al-Qamar, 27-29)

When the worst of them rushed ahead, and the Messenger of Allah had said to them, 'This is the she-camel of Allah, so let her drink!' (Surat ash-Shams, 12-13)

His People Kill the Camel

But they denied him and they hamstrung her, so their Lord crushed them for their sin and flattened them. (Surat ash-Shams, 14)

But they hamstrung her, so he said, 'Enjoy yourselves in your land for three more days. That is a promise which will not be belied.' (Surah Hud, 65)

But they hamstrung her and woke up full of remorse. (Surat ash-Shu'ara', 157)

He said, 'My people, why are you so anxious to hasten the bad before the good? If only you would ask for forgiveness from Allah, so that mercy might perhaps be shown to you.' They said, 'We see you, and those with you, as an evil omen.' He said, 'No, your evil omen is with Allah; you are merely a people undergoing a trial.' (Surat an-Naml, 46-47)

His People Cause Corruption and Disorder

There was a group of nine men in the city causing corruption in the land and not putting things right. They said, 'Let us make an oath to one another by Allah that we will fall on him and his family in the night and then say to his protector, "We did not witness the destruction of his family and we are telling the truth."' (Surat an-Naml, 48-49)

And they hamstrung the She-Camel, spurning their Lord's command, and said, 'Salih! Bring us what you have promised us if you are one of the Messengers.' So the earthquake seized them and morning found them lying flattened in their homes. He turned away from them and said, 'My people, I transmitted my Lord's message to you and gave you good counsel. However, you do not like good counsellors!' (Surat al-A'raf, 77-79)

The Destruction of Thamud

They called on their companion and he set to it and hamstrung her. How terrible were My punishment and warnings! We sent a single Blast against them and they were just like a thatcher's reeds. (Surat al-Qamar, 29-31)

Then when Our command came We rescued Salih and those who believed along with him by a mercy from Us from the disgrace of that day. Your Lord is the All-Strong, the Almighty. The Great Blast seized hold of those who did wrong and morning found them lying flattened in their homes. It was as if they had never lived there at all. Yes indeed! Thamud rejected their Lord. So away with Thamud! (Surah Hud, 66-68)

But the Great Blast seized hold of them in the morning. (Surat al-Hijr, 83)

So the punishment overtook them. Most surely there is a sign in this, but most of them do not believe. (Surat ash-Shu'ara', 158)

So look at the end result of all their plotting; We utterly destroyed them and their whole people! These are the ruins of their houses because of the wrong they did. There is certainly a Sign in that for people with knowledge. (Surat an-Naml, 51-52)

so all that they earned was of no use to them. (Surat al-Hijr, 84)

But they denied him and they hamstrung her, so their Lord crushed them for their sin and flattened them. (Surat ash-Shams, 14)

These are the ruins of their houses because of the wrong they did. There is certainly a Sign in that for people with knowledge. We rescued those who believed and who guarded against evil. (Surat an-Naml, 52-53)

THE STORY OF the PROPHET Ibrahim (AS)

The Moral Excellence of the Prophet Ibrahim (as) and
His Chosen Nature in the Sight of Allah

Recite to them the story of Ibrahim. (Surat ash-Shu'ara', 69)

Ibrahim was neither a Jew nor a Christian. but a man of pure natural belief – a Muslim. He was not one of the idolaters. (Surah Al 'Imran, 67)

Ibrahim was a community in himself, exemplary, obedient to Allah, a man of pure natural belief. He was not one of the idolaters. He was thankful for His blessings. Allah chose him and guided him to a straight path. (Surat an-Nahl, 120-121)

One of his followers in faith was Ibrahim when he came to his Lord with an unblemished heart. (Surat as-Saffat, 83-84)

Mention Ibrahim in the Book. He was a true man and a Prophet. (Surah Maryam, 41)

Ibrahim would not have asked forgiveness for his father but for a promise he made to him, and when it became clear to him that he was an enemy of Allah, he renounced him. Ibrahim was tender-hearted and forbearing. (Surat at-Tawba, 114)

Most surely Ibrahim was forbearing, tender-hearted, oft-returning (to Allah). (Surah Hud, 75)

And We perpetuated (praise) to him among the later generations. Peace be on Ibrahim. Thus do We reward the doers of good. Surely he was one of Our believing servants. (Surat as-Saffat, 108-111)

Who could have a better religion than someone who submits himself completely to Allah and is a good-doer, and follows the religion of Ibrahim, a man of pure natural belief? Allah took Ibrahim as an intimate friend. (Surat an-Nisa', 125)

Who would deliberately renounce the religion of Ibrahim except someone who reveals himself to be a fool? We chose him in this world and in the hereafter he will be one of the righteous. (Surat al-Baqara, 130)

We gave Ibrahim his right guidance early on, and We had complete knowledge of him. (Surat al-Anbiya', 51)

