Day 242 · Surah Saba' Verses 15-31

Saba' 15–31

The prosperous land of Saba', flanked by flourishing gardens, was destroyed by a great flood due to disbelief, and its gardens were replaced with those bearing bitter and thorny fruit.

• Saba' in Yemen was originally secure and prosperous, with settlements connected in succession up to the land of Sham.
• Iblis was created to test whether mankind follows his seduction or follows the messengers and revelation.
• Deities other than Allah possess no power whatsoever and do not participate in the creation of the heavens and the earth.
• Intercession is only for those whom Allah permits, and the heavens tremble when He decides a matter.
• The Prophet was sent to all mankind, and the Hour will certainly come at its appointed time and cannot be advanced or delayed even a moment.

Verses 15-22 explain one of the proofs of Allah's power as occurred in the land of Saba' in Yemen. A prosperous, secure land flanked by two gardens on the right and two on the left, and Allah made between Saba' and the land of Sham (Levant) settlements connected in succession. Because its people disbelieved in Allah, Allah sent upon them a great flood that devastated them completely and replaced their gardens with gardens bearing bitter fruit and thorns. They committed acts forbidden by Allah, so Allah destroyed them utterly. This event became a sign of Allah's greatness for those who are patient and grateful to Allah.

Allah created Iblis to test mankind whether they follow his seduction and deception or follow the Messengers and His revelation.

Indeed, the deities whom they invoke possess no power whatsoever in the heavens or the earth, not even an atom's weight, nor do they share in the creation of the heavens and the earth.

Verses 23-31 explain the following matters:

1. None can grant intercession except those whom Allah permits. When Allah decides a matter or sends down a revelation, the angels in the heavens glorify Him and the heavens tremble out of awe of Allah.
2. The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) was commanded by Allah to clarify that it is Allah who provides mankind sustenance from the heavens. The disbelievers and polytheists are in misguidance while Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and his followers are in guidance. The evil of the disbelievers is not to be blamed on the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), nor is what he does to be blamed on the disbelievers. Allah will gather them all and decide their case with justice.
3. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was sent to all mankind as a bringer of good tidings and a warner. Yet most people do not know this. In fact, they challenged him to explain when the Hour would come if he were truly a Messenger. The Hour will certainly occur at its appointed time; it will neither be delayed nor hastened even by a moment.
4. Those who disbelieve in the Qur'an and the previous Scriptures will blame each other before Allah. The oppressed will blame the oppressors as the cause of their disbelief and misguidance.

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