161 Page Notes

07 Surah Al-Araf (continued)

Page 161 - Related Hadith/Sunnah

7:82

7:83

7:84

7:85

7:86

7:87

Translation of the meaning by Sahih International.

Page 161 - Related Hadiths and Sunnah

Page 161 of the Quran covers Surah Al-A'raf (The Heights), verses 82 through 87.

This section wraps up the history of Prophet Lut (Lot), detailing how his people tried to exile him for his purity and how his wife was left behind to face divine destruction. The text then transitions seamlessly to the story of Prophet Shu'ayb and the people of Madyan (Midian), shifting the focus to a society heavily plagued by financial corruption, commercial fraud, and highway robbery.

The Sunnah and authentic Hadiths expand upon these verses by defining economic justice, condemning market deception, and clarifying the lineage and titles of the Prophets.

1. The Isolation of the Pure & The Fate of Lut's Wife

“But the answer of his people was only that they said, 'Evict them from your city! Indeed, they are men who keep themselves pure.' So We saved him and his family, except for his wife; she was of those who remained behind.”

— Surah Al-A'raf (7:82–83)

Sodom and Gomorrah chose to criminalize moral decency and exile Prophet Lut simply for maintaining his natural human integrity (Fitrah). While Lut was rescued, his wife was spiritually aligned with the corrupt society and stayed behind to face the final cataclysm.

The Prophet’s Prayer for Salvation from Corrupt Environments

The Sunnah mirrors the struggle of Prophet Lut by providing standard prayers to protect a believer’s family and ancestry from being consumed by hostile or immoral societal decay.

• Hadith: The Prophet Muhammad frequently taught a foundational supplication seeking safety from living in an environment where one's family might be morally compromised:
  "O Allah, I seek refuge in You from an evil neighbor in my permanent dwelling place..."
  (Al-Adab Al-Mufrad, Bukhari, Hadith 1174; graded Sahih)

2. Prophet Shu'ayb and Financial Integrity

“And to [the people of] Madyan [We sent] their brother Shu'ayb. He said, 'O my people, worship Allah; you have no deity other than Him... So give full measure and weight and do not deprive people of their due and do not cause corruption upon the earth after its reformation...'”

— Surah Al-A'raf (7:85)

Prophet Shu'ayb's core social mission focused on reforming macroeconomics, establishing strict consumer protection laws, and enforcing corporate honesty.

A. The Ban on Market Deception (Ghash)

To practicalize Shu'ayb’s command to "give full measure and weight and do not deprive people of their due," the Prophet Muhammad integrated this exact economic transparency directly into standard Islamic market law.

• Hadith: Abu Hurairah narrated that the Messenger of Allah passed by a heap of foodstuff in the marketplace. He thrust his hand into it and his fingers felt dampness. He asked the seller, "What is this, O merchant?" The man replied, "It was damaged by rain, O Messenger of Allah." The Prophet remarked:
  "Why did you not place the damp food on top so that people could see it? Whoever deceives us is not of me."
  (Sahih Muslim, Hadith 102)

B. The Consequence of Cheating in Weights and Measures

The Sunnah warns that when a nation systematically duplicates the economic crimes of Madyan (Verse 85), they trigger natural financial crises, inflation, and political oppression as a direct cosmic consequence.

• Hadith: Abdullah bin Umar narrated that the Messenger of Allah turned to the companions and listed five severe trials, stating:
  "...And never do a people shortchange in weights and measures except that they are stricken with famine, severe economic hardship, and the tyranny of rulers over them."
  (Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith 4019; graded Sahih)

3. Highway Robbery and Blocking the Path of Truth

“And do not sit on every path, threatening and averting from the way of Allah those who believe in Him, seeking to make it [seem] deviant...”

— Surah Al-A'raf (7:86)

Historically, the people of Madyan sat on travel routes to physically rob caravans and intimidate people who were traveling to listen to Prophet Shu'ayb.

The Etiquette of Sitting on Public Roads

To eliminate this predatory social trait, the Prophet Muhammad established strict rules for anyone gathering on pathways, ensuring public spaces remain completely safe for pedestrians.

• Hadith: Abu Sa'id al-Khudri reported that the Prophet said, "Avoid sitting on the pathways." The companions replied, "O Messenger of Allah, we cannot help meeting there to discuss matters." The Prophet then instructed:
  "If you insist on sitting there, then give the road its rightful due." They asked, "What is its due?" He replied: "Lowering the gaze, refraining from causing harm, returning greetings of peace, and enjoining good and forbidding evil."
  (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 2465 / Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2121)