"And O my people! ask forgiveness of your Lord and turn to Him
(in repentance): He will send you the skies pouring abundant rain
and add strength to your strength: so turn ye not back in sin!"
1546 1547 [The English Translation of Hud, 11:52 by Abdullah Yusuf Ali].
Notes:
- The beautiful metaphor about the skies coming down with rain has been obscured unnecessarily in most translations. The country of the 'Ad was an arid country, and rain was the greatest blessing they could receive. We can imagine this being said in a time of famine, when the people performed all sorts of superstitious rites and invocations instead of turning to the true God in faith and repentance. Further, when we remember that there were, in this tract in ancient times, dams like that at Maarib, for the storage of rain water, the effect is still further heightened in pointing to Allah's care and mercy in His dealing with men.
- The beautiful metaphor about the skies coming down with rain has been obscured unnecessarily in most translations. The country of the 'Ad was an arid country, and rain was the greatest blessing they could receive. We can imagine this being said in a time of famine, when the people performed all sorts of superstitious rites and invocations instead of turning to the true God in faith and repentance. Further, when we remember that there were, in this tract in ancient times, dams like that at Maarib, for the storage of rain water, the effect is still further heightened in pointing to Allah's care and mercy in His dealing with men.
- Adding strength to strength may refer to increase of
population, as some Commentators think. While other parts
of Arabia were sparsely populated, the irrigated lands of
the 'Ad supported a comparatively dense population and
added to their natural strength in the arts of peace and
war. But the term used is perfectly general. They were a
powerful people in their time. If they obeyed Allah and
followed the law of righteousness, they would be still
more powerful, for "righteousness exalteth a nation."
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