What is meant by the command in the statement of Allah the Exalted: “We commanded its arrogant ones, so they committed open sinfulness therein”?
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The questioner : May Allah reward you, O Shaykh. The statement of Allah the Exalted: [Al-Isra 17:16] What is meant by the command here, O Shaykh?
The Shaykh : Complete it.
The questioner :[Al-Isra 17:16] .
The Shaykh : The command intended here is the cosmic command. The cosmic command, because the word "command" is used for the legislative command, as in the statement of Allah the Exalted:[Ash-Shuraa 42:52] and as in the statement of Allah the Exalted: [An-Nahl 16:90] [An-Nisa 4:58] It is also used for the cosmic command, as in the statement of Allah the Exalted: [Al-Qamar 54:50] So the command intended here is the cosmic command; this is established. If Allah the Exalted intends to destroy a town, He commands its arrogant ones with a cosmic command, so they commit open sinfulness, and at that point the word becomes valid against it, and it is destroyed. In the verse is a severe warning against the punishment of the non-arrogant, the punishment of the obedient, because He said: [Al-Isra 17:16] meaning: the arrogant ones [Al-Isra 17:16] And this is attested by the statement of Allah the Exalted: [Al-Isra 17:16] Yes, the statement of Allah the Exalted: [Al-Anfal 8:25] As for the statement of some scholars, may Allah forgive them, that the intended command is the legislative command, and the meaning is "We commanded them and prohibited them, so they committed open sinfulness," this is impossible for Allah the Mighty and Majestic to command and prohibit in order to destroy them. This is incorrect. Rather, He commands and prohibits in order to have mercy, Blessed and Exalted is He. Did you understand? The statement that the intended command 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. What is the goal of the legislations on this view? Punishment. And the goal of the legislations is mercy. So the important point is that it is established that the command intended here is the cosmic, decreed command. Yes.
The questioner : Your Eminence, Your Eminence, peace be upon you and Allah's mercy and blessings.
And when We intend to destroy a city, We command its affluent but they defiantly disobey therein
وَإِذَا أَرَدْنَا أَنْ نُهْلِكَ قَرْيَةً أَمَرْنَا مُتْرَفِيهَا فَفَسَقُوا فِيهَاThe Shaykh : Complete it.
The questioner :
so the word comes into effect upon it, and We destroy it with [complete] destruction.
فَحَقَّ عَلَيْهَا الْقَوْلُ فَدَمَّرْنَاهَا تَدْمِيراًThe Shaykh : The command intended here is the cosmic command. The cosmic command, because the word "command" is used for the legislative command, as in the statement 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 Our command is but one, like a glance of the eye.
وَمَا أَمْرُنَا إِلَّا وَاحِدَةٌ كَلَمْحٍ بِالْبَصَرِWe command its affluent but they defiantly disobey
أَمَرْنَا مُتْرَفِيهَا فَفَسَقُواso the word comes into effect upon it
فَحَقَّ عَلَيْهَا الْقَوْلُAnd 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 الْعِقَابِThe questioner : Your Eminence, Your Eminence, peace be upon you and Allah's mercy and blessings.