HISTORY OF ALLAH'S PUNISHMENT ON THE PAST NATIONS

Assalamu alaykum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuhu brethren in iiman.

All Praises belongs to Allah, we praise him, and we ask him for guidance and forgiveness.

And we seek protection in Allah from the malice of our own souls, and the evil of our actions.

Whom Allah guides, no one can lead him astray, and whom He makes astray, no one can lead him back to the right path.

I bear witness that there is no other deity but Allah, by himself, no associate to him, and I bear witness that Muhammad is his slave and Messenger.

*"O you who believed! Fear Allah as He should be feared, and die not except as Muslims."* [Suratu

Aali 'Imran ­ 3:102]

[70] *O you who believed! Fear Allah, and (always) say a word directed to the truth*

[71] *That He may make your conduct whole and sound, and forgive you your sins, *he that obeys

Allah and His Messenger, has then attained the highest Achievement*.

[Suratu Al­Ahzaab – 33: 70-­71]

The topic of Today's Lecture is *"HISTORY OF ALLAH'S PUNISHMENT ON THE PAST NATIONS "*

Allah has mentioned the stories of perished nations in the Holy Quran for us  to learn lessons from them and try to gain knowledge about their sins and how they were punished. Most Muslims nowadays hardly recite Quran daily so this work will help them know about the deeds of perished Nations and to stay away from those deeds.

Allah says in the Quran;

Surah Al-Anaam, Verse 11:

قُلْ سِيرُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ ثُمَّ انظُرُوا كَيْفَ كَانَ عَاقِبَةُ الْمُكَذِّبِينَ

 Say: Travel in the land, then see what was the end of the rejecters.

Past nations were involved in many wrong activities which were prohibited by Allah. Some of these nations were *Nuh's (as) nation* (who were involved in worshiping false gods), *Lut's (as) nation* (who were involved in sodomy), *People of A'd* (were arrogant and boastful), *People of Thamud* (rejected warnings of Allah), *Pharaoh* (was involved in shirk and was a cruel ruler), *People of Madyan* (were dishonest in doing business). Today's nation is also involved in same activities whereas Allah has clearly mentioned the stories of previous nations for us to learn lessons from them.

"Overview / Introduction "

Allah has always sent His prophets in every age since the creation of this world to give humans the knowledge about Allah (their creator). Some people followed those instructions told by these prophets but majority of these people didn't follow them. Some of them even not only denied to follow the right path but they also harmed the prophets and the people who followed them. The messengers were generally accused slanderously of "falsehood, magic, insanity and conceit" and leaders of many peoples even sought to have them murdered or killed.

Allah gave those nations many chances to believe and repent in truth, but they never did, So Allah punished them and as a result they all perished. Muslims are therefore, given a constant reminder not to follow the path of these nations because no one can hide from Allah when His chastisement occurs.

Allah reveals in the Holy Quran:

*"But how many generations before them did We destroy (for their sins) - stronger in power than they? Then did they wander through the land: was there any place of escape (for them)?"* (Surah Qaf: 36)

Now let's start and look into the history of the Past Nations.

*1. Nation of prophet Nuh (A.S):*

Prophet Nuh (a.s) was sent to teach people the lesson of *tauheed* i.e. to tell them to worship *only Allah*. Prophet Nuh (a.s) preached Islam over 950 years but only few followed him. Nuh's people were engaged in worshiping false god in the form of statues. Then Allah sent his prophet to bring them to the right path.

Allah says:

"Indeed, We sent Nuh (Noah) to his people and he said: "O my people! Worship Allah! You have no other God but Him. Certainly, I fear for you the torment of a Great Day!"" [Al-A'raf 7: 59]

For many generations Nuh's people had been worshipping statues that they called gods. They believed that these gods would bring them good, protect them from evil and provide all their needs. They gave their idols names such as Waddan, Suwa'an, Yaghutha, Ya'auga, and Nasran, (These idols represented, respectively, manly power; mutability, beauty; brute strength, swiftness, sharp sight, insight) according to the power they thought these gods possessed.

Originally these were the names of good people who had lived among them. After their deaths, statues of them were erected to keep their memories alive. After sometime, however, people began to worship these statues. Later generations did not even know why they had been erected; they only knew their parents had prayed to them. That is how idol worshipping developed. Since they had no understanding of Allah the Almighty Who would punish them for their evil deeds, they became cruel and immoral.

Prophet Nuh (a.s) warned them and invited them to worship only Allah, but they denied. They firstly denied the prophethood of Nuh. They said that he is also a man like us, he just want superiority on us that's why, he is doing this.

