Transliteration:( Wa darabal laahu masalan qaryatan kaanat aaminatam mutma'innatany yaaateehaa rizquhaa raghadam min kulli makaanin fakafarat bi an'umil laahi fa azaaqahal laahu libaasal joo'i walkhawfi bimaa kaanoo yasna'oon )
112. And Allah presented the example of a town, which was safe and satisfied, receiving its provision abundantly from all directions. But it showed ingratitude to the blessings of Allah, so Allah made it taste the punishment of hunger and fear [249], as a recompense for what they used to do [250].
[249] This verse describes the infidels of Makkah who enjoyed peace, security, and abundant sustenance without hardship, yet remained ungrateful to Allah Almighty. Despite these blessings, they rejected the Holy Prophet ﷺ and opposed Allah’s commands. Subsequently, a severe drought befell them, forcing them to such desperation that they ate the flesh of the dead. They were brought under the control of the believers, whom they had always feared. This is a clear consequence of ingratitude and rebellion against divine blessings.
It is noteworthy that while many fertile lands have suffered famines causing great loss, the barren land of Makkah generally remained free from famine except during the Prophet’s time, when the punishment was due to their evil deeds. Today, sustenance flows abundantly into Makkah, supporting millions of pilgrims with food, fruit, and sacrificial animals from across the world, showing continued blessings despite past hardships.
[250] This teaches us that certain sins, especially ingratitude, can bring about punishment in this world as a sign and warning. However, this worldly punishment is not the full recompense; the ultimate and complete judgment awaits in the Hereafter. For example, a criminal’s time in police custody is only a beginning before the final court sentence — similarly, worldly afflictions serve as partial punishment before the eternal reckoning.
112. And Allah gives the example of a township (Makkah), it was secure and peaceful: its provision coming to it in abundance from every place, but it (its people) denied the favors of Allah. So Allah made it taste extreme hunger (famine) and fear, because of what they did. 113. There has come to them a Messenger from among themselves, but they denied him, so the torment seized them while they were wrongdoers.
This example refers to the people of Makkah, which had been secure, peaceful and stable, a secure sanctuary while men were being snatched away from everywhere outside of it. Whoever entered Makkah, he was safe, and he had no need to fear, as Allah said:
(And they say: “If we follow the guidance with you, we would be snatched away from our land.” Have We not established a secure sanctuary (Makkah) for them, to which are brought fruits of all kinds, a provision from Ourselves.) ﴿28:57﴾ Similarly, Allah says here:
(its provision coming to it in abundance) meaning, with ease and in plenty,
(from every place, but it (its people) denied the favors of Allah.) meaning, they denied the blessings of Allah towards them, the greatest of which was Muhammad being sent to them, as Allah said:
(Have you not seen those who have changed the favors of Allah into disbelief, and caused their people to dwell in the abode of destruction; Hell, in which they will burn, – and what an evil place to settle in!) (14:28-29). Hence Allah replaced their former blessings with the opposite, and said:
(So Allah made it taste extreme hunger (famine) and fear,) meaning, He inflicted it and made them taste of hunger after fruits of all kinds and provision in abundance from every place had been brought to it. This was when they defied the Messenger of Allah and insisted on opposing him, so he supplicated against them, asking Allah to send them seven years like the seven years of Yusuf (i.e., seven years of famine), and they were stricken with a year in which everything that they had was destroyed, and they ate `Alhaz’, which is the hair of the camel mixed with its blood when it is slaughtered.
(and fear). This refers to the fact that their sense of security was replaced with fear of the Messenger of Allah and his Companions after they had migrated to Al-Madinah. They feared the power and the attack of his armies, and they started to lose and face the destruction of everything that belonged to them, until Allah made it possible for His Messenger to conquer Makkah. This happened because of their evil deeds, their wrongdoing and their rejection of the Messenger that Allah sent to them from among themselves. He reminded them of this blessing in the Ayah:
(Indeed, Allah blessed the believers when He sent Messenger from among themselves to them.) (3:164) and,
(So have Taqwa of Allah! O men of understanding who have believed, Allah has indeed revealed to you a reminder (this Qur’an). (And has also sent to you) a Messenger.) ﴿65:10-11﴾ and:
(Similarly (as a blessing), We have sent a Messenger to you from among you, reciting Our Ayat to you, and purifying you, and teaching you the Book (the Qur’an) and the Hikmah (i.e. Sunnah).) Until
(and do not be ungrateful.) ﴿2:151-152﴾ Allah changed the situation of the disbelievers and made it the opposite of what it had been, so they lived in fear after being secure, they were hungry after having plenty of provisions. After the believers lived in fear, Allah granted them security, giving them ample provisions after they lived in poverty, making them rulers, governors and leaders of mankind. This is what we say about the example that was given of the people of Makkah. It was also the opinion of Al-`Awfi and Ibn `Abbas, Mujahid, Qatadah, `Abdur-Rahman bin Zayd bin Aslam, and Malik narrated it from Az-Zuhri as well. May Allah have mercy on them all.
(16:112) Allah sets forth the parable of (the people of) a town who were secure and content and whose sustenance came in abundance from every quarter. But then the people of the town showed ingratitude towards Allah for His bounties, so Allah afflicted them with hunger and fear in punishment for their evil deeds.
There is no commentary by Abul Maududi available for this verse.
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