Transliteration:( Wa laa taq'udoo bikulli siraatin too'idoona wa tasuddoona 'an sabeelil laahi man aamana bihee wa tabghoonahaa 'iwajaa; waz kurooo iz kuntum qaleelan fakassarakum wanzuroo kaifa kaana 'aaqibatul mufsideen )
"And sit not on every path [207], threatening and barring from Allah's ways to the wayfarers who have believed in Him, desiring crookedness in it. And remember when you were few, He multiplied [208] you. And behold! What was the end of the mischief-makers?" [209]
The people of Madyan would station themselves on roads and warn travelers against meeting Prophet Shu‘ayb (عليه السلام). They spread lies, saying there was a magician in Madyan who had misled people. They also accused his followers of causing people to get lost. This shows how the disbelievers tried to intimidate and prevent others from reaching the truth by creating fear, spreading propaganda, and distorting guidance.
Hazrat Shu‘ayb reminded them: once they were few in number, poor, and weak—yet Allah increased them, gave them wealth, and made them strong. These blessings demand gratitude, which begins by declaring faith in Allah and obeying His commands. Ungratefulness after receiving such divine favors only leads to destruction.
These words are likely still those of Hazrat Shu‘ayb (عليه السلام), urging his people to reflect on the fate of earlier destroyed nations. However, some scholars also suggest that this final warning may address the Arabs, highlighting that learning from history is a divine directive. Studying the lives of previous sinners and saints teaches us to avoid sin and imitate righteousness.
In particular, reading the biographies of the pious, especially that of the Holy Prophet ﷺ, is a form of worship. It cultivates taqwa (God-consciousness), fear of Allah, and love for acts of devotion.
86. “And sit not on every road, threatening, and hindering from the path of Allah those who believe in Him, and seeking to make it crooked. And remember when you were but few, and He multiplied you. And see what was the end of the mischief-makers. 87. “And if there is a party of you who believes in that with which I have been sent and a party who does not believe, so be patient until Allah judges between us, and He is the best of judges.”
(“And sit not on every road, threatening,”) threatening people with death if they do not give up their money, as they were bandits, according to As-Suddi. Ibn `Abbas, Mujahid and several others commented:
(“And sit not on every road, threatening.”) the believers who come to Shu`ayb to follow him.” The first meaning is better, because Prophet Shu`ayb first said to them,
(“on every road…”) He then mentioned the second meaning,
(“and hindering from the path of Allah those who believe in Him, and seeking to make it crooked.”) meaning, you seek to make the path of Allah crooked and deviated,
(“And remember when you were but few, and He multiplied you.”) meaning, you were weak because you were few. But you later on became mighty because of your large numbers. Therefore, remember Allah’s favor.
(“And see what was the end of the mischief-makers. ”) from the previous nations and earlier generations. See the torment and punishment they suffered, because they disobeyed Allah and rejected His Messengers. Shu`ayb continued;
(“And if there is a party of you who believes in that with which I have been sent and a party who does not believe,”) that is, if you divided concerning me,
(“so be patient”) that is, then wait and see,
(“until Allah judges between us,”), and you,
(“and He is the best of judges.”) Surely, Allah will award the best end to those who fear and obey Him and He will destroy the disbelievers.
(7:86) And do not lie in ambush by every path [of life] seeking to overawe or to hinder from the path of Allah those who believe, nor seek to make the path crooked. Remember, how you were once few, and then He multiplied you, and keep in mind what was the end of mischiefmakers.
There is no commentary by Abul Maududi available for this verse.
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