Allah says:

*The leaders of his people said: "Ah! we see you evidently in clear error." (Surat al-A‘raf: 60)*

*'The chiefs of the disbelievers among his people said: "We see you but a man like ourselves."' (11:27 Quran)*

 

Prophet Nuh (a.s) warned his people about the punishment of Allah.

Allah says:

*"We sent Nuh to his People (with the Command): "Do thou warn thy People before there comes to them a grievous Penalty."" (Surah Nuh: 1)*

Nuh continued appealing to his people to believe in Allah hour after hour, day after day year after year. He admonished his people and called them to Allah day and night, in secret and openly. He gave them examples, explained Allah's signs and illustrated Allah's ability in the formation of His creatures. But whenever he called them to Allah, they ran away from him. Whenever he urged them to ask Allah to forgive them, they put their fingers in their ears.

But they didn't listen and Allah asked Nuh to construct an Ark and collect pairs of every specie and every believer to keep them safe from the forthcoming disaster. Prophet Nuh (a.s) grieved about his people because of the forthcoming punishment. It was revealed to Nuh: *"None of thy people will believe except those who have believed already! So grieve no longer over their (evil) deeds." (Surah Hud: 36)*

The Ark/Ship was constructed, and Nuh sat waiting for Allah's command. Allah revealed to him that when water miraculously gushed forth from the oven at Nuh's house, that would be the sign of the start of the flood, and the sign for Nuh to act.

The terrible day arrived when the oven at Nuh's house overflowed. Nuh hurried to open the ark and summoned the believers. He also took with him a pair, male and female, of every type of animal, bird and insect.

Allah Says;

*Surah Hud, Verse 40:*

*Until when Our command came and water came forth from the valley, We said: Carry in it two of all things, a pair, and your own family-- except those against whom the word has already gone forth, and those who believe. And there believed not with him but a few.*

 Seeing him taking these creatures to the ark, the people laughed loudly: "Nuh must have gone out of his head! What is he going to do with these animals?"

Slowly the level of water increased and every non-believer died in the flood. Nuh's son who was a non-believer didn't join him and was drowned.

Allah says;

Surah Hud, Verse 42:

*And it moved on with them amid waves like mountains; and Nuh called out to his son, and he was aloof: O my son! embark with us and be not with the unbelievers.*

Surah Hud, Verse 43:

*He said: I will betake myself for refuge to a mountain that shall protect me from the water. Nuh said: There is no protector today from Allah's punishment but He Who has mercy; and a wave intervened between them, so he was of the drowned.*

Not a single non-believer was left alive. Then the order to stop the rain and to retreat the water was given,

Surah Hud, Verse 44

*And it was said: O earth, swallow down your water, and O cloud, clear away; and the water was made to abate and the affair was decided, and the ark rested on the Judi, and it was said: Away with the unjust people.*

and once again dry land was shown but flood had cleaned the non-believers from the land.

Surah Hud, Verse 49:

*These are announcements relating to the unseen which We reveal to you, you did not know them-- (neither) you nor your people-- before this; therefore be patient; surely the end is for those who guard (against evil).*

*2. Nation of prophet Lut (a.s):*

Prophet Lut (as) was sent as a messenger to one of prophet Ibrahim's (as) neighbouring communities. These people, as the Qur'an tells us, practiced a perversion unknown to the world up till then, namely sodomy. When Lut (as) told them to give up this perversion and brought them Allah's warning, they denied him, refused his prophethood, and carried on with their perversion. In the end, these people were destroyed by a dreadful disaster.

This city was filled with evil. Its residents waylaid, robbed and killed travelers. Another common evil among them was that men had sex with men instead of with women. This unnatural act later became known as sodomy (after the city of Sodom). It was practiced openly and unashamedly.

It was at the height of these crimes and sins that Allah revealed to Prophet Lut (a.s) that he should summon the people to give up their indecent behavior, but they were so deeply sunk in their immoral habits that they were deaf to Lut's preaching. Swamped in their unnatural desires, they refused to listen, even when Lut warned them of Allah's punishment. Instead, they threatened to drive him out of the city if he kept on preaching.

