| Hud: (52) "And O my people, ask forgiveness..."

This is the second type of command that the Prophet Hud (peace be upon him) presented to his people.

First, he called them to monotheism (Tawhid). In this section, he calls them to seek forgiveness, and then to repentance. The difference between these two has already been explained at the beginning of this Surah.

Abu Bakr al-Asamm said: "Ask forgiveness" means asking God to forgive your past polytheism. Then, repent afterward with regret for what has passed and a firm resolve never to return to it.

Furthermore, the Prophet (PBUH) said: "If you do this, Allah Almighty will multiply your blessings and strengthen you to benefit from those blessings." This is the ultimate goal of happiness. If blessings are not present, benefiting from them is impossible. Even if they are present, if the creature is prevented from benefiting from them, the objective is not achieved. However, when blessings are abundant and complete strength to benefit from them is attained, then the height of happiness and delight is reached.

• {He will send the heaven upon you in abundance}: This points to the multiplication of blessings, as the source of blessings is timely and appropriate rainfall.
• {And He will increase your strength along with your strength}: This points to the perfection of the faculties by which one can benefit from those blessings.

Undoubtedly, this statement comprehensively promises the attainment of happiness, and that any increase beyond this is rationally impossible. A wise person must reflect on these subtleties to understand the hidden secrets within this noble Book.

As for the commentators, they stated that the people of 'Ad were distinguished in this world by two types of perfection:

1. Their gardens and farms were of the utmost pleasantness and delight, evidenced by the verse: {Iram, possessor of the columns, the like of whom was not created among the cities} (Al-Fajr: 7-8).
2. They possessed extreme strength and might, as indicated by their own boast: {Who is mightier than us in strength?} (Fussilat: 15).

Since the people prided themselves on these two aspects over all creation, Hud (PBUH) promised them that if they abandoned idol worship and engaged in seeking forgiveness and repentance, Allah would strengthen their condition in these two desired aspects and increase them greatly therein.

It is also narrated that when Allah sent Hud (PBUH) to them, they denied him, and Allah withheld rain from them for years and made their women barren. Hud (PBUH) told them: "If you believe in Allah, Allah will revive your lands and grant you wealth and children." This is the meaning of: {He will send the heaven upon you in abundance}. Madrār (abundant) is an intensive form indicating great quantity.

As for {And He will increase your strength along with your strength}, some interpreters explained this strength as wealth and children, and robustness in the limbs, because all these are things by which a person is strengthened.

If it is asked: The essence of the discussion is that Hud (PBUH) said: "If you engage in the worship of Allah, the doors of worldly good things will open to you." This seems contradictory, because the Prophet (PBUH) said: "Affliction is reserved for the Prophets, then the Saints, then the best among people, and so on." How can these two ideas be reconciled? Moreover, the Quran is accustomed to encouraging obedience by linking it to worldly and otherworldly rewards. Encouraging obedience solely for the sake of worldly rewards does not suit the Quran; rather, it is a method mentioned in the Torah.

The Answer: Since the encouragement for otherworldly happiness is frequently mentioned, it is not inappropriate to also encourage the attainment of sufficient worldly good.

As for the verse: {And do not turn away, being criminals}, it means: Do not turn away from me and what I call you to and encourage you toward, while you are mushrikūn (criminals), meaning persisting in your transgression and sins.

**7 < {They said, "O Hud, you have not brought us clear evidence, and we will not abandon our gods because of your saying, nor will we believe you. We say only that some of our gods have afflicted you with evil." He said, "Indeed, I call Allah to witness, and you be my witnesses, that I am innocent of what you associate [with Him] besides Him. So plot against me, all of you, and give me no respite. Indeed, I have put my trust in Allah, my Lord and your Lord. There is no creature but that He has grasp of its forelock. Indeed, my Lord is on a straight path."} > 7

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