Samir Abbasi

 *Hazrat Hud (Peace be upon him) – Part 1* *Name, Lineage, and Region:*   The lineage of Hazrat Hud (Peace be upon him) is: Hud bin Shalikh bin Arfakhshadh bin Sam bin Nuh (Peace be upon him). According to one report, the name of Hud (Peace be upon him) was ‘Abir, who was the son of Sam. His lineage is also stated like this: Hud bin Abdullah bin Rabah al-Jabbar bin ‘Ad bin Iram bin Sam bin Nuh. He belonged to the tribe of ‘Ad. It was an Arab tribe whose settlements were in the area of sand dunes between Oman and Hadhramaut. This region was located on the seacoast and was known by the name of Al-Ahqaf, and these people mostly lived in tall-pillared tents. As Allah Ta‘ala says: _“Have you not seen how your Lord dealt with ‘Ad — Iram of the pillars — the likes of whom had not been created in the lands?”_ Meaning, there were no people like them in any other region. It is said that Hazrat Hud was the first to speak the Arabic language. However, Wahb bin Munabbih states that th...

 *Hazrat Hud (Peace be upon him) – Part 2* Hazrat Hud (Peace be upon him) asked Allah Ta‘ala for help against his people, because the nation had refused to accept any of his advice and had denied him. So he pleaded to Allah Ta‘ala: “My Lord, they have denied me, so help me.” Allah Ta‘ala said: “In a little while they will be regretful.” Then a cloud came. In accordance with the threat, a mighty sound seized them, and We made them like rubbish. So a curse is upon the wrongdoing people. Allah Ta‘ala said further about them: They said, “Have you come to us to turn us away from our gods? Then bring upon us what you threaten us with, if you are truthful.” He said, “Knowledge of it is only with Allah, and I convey to you that with which I was sent, but I see that you are a people behaving ignorantly.” Then when they saw the punishment — a cloud coming toward their nation — they said, “This is a cloud bringing us rain.” No, rather it was the punishment you were seeking to hasten — a wind ...

*Hazrat Salih (Peace be upon him) – Part 1* Thamud is the name of a well-known tribe. They are the descendants of Thamud, the brother of Judais. Both were sons of ‘Athir, who was the son of Iram, and Iram was the son of Sam, the son of Nuh (Peace be upon him). They were from the pure ancient Arab nations. Their settlement was at the place of al-Hijr, between Tabuk and Hijaz, which is also called Madain Salih. This region is located east of the Gulf of Aqaba, to the southeast of the city of Madyan. The dwellings of the people of Thamud carved into the mountains in this area are clearly visible. The Messenger of Allah (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) passed through this place with the Companions while going to Tabuk. Some people have said that the People of the Book were not familiar with the accounts of these two nations, ‘Ad and Thamud, because they are not mentioned in their book, the Torah. But from the statement of the Holy Qur’an it is known that Musa (Peace be upon him) ...

 *Hazrat Salih (Peace be upon him) – Part 2* The people of Thamud said, “You are only one of those bewitched. You are nothing but a man like us. So bring a sign if you are truthful.” Salih said, “Look, this is a she-camel. One day is for her to drink, and on a fixed day it is your turn. And do not touch her with harm, or a severe punishment will seize you.” But they hamstrung her. In the end, they were left full of regret. So the punishment seized them. Indeed, in that is a sign, and most of them were not believers. “O Salih, We are sending the she-camel as a trial for them, so watch them and be patient. And inform them that the water is to be shared between them — each drink to be observed by turn.” Hazrat Salih said, “If I fulfill the demand exactly as you have said, will you truly believe in the religion I have brought and affirm me in the miracles by which I have been sent?” They said, “Yes, we will believe in you and affirm your words.” He took a firm covenant and pledge from ...

 *Hazrat Salih (Peace be upon him) – Part 3* For a long time the matter went on like this. Finally their chiefs gathered, and after consultation they unanimously decided to kill the she-camel so they would be rid of her and get all the water. The person who took responsibility for killing the she-camel was named Qidar bin Salif bin Junda. He was red-complexioned and blue-eyed. It is also said that he was born as a result of an illicit relationship of Salif’s wife with another man. Because he killed the she-camel following the unanimous decision of all the people, the act was attributed to all of them. Imam Ibn Jarir (may Allah have mercy on him) and other commentators state that there were two women among the people of Thamud. One was named Saduq bint Mahya bin Suhair bin Mukhtar. She was wealthy and of noble lineage. She had married a man from the tribe of Aslam but then took a divorce. She called her paternal cousin Masda‘ bin Mehraj bin Mahya and said, “If you kill the she-camel...