Allah says:

*And (We sent) Lut when he said to his people: What! do you commit an indecency which any one in the world has not done before you?*

*Most surely you come to males in lust besides females; nay you are an extravagant people.*

*And his people gave no answer but this: they said, "Drive them out of your city: these are indeed men who want to be clean and pure!" (Surat al-A‘raf: 80-82)*

Prophet Lut (as) was sent as a messenger to one of prophet Ibrahim's (as) neighbouring communities. These people, as the Qur'an tells us, practiced a perversion unknown to the world up till then, namely sodomy. When Lut (as) told them to give up this perversion and brought them Allah's warning, they denied him, refused his prophethood, and carried on with their perversion. In the end, these people were destroyed by a dreadful disaster.

This city was filled with evil. Its residents waylaid, robbed and killed travelers. Another common evil among them was that men had sex with men instead of with women. This unnatural act later became known as sodomy (after the city of Sodom). It was practiced openly and unashamedly.

It was at the height of these crimes and sins that Allah revealed to Prophet Lut (alai salam) that he should summon the people to give up their indecent behavior, but they were so deeply sunk in their immoral habits that they were deaf to Lut's preaching. Swamped in their unnatural desires, they refused to listen, even when Lut warned them of Allah's punishment. Instead, they threatened to drive him out of the city if he kept on preaching.

Allah says:

And his people gave no answer but this: they said, "Drive them out of your city: these are indeed men who want to be clean and pure!" (Surat al-A‘raf: 80-82)

Lut (a.s) called his people to an obvious truth and warned them explicitly, but his people did not heed to the warnings whatsoever and continued to reject him and denied the penalty of which he told them. Receiving the above answer from his people, Lut asked for the help of Allah: *He said: "O my Lord! help Thou me against people who do mischief!" (Surat al-Ankaboot: 30)*

 

Upon Lut's (as) prayer, Allah sent two angels in the form of men. They explained their reason for being sent to Lut. i.e.  The insolent people of Lut (as) were to be destroyed.

These Angels came to Lut (a.s) as guest and stayed in his house. This news was spread in the town by his wife who was not of the believers and within a short time, the whole town was standing outside his home. They broke the door and came in. The Angels said to Lut (a.s) that dont fear as we are angels and they cannot harm you. After hearing that, the non-believers got terrified and ran outside.

The angels warned Prophet Lut (pbuh) to leave his house before sunrise, taking with him all his people and family except his wife.

Allah had decreed that the city of Sodom should perish. An earthquake rocked the town. It was as if a mighty power had lifted the entire city and flung it down in one jolt. A storm of stones rained on the city. Everyone and everything was destroyed, including Lut's wife. In the morning, his people were destroyed by the disaster of which Lut (as) had informed them in advance.

Allah says:

*But the (mighty) Blast overtook them before morning, And We turned (the cities) upside down, and rained down on them brimstones hard as baked clay. Behold! in this are Signs for those who by tokens do understand. (Surat al-Hijr: 73-75)*

 Surah Al-Hijr, Verse 77:

*Most surely there is a sign in this for the believers.*

*3. People of A'd (Hud's a.s. People):*

The people of 'Ad lived many years in the windswept hills of an area between Yemen and Oman. They were physically well built and renowned for their craftsmanship especially in the construction of tall buildings with lofty towers. They were outstanding among all the nations in power and wealth, which, unfortunately, made them arrogant and boastful. Their political power was held in the hand of unjust rulers, against whom no one dared to raise a voice.

They were not ignorant of the existence of Allah, nor did they refuse to worship Him. What they did refuse was to worship Allah alone. They worshipped other gods, also, including idols. This is one sin Allah does not forgive.

Allah wanted to guide and discipline these people so He sent a prophet from among them. This prophet was Hud (a.s), a noble man who handled this task with great resoluteness and tolerance.

Hud (as) condemned idol worship and admonished his people. "My people, what is the benefit of these stones that you carve with your own hands and worship? In reality it is an insult to the intellect. There is only One Deity worthy of worship and that is Allah. Worship of Him and Him alone, is compulsory on you.

In Quran:

*To the Ad People (We sent) Hud, one of their own brethren. He said: "O my people! worship Allah! ye have no other god but Him. (Your other gods) ye do nothing but invent! Suratul A'araf 65*

 

Prophet Hud (as) told them *"He created you, He provides for you and He is the One Who will cause you to die.* He gave you wonderful physiques and blessed you in many ways. So believe in Him and do not be blind to His favors, or the same fate that destroyed Noah's people will overtake you." Hud (as) warned them.

With such reasoning Hud hoped to instill faith in them, but they refused to accept his message. His people asked him: "Do you desire to be our master with your call? What payment do you want?".Hud (as) replied them that he did not want their money nor reward from them.