The Prophet Ibrahim's (as) Certain Faith in Allah

Because of that We showed Ibrahim the dominions of the heavens and the earth so that he might be one of the people of certainty. When night covered him he saw a star and said, 'This is my Lord!' Then when it set he said, 'I do not love what sets.' Then when he saw the moon come up he said, 'This is my Lord!' Then when it set he said, 'If my Lord does not guide me, I will be one of the misguided people.' Then when he saw the sun come up he said, 'This is my Lord! This is greater!' Then when it set he said, 'My people, I am free of what you associate with Allah! (Surat al-An'am, 75-78)

When Ibrahim said, 'My Lord, show me how You bring the dead to life.' He asked, 'Do you not then believe?' He replied, 'Indeed I do! But so that my heart may be at peace.' He said, 'Take four birds and train them to yourself. Then put a part of them on each mountain and call to them; they will come rushing to you. Know that Allah is Almighty, All-Wise.' (Surat al-Baqara, 260)

The Prophet Ibrahim (as) Calls His Father and His People to Religion

Remember when Ibrahim said to his father, Azar, 'Do you take idols as gods? I see that you and your people are clearly misguided.' (Surat al-An'am, 74)

Remember when he said to his father, 'Father, why do you worship what can neither hear nor see and is not of any use to you at all? Father, knowledge which never reached you has come to me, so follow me and I will guide you to the right path. Father, do not worship Satan. Satan was disobedient to the All-Merciful. Father, I am afraid that a punishment from the All-Merciful will afflict you, and turn you into a comrade of Satan.' He said, 'Do you forsake my gods, Ibrahim? If you do not stop, I will stone you. Keep away from me for a good long time.' He said, 'Peace be upon you. I will ask my Lord to forgive you. He has always honoured me. I will separate myself from you and all you call upon besides Allah and I will call upon my Lord. It may well be that, in calling on my Lord, I will not be disappointed.' (Surah Maryam, 42-48)

He Warns His People

When he said to his father and his people, 'What do you worship?' They said, 'We worship idols and will continue to cling to them.' He said, 'Do they hear you when you call or do they help you or do you harm?' They said, 'No, but this is what we found our fathers doing.' He said, 'Have you really thought about what you worship, you and your fathers who came before? They are all my enemies – except for the Lord of all the worlds: He Who created me and guides me; He Who gives me food and gives me drink; and when I am ill, it is He Who heals me; He Who will cause my death, then give me life; He Who I sincerely hope will forgive my mistakes on the Day of Reckoning. (Surat ash-Shu'ara', 70-82)

and said to his father and his people, 'What are you worshipping? Is it falsehood – gods besides Allah – that you desire? So what are your thoughts about the Lord of all the worlds?' (Surat as-Saffat, 85-87)

Instead of Allah you worship only idols. You are inventing a lie. Those you worship besides Allah have no power to provide for you. So seek your provision from Allah and worship Him and give thanks to Him. It is to Him you will be returned.' (Surat al-'Ankabut, 17)

When he said to his father and his people, 'What are these statues you are clinging to?' they said, 'We found our fathers worshipping them.' He said, 'You and your fathers are clearly misguided.' They said, 'Have you brought us the truth or are you playing games?' He said, 'Far from it! Your Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth, He Who brought them into being. I am one of those Who bear witness to that. By Allah, I will devise some scheme against your idols when your backs are turned.' (Surat al-Anbiya', 52-57)

The Prophet Ibrahim's (as) Prayer

My Lord, give me right judgement and unite me with the righteous; and make me highly esteemed among the later peoples; and make me one of the inheritors of the Garden of Delight; and forgive my father – he was one of the misguided; and do not disgrace me on the Day they are raised up, the Day when neither wealth nor sons will be of any use. (Surat ash-Shu'ara', 83-88)

It is not right for the Prophet and those who believe to ask forgiveness for the idolaters – even if they are close relatives – after it has become clear to them that they are the Companions of the Blazing Fire. Ibrahim would not have asked forgiveness for his father but for a promise he made to him, and when it became clear to him that he was an enemy of Allah, he renounced him. Ibrahim was tender-hearted and forbearing. (Surat at-Tawba, 113-114)

The Prophet Ibrahim (as) Breaks the Idols in Pieces

He took a look at the stars and said, 'I am sick.' So they turned their backs on him. He turned surreptitiously to their gods and said, 'Do you not eat? What is the matter with you that you do not speak?' He turned on them, striking out with his right hand. (Surat as-Saffat, 88-93)

He broke them in pieces, except for the biggest one, so that they would have it to consult! They said, 'Who has done this to our gods? He is definitely one of the wrongdoers!' They said, 'We heard a young man mentioning them. They call him Ibrahim.' They said, 'Bring him before the people's eyes so they can be witnesses.' They said, 'Did you do this to our gods, Ibrahim?' He said, 'No, this one, the biggest of them, did it. Ask them if they are able to speak!' They consulted among themselves and said, 'It is you yourselves who are wrongdoers.' But then they relapsed back into their disbelief: 'You know full well these idols cannot talk.' He said, 'Do you then worship, instead of Allah, what cannot help or harm you in any way? Shame on you and what you worship besides Allah! Will you not use your intellect?' (Surat al-Anbiya', 58-67)