 *Hazrat Salih (Peace be upon him) – Part 3* For a long time the matter continued like this. Finally their chiefs gathered, and after consultation unanimously decided to kill the she-camel so that they could be rid of her and get all the water. The person who took responsibility for killing the she-camel was named Qidar bin Salif bin Junda. He was red-complexioned and blue-eyed. It is also said that he was born as a result of Salif’s wife’s illicit relationship with another man. Because he had killed the she-camel following the unanimous decision of all the people, the act was attributed to all of them. Imam Ibn Jarir (may Allah have mercy on him) and other commentators state that there were two women among the people of Thamud. One was named Saduq bint Mahya bin Suhair bin Mukhtar. She was wealthy and of noble lineage. She had married a man from the tribe of Aslam but then took a divorce. She called her paternal cousin Masda‘ bin Mehraj bin Mahya and said, “If you kill the she-cam...

 *Hazrat Ibrahim (Peace be upon him) – Part 1* The lineage of Hazrat Ibrahim is: Ibrahim bin Tarah bin Nahor bin Sarugh bin Reu bin Peleg bin Eber bin Shelah bin Arphaxad bin Sam bin Nuh (Peace be upon him). This is how it is written in the book of the People of the Book, the Bible. Along with the names, according to their account, we have also noted the ages of these personalities. Allah Ta‘ala says: _And when Ibrahim said to his father Azar, “Do you take idols as deities? Indeed, I see you and your people to be in manifest error.”_ From this it is known that Ibrahim’s father’s name was Azar. Hazrat Abdullah bin Abbas and most scholars say his name was Tarah. The People of the Book call him Tarih. Some scholars said Azar was the name of the idol he worshipped, and for that reason he too was called Azar. Ibn Asakir narrated from Hazrat Ikrimah (may Allah have mercy on him) that he said: The kunya of Hazrat Ibrahim (Peace be upon him) was Abu Zayfan — the one hospitable to guests, t...

 *Hazrat Ibrahim (Peace be upon him) – Part 2* “And remember Ibrahim when he said to his people, ‘Worship Allah and fear Him. That is better for you, if you only knew. You only worship idols besides Allah and you produce a falsehood. Indeed, those you worship besides Allah do not possess for you any provision. So seek from Allah provision and worship Him and be grateful to Him. To Him you will be returned. And if you deny me — then nations before you have already denied their messengers. And upon the messenger is only clear conveyance.’ Have they not seen how Allah originates creation, then repeats it? Indeed, that is easy for Allah. Say, ‘Travel through the land and observe how He began creation. Then Allah will produce the final creation. Indeed, Allah is over all things competent. He punishes whom He wills and has mercy upon whom He wills, and to Him you will be returned. And you will not cause failure to Allah upon the earth or in the heaven. And you have not besides Allah any ...

 *Hazrat Ibrahim (Peace be upon him) – Part 3* Those people used to go out of the city once a year to celebrate Eid. Ibrahim’s father invited him to join that occasion, but you said, “I am ill.” He stated this, then cast a glance at the stars and said, “Indeed, I am ill.” In his words he used equivocation so that you could approach the idols, expose the error of their religion, and establish the truth of the true faith. When those people went out to celebrate and you were left alone in the city, you walked secretly, avoiding people’s eyes, and reached the idols. You saw that they were in a grand setting, and people, in their thinking, had placed all kinds of food before them to gain their pleasure. So, mocking them, you said, “Why do you not eat? What is the matter with you that you do not speak?” Then you turned to them and struck each one with your right hand, because the right hand is stronger, quicker, and more dominant. In your hand was an adze — a heavy iron tool with which c...