Allah says:

*O my people! I ask of you no reward for this (Message). My reward is from none but Him Who created me: Will ye not then understand? Suratul Hud 51.*

Hud (as) tried to speak to them and to explain to them Allah's blessings: how Allah the Almighty had made them Noah's successors, how He had given them strength and power, and how HE sent them rain to revive the soil. Hud's (as) people seeing and realising that they were the strongest on earth became prouder and more obstinate. Thus they argued a lot with Hud (as). Hud (as) taught them everything a prophet teaches to his nation. But they used to ask silly questions. Hud warned them that they will be destroyed like Nuh's (as) nation. And they declared "we will be safe by our gods". Hud (as) told them that these idols will be the reason of your destruction. There is no one who harms or benefits any one except Allah.

The conflict between Hud (as) and his people continued. The years passed, and they became prouder and more obstinate, and more tyrannical and more defiant of their prophet's message.

Furthermore, they started to accuse Hud (as) of being a crazy lunatic. One day they told him: "We now understand the secret of your madness you insulted our gods and they harmed you; that is why you have become insane."

Almighty Allah repeated their words in the Quran:

*"O Hud! No evidence have you brought us, and we shall not leave our gods for your mere saying! And we are not believers in you. All that we say is that some of our gods (false deities) have seized you with evil (madness)." (11:53-54)*

A drought spread throughout the land, for the sky no longer sent its rain. the sun scorched the desert sands, looking like a disk of fire which settled on people's heads. The drought increased, the trees turned yellow, and plants died.

A day came when they found the sky full of clouds. Hud's (as) people were glad as they came out of their tents crying: "A cloud, which will give us rain!".But the weather changed suddenly from burning dry and hot to stinging cold with wind that shook everything; trees, plants, tents, men and women. The wind increased day after day and night after night.

Hud's (as) people started to flee. They ran to their tents to hide but the gale became stronger, ripping their tents from their stakes. They hid under cloth covers but the gale became stronger and still and tore away the covers. It slashed clothing and skin. It penetrated the apertures of the body and destroyed it. It hardly touched anything before it was destroyed or killed, its core sucked out to decompose and rot. The storm raged for 8 days and 7 nights.

Almighty Allah recounts:

*Then when they saw it as a dense cloud coming towards their valleys, they said: "This is a cloud bringing us rain!" Nay but it is that torment which you were asking to be hastened! a wind wherein is a painful torment!.*

*Destroying everything by the command of its Lord, so they became such that naught could be seen except their dwellings. Thus do We reward the guilty people.(46:24-25 Quran)*

That violent gale did not stop until the entire region was reduced to ruins and its wicked people destroyed, swallowed by the sands of the desert. Only Hud (as) and his followers remained unharmed. They migrated to Hadramaut and lived there in peace, worshipping Allah, their true Lord.

*4. Thamud (samood) People:*

Prophet salih (as) was sent on people of thamud. People of thamud were also engaged in the same sins in which people of A'd were involved. Thamud rejected the warnings of Allah just as ‘Ad did and perished in consequence.Thamud's denial of the warnings coming to them is an incident which is itself a warning to people of all ages. Prophet Salih (as) was sent to Thamud to warn them. Salih (as) was a recognised person within the Thamud society. His people, who did not expect him to proclaim the religion of truth, were surprised by his calling on them to abandon their deviation.

A small part of the community complied with Salih's (as) call, but most of them did not accept what he told. The leaders of the community in particular denied Salih (as) and took an antagonistic stand towards him. They tried to impede those who believed Salih (as) and tried to oppress them. They were enraged at Salih (as), because he called them to worship Allah. This rage was not specific only to Thamud; Thamud were repeating the mistake made by the people of Nuh (as) and by Ad' who had lived before them.

This is why the Qur'an refers to these three communities as follows:

*Has not the story reached you, (O people!), of those who were before you? - of the people of Prophet Nuh, and 'Ad, and Thamud? - And of those who (came) after them? None knows them but Allah. To them came messengers with Clear (Signs); but they put their hands up to their mouths, and said: "We do deny (the mission) on which ye have been sent, and we are really in suspicious (disquieting) doubt as to that to which ye invite us." (Surah Ibrahim: 9)*

Despite the Prophet Salih's (as) warnings, the people continued in their ways of being overcome by doubts. But still, there was a group who believed in the prophethood of Salih (as) - and those were the ones who were saved along with Salih (as) when the great catastrophe came. The leaders of the community tried to oppress the group believing in Salih (as). Moreover, a certain group openly denied Salih (as). A group among those who rejected faith - supposedly in the name of Allah - made plans to kill Salih (as).