He said, 'Do you worship something you have carved when Allah created both you and what you do?' (Surat as-Saffat, 95-96)

The Prophet Ibrahim (as) and Nimrod

What about the one who argued with Ibrahim about his Lord, on the basis that Allah had given him sovereignty? Ibrahim said, 'My Lord is He Who gives life and causes to die.' He said, 'I too give life and cause to die.' Ibrahim said, 'Allah makes the sun come from the East. Make it come from the West.' And the one who was a disbeliever was dumbfounded. Allah does not guide wrongdoing people. (Surat al-Baqara, 258)

His People Try to Burn the Prophet Ibrahim (as)

They said, 'Burn him and support your gods if you are resolved to do something.' (Surat al-Anbiya', 68)

They said, 'Build a pyre for him and fling him into the blaze!' (Surat as-Saffat, 97)

We said, 'Fire, be coolness and peace for Ibrahim!' They desired to trap him but We made them the losers. (Surat al-Anbiya', 69-70)

They tried to outwit him but We made them the lowest. (Surat as-Saffat, 98)

The Prophet Ibrahim (as) and the Prophet Isma'il (as)

We delivered both him and Lut to the land which We had blessed for all beings. (Surat al-Anbiya', 71)

When he had separated himself from them, and what they worshipped besides Allah, We gave him Ishaq and Ya'qub, making each of them a Prophet. (Surah Maryam, 49)

He said, 'I am going towards my Lord; He will be my guide. My Lord, bestow on me a right-acting child!' and We gave him the good news of a forbearing boy. When he was of an age to work with him, he said, 'My son, I saw in a dream that I must sacrifice you. What do you think about this?' He said, 'Do as you are ordered, father. Allah willing, you will find me resolute.' Then when they had both submitted and he had lain him face down on the ground, We called out to him, 'Ibrahim! You have discharged your vision.' That is how We recompense good-doers. This was indeed a most manifest trial. We ransomed him with a mighty sacrifice. And We perpetuated (praise) to him among the later generations. Peace be on Ibrahim. That is how We recompense good-doers. He truly was one of Our believing servants. (Surat as-Saffat, 99-111)

When his Lord said unto him: Surrender! He said: I have surrendered to the Lord of the Worlds. (Surat al-Baqara, 131)

The Prophet Ibrahim (as) and the Prophet Isma'il's (as) Arrival at Mecca

And when Ibrahim said, 'My Lord, make this a place of safety and provide its inhabitants with fruits – all of them who believe in Allah and the Last Day,' He said, 'I will let anyone who becomes a disbeliever enjoy himself a little but then I will drive him to the punishment of the Fire. What an evil destination!' (Surat al-Baqara, 126)

When Ibrahim said, 'My Lord! Make this land a place of safety and keep me and my sons from worshipping idols. My Lord! They have misguided many of mankind. If anyone follows me, he is with me but if anyone disobeys me, You are Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful. Our Lord! I have settled some of my offspring by Your Sacred House in an uncultivated valley. Our Lord! Let them perform prayer! Make the hearts of mankind incline towards them and provide them with fruits, so that hopefully they will be thankful. Our Lord! You know what we keep hidden and what we divulge. Nothing is hidden from Allah either on the earth or in heaven. Praise be to Allah Who, despite my old age, has given me Isma'il and Ishaq. My Lord is the Hearer of Prayer. My Lord! Make me and my descendants people who perform prayer. My Lord! Accept my prayer. Our Lord! Forgive me and my parents and the believers on the Day the Reckoning takes place.' (Surah Ibrahim, 35-41)

THE STORY OF the PROPHET LUT (As)

The Prophet Lut (as) Was Sent to His People

And Lut believed in him. He said, 'I am leaving this place to follow the pleasure of my Lord. He is the Almighty, the All Wise.' (Surat al-'Ankabut, 26)

We gave right judgement and knowledge to Lut and rescued him from the city which committed disgusting acts. They were evil people who were deviators. We admitted him into Our mercy. He was one of the righteous. (Surat al-Anbiya', 74-75)

And Isma'il, al-Yasa', Yunus and Lut. All of them We favoured over all beings. (Surat al-An'am, 86)

The Prophet Lut (as) Calls His People to Religion

When their brother Lut said to them, 'Will you not guard against evil? I am a faithful Messenger to you. So have fear of Allah and obey me. I do not ask you for any wage for it. My wage is the responsibility of no one but the Lord of all the worlds. (Surat ash-Shu'ara', 161-164)

