Surah Hud Tafseer

Shu`ayb's threatening of His People

When the Prophet of Allah, Shu`ayb, despaired of their response to him, he said,

وَيَا قَوْمِ اعْمَلُواْ عَلَى مَكَانَتِكُمْ

"O my people, Act according to your ability,

This means, "Act according to your current ways."

This is actually a severe threat.

إِنِّي عَامِلٌ

I am acting.

according to my way.

سَوْفَ تَعْلَمُونَ مَن يَأْتِيهِ عَذَابٌ يُخْزِيهِ وَمَنْ هُوَ كَاذِبٌ

You will come to know who it is on whom descends the torment that will cover him with ignominy, and who is a liar!

meaning, between me and you.

وَارْتَقِبُواْ

And watch you!

This means to wait.

إِنِّي مَعَكُمْ رَقِيبٌ

I too am watching with you.

Allah then says,

وَلَمَّا جَاء أَمْرُنَا نَجَّيْنَا شُعَيْبًا وَالَّذِينَ امَنُواْ مَعَهُ بِرَحْمَةٍ مَّنَّا

وَأَخَذَتِ الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُواْ الصَّيْحَةُ فَأَصْبَحُواْ فِي دِيَارِهِمْ جَاثِمِينَ