Saleh's people disbelieved and thought he was bewitched. Then they asked him to show them a sign from Allah that he was indeed a prophet. They pointed at a huge rock that was standing by itself, and proposed to him that he ask his God to create a she-camel out of it. They of course thought that it was a good way to dumbfound him and silence him. But Saleh, in turn, took a strong oath from them that if Allah provided them with this sign they would believe in him and follow him. He then fervently prayed to Allah to answer their request. The huge rock moved and split and from it came a wonderful she-camel, which was pregnant and soon to give birth. Allah provided the Thamud people this miracle which was also a test for them, to see if they obey His orders.

In Quran:

Saleh told them: "O my people! This she-camel of Allah is a sign to you. Leave her to feed on Allah's earth, and inflict no harm on her, or a swift punishment will seize you!" (Hud, 11:64)

The she-camel and her young offspring lived among the Thamud people, she would drink from the water of the well for one day, and leave it to them the second day as Allah ordered:

"She has a right to drink (water), and you have a right to drink water, each on a day appointed," (Al-Shu'ara', 26:155).

Allah ordered Prophet Saleh to tell his people of the camel's rights, saying:

*"And tell them that the water is to be shared between her and them. Each one's right to drink being established by turns," (Al-Qamar, 54:28)*.

On the day the she-camel was to drink from the well, she would have enough milk for all the people of Thamud who would milk her and fill all their containers. She would graze in the valley and she was so huge that when she came near their sheep, they would flee and leave the way for her, and the cattle would not come near the well on the day she would drink from it.

The Thamud people were amazed and some of them believed and followed Prophet Saleh. It was clear that she was not a normal camel but was a miracle from Allah and a blessed animal. The disbelievers, however, were very much bothered by her for she was always reminding them of that oath

They plotted to kill her and get rid of her, so that way they would use the well every day. There were nine men in the city who were known for their mischief and crimes, and hence they were trusted with the mission of killing the camel. After making sure that all the disbelievers were in agreement to kill the she-camel, the men went out secretly by night to the well when she came to drink water. They hit her and killed her, then ran to kill the child but he ran away and vanish in the mountain from where the she-camel came from.

When saleh (as) heard of their horrible crime, Prophet Saleh (as) warned them saying:

*"Enjoy yourselves in your homes for three days. This is a promise that will not be belied!" (Hud, 11:65).*

This warning was an occasion for them to repent to Allah, but to the contrary, they did not only disbelieved in the threat but also decided to kill Saleh as well.

After three days Angel Gabriel (as) shook the walls of their homes and when they came out of their homes, he made a very loud sound by which caused all the disbelievers' death.Except saleh (as) and his believers.

*5. The Pharaohs. (The People of Musa a.s.)*

The King called Pharaoh who ruled Egypt was a tyrant who oppressed the descendants of Musa (as). He used every means to demean and disgrace them. They were kept in bondage and forced to work for him for small wages or nothing. Under this system the people obeyed and worshipped the pharaoh, and the ruling class carried out his orders, thereby authorizing his tyranny and crazy whims.The pharaoh wanted the people to obey him only, and to believe in the gods of his invention. Perhaps, during that time, there were many classes of people who did not believe in or practice polytheism; however, they kept this to themselves and outwardly did as they were expected to do, without revolting or revealing themselves to anyone.Pharaoh came to know that a child will be born who will be cause of his destruction and death. He gave command to kill all the male children among the children of israel.

*Ibn 'Abbas narrated: "Pharaoh saw in his vision a fire, which came from Jerusalem and burned the houses of the Egyptians, and all Copts, and did not do harm to the children of Israel.* When he woke up, he was horrified. He then gathered his priests and magicians and asked them about this vision. They said: *"This means a boy will be born of them and the Egyptian people will perish at his hands.'* That is why Pharaoh commanded that all male children of the children of Israel be killed."

But that child was born. He was prophet Musa (as). Even he was cherished by pharaoh in his palace. But after the prophethood Musa (as) conveyed the message of Allah.

Musa (as) and Harun (as) went to pharaoh in obedience to Allah's command and conveyed to him the message of the religion of truth. They asked him to stop tormenting the Children of Israel and let them go with Musa (as) and Harun (as). It was unacceptable to pharaoh that Musa (as), whom he had kept near him for years and who most probably was to have been his successor on the throne, stood up to him and talked to him in this manner. For that reason, Fir'awn accused him of ingratitude.

