224 Page Notes

11 Surah Hud (continued)

Page 224 - Related Hadith/Sunnah

10:20

10:21

10:22

10:23

10:24

10:25

10:26

10:27

10:28

Translation of the meaning by Sahih International.

Page 224 - Related Hadiths and Sunnah

Page 224 of the Qur'an contains verses 20 through 28 of Surah Hud (Chapter 11). This page bridges a powerful, comparative parable about human spiritual perception with the introductory cross-examination between Prophet Nuh (Noah) and the arrogant, wealthy chieftains of his society.

The Hadith and Sunnah provide key conceptual definitions for the spiritual terms used here, as well as critical historical parallels to the life of the Prophet Muhammad.

1. The Quality of Ikhbat (Verse 23)

"Indeed, they who have believed and done righteous deeds and humbled themselves to their Lord—those are the companions of Paradise; they will abide eternally therein." (Qur'an 11:23)

Defining "Humbled Themselves" (Akhbatu)

Verse 23 utilizes the unique Arabic verb Akhbatu (translated here as "humbled themselves"). In linguistic and Prophetic terms, Ikhbat represents a deeply tranquil, unshakeable state of humility where the heart finds absolute rest in Allah's decree, completely yielding to His commands.

The Prophet Muhammad emphasized that this deep, internal humility is the ultimate catalyst for high status in the eyes of Allah. It stands in direct contrast to the boastful behavior of the wrongdoers described in the preceding verses:

The Messenger of Allah said: "Wealth does not decrease of charity, and Allah increases a servant in honor when he forgives others. And no one humbles himself before Allah but that Allah elevates him in status." — Sahih Muslim, Book 45, Hadith 2588

2. Parable of the Blind/Deaf vs. Seeing/Hearing (Verse 24)

"The example of the two parties is like the blind and deaf, and the seeing and the hearing. Are they equal in comparison? Then, will you not remember?" (Qur'an 11:24)

The True Nature of Spiritual Sight

This verse uses a physical analogy—blindness and deafness versus clear sight and hearing—to describe spiritual reception. The Prophet Muhammad frequently used this identical framing in the Sunnah, teaching his companions that a living body is functionally "dead" or "blind" if it lacks spiritual animation.

The Prophet said: "The similitude of the one who remembers his Lord and the one who does not remember his Lord is like that of the living and the dead." — Sahih al-Bukhari, Book 80, Hadith 6407

3. The Chieftains Mock Noah's Lower-Class Followers (Verses 25–27)

"And We had certainly sent Noah to his people... But the eminent chieftains who disbelieved among his people said, 'We do not see you but as a man like ourselves, and we do not see you followed except by those who are the lowest of us [immature] in opinion. And we do not see in you any merit over us; rather, we think you are liars.'" (Qur'an 11:27)

The Historical Pattern of the Elite Rejecting Prophets

Verse 27 outlines a classic defense mechanism utilized by wealthy tyrants throughout history: they dismiss divine truth simply because its earliest adopters are poor, working-class, or socially marginalized individuals (Arathiluna). They demanded that Noah expel his lower-class followers before they would even consider negotiating with him.

This exact historical scenario was replicated when the Roman Emperor Heraclius cross-examined Abu Sufyan (who was still a pagan at the time) to see if Muhammad possessed the characteristics of a genuine prophet. Heraclius asked a series of highly calculated questions based precisely on the historical records of past prophets like Noah:

Heraclius asked: "Do the nobles or the poor follow him?" Abu Sufyan replied: "It is the poor who follow him." Heraclius later concluded: "I asked you whether the nobles or the poor followed him, and you said that the poor followed him. In fact, such have always been the followers of the Apostles." — Sahih al-Bukhari, Book 1, Hadith 7

The Prohibition of Expelling Believers for Social Status

Just as the chieftains of Noah's era looked down upon his followers, the elite chieftains of the Quraish came to the Prophet Muhammad and said: "If you want us to sit with you, you must expel these poor men (like Bilal, Ammar, and Salman Al-Farsi), for we are ashamed that the other Arab tribes see us sitting with slaves."

The Sunnah rigidly stood against this classism. Allah reinforced Noah's stance on this page by commanding Prophet Muhammad in a parallel verse never to turn away less fortunate believers for the sake of political or financial elitism:

"And do not send away those who call upon their Lord morning and afternoon, seeking His countenance..." (Qur'an 10:52 / Surah Al-An'am) — Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2413 (Detailing the context of the poor companions)

References

• Al-Bukhari, M. I. (n.d.). Sahih al-Bukhari.

• Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj. (n.d.). Sahih Muslim.