Tafsir Ibn Kathir (abridged)

Tafsir Ibn Kathir (abridged) — Hafiz Ibn Kathir

First, he (Shu`ayb) prohibited them from cheating in business by decreasing the weights whenever they gave (products) to people. He commanded them to give just measure and weight whether they were giving or receiving (in transactions). He also forbade them from causing mischief and corruption in the land. This was due to their practice of highway robbery along the roads. Abu Ja`far bin Jarir said, بَقِيَّتُ اللَّهِ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ (That which is left by Allah (after giving the rights of the people) is better for you,) "This means what you gain from your successful business dealings in which you have given just measure, is better for you than wrongfully taking the wealth of the people." Ibn Jarir said that this statement has been reported from Ibn `Abbas and I say it is similar to Allah's statement, قُل لاَّ يَسْتَوِى الْخَبِيثُ وَالطَّيِّبُ وَلَوْ أَعْجَبَكَ كَثْرَةُ الْخَبِيثِ (Say: "Not equal are Khabith (all that is evil) and Tayyib (all that is good), even though the abundance of Khabith may please you.")5:100 Allah then says, وَمَآ أَنَاْ عَلَيْكُمْ بِحَفِيظٍ (And I am not a guardian over you.) This means a watcher over you people. In other words, "Do this for Allah and not to be seen by the people."

Tafsir Ibn Kathir (abridged) — Hafiz Ibn Kathir

The Response of Shu`ayb's People They said to Shu`ayb, in mockery, أَصَلَوَتُكَ (Does your Salah) Al-A`mash said, "This means your reading." تَأْمُرُكَ أَن نَّتْرُكَ مَا يَعْبُدُ ءابَاؤُنَآ (command you that we give up what our fathers used to worship,) meaning the idols and statues. أَوْ أَن نَّفْعَلَ فِى أَمْوَالِنَا مَا نَشَؤُا (or that we give up doing what we like with our property) This means, "Should we abandon our practice of lightening the scales because of your statement This is our wealth and we will do with it as we please." Al-Hasan said concerning Allah's statement, أَصَلَوَتُكَ تَأْمُرُكَ أَن نَّتْرُكَ مَا يَعْبُدُ ءابَاؤُنَآ (Does your Salah command you that we give up what our fathers used to worship,)11:87 "By Allah, this means that his prayer commanded them to abandon what their fathers used to worship." At-Thawri said concerning Allah's statement, أَوْ أَن نَّفْعَلَ فِى أَمْوَالِنَا مَا نَشَؤُا (or that we give up doing what we like with our property) "They were speaking in reference to the paying of Zakah (charity). " إِنَّكَ لاّنتَ الْحَلِيمُ الرَّشِيدُ (Verily, you are the forbearer right-minded!) Ibn `Abbas, Maymun bin Mihran, Ibn Jurayj, Ibn Aslam, and Ibn Jarir all said, "These enemies of Allah were only saying this in mockery. May Allah disfigure them and curse them from ever receiving His mercy. And verily, He did so."