In Quran:

*(Fir'awn) said: "Did we not cherish thee as a child among us, and didst thou not stay in our midst many years of thy life? And thou didst a deed of thine which (thou knowest) thou didst, and thou art an ungrateful (wretch)!" (Surat ash-Shu'ara: 18-19*

Out of pride and greed for power, pharaoh did not listen to what Musa (as) said. He tried to make fun of him, attempted to prove his power, and denied him. At the same time, he aimed to portray Musa (as) and Harun (as) as anarchists and accuse them of being politically motivated. Finally, neither Pharaoh nor the leaders of the people within his close circle, except for the magicians, obeyed Musa (as) and Harun (as). They did not follow the religion of truth shown to them. Therefore Allah first of all sent some disasters to them.

pharaoh and his close circle were so deeply engaged in their polytheism and their idolatry, that is "the religion of their ancestors", that they never considered leaving it. Even the miracles of Musa (as) were not enough to make them move away from their superstitions. Moreover, they expressed this openly. They said: *"Whatever be the Signs thou bringest, to work therewith thy sorcery on us, we shall never believe in thee." (Surat al-A‘raf: 132)*

Because of their conduct, Allah sent them a number of disasters as "separate miracles" to make them taste the torment in this world, before the eternal torment of the next world. The first of these was drought and scarcity of crops.

In relation to the subject, it is written in the Quran:

*"We punished the people of Fir'awn with years (of droughts) and shortness of crops; that they might receive admonition." (Surat al-A‘raf: 130).*

However, instead of "taking heed" as they should have, they held all that had happened was because of ill fortune brought by Musa and the Children of Israel. They were overcome by such conviction because of their superstitions, disobedience and devotion to the religion of their ancestors and, as a result, they suffered great distress for years. Allah sent to them a series of disasters, and warned them. These disasters are described as follows in the Quran:

So we sent (plagues) on them: Wholesale death, Locusts, Lice, Frogs, and Blood: Signs openly self-explained: but they were steeped in arrogance - a people given to sin. (Surat al-A‘raf: 133)

In pharaoh's time, this kind of chain of disasters appears to have occurred. According to this scenario, when the Nile was contaminated, fish also died, and the Egyptians were deprived of an important source of nutrition. Without predator fish, the frogs could initially breed freely in both ponds and the Nile and thus overpopulate the river, eventually escaping the anoxic, toxic, and putrefying environment by migrating to land, hence dying on land and decomposing along with the fish. The Nile and adjacent lands thus became fouled, and the waters became dangerous to drink or to bathe in. Moreover, the extinction of frog species causes bugs such as locusts and lice to reproduce excessively.

Finally, no matter how the disasters took place, and what effect they left, neither pharaoh, nor his people turned to Allah by paying heed, but they continued in their arrogance.

Musa (as) set out from Egypt with the Children of Israel who obeyed him. However, pharaoh could not accept their departure without his permission. He and his soldiers followed them . By the time Musa (as) and the Children of Israel reached the shore, pharaoh and his soldiers had caught up with them. Some of the Children of Israel, who saw this, began to complain to Musa (as). This weakness of the community is also described in the Qur'an in the following verse:

"And when the two bodies saw each other, the people of Musa said: 'We are sure to be overtaken.'" (Surat ash-Shu'ara: 61)

Allah revealed to Musa (as) that he should strike the sea with his rod. Upon this,

"it divided, and each separate part became like the huge, firm mass of a mountain." (Surat ash-Shu'ara: 63).

In ordinary circumstances, at the moment when pharaoh saw such a miracle, he should have understood that there was something extraordinary about the situation - that he was seeing Divine intervention. The sea opened for the people whom pharaoh wanted to destroy. Moreover, there was no guarantee that the sea would not close back after they passed across. Still, he and his army followed the Children of Israel into the sea. Most probably, Pharaoh and his soldiers had lost their ability to think reasonably because of their insolence and spite, and were unable comprehend the miraculous nature of the situation.

The Qur'an describes the last moments of pharaoh as follows:

*We took the Children of Israel across the sea: Fir'awn and his hosts followed them in insolence and spite. At length, when overwhelmed with the flood, he said: "I believe that there is no god except Him Whom the Children of Israel believe in: I am of those who submit (to Allah in Islam)." (Surah Yunus: 90)*

*6. The People of Madyan. (Shuaib's a.s. People):*

The people of Madyan were Arabs who lived in the country of Ma'an, part of which today is greater than Syria. They were greedy people who did not believe that Allah existed and who led wicked lives. They gave short measure, praised and raised the prices their goods beyond their worth, and hid their defects. They lied to their customers, thereby cheating them.They led a very happy and a prosperous life. Due to Allah's grace and endowments, they were very wealthy. But instead of thanking Allah for His bounties, they turned greedy and started cheating and betraying people in business. They used to cheat in weighing goods i.e. when they sold goods they weighed less whereas while buying they asked for more. Fraud and deceit were commonplace and the one who was more expert in this field was considered more intelligent and wise.

