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He said to them: Do you see O my people, that if I

[عَلَى بَيِّنَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّى]

(have a clear evidence from my Lord) meaning, upon clear guidance in that which I am calling to.

[وَرَزَقَنِى مِنْهُ رِزْقًا حَسَنًا]

(and He has given me a good sustenance from Himself.) It has been said that he meant the prophethood. It has also been said that he meant the lawful provisions. It seems that the verse carries both meanings. Ath-Thawri said,

[وَمَآ أُرِيدُ أَنْ أُخَالِفَكُمْ إِلَى مَآ أَنْهَـكُمْ عَنْهُ]

(I wish not, in contradiction to you, to do that which I forbid you.) meaning, `do not forbid you from something and at the same time I contradict my prohibitions in secret behind your backs, doing what I have forbidden.' This is similar to what Qatadah said concerning Allah's statement,

[وَمَآ أُرِيدُ أَنْ أُخَالِفَكُمْ إِلَى مَآ أَنْهَـكُمْ عَنْهُ]

(I wish not, in contradiction to you, to do that which I forbid you.) "He is saying, `I do not forbid you all from something while I do it myself.'''

[إِنْ أُرِيدُ إِلاَّ الإِصْلَـحَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُ]

(I only desire reform to the best of my power.) This means, "In that which I command and forbid you, I only want to correct your affair as much as I am able.''

[وَمَا تَوْفِيقِى]

(And my guidance cannot come) This means, "In whatever I intend that agrees with the truth.''

[إِلاَّ بِاللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ]

(except from Allah, in Him I put my trust) This means in all of my affairs.

[وَإِلَيْهِ أُنِيبُ]

(and unto Him I repent.) meaning; "I return.'' This has been said by Mujahid and others.

[وَيقَوْمِ لاَ يَجْرِمَنَّكُمْ شِقَاقِى أَن يُصِيبَكُم مِّثْلُ مَآ أَصَابَ قَوْمَ نُوحٍ أَوْ قَوْمَ هُودٍ أَوْ قَوْمَ صَـلِحٍ وَمَا قَوْمُ لُوطٍ مِّنكُم بِبَعِيدٍ - وَاسْتَغْفِرُواْ رَبَّكُمْ ثُمَّ تُوبُواْ إِلَيْهِ إِنَّ رَبِّى رَحِيمٌ وَدُودٌ ]

(89. "And O my people! Let not my Shiqaq cause you to suffer the fate similar to that of the people of Nuh or of Hud or of Salih, and the people of Lut are not far off from you!'') (90. "And ask forgiveness of your Lord and turn unto Him in repentance. Verily, my Lord is Most Merciful, Most Loving.'') He (Shu`ayb) said to them,

[وَيقَوْمِ لاَ يَجْرِمَنَّكُمْ شِقَاقِى]

(And O my people! Let not my Shiqaq cause you) This means, "Do not let your hatred and enmity of me cause you to persist in your corruption and disbelief. If you continue this way, you will suffer the same vengeance and torment that overcame Nuh's people, Hud's people, Salih's people and Lut's people.'' Qatadah said,

[وَيقَوْمِ لاَ يَجْرِمَنَّكُمْ شِقَاقِى]

(And O my people! Let not my Shiqaq cause you) "He is saying, `Do not be influenced by your differing with me.''' As-Suddi said, "This means your enmity of me should not lead you to continue in misguidance and disbelief, or else you will be afflicted by what afflicted them.'' Concerning His statement,

[وَمَا قَوْمُ لُوطٍ مِّنكُم بِبَعِيدٍ]

(and the people of Lut are not far off from you!) It has been said that this refers to the period of time. Qatadah said, "This means that they were only destroyed before you yesterday.'' It has also been said that it refers to place. Actually, the verse carries both meanings.

[وَاسْتَغْفِرُواْ رَبَّكُمْ]

(And ask forgiveness of your Lord) from the previous sins.

[ثُمَّ تُوبُواْ إِلَيْهِ]

(and turn unto Him in repentance.) In whatever evil actions you may encounter in the future. Concerning his statement,

[إِنَّ رَبِّى رَحِيمٌ وَدُودٌ]

(Verily, my Lord is Most Merciful, Most Loving.) to those who repent.

[قَالُواْ يشُعَيْبُ مَا نَفْقَهُ كَثِيرًا مِّمَّا تَقُولُ وَإِنَّا لَنَرَاكَ فِينَا ضَعِيفًا وَلَوْلاَ رَهْطُكَ لَرَجَمْنَـكَ وَمَآ أَنتَ عَلَيْنَا بِعَزِيزٍ - قَالَ يقَوْمِ أَرَهْطِى أَعَزُّ عَلَيْكُم مِّنَ اللَّهِ وَاتَّخَذْتُمُوهُ وَرَآءَكُمْ ظِهْرِيّاً إِنَّ رَبِّى بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ مُحِيطٌ ]

(91. They said: "O Shu`ayb! We do not understand much of what you say, and we see you weak among us. Were it not for your family, you would have been stoned, and you are not powerful against us.'') (92. He said: "O my people! Is then my family of more weight with you than Allah And you have cast Him away behind your backs. Verily, my Lord is surrounding all that you do.'')