English Translation of Al-Quran
[28].Surah Al-Qasas [The Narration]
Ayat 77. But seek, with that (wealth) which Allah has bestowed on you Oh Qaroon, the home of the Hereafter, and forget not your portion of legal enjoyment in this world, and do good as Allah has been good to you, and seek not mischief in the land. Verily, Allah does not the Mufsidun (those who commit great crimes and sins, oppressors, tyrants, mischief-makers, corrupts).
Tafseer of Surah Al-Qasas (The Narration) Ayat 77. “His people said to Qaroon, “But seek, with the (wealth) which Allah has bestowed on thee, the Home of the Hereafter, nor forget thy portion in this world: but do thou good, as Allah has been good to thee, and seek not (occasions for) mischief in the land: for Allah loves not those who do mischief.” That is, ‘spend your wealth in charity and good works. It is Allah Who has given it to you, and you should spend it in Allah’s cause. Nor should you forget the legitimate needs of this life, as misers do, and most people become misers who think too exclusively of their wealth. If wealth is not used properly, there are three evils that follow: (1) its possessor may be a miser and forget all claims due to himself and those about him; (2) he may forget the higher needs of the poor and needy, or the good causes which require support; and (3) he may even misspend on occasions and cause a great deal of harm and mischief.’ Apparently Qaroon had all three vices.
English Translation of Hadith
Hazrat Abu Bakr As-Siddiq (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: “O you people! You recite this Verse: `O you who believe! Take care of your own selves. If you follow the (right) guidance [and enjoin what is right (Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam orders one to do) and forbid what is wrong (polytheism, disbelief and all that Islam has forbidden)] no hurt can come to you from those who are in error.’ (5:105) But I have heard Messenger of Allah [SAWW](PBUH) saying: “When people see an oppressor but do not prevent him from (doing evil), it is likely that Allah will punish them all.”
[Abu Dawud Hadith # 4338 and At-Tirmidhi Hadith # 2168]
Lesson : as mentioned above in Surah Al-Qasas Ayat 77. “the home of the Hereafter, and forget not your portion of legal enjoyment in this world, and do good as Allah has been good to you” This Hadith brings out the following points: What Abu Bakr As-Siddiq (May Allah be pleased with him) had stated was that the Ayah mentioned in this Hadith was generally understood to mean that if a person is on the Straight Path then it is not necessary for him to preach virtue and forbid vice because in that case he neither has the fear of being harmed by the disobedience and sins of others nor is he answerable to Allah for their misdeeds. Thus, what it implies is that Muslim Ummah is not responsible for the enforcement of Islamic Sharia in the world and all it is concerned with is its own improvement only. By narrating this Hadith, Abu Bakr As-Siddiq (May Allah be pleased with him) refuted this interpretation of the Ayah and made it clear that it is the duty of the Ummah and each of its member to make best possible efforts to check the vices prevalent in the society. So much so that if a Muslim has the ability to check the vices by means of force or speech but he does not do it, his negligence in this regard will become a cause of Divine wrath and punishment. The true significance of this ayah is that if, in spite of the best efforts on the part of the pious ones there is no improvement, and people do not abstain from sins and disobedience of Allah, then the pious persons will not be held responsible for what the defaulters do, nor would they suffer on this account. This interpretation of the ¢yah removes the conflict that seems to exist between the meaning of the Ayah and the Hadith.