Allah sent His Prophet Shoaib (as) armed with many miracles. Shu'aib preached to them, begging them to be mindful of Allah's favors and warning them of the consequences of their evil ways, but they only mocked him. Shu'aib remained calm as he reminded them of his kinship to them and that what he was doing was not for his personal gain.

In Quran:

*"And to Madyan (We sent) their brother Shoaib. He said, O my people! Serve Allah, you have no god other than Him. Clear proof has indeed come to you from your Lord. Therefore give full measure and weight. And do not diminish to men their things and do not make mischief in the land after its reform. This is better for you if you are believers." (A'raaf: 85)*

Shoaib (as) prohibited the people from committing such contemptible deeds, and also reminded them about Allah's chastisement. But people mocked at him and said, "You want us to worship as you worship? You expect us to leave the religion of our forefathers? You expect us to employ some other method in our trade? You want us to deal honestly and suffer losses? Never! Certainly we will never heed you! Since you have become old and also have children, we pardon you. Else we would certainly have stoned you to death'!

They seized the belongings of Shoaib (as) and his followers, then drove them out of the city. The Messenger turned to his Lord for help, and his plea was answered. Allah sent down on them scorching heat and they suffered terribly. On seeing a cloud gathering in the sky, they thought it would bring cool, refreshing rain, and rushed outside in the hope of enjoying the rainfall. Instead the cloud burst, hurling thunderbolts and fire. They heard a thunderous sound from above which caused the earth under their feet to tremble. The evil doers perished in this state of horror.

*PRESENT:*

Today's Muslims are the followers of the last prophet of Allah, *Muhammad (s.a.w)*. He was sent as a seal of prophets. As Allah also declared that Muhammad (s.a.w) is the seals of prophets and after him no prophet will come. He (s.a.w) was the noblest man on earth ever. And no one will come better than him. We are his nation known as Muslims.

Today's Muslims are proud to be Muslims. But should they really get proud of it? Today's Muslims are also involved in the activities the previous nations used to be involved in and they cam to no good end. They were perished by Allah.

Muslims are involved in different sins like; stealing, killing, greed, not to be thankful to Allah, arrogant, mean, boastful, diminish, and the worst sin shirk. As it is the biggest sin. There is no mercy for the people who get involve in shirk.

Allah himself says:

*"Indeed shirk is the greatest oppression." [Luqman: 13]*

Here shirk doesnt mean that Muslims don't believe in one God. They do believe in Allah in Allah and His every creation. But they are mistakenly making partners with Him. They are not declaring it by their tongue. But their actions shows that they are involved in shirk. They are seeking help not from Allah directly but asking to fullfil their will by visiting shrines of the great people from the past. Those people were used to be the sufis. When they died thier tombs were built and people used to visit them and had got a belief that these sufis will give them what they will ask. Where as they don't know that they are involving those sufis with Allah as their is no one in the world who can give them anything except Allah. Then how can a dead man help them.

Allah says:

*"Indeed he who associates partners in worship with Allah, then Allah has forbidden Jannah (Paradise) for him, and the Fire (of Hell) will be his abode ." [Al-Ma'aida 5:72]*

Even today's Muslims go to the sufis' shrines and prostrate their. Kisses the boundaries of their grave. Pray to them to bless them with good luck and what their desire is. They are involved in open shirk.

Beside the shirk Muslims are not very honest at thier business. They do injustice in measuring everything they sell. They don't care about their Muslim brothers. They just care about their business. It is because they are getting blind in the greed of wealth. They just want profit in thier business not the blessing from Allah. They are involved in stocking the items where as Islam has prohibited the stocking in any condition.

Muslims are blinded by their power and wealth. The wealthy people doesn't care about the poor ones. They just do every action for the sack of their benefit. The race of making huge structures is in progress. But they are not thanking Allah for the blessing they are getting arrogant in every aspect. They say that their knowledge is the key to their success. Where as this is not true.

