In the Qur’ān, Allāh recounts a significant event in the history of the Children of Israel (Bani Isra’il) that serves as a powerful lesson for humanity regarding obedience, integrity, and sincerity in fulfilling divine commands. One such incident is mentioned in Sūrah Al-Baqarah:
“And you had already known about those who transgressed among you concerning the Sabbath, and We said to them, ‘Be apes, despised.'”
(Al-Baqarah 2:65)
This verse addresses a particular group of Israelites who lived during a time when Allāh had enjoined the sanctity of the Sabbath upon them. The Sabbath (Saturday) was a day of rest and worship during which they were forbidden from engaging in any worldly work, especially fishing.
The town referred to in this story is believed to be near the sea, where the people were tested by Allāh. During the weekdays, fish were scarce, but on the Sabbath, the fish would come in abundance, seemingly taunting them. This was a test from Allāh to see if they would remain obedient and patient or succumb to greed and deception.
Instead of observing the Sabbath as commanded, some of the people devised deceitful means to circumvent the prohibition:
Though outwardly they appeared to obey the command, their hearts were filled with deceit and disobedience. This act of trickery, attempting to outsmart divine commandments, was not hidden from Allāh.
In response to their transgression, Allāh transformed them into monkeys as a form of punishment:
“Be you monkeys, despised and rejected.”
(Sūrah Al-Baqarah 2:65)
This punishment was not arbitrary but perfectly suited to their crime:
It is crucial to understand the nature of this transformation:
Some may mistakenly believe that the monkeys and swine present today are the descendants of those who were transformed. However, this is a misconception. The animals we see today were created by Allāh as part of the natural creation during the six days mentioned in the Qur’ān:
“Indeed, your Lord is Allah, who created the heavens and the earth in six days, and then established Himself above the Throne.”
(Sūrah Al-Aʿrāf 7:54)
Ibn ʿAbbās and other prominent scholars have clarified that no human who was transformed as a form of punishment by Allāh had any descendants. Their transformation was a direct punishment, and they perished without reproducing. Hence, the monkeys and swine of today are part of Allāh’s distinct creation and are not connected to those who were transformed.
This incident contains profound lessons for all believers:
While the story highlights the punishment meted out to the disobedient, it also reflects Allāh’s justice. Those who remained steadfast and did not partake in the deceit were saved. This is a reminder that Allāh’s punishment is not arbitrary but is perfectly just and proportionate to the crime.
“And We saved those who forbade evil and seized those who wronged with a wretched punishment, because they were defiantly disobedient.”
(Sūrah Al-Aʿrāf 7:165)
The story of the Sabbath-breakers is a timeless reminder for Muslims and all believers to adhere to divine guidance with sincerity and humility. It emphasizes the importance of:
May Allāh protect us from falling into deceit and disobedience, grant us sincerity in our worship, and guide us to the straight path. Ameen.
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