The Corruption of the People of Lut

And Lut, when he said to his people, 'Do you commit an obscenity not perpetrated before you by anyone in all the worlds? You come with lust to men instead of women. You are indeed a depraved people.' (Surat al-A'raf, 80-81)

Of all beings, do you lie with males, leaving the wives Allah has created for you? You are a people who have overstepped the limits.' (Surat ash-Shu'ara', 165-166)

When Lut said to his people, 'You are committing an obscenity not perpetrated before you by anyone in all the worlds. Do you lie with men and waylay them on the road and commit depravities within your gatherings?' the only answer of his people was to say, 'Bring us Allah's punishment if you are telling the truth.' (Surat al-'Ankabut, 28-29)

And when Lut he said to his people: 'Do you approach depravity with open eyes? Do you come with lust to men instead of women? You are a people who are deeply ignorant.' (Surat an-Naml, 54-55)

The Reply of His People to the Prophet Lut (as)

They said, 'Lut, if you do not desist you will be expelled.' (Surat ash-Shu'ara', 167)

The only response of his people was to say: 'Drive the the family of Lut out of your city! They are people who keep themselves pure!' (Surat an-Naml, 56)

The only answer of his people was to say, 'Expel them from your city! They are people who keep themselves pure!' (Surat al-A'raf, 82)

The people of Lut denied the Messengers. (Surat ash-Shu'ara', 160)

Do you lie with men and waylay them on the road and commit depravities within your gatherings?' the only answer of his people was to say, 'Bring us Allah's punishment if you are telling the truth.' (Surat al-'Ankabut, 29)

The people of Lut denied the warnings. (Surat al-Qamar, 33)

He warned them of Our onslaught but they dismissed the warnings. (Surat al-Qamar, 36)

He said, 'My Lord, help me against the people of corruption!' (Surat al-'Ankabut, 30)

Angels Come to the Prophet Ibrahim (as) and
Give Him the Good News of the Prophet Ishaq (as)

Our messengers brought the good news to Ibrahim. They said, 'Peace!' and he too said, 'Peace!' and brought in a roasted calf without delay. When he saw that their hands were not reaching for it, he suspected them and felt afraid of them. They said, 'Have no fear! We have been sent to the people of Lut.' (Surah Hud, 69-70)

And tell them about the guests of Ibrahim. When they came in to him, they said, 'Peace!' He said, 'Truly we are afraid of you.' They said, 'Do not be afraid. We bring you the good news of a boy of great knowledge.' (Surat al-Hijr, 51-53)

Has the story reached you of the honoured guests of Ibrahim? When they entered his dwelling and said, 'Peace!' He said, 'Peace, to people we do not know.' So he slipped off to his household and brought a fattened calf. He offered it to them and then exclaimed, 'Do you not then eat?' (Surat adh-Dhariyat, 24-27)

He felt afraid of them but they said, 'Do not be afraid!' and gave him the good news of a son imbued with knowledge. His wife came up with a shriek and struck her face and said, 'What, and me a barren old woman!' (Surat adh-Dhariyat, 28-29)

His wife was standing there and she laughed out loud. So We gave her the good news of Ishaq, and beyond Ishaq, Ya'qub. She said, 'Woe is me! How can I give birth when I am an old woman and my husband here is an aged man? This is indeed an astonishing thing!' (Surah Hud, 71-72)

They said, 'Are you astonished at Allah's command? May Allah's mercy and His blessings be upon you, People of the House! He is Praiseworthy, All-Glorious.' (Surah Hud, 73)

He said, 'Do you bring me this good news despite the fact of old age having reached me? What kind of good news are you bringing me?' They said, 'We bring you good news of the truth, so do not be among those who despair.' He said, 'Who despairs of the mercy of his Lord except for misguided people?' (Surat al-Hijr, 54-56)

We gave him the good news of Ishaq, a Prophet, one of the righteous. We showered blessings upon him and upon Ishaq. Among their descendants are good-doers and also people who clearly wrong themselves. (Surat as-Saffat, 112-113)

Angels' Heralding the Destruction of the People of Lut

He added, 'What is your business, messengers?' They said, 'We have been sent to a people who are evildoers. (Surat al-Hijr, 57-58)

He said, 'Lut is in it.' They said, 'We know very well who is in it. We are going to rescue him and his family – except for his wife. She will be one of those who stay behind.' (Surat al-'Ankabut, 32)

with the exception of the family of Lut, all of whom We will save, except for his wife. We have decreed her to be one of those who stay behind.' (Surat al-Hijr, 59-60)

They said, 'That is what your Lord says. He is the All-Wise, the All-Knowing.' He inquired, 'What, then, is your business, messengers?' They said, 'We have been sent to a people of evildoers to unleash upon them lumps of clay earmarked by your Lord for the profligate.' (Surat adh-Dhariyat, 30-34)

Messengers' Going to the Prophet Lut (as)

When Our messengers came to Lut, he was distressed for them, and very concerned for them, and said, 'This is a dreadful day.' (Surah Hud, 77)

