Araf 175-177 | aamsaafank's Blog

Araf 175-177

175- AND NARRATE TO THEM ABOUT HE WHO WAS GIVEN OUR AYAHS, BUT HE DISSOCIATED HIMSELF FROM THEM AND THEN THE DEVIL FOLLOWED HIM, AND HE BECAME OF THE SINFUL.

176- HAD WE DESIRED, WE WOULD HAVE RAISED HIM, HOWEVER, HE LOWERED HIMSELF TO THE GROUND AND FOLLOWED HIS OWN DESIRES, HE IS THEN LIKE A DOG, IT PANTS WHEN YOU CHASE HIM AND PANTS WHEN YOU LEAVE HIM,  SUCH IS THE PARABLE OF THOSE WHO REJECT OUR AYAHS, SO NARRATE THEIR STORIES SO THAT THEY MAY THINK AND CONSIDER.

177- SUCH A BAD EXAMPLE IS THE EXAMPLE OF THE PEOPLE WHO DENIED OUR AYAHS, AND WERE UNJUST TO THEMSELVES.

It is reported that these Ayahs were referring to a scholar from the Children of Israel.  He was sent to a king, and the king bribed him with money and property to follow his ways and be in his clan, which the scholar accepted.  In doing so, he dissociated himself from Allah’s Ayahs and commands, which he knew very well.

The scholars and the knowledgeable bear a greater responsibility that others, this is because of their knowledge, and therefore their sins are also greater than others’ sins.  Such scholars follow the ways of Satan, and consequently, Satan follows them.  It is as if he becomes one of the devils of humans, and therefore Satan follows his footsteps.  Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him said to his companion Abu Zar: “Abu Zar, ask for Allah’s protection from the devils of humans and of Jinn”.  He said: “Allah’s messenger, are there devils among the humans?”  he said: “Yes”.  (T: Manaqeb; 17 & a: 5; 178,179,265)

He became one of Satan’s companions, each following the other.  This happened because the scholar decided to leave what is good and righteous for what is evil, in the full knowledge of what he was doing. 

Then Allah the Highest draws a parable, between such man and a dog, who pants regardless of the circumstances.

Comparing a human being to an animal should be demeaning to man (no offence to animals), this is because, Allah the Highest favoured mankind with many things, and raised his status above that of other creatures:

-         Allah the Highest created Adam with His Own Hands.  Allah the Highest said: “HE (ALLAH) SAID: “SATAN, WHAT STOPPED YOU PROSTRATING TO WHAT I CREATED WITH MY HANDS”.  (S:38 A:75)

-         Allah the Highest commanded the angels to prostrate to Adam “AND AS WE SAID TO THE ANGELS: “PROSTRATE TO ADAM”, THEY PROSTRATED EXCEPT IBLIS (SATAN WHO IS A GINN), HE REFUSED, WAS PROUD AND BECAME A DISBELIEVER”.   (S:2 A:34)

-         Allah the Highest Appointed Adam and his descendants, viceroys on Earth.  “AND AS YOUR LORD SAID TO THE ANGELS: “I AM PLACING A VICEROY ON EARTH”.   (S:2 A:30)

-         Allah the Highest made mankind in charge of the Earth and let him use everything on Earth and in the Heavens, and He did not do this to any other being.  Allah the Highest said: “DO YOU NOT SEE THAT ALLAH DEDICATED WHAT IS IN THE HEAVENS AND WHAT IS IN THE EARTH FOR YOU”.  (S:31 A:20)

-         Allah the Highest,, stated clearly that He honoured mankind and favoured them to many of His other creation.  Allah the Highest said: “AND WE HAVE HONOURED THE CHILDREN OF ADAM, AND WE CARRIED THEM ON LAND AND SEA, AND PROVIDED THEM WILL ALL GOOD THINGS, AND WE FAVOURED THEM GREATLY TO MANY OF OUR CREATIONS”.  (S:17 A:70)

-         Allah the Highest chose the prophets and messengers, peace upon them all, from among mankind, not from other creatures.

Man is different from animals also, in that man can choose what to do, and what not to do, while animals are driven and directed by their instincts for eating, drinking, procreation, defending their lives, etc. 

The Analogy of such people, who rejected Allah’s Ayahs and the dog, is demeaning to such people.  Not because the dogs are nasty creatures, for they are of Allah’s creation.  It is demeaning to man, who did not use many of the advantages and qualities Allah the Highest has given him and favoured him to animals with, such people are then no better than the animals.