Surah Al A'raf Tafseer

Prophet Shu`ayb forbade his people from setting up blockades on the roads, saying,

وَلَا تَقْعُدُواْ بِكُلِّ صِرَاطٍ تُوعِدُونَ

"And sit not on every road, threatening,"

According to As-Suddi,

threatening people with death if they do not give up their money, as they were bandits,

Ibn Abbas, Mujahid and several others commented:

the believers who come to Shu`ayb to follow him."

The first meaning is better, because Prophet Shu`ayb first said to them,

بِكُلِّ صِرَاطٍ

("on every road..."). He then mentioned the second meaning,

وَتَصُدُّونَ عَن سَبِيلِ اللّهِ مَنْ امَنَ بِهِ وَتَبْغُونَهَا عِوَجًا

"and hindering from the path of Allah those who believe in Him, and seeking to make it crooked."

meaning, you seek to make the path of Allah crooked and deviated.

وَاذْكُرُواْ إِذْ كُنتُمْ قَلِيلً فَكَثَّرَكُمْ

"And remember when you were but few, and He multiplied you."

meaning, you were weak because you were few. But you later on became mighty because of your large numbers. Therefore, remember Allah's favor.

وَانظُرُواْ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَاقِبَةُ الْمُفْسِدِينَ

"And see what was the end of the mischief-makers."

from the previous nations and earlier generations. See the torment and punishment they suffered, because they disobeyed Allah and rejected His Messengers.

Shu`ayb continued