Tafsir Ibn Kathir (abridged) — Hafiz Ibn Kathir

Shu`ayb's Refutation of His People He said to them: Do you see O my people, that if I عَلَى بَيِّنَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّى (have a clear evidence from my Lord) meaning, upon clear guidance in that which I am calling to. وَرَزَقَنِى مِنْهُ رِزْقًا حَسَنًا (and He has given me a good sustenance from Himself.) It has been said that he meant the prophethood. It has also been said that he meant the lawful provisions. It seems that the verse carries both meanings. Ath-Thawri said, وَمَآ أُرِيدُ أَنْ أُخَالِفَكُمْ إِلَى مَآ أَنْهَـكُمْ عَنْهُ (I wish not, in contradiction to you, to do that which I forbid you.) meaning, `do not forbid you from something and at the same time I contradict my prohibitions in secret behind your backs, doing what I have forbidden.' This is similar to what Qatadah said concerning Allah's statement, وَمَآ أُرِيدُ أَنْ أُخَالِفَكُمْ إِلَى مَآ أَنْهَـكُمْ عَنْهُ (I wish not, in contradiction to you, to do that which I forbid you.) "He is saying, `I do not forbid you all from something while I do it myself."' إِنْ أُرِيدُ إِلاَّ الإِصْلَـحَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُ (I only desire reform to the best of my power.) This means, "In that which I command and forbid you, I only want to correct your affair as much as I am able." وَمَا تَوْفِيقِى (And my guidance cannot come) This means, "In whatever I intend that agrees with the truth." إِلاَّ بِاللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ (except from Allah, in Him I put my trust) This means in all of my affairs. وَإِلَيْهِ أُنِيبُ (and unto Him I repent.) meaning; "I return." This has been said by Mujahid and others.

Tafsir Ibn Kathir (abridged) — Hafiz Ibn Kathir

وَيقَوْمِ لاَ يَجْرِمَنَّكُمْ شِقَاقِى (And O my people! Let not my Shiqaq cause you) This means, "Do not let your hatred and enmity of me cause you to persist in your corruption and disbelief. If you continue this way, you will suffer the same vengeance and torment that overcame Nuh's people, Hud's people, Salih's people and Lut's people." Qatadah said, وَيقَوْمِ لاَ يَجْرِمَنَّكُمْ شِقَاقِى (And O my people! Let not my Shiqaq cause you) "He is saying, `Do not be influenced by your differing with me."' As-Suddi said, "This means your enmity of me should not lead you to continue in misguidance and disbelief, or else you will be afflicted by what afflicted them." Concerning His statement, وَمَا قَوْمُ لُوطٍ مِّنكُم بِبَعِيدٍ (and the people of Lut are not far off from you!) It has been said that this refers to the period of time. Qatadah said, "This means that they were only destroyed before you yesterday." It has also been said that it refers to place. Actually, the verse carries both meanings. وَاسْتَغْفِرُواْ رَبَّكُمْ (And ask forgiveness of your Lord) from the previous sins. ثُمَّ تُوبُواْ إِلَيْهِ (and turn unto Him in repentance.) In whatever evil actions you may encounter in the future. Concerning his statement, إِنَّ رَبِّى رَحِيمٌ وَدُودٌ (Verily, my Lord is Most Merciful, Most Loving.) to those who repent.

Tafsir Ibn Kathir (abridged) — Hafiz Ibn Kathir

وَيقَوْمِ لاَ يَجْرِمَنَّكُمْ شِقَاقِى (And O my people! Let not my Shiqaq cause you) This means, "Do not let your hatred and enmity of me cause you to persist in your corruption and disbelief. If you continue this way, you will suffer the same vengeance and torment that overcame Nuh's people, Hud's people, Salih's people and Lut's people." Qatadah said, وَيقَوْمِ لاَ يَجْرِمَنَّكُمْ شِقَاقِى (And O my people! Let not my Shiqaq cause you) "He is saying, `Do not be influenced by your differing with me."' As-Suddi said, "This means your enmity of me should not lead you to continue in misguidance and disbelief, or else you will be afflicted by what afflicted them." Concerning His statement, وَمَا قَوْمُ لُوطٍ مِّنكُم بِبَعِيدٍ (and the people of Lut are not far off from you!) It has been said that this refers to the period of time. Qatadah said, "This means that they were only destroyed before you yesterday." It has also been said that it refers to place. Actually, the verse carries both meanings. وَاسْتَغْفِرُواْ رَبَّكُمْ (And ask forgiveness of your Lord) from the previous sins. ثُمَّ تُوبُواْ إِلَيْهِ (and turn unto Him in repentance.) In whatever evil actions you may encounter in the future. Concerning his statement, إِنَّ رَبِّى رَحِيمٌ وَدُودٌ (Verily, my Lord is Most Merciful, Most Loving.) to those who repent.