Surah Al-A'raaf
Chapter 7 · Verse 166 · Revealed in Makkah
“So when they were insolent about that which they had been forbidden, We said to them, "Be apes, despised."”
Translation: Saheeh International
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Mishary Rashid Alafasy
Reflection — Ibn Kathir
Those Who breached the Sabbath were turned into Monkeys, butThose Who prohibited Their Actions were saved
Allah said that the people of this village were divided into three groups, a group that committed the prohibition, catching fish on the Sabbath, as we described in the Tafsir of Surat Al-Baqarah. Another group prohibited them from transgression and avoided them. A third group neither prohibited them, nor participated in their action. The third group said to the preachers,
لِمَ تَعِظُونَ قَوْمًا اللَّهُ مُهْلِكُهُمْ أَوْ مُعَذِّبُهُمْ عَذَاباً شَدِيدًا
Reflection — Maarif ul Quran
The detailed discussion of the events contained in the above verses have been produced in Surah Al-Baqarah (under verses 58-60). Those interested may refer to those verses for details.
The Holy Prophet ﷺ has been asked to warn the Israelites present in his time by reminding them the events related in these verses. The events referred to in these verses are clear and require no explanation.
What does this verse bring up for you today?