Tafsir of Saba' 34:34

How Those Who lived a Life of Luxury disbelieved in the Messengers and were misled by Their pursuit of Wealth and Children Allah is consoling His Prophet and commanding him to follow the example of the Messengers that came before him. He tells him that no Prophet was ever sent to a township but those among its people who lived a life of luxury disbelieved in him, and the weaker people of the town followed him. The people of Nuh, peace be upon him, said to him:

أنومن لك واتبعك اﻻرذلون

Shall we believe in you, when the weakest (of the people) follow you. (26:110)

وما نراك اتبعك إﻻ الذين هم أراذلنا بادى الرأى

nor do we see any follow you but the meanest among us and they (too) followed you without thinking. (11:27) The leaders among the people of Salih said:

قال المﻼ الذين استكبروا من قومه للذين استضعفوا لمن ءامن منهم أتعلمون أن صلحا مرسل من ربه قالوا إنا بما أرسل به مومنون

قال الذين استكبروا إنا بالذى ءامنتم به كفرون

The leaders of those who were arrogant among his people said to those who were counted weak -- to such of them as believed: "Know you that Salih is one sent from his Lord.'' They said: "We indeed believe in that with which he has been sent.'' Those who were arrogant said: "Verily, we disbelieve in that which you believe in.'' (7:75-76). And Allah said:

وكذلك فتنا بعضهم ببعض ليقولوا أهوﻻء من الله عليهم من بيننا أليس الله بٲعلم بالشكرين

Thus We have tried some of them with others, that they might say: "Is it these (poor believers) that Allah has favored from among us!'' Does not Allah know best those who are grateful! (6:53)

وكذلك جعلنا في كل قرية أكبر مجرميها ليمكروا فيها

And thus We have set up in every town great ones of its wicked people to plot therein. (6:123) and,

وإذآ أردنا أن نهلك قرية أمرنا مترفيها ففسقوا فيها فحق عليها القول فدمرناها تدميرا

And when We decide to destroy a town (population), We (first) send a definite order to those among them who lead a life of luxury. Then, they transgress therein, and thus the Word (of torment) is justified against it (them). Then We destroy it with complete destruction. (17:16) And Allah says here:

وما أرسلنا في قرية من نذير

And We did not send a warner to a township, meaning a Prophet or a Messenger,

إﻻ قال مترفوها

but those who were given the worldly wealth and luxuries among them, means, those who enjoyed a life of riches and luxury, and positions of leadership. Qatadah said, "They are their tyrants, chiefs and leaders in evil.''

إنا بما أرسلتم به كافرون

We believe not in the (Message) with which you have been sent. means, `we do not believe in it and we will not follow it.' Allah tells us that those who enjoyed a life of luxury and who disbelieved the Messengers said:

وقالوا نحن أكثر أمواﻻ وأوﻻدا وما نحن بمعذبين