The intended meaning of the command in the saying of Allah the Exalted: (And when We intended to destroy a town, We commanded its affluent ones)
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[The intended meaning of the command in the saying of Allah the Exalted: (And when We intended to destroy a town, We commanded its affluent ones)]
The saying of Allah the Exalted: [Al-Isra: 16] What is the intended meaning of the command here?
The intended meaning of the command here is the cosmic command; because the word "command" is used for the legislative command, such as the saying of Allah the Exalted: [Al-Shura: 52] ,And like His saying the Exalted: [An-Nahl: 90] [An-Nisa: 58] .
And it is used for the cosmic command,As in the saying of Allah the Exalted: [Al-Qamar: 50] So the intended meaning of the command here is the cosmic command. If Allah the Exalted intends to destroy a town, He commands its affluent ones with a cosmic command, and they commit open sinfulness, and then the word becomes valid against them and they are destroyed.
And in the verse: The severe warning regarding the punishment of the non-affluent, of the punishment of the obedient;Because he said: (We commanded its affluent ones, so they committed open sinfulness) meaning: the affluent ones, (so the word became valid against them) And this is attested by the saying of Allah the Exalted: [Al-Isra: 16] And among His sayings is: [Al-Anfal: 25] .
And as for the statement of some scholars, may Allah forgive them: That the intended meaning of the command in the verse is the legislative command,And the meaning is: We commanded them and prohibited them, so they committed open sinfulness. This is impossible for Allah Mighty and Majestic, that He commands and prohibits in order to destroy. This is incorrect. Rather, He commands and prohibits so that He may have mercy, Blessed and Exalted is He.
So the statement: That the intended meaning is the legislative command is a very weak statement. Whoever reflects on it knows that it is not befitting for Allah, Blessed and Exalted is He, to command a nation and prohibit them in order for them to commit open sinfulness so that He punishes them. Thus, the purpose of the laws, according to this view, becomes punishment, whereas the purpose of the laws is mercy. The important point is that it is established that the intended meaning here is the cosmic, decreed command.
The saying of Allah the Exalted:
And when We intend to destroy a city, We command its affluent but they defiantly disobey therein; so the word comes into effect upon it, and We destroy it with [complete] destruction.
وَإِذَا أَرَدْنَا أَنْ نُهْلِكَ قَرْيَةً أَمَرْنَا مُتْرَفِيهَا فَفَسَقُوا فِيهَا فَحَقَّ عَلَيْهَا الْقَوْلُ فَدَمَّرْنَاهَا تَدْمِيراًThe intended meaning of the command here is the cosmic command; because the word "command" is used for the legislative command, such as the saying of Allah the Exalted:
And thus We have revealed to you an inspiration of Our command.
وَكَذَلِكَ أَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْكَ رُوحاً مِنْ أَمْرِنَاIndeed, Allah orders justice and good conduct
إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَأْمُرُ بِالْعَدْلِ وَالإِحْسَانِIndeed, Allah commands you to render trusts to whom they are due
إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَأْمُرُكُمْ أَنْ تُؤَدُّوا الْأَمَانَاتِ إِلَى أَهْلِهَاAnd it is used for the cosmic command,As in the saying of Allah the Exalted:
And Our command is but one, like a glance of the eye.
وَمَا أَمْرُنَا إِلَّا وَاحِدَةٌ كَلَمْحٍ بِالْبَصَرِAnd in the verse: The severe warning regarding the punishment of the non-affluent, of the punishment of the obedient;Because he said: (We commanded its affluent ones, so they committed open sinfulness) meaning: the affluent ones, (so the word became valid against them) And this is attested by the saying of Allah the Exalted:
And when We intend to destroy a city
وَإِذَا أَرَدْنَا أَنْ نُهْلِكَ قَرْيَةًAnd fear a trial which will not strike those who have wronged among you exclusively, and know that Allah is severe in penalty.
وَاتَّقُوا فِتْنَةً لا تُصِيبَنَّ الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا مِنْكُمْ خَاصَّةً وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّ اللَّهَ شَدِيدُ الْعِقَابِAnd as for the statement of some scholars, may Allah forgive them: That the intended meaning of the command in the verse is the legislative command,And the meaning is: We commanded them and prohibited them, so they committed open sinfulness. This is impossible for Allah Mighty and Majestic, that He commands and prohibits in order to destroy. This is incorrect. Rather, He commands and prohibits so that He may have mercy, Blessed and Exalted is He.
So the statement: That the intended meaning is the legislative command is a very weak statement. Whoever reflects on it knows that it is not befitting for Allah, Blessed and Exalted is He, to command a nation and prohibit them in order for them to commit open sinfulness so that He punishes them. Thus, the purpose of the laws, according to this view, becomes punishment, whereas the purpose of the laws is mercy. The important point is that it is established that the intended meaning here is the cosmic, decreed command.