 *Hazrat Ibrahim (Peace be upon him) – Part 5* When Hazrat Ibrahim (Peace be upon him) saw persistent denial and insistence upon disbelief from his people in every way, he despaired and decided to migrate. Allah Ta‘ala says: _So Lut believed in him, and Ibrahim said, “Indeed, I will emigrate to my Lord. Indeed, He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise.” And We gave him Ishaq and Yaqub, and placed prophethood and the Book among his descendants. And We gave him his reward in this world, and indeed, he is in the Hereafter among the righteous. And We saved Ibrahim and Lut to the land which We had blessed for the worlds. And We made Ibrahim righteous and made them leaders guiding by Our command. And We revealed to them the doing of good deeds, establishment of prayer, and giving of zakah; and they were worshippers of Us._ Hazrat Ibrahim (Peace be upon him) prepared to separate from his people for the pleasure of Allah. Your respected wife had no children at that time, so you had no offsprin...

 *Hazrat Ibrahim (Peace be upon him) – Part 6* “My Lord, grant me [a child] from among the righteous.” So We gave him good tidings of a forbearing boy. Then when he reached the age of running with him, Ibrahim said, “O my son, indeed I have seen in a dream that I am sacrificing you, so see what you think.” He said, “O my father, do what you are commanded. You will find me, if Allah wills, of the patient.” Then when they had both submitted and he laid him down upon his forehead, We called to him, “O Ibrahim, you have fulfilled the vision.” Indeed, thus do We reward the doers of good. Indeed, this was a clear trial. And We ransomed him with a great sacrifice. And We left for him [favorable mention] among later generations: “Peace be upon Ibrahim.” Thus do We reward the doers of good. Indeed, he was of Our believing servants. And We gave him good tidings of Ishaq, a prophet from among the righteous. And We blessed him and Ishaq. But among their descendants are doers of good and those ...

 *Hazrat Ibrahim (Peace be upon him) – Part 4* When the people were left speechless, they adopted the same attitude that every rebellious nation adopts after being defeated. They planned to make Hazrat Ibrahim (Peace be upon him) a target of punishment. Allah Ta‘ala mentioned their evil plot, saying: _They said, “Build for him a structure, then throw him into the blazing fire.” They intended a plot against him, but We made them the lowest._ It happened like this: they began to gather firewood from every possible place and kept collecting it for a long time. It reached the point that if a woman fell ill, she would vow, “If I am cured, I will give so much firewood to burn Ibrahim.” Then they placed all that firewood in a level place and set fire to it. The fire was lit, it blazed, and its flames rose high. Such huge sparks began to fly from it as no one had ever seen before. Then they placed Ibrahim (Peace be upon him) in a catapult that a man named Jaan had made. He was the first pe...

 *Hazrat Lut (Peace be upon him) – Part 1* An important and great event that occurred during the blessed life of Hazrat Ibrahim Khalil-ur-Rahman (Peace be upon him) was the punishment from Allah Ta‘ala upon the people of Hazrat Lut (Peace be upon him). Hazrat Lut (Peace be upon him) was the son of Haran, and Haran was the son of Tarah, that is, Azar. So Hazrat Lut (Peace be upon him) was the nephew of Hazrat Ibrahim (Peace be upon him), because Ibrahim (Peace be upon him) and Haran were brothers, as has been mentioned earlier. Hazrat Lut (Peace be upon him), with the permission — rather, by the command — of Hazrat Ibrahim (Peace be upon him), settled from his area into the region of Ghor near Mamre, in the city of Sodom. This was the central place of that region, to which other villages, etc., were attached. The inhabitants there were extremely wicked, transgressors, the worst of disbelievers, of extremely evil nature and utterly shameless, with very bad character. They were habitu...

 *Hazrat Shu‘ayb (Peace be upon him)* “And to Madyan [We sent] their brother Shu‘ayb. He said, ‘O my people, worship Allah alone. You have no deity besides Him. There has come to you clear evidence from your Lord. So give full measure and weight, and do not deprive people of their things, and do not cause corruption in the land after its reformation. If you are believers, understand that this is better for you. And do not sit on every path, threatening and averting from the way of Allah those who believe in Him, and seeking to make it deviant. And remember when you were few and He increased you in number. And see what was the end of the corrupters. And if a group among you has believed in my message and a group has not believed, then be patient until Allah judges between us and you. And He is the best of judges.’[seem] But the chiefs and leaders among his people said, ‘O Shu‘ayb, we will surely drive you out of our city, you and those who have believed with you, or you must return ...