Stories of the Prophets عليهم السلام: Lessons to Learn

Wisdom in Relating the Stories of the Prophets عليهم السلام

{أُولَٰئِكَ الَّذِينَ هَدَى اللَّهُ ۖ فَبِهُدَاهُمُ اقْتَدِهْ ۗ قُل لَّا أَسْأَلُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ أَجْرًا ۖ إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا ذِكْرَىٰ لِلْعَالَمِينَ

90. They are those whom Allah had guided. So follow their guidance. [Al An'aam 6:90]

نَحْنُ نَقُصُّ عَلَيْكَ أَحْسَنَ الْقَصَصِ بِمَا أَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْكَ هَٰذَا الْقُرْآنَ وَإِن كُنتَ مِن قَبْلِهِ لَمِنَ الْغَافِلِينَ

3. We relate unto you (Muhammad) the best of stories through Our Revelations unto you, of this Qur'an. And before this (i.e. before the coming of Divine Inspiration to you), you were among those who knew nothing about it (the Qur'an). [Yoosuf 12:3]

وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا رُسُلًا مِّن قَبْلِكَ مِنْهُم مَّن قَصَصْنَا عَلَيْكَ وَمِنْهُم مَّن لَّمْ نَقْصُصْ عَلَيْكَ ۗ وَمَا كَانَ لِرَسُولٍ أَن يَأْتِيَ بِآيَةٍ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ ۚ فَإِذَا جَاءَ أَمْرُ اللَّهِ قُضِيَ بِالْحَقِّ وَخَسِرَ هُنَالِكَ الْمُبْطِلُونَ

78. And, indeed We have sent Messengers before you (O Muhammad); of some of them We have related to you their story and of some We have not related to you their story, and it was not given to any Messenger that he should bring a sign except by the Leave of Allah. So, when comes the Commandment of Allah, the matter will be decided with truth, and the followers of falsehood will then be lost. [Ghafir 40:78]

نَّحْنُ نَقُصُّ عَلَيْكَ نَبَأَهُم بِالْحَقِّ ۚ إِنَّهُمْ فِتْيَةٌ آمَنُوا بِرَبِّهِمْ وَزِدْنَاهُمْ هُدًى

13. We narrate unto you (O Muhammad) their story with truth: Truly! They were young men who believed in their Lord (Allah), and We increased them in guidance. [Kahf 18:13]

وَكُلًّا نَّقُصُّ عَلَيْكَ مِنْ أَنبَاءِ الرُّسُلِ مَا نُثَبِّتُ بِهِ فُؤَادَكَ ۚ وَجَاءَكَ فِي هَٰذِهِ الْحَقُّ وَمَوْعِظَةٌ وَذِكْرَىٰ لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ

120. And all that We relate to you (O Muhammad) of the news of the Messengers is in order that We may make strong and firm your heart thereby. And in this (chapter of the Qur'an) has come to you the truth, as well as an admonition and a reminder for the believers. [Hood 11:120]

لَقَدْ كَانَ فِي قَصَصِهِمْ عِبْرَةٌ لِّأُولِي الْأَلْبَابِ ۗ مَا كَانَ حَدِيثًا يُفْتَرَىٰ وَلَٰكِن تَصْدِيقَ الَّذِي بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ وَتَفْصِيلَ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةