Today at Fajr, I completed the reading of Surah Ash-Shu'ara with its translation, mashAllah. I couldn't figure out Allah's Wisdom behind naming the Surah "The Poets" until I got to the very end. Of course, the detailed meaning I will discover when I read the exegesis (Tafseer), inshAllah. The Surah was revealed to Prophet Mohammad, peace and blessings on him and his family (salAllahu alehy wa'aleyhi wasallam - saww) to command him that it is not his duty to grieve over the failure of the disbelievers to embrace the truth i.e. Allah's message and His Book - The Quran, because a prophet's work is only to voice Allah's command and make it clear to all who hear. Allah narrates the fate of various disbelieving nations who ignored the call of their Messengers, sent by Allah, and hence met severe doom.
Prophets Moses and Aaron, peace be upon them (aleyh'salaam - a.s.)
Allah reminds Prophet Mohammad (saww) about how Prophet Moses (a.s.) confronted difficulty in bringing up a revolution against the tyrant Pharaoh. He asked Allah for a brother who would aid his struggle and he was blessed with the companionship of Prophet Aaron (a.s.). A conversation between the arrogant Pharaoh and Prophet Moses (a.s.) follows which reflects how strong a believer needs to be when facing a disbeliever who claims to be God. Then comes the incidence of Prophet Moses' (a.s.) staff (asa'a) turning into a snake when all the magicians of the city were made to confront him with their spells. They all bore witness that it was a miracle of Allah - the One God Who had sent Moses (a.s.) and not the Pharaoh - the self-proclaimed god.
Following the idea that only the brave believers are aided by Allah's miracle, the Surah progresses to revise the incidence of Prophet Moses (a.s.) making an escape from Pharoah's land with his band of followers of the religion of Allah. When confronted by the Red Sea (as historians say) Prophet Moses (a.s.) was commanded by Allah to go ahead and the sea divides into two ... allowing the believers a safe passage while Pharaoh and his men are drowned!
Prophet Abraham (a.s.)'s Story and Signs For Disbelievers
The next that follows is a conversation between Prophet Abraham (a.s.) and the idol-worshipers against whom he was inspired by Allah to revolt. The prophet reasons with the ignorant ones about their foolishness in worshiping statues that could neither harm nor benefit and the people respond with the most illogical of reasoning.
Prophet Noah (a.s.)'s Story
There is a mention of the story of Prophet Noah (a.s.) and how he, too, as a believer was mocked at and threatened of being stoned when he invited people to the Word of Allah. Once again, Allah wrote doom for the disbelievers and the great flood wiped off their existence, becoming a sign for all who disbelieve to remember.
Story of Prophet Hud (a.s.) and the Disbelievers of Aad
The People of Aad were a prosperous nation. Giant-like they built huge fortresses and lived like tyrants, cruel attackers. They had been blessed by abundant foods and water and thrived prosperously. However, they did the ultimate sin of Shirk as they built idols for worship. Prophet Hud (a.s.), like other prophets, warned these ignorant fools of their folly but to no avail. Ultimately, Allah narrates how He sent a mighty storm to destroy them.
The People of Thamud (Samood), Prophet Saleh (a.s.) and the Earthquake
The People of Thamud are mentioned next. They were those who carved homes and structures in mountains and enjoyed prosperous lives. But they did not follow the Commands of Allah and followed the wrongdoers. Prophet Saleh (a.s.) tried to reason with them and deliver Allah's message but they gave him a deaf ear. Ultimately, they met a terrible end as Allah sent a terrible earthquake that buried them under stone and rock. They were discovered thousands of year later by archaeologists ... as if it was Allah's Will to preserve them for the world to see.
The People of Lut, Prophet Lut (a.s.), and the Deadly Rain
The People of Lut had adopted homosexuality instead of the lawful life partners that Allah had given them. Prophet Lut (a.s.) was another trusted Messenger who tried to beat some sense into them but to no use. Their deadly end was a storm that rained down stones on them, wiping them from the face of the earth.
Prophet Shuya'ab's People
There is also a mention of the wrongdoers towards whom Prophet Shuya'ab (a.s.) was sent. I have yet to read in detail about the people of Prophet Shuay'ab, but the crux of what I read in the Surah is that they were unjust in their financial and routine transactions. They wronged people with abuse and with corruption. Prophet Shuya'ab (a.s.) forewarned them but like all other prophets he too received a deaf ear. Eventually, they too were destroyed by Allah's wrath.
Conclusion
Allah speaks to Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) in this Surah and commands him not to grieve about the fate of the people once he has delivered the true message to them. The Quran is the whole truth, the complete word. If disbelievers turn deaf, dumb, and blind then they should be left to suffer the punishment that Allah has designed for them.