Allah Says:

*When hardship touches man, he cries to Us (for help), then when We have (rescued him from that hardship and) give him a favor from Us, he says: “I earned this only because of certain knowledge (I have)!" In fact; this (favour) is a test; but most of them do not know. Az-Zumar (39:49)*

Muslims are also involved in the most shameful acts too. Muslims are involved in homosexual immoral activities, which is strongly prohibited in Islam. When a muslim get involve in adultery he is not allowed to enter in heaven. But only in one condition if that Muslim will get his/her punishment in this world. Not all the Muslims are involved in it but few can cause us to the destruction by Allah.

Muslims are busy in devouring other's property. The powerful is doing injustice with the weak.

They have forgotten the teachings of Islam. The manners taught to them by Holy prophet (s.a.w). They are proud to be the nation of the last prophet (s.a.w). But why? They should be proud to follow the right path.

 

*COMPARING PAST AND PRESENT:*

By comparing the present and past nations briefly discussed about we came to conclusion that today's nation is in great danger. The same sinful deeds are done by today's Muslims. There is no difference in between past and present.All the peoples we have reviewed until now, have had some qualities in common such as: transgressing against Allah, associating partners with Him, behaving arrogantly in the land, wrongfully devouring other's property, tending to sexual perversion, and insolence.

Muslims are not learning from the above past stories of perished nations. Allah has discussed thier stories in Quran just to tell the Muslims about the punishment of disobedience to Allah. Allah has discussed in Quran so that Muslims can learn a lesson from those. He has given us warnings that if we repeat these sins like them we will be punished too.

In Quran:

*Is it not a warning to such men (to call to mind) how many generations before them We destroyed, in whose haunts they (now) move? Verily, in this are Signs for men endued with understanding. (Surah Ta-Ha: 128)*

Particularly, an important group of the "leading people of the society" among us are not very different from the peoples who perished as described in the Qur'an. Most of the members of this group do not hesitate to perform every kind of perversion.

There are a number of practicing sodomists and homosexuals within society that remind us of the "People of Lut (as)". In additions there are currently all kinds of perversions outdoing their counterparts in the past.

Likewise most of the traders are involved in measuring dishonestly and deminish their customers like the people of madyan used to do. But didn't finish with a good end. Allah perished them.

The past nations didn't followed their peophets and said that you want us to leave the path f our ancestors. This can also be seen today, we see people innovate new customs and traditions, which lead them towards sin. They are deviated from religion and when a religious scholar tells them to avoid such customs and rituals, they retort, ‘Should we abandon the customs of our forefathers?!'

People are also involving other creatures with Allah like people of Thamud and A'd used to do. Today's Muslims seek help from the dead sufi's by visiting their shrines. They pay visit, seek help, even prostrate there. They surely will be punished on the day of judgement as Allah doesn't forgive shirk. Definitely he has lost everything he achieved in his life.

Allah says:

*"And if you commit shirk (associating partners with Allah) all of your works would be in vain (destroyed) and you wilt definitely be among those who are the losers". [Al-Zumar 39:65]*

All the societies we have examined have been punished through natural disasters.It is important that we realise that present-day societies that go astray and commit similar sins to those of past peoples may well be punished in a similar manner.

It should not be forgotten that Allah may punish whatever person or nation He wills whenever He wills. Or, He may let whomever He wills lead an ordinary life in this world, and punish him in the Hereafter. Every man will be punished in according to his deeds.

Those nations were also addressed by their prophets. Like we are being taught everything by Muhammad (s.a.w). And we should know the stories past nations and learn a lesson from them that what were the reasons they were perished and we should not repeat all those sins.

Allah says:

*Do they not travel through the earth, and see what was the end of those before them? They were superior to them in strength: they tilled the soil and populated it in greater numbers than these have done: there came to them their messengers with Clear (Signs). (Which they rejected, to their own destruction): It was not Allah Who wronged them, but they wronged their own souls. (Surat ar-Rum: 9)*

*Slaves of Allah!* “Allah commands justice, the doing of good, and liberality to kith and kin, and Heforbids all shameful deeds, and injustice and rebellion: He instructs you, that you may remember.”

[Q 16:90] Remember Allah the supreme (in glory) and He will remember you, and be thankful to Him, and He will increase you in bounty, and seek His forgiveness, He will forgive you, and have Taqwa of Him (God­fearing, devoutness, piety), He will make for you a way out of your issues.

And Establish the prayer.

Brethren in diin. This brings us to the end of today's lecture.

May Allah grant us goodness and forgive our shortcomings.

Wassalamu alaykum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuhu