Day 223 · Surah Al-Ankabut Verses 24-38

Al-'Ankabut 24–38

Ibrahim was saved from fire made cool, then followed the story of the destruction of the people of Lot, the inhabitants of Midian, the people of 'Ad and Thamud because they rejected monotheism.

• His people wanted to burn Ibrahim, but Allah commanded the fire to lose its heat and become cool.
• The idols they worship only create affection in this worldly life; in the Hereafter they will disown each other and curse one another.
• Only Lot accepted Ibrahim's call, then Allah granted him Isaac and Jacob and made prophethood in his descendants.
• The people of Lot were destroyed with stones of baked clay, and Lot was saved except for his wife who betrayed him.
• The inhabitants of Midian who rejected Shu'ayb's call to stop cheating were destroyed by an earthquake, while the remnants of the dwellings of 'Ad and Thamud can still be witnessed.

Verses 24-30 continue the story of Ibrahim and Lot. The monotheistic call of Prophet Ibrahim was met by his people with threats to kill him by burning. Allah saved Ibrahim from the fire by commanding it to come out of its nature, that is from heat to coolness. That event became a sign of Allah's greatness to the believers. Prophet Ibrahim explained to his people that the idols they worship are only a means or medium of psychological contact and affection among themselves in this world only. In the Hereafter, they will disown and curse one another. Their place is Hellfire and there will be no helper for them.

The monotheistic call of Ibrahim was only accepted by Lot. Then Allah granted Ibrahim Isaac and Jacob. Allah made prophethood and the Book from his descendants. In this world they were given good reward, and in the Hereafter Allah will place them among the righteous. Prophet Lot faced extreme disbelief from his people.

Verses 31-38 continue the story of Ibrahim, Lot and his people. Then it continues with the story of the inhabitants of Midian, 'Ad and Thamud whom Allah destroyed. Allah sent His angels to Ibrahim to give him good news of the birth of his son Isaac while informing him of the destruction of Lot's people due to their tyranny and sins. Then Allah punished and destroyed them with stones of baked clay from heaven and Allah saved Lot and his family except for his wife who betrayed him. Allah left the traces of the destruction of Lot's people as a sign of Allah's greatness for those who reflect.

Likewise Allah sent Prophet Shu'ayb to the inhabitants of Midian to call them to monotheism, worship only Him, hope for the Hereafter and stop cheating in economic and business practices. They rejected Shu'ayb's call. Then Allah destroyed them with an earthquake so they died lying in their homes.

The people of 'Ad and Thamud were also destroyed by Allah. The traces of their homes can still be witnessed. Satan made their sins seem fair to them so he easily prevented them from Allah's path. Yet they were people of intelligence.

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