The Quran

145

Preface

وَكَتَبنا لَهُ فِي الأَلواحِ مِن كُلِّ شَيءٍ مَوعِظَةً وَتَفصيلًا لِكُلِّ شَيءٍ فَخُذها بِقُوَّةٍ وَأمُر قَومَكَ يَأخُذوا بِأَحسَنِها ۚ سَأُريكُم دارَ الفاسِقينَ

Yusuf Ali

And We ordained laws for him in the tablets in all matters, both commanding and explaining all things, (and said): “Take and hold these with firmness, and enjoin thy people to hold fast by the best in the precepts:¹ soon shall I show you² the homes of the wicked,-³ (How they lie desolate).”

The Tablets of the Law contained the essential spiritual Truth, from which were derived the positive injunctions and prohibitions, explanations and interpretations, which it was the function of the prophetic office to hold up for the people to follow. The precepts would contain, as the Shari'ah does, matters absolutely prohibited, matters not prohibited but disapproved, matters about which there was no prohibition or injunction, but in which conduct was to be regulated by circumstances; matters of positive and universal duty, matters recommended for those whose zeal was sufficient to enable them to work on higher than minimum standards, and matters which were sought by persons of the highest spiritual eminence. No soul is burdened beyond its capacity; but we are asked to seek the best and highest possible for us in conduct.
Notice the transition from the “We” of authority and honour and impersonal dignity, to the “I” of personal concern in specially guiding the righteous, (Cf. 2:38).
There are two meanings, one literal and the other figurative. Literally, the homes of the wicked, both individuals and nations, lie desolate, as in the case of the ancient Egyptians, the ‘Ād, and the Thamūd. Figuratively, the “home” shows the inner and more intimate condition of people. If you are dazzled by the outward prosperity of the ungodly, examine their inner anguish and fear and insecurity, and you will thank God for His gracious guidance.