When the Messengers came to the family of Lut, he said, 'You are people we do not know.' They said, 'We have come to you with what they had doubts about. We have brought you the truth and we are certainly truthful men. Travel with your family in the dead of night, following behind with them in front of you. None of you must look back. Go where you are ordered to.' We revealed to him the command We had decreed: that on the following morning the last remnant of those people would be cut off. (Surat al-Hijr, 61-66)

The Disobedience of the People of Lut

The people of the city came, exulting at the news. (Surat al-Hijr, 67)

His people came running to him excitedly – they were long used to committing evil acts. He said, 'My people, here are my daughters. They are purer for you. So have fear of Allah and do not shame me with my guests. Is there not one rightly-guided man among you?' (Surah Hud, 78)

He said, 'These are my guests so do not put me to shame. Have fear of Allah and do not dishonour me.' They said, 'Did we not forbid you to play host to anyone at all?' He said, 'Here are my daughters if you are determined to do something.' (Surat al-Hijr, 68-71)

They said, 'You know we have no claim on your daughters. You know very well what it is we want.' (Surah Hud, 79)

The Prophet Lut's (as) Departure from His People

He said, 'If only I had the strength to combat you or could take refuge in some powerful support!' They said, 'Lut, we are messengers from your Lord. They will not be able to get at you. Set out with your family – except for your wife – in the middle of the night and none of you should look back. What strikes them will strike her as well. Their promised appointment is the morning. Is the morning not close at hand?' (Surah Hud, 80-81)

The Destruction of the People of Lut

When Our command came, We turned their cities upside down and rained down on them stones of hard baked clay, piled on top of one another in layers, each one earmarked by your Lord. And they are never far from the wrongdoers. (Surah Hud, 82-83)

We brought out all the believers who were there but found in it only one house of Muslims. And We left a Sign in it for those who fear the painful punishment. (Surat adh-Dhariyat, 35-37)

When We rescued him and all his family –except an old woman among those who stayed behind. Then We utterly destroyed the rest. (Surat as-Saffat, 134-136)

By your life! They were wandering blindly in their drunkenness! So the Great Blast seized hold of them at the break of day. We turned the place completely upside down and rained down on them stones of hard-baked clay. There are certainly Signs in that for the discerning. They were beside a road which still exists. There is certainly a Sign in that for the believers. (Surat al-Hijr, 72-77)

THE STORY OF the PROPHET Isma'il (AS)

The Prophet Ibrahim (as) and the Prophet Isma'il's (as) Building the Ka'ba and Their Prayer

Remember when Ibrahim was tested by his Lord with certain words which he carried out completely. He said, 'I will make you a model for mankind.' He asked, 'And what of my descendants?' He said, 'My contract does not include the wrongdoers.' And when We made the House* a place of return, a sanctuary for mankind: They took the Maqam of Ibrahim as a place of prayer. We contracted with Ibrahim and Isma'il: 'Purify My House for those who circle it, and those who stay there, and those who bow and who prostrate.' And when Ibrahim said, 'My Lord, make this a place of safety and provide its inhabitants with fruits – all of them who believe in Allah and the Last Day,' He said, 'I will let anyone who becomes a disbeliever enjoy himself a little but then I will drive him to the punishment of the Fire. What an evil destination!' And when Ibrahim built the foundations of the House with Isma'il: 'Our Lord, accept this from us! You are the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing. Our Lord, make us both Muslims submitted to You, and our descendants a Muslim community submitted to You. Show us our rites of worship and turn towards us. You are the Ever-Returning, the Most Merciful. Our Lord, raise up among them a Messenger from them to recite Your Signs to them and teach them the Book and Wisdom and purify them. You are the Almighty, the All-Wise.' (Surat al-Baqara, 124-129)

Ibrahim directed his sons to this, as did Ya'qub: 'My sons! Allah has chosen this religion for you, so do not die except as Muslims.' (Surat al-Baqara, 132)

Verses in which the Prophet Isma'il (as) is Cited

Mention Isma'il in the Book. He was true to his promise and was a Messenger and a Prophet. He used to command his people to perform prayer and give the welfare tax and he was pleasing to his Lord. (Surah Maryam, 54-55)

And Zakariyya, Yahya, 'Isa and Ilyas. All of them were among the righteous. And Isma'il, al-Yasa', Yunus and Lut. All of them We favoured over all beings. (Surat al-An'am, 85-86)

THE STORY OF the PROPHET YUSUF (AS)

We have sent it down as an Arabic Qur'an so that hopefully you will use your intellect. We tell you the best of stories in revealing this Qur'an to you, even though you were unaware of it before it came. When Yusuf told his father, 'Father! I saw eleven bright stars, and the sun and moon as well. I saw them all prostrate in front of me.' He said, 'My son, don't tell your brothers your dream lest they devise some scheme to injure you, Satan is a clear-cut enemy to man. Accordingly your Lord will pick you out and teach you the true meaning of events and perfectly fulfil His blessing on you as well as on the family of Ya'qub as He fulfilled it perfectly before upon your forebears, Ibrahim and Ishaq. Most certainly your Lord is Knowing, Wise.' In Yusuf and his brothers there are Signs for every one of those who wants to ask. (Surah Yusuf, 2-7)

The Jealousy of the Prophet Yusuf's (as)Brothers Towards Him

When they declared, 'Why! Yusuf and his brother are dearer to our father than we are although we constitute a powerful group. Our father is clearly making a mistake. Kill Yusuf or expel him to some land so that your father will look to you alone and then you can be people who do right.' One of them said, 'Do not take Yusuf's life but throw him to the bottom of the well, so that some travellers may discover him, if this is something that you have to do.' (Surah Yusuf, 8-10)

The Lie that the Prophet Yusuf's (as) Brothers Tell to Their Father

They said, 'Our Father! What is wrong with you that you refuse to trust us with Yusuf when in truth we only wish him well? Why don't you send him out with us tomorrow so he can enjoy himself and play about? All of us will make sure that he is safe.' He said, 'It grieves me to let him go with you I fear a wolf might come and eat him up while you are heedless, not attending him.' They said, 'If a wolf does come and eat him up when together we make up a powerful group in that case we would truly be in loss!' But when, in fact, they did go out with him and gathered all together and agreed to put him at the bottom of the well, We then revealed to him that: 'You will inform them of this deed they perpetrate at a time when they are totally unaware.' That night they came back to their father in tears, saying, 'Father, we went out to run a race and left Yusuf together with our things and then a wolf appeared and ate him up but you are never going to believe us now, not even though we really tell the truth.' They then produced his shirt with false blood on it. He said, 'It is merely that your lower selves have suggested something to you which you did; but beauty lies in showing steadfastness. It is Allah alone Who is my Help in face of the event that you describe.' (Surah Yusuf, 11-18)

The Prophet Yusuf (as) Found by Travellers

Some travellers came that way and then dispatched their water-drawer who let his bucket down. He said, 'Good news for me, I've found a boy!' They then hid him away among their goods. Allah knew very well what they were doing. They sold him for a pittance, a few small coins, considering him to be of little worth. (Surah Yusuf, 19-20)

The Prophet Yusuf (as) and the Governor's Wife

The woman whose house it was solicited him. She barred the doors and said, 'Come over here!' He said, 'Allah is my refuge! He is My lord and has been good to me with where I live. Those who do wrong will surely not succeed.' She wanted him and he would have wanted her, had he not seen the Clear Proof of his Lord. That happened so We might avert from him all evil and lust. He was Our chosen servant. They raced to the door. She tore his shirt at the back. They met her husband by the door. She said, 'How should a man whose intention was to harm your family be punished for what he did except with prison or painful punishment?' He said, 'It was she who tried to seduce me.' A witness from her people then declared, 'If his shirt is torn in front, she speaks the truth and he has clearly told a shameless lie. If his shirt is torn at the back, then she has lied and he has clearly told the simple truth.' He saw the shirt torn at the back and said, 'The source of this is women's deviousness. Without a doubt your guile is very great. Yusuf, ignore all this, and you, my wife, should ask forgiveness for your evil act. There is no doubt that you are in the wrong.' (Surah Yusuf, 23-29)

The Prophet Yusuf (as) and the City Women

Some city women said, 'The governor's wife solicited her servant. He's fired her heart with love. We see that she's the one to blame.' But when she heard of their malicious talk, she sent for them and made a sumptuous meal and then she gave a knife to each of them. She said, 'Go out to them.' When they saw him, they were amazed by him and cut their hands. They said, 'Allah preserve us! This is no man. What can this be but a noble angel here!' She said, 'You see! It's him you blamed me for. I tried seducing him but he refused. If he does not do what I order him, he will be put in prison and brought low.' (Surah Yusuf, 30-32)

The Prophet Yusuf's (as) Chastity

He said, 'My Lord, the prison is preferable to me than what they call on me to do. Unless You turn their guile away from me, it may well be that I will fall for them and so become a man of ignorance.' His Lord replied to him and turned away from him their female guile and deviousness. He is the One Who Hears, the One Who Knows. (Surah Yusuf, 33-34)

The Imprisonment of the Prophet Yusuf (as)

Then, after they had seen the Signs, they thought that they should still imprison him for a time. Two servants entered prison along with him. One said, 'I dreamt that I was pressing grapes.' The other said, 'I dreamt I carried bread upon my head and birds were eating it. Tell us the true meaning of these dreams. We see that you're one of the righteous.' He said, 'No meal to feed you will arrive before I have informed you what they mean. That is part of what my Lord taught me. For I have left the religion of a people who clearly do not believe in Allah and are disbelievers about the world to come. I hold fast to the creed of my forebears Ibrahim and Ishaq and Ya'qub. We don't associate anything with Allah. And that is how Allah has favoured us and all mankind, but most do not give thanks. My fellow-prisoners, are many lords better, or Allah, the only One, the Conqueror? What you serve apart from Him are only names which you and your forefathers have made up. There is no mandate for them from Allah. Allah alone is qualified to judge. His order is to worship none but Him. That is in truth the straight and upright religion, but most of mankind simply do not know. My fellow-captives, one of you will serve his lord with wine, the other of you will be crucified and birds will eat his head. The thing you asked about is foreordained.' He said to the one of them he knew was saved, 'Please mention me when you are with your lord,' but Satan made him forget to remind his lord, and so he stayed in prison for several years. The King declared, 'I dreamt of seven fat cows which seven thin ones ate and seven green ears of wheat and seven others which were dry. O counsellors! Explain my dream to me if you are those who can interpret visions!' They said, 'A jumbled mass of mixed-up dreams! We do not know the meaning of such things.' (Surah Yusuf, 35-44)

The Prophet Yusuf's (as) Interpretation of the Dream

The one of them who had been saved then said, remembering after a period, 'I will tell you what it signifies, so send me out.' 'O truthful Yusuf, tell us of seven fat cows which seven thin ones ate and seven green ears of wheat and seven others which were dry so that I can return to them and let them know.' He said, 'Sow for seven years in the normal way and leave that which you harvest in the ear except for a small amount from which you eat. Then after that seven hard years will arrive in which you can eat from what you set aside for them, except for a little which you store. Then after that another year will come in which the people will be helped by rain in plenty and when they once more will press.' (Surah Yusuf, 45-49)

The Prophet Yusuf's (as) Release from the Prison

The King said, 'Bring him to me straight away!' But when the envoy came to him, he said, 'Go back to your master and enquire of him what happened about the women who cut their hands. My Lord has knowledge of their cunning guile.' He said, 'What was this past affair of yours when you solicited Yusuf?' Then they said 'Allah forbid! We know no bad of him.' The governor's wife then said, 'The truth has now emerged. Indeed I tried to seduce him then and he has simply told the honest truth. (Surah Yusuf, 50-51)

The Sincerity of the Prophet Yusuf (as)

In this way he may know at last that I did not dishonour him behind his back and that Allah most surely does not guide the deviousness of the dishonourable. I do not say my self was free from blame. The self indeed commands to evil acts – except for those my Lord has mercy on. My Lord, He is Forgiving, Merciful.' (Surah Yusuf, 52-53)

The Prophet Yusuf's (as) Authority Over the Treasures of Egypt

The King said, 'Bring him to me straight away! So I may draw him very close to me.' When he had spoken with him, he declared, 'Today you are trusted, established in our sight.' He said, 'Entrust the country's stores to me. In truth I am a knowing guardian.' And thus We established Yusuf in the land so he could live in any place he pleased. We grant Our grace to anyone We will and We do not allow to go to waste the wage of any people who do good. But the wages of the hereafter are the best for people who believe and fear their Lord. (Surah Yusuf, 54-57)

The Prophet Yusuf (as) Sends for His Brother

The brothers of Yusuf came into his presence and he knew them but they did not know him. Then, having supplied their needs, he said to them, 'Bring me your brother, your father's youngest son. Do you not see that I dispense full measure and am the most hospitable of hosts? But if you do not bring him here to me, your measure from me then will be denied and you will not come near to me at all.' They said, 'We will request our father for him. That is something we will surely do.' He told his serving men, 'Put back their goods into their saddlebags for them to find when they arrive back to their families so that perhaps they will return again.' Then when they got back to their father's house, they said, 'Father! Our measure has been denied. Please send our brother with us so we may obtain our measure. We will take care of him.' (Surah Yusuf, 58-63)

The Prophet Ya'qub's (as) Unwillingness to Send the Prophet Yusuf's (as) Brother

He said, 'How will my trusting him to your care be different from entrusting his brother before? The Best of Guardians, however, is Allah. He is the Most Merciful of the merciful.' Then when they opened up their saddlebags and found their merchandise returned to them, they said, 'Our father! What more could we ask! Here is our merchandise returned to us. We can provide our families with food, and guard our brother and get an extra load. That is an easy measure to obtain.' He said, 'I will not send him out with you until you make a covenant with Allah to bring him home unless you are overwhelmed.' When they had made their covenant, he said, 'Allah is Guardian over what we say.' (Surah Yusuf, 64-66)

The Prophet Yusuf (as) Holds His Brother

He said, 'My sons! You must not enter through a single gate. Go in through different gates. But I cannot save you from Allah at all, for judgement comes from no one but Allah. In Him I put my trust, and let all those who put their trust, put it in Him alone.' But when they entered as their father said, it did not save them from Allah at all, yet a need in Ya'qub's soul was satisfied. He had knowledge which We had taught him, but most of mankind simply do not know. Then when they entered into Yusuf's presence, he drew his brother close to him and said, 'I am your brother. Do not be distressed concerning all the things they used to do.' Then when he had supplied them with their needs, he put the goblet in his brother's bag. A herald called out, 'Caravan! You are thieves!' They turned to them and said, 'What are you missing?' They said, 'We're missing the goblet of the king. The man who brings it will get a camel's load. Regarding that I stand as guarantor.' They said, 'By Allah, you know we did not come to corrupt the land and that we are not thieves.' They said, 'What is the reparation for it if it in fact transpires that you are liars?' They said, 'Its reparation shall be him in the saddlebags of whom it is discovered. With us that is how wrongdoers are repaid.' (Surah Yusuf, 67-75)

He started with their bags before his brother's and then produced it from his brother's bag. In that way We devised a cunning scheme for Yusuf. He could not have held his brother according to the statutes of the King – only because Allah had willed it so. We raise the rank of anyone We will. Over everyone with knowledge is a Knower. They said, 'If he steals now, his brother stole before.' But Yusuf kept it to himself and still did not disclose it to them, saying, 'The plight that you are in is worse than that. Allah knows best the matter you describe.' They said, 'Your Eminence! He has an old and venerable father, so take one of us instead of him. We see without a doubt that you are of the people who do good.' He said, 'Allah forbid that we should take anyone but him with whom our goods were found. In that case we would clearly be wrongdoers.' When they despaired of him, they went apart to talk alone. The eldest of them said, 'You know full well your father had you make a covenant with Allah concerning this, and how before you failed him with Yusuf. I will not leave this land until I have permission from my father, or Allah decides about the case on my behalf. Truly He is the justest Judge of all. Return now to your father and say to him, "Your son stole, father. We can do no more than testify to what we know and we are not the guardians of the Unseen. Ask questions of the town in which we were and of the caravan in which we came for we are surely telling you the truth."' (Surah Yusuf, 76-82)

The Prophet Ya'qub's (as) Love for the Prophet Yusuf (as)

He said, 'It's merely that your lower selves suggested something to you which you did. But beauty lies in having steadfastness. Perhaps Allah will bring them all together. He is indeed All-Knowing and All-Wise.' He turned himself away from them and said, 'What anguish is my sorrow for Yusuf!' And then his eyes turned white from hidden grief. They said, 'By Allah, you will not ever cease to mention Yusuf, till you waste away or are among the people of the grave!' He said, 'I make complaint about my grief and sorrow to Allah alone because I know things from Allah you do not know. My sons! Seek news of Yusuf and his brother. Do not despair of solace from Allah. No one despairs of solace from Allah except for people who are disbelievers.' So when they came into his presence, they said, 'Your Eminence! Hardship has hit us and our families. We bring scant merchandise, but fill the measure for us generously. Allah always rewards a generous giver.' He said, 'Are you aware of what you did to Yusuf and his brother in ignorance?' They said, 'Are you Yusuf?' He said, 'I am indeed Yusuf, and this here is my brother. Allah has acted graciously to us. As for those who fear Allah and are steadfast, Allah does not allow to go to waste the wage of any people who do good.' They said, 'By Allah, Allah has favoured you above us. Clearly we were in the wrong.' He said, 'No blame at all will fall on you. Today you have forgiveness from Allah. He is the Most Merciful of the merciful. (Surah Yusuf, 83-92)

The Prophet Yusuf's (as) Miracle

Go with this shirt of mine and cast it on my father's face and he will see again. Then come to me with all your families.' And when the caravan went on its way, their father said, 'I can smell Yusuf's scent! You probably think I have become senile.' They said, 'By Allah! Your mind is still astray.' But when the bringer of the good news came, he cast it on his face and sight returned. He said, 'Did I not say to you before, I know things from Allah you do not know?' (Surah Yusuf, 93-96)

The Prophet Ya'qub's (as) Asking for Forgiveness

"They said: O our father! Ask forgiveness of our faults for us, surely we were sinners. He said: I will ask for you forgiveness from my Lord; surely He is the Forgiving, the Merciful." (Surah Yusuf, 97-98)

The Prophet Ya'qub's (as) and His Sons' Entry into Egypt

Then when they entered into Yusuf's presence, he drew his parents close to him and said, 'Enter Egypt safe and sound, if Allah wills.' He raised his parents up onto the throne. The others fell prostrate in front of him. He said, 'My father, truly this is now the interpretation of the dream I had. My Lord has made it all come true; and He was kind to me by letting me out of prison and brought you from the desert when Satan had caused dissent between me and my brothers. My Lord is kind to anyone He wills. He is indeed All-Knowing and All-Wise. My Lord, You have granted power to me on earth and taught me the true meaning of events. Originator of the heavens and earth, You are my Friend in this world and the Next. So take me as a Muslim at my death and join me to the people who are righteous.' (Surah Yusuf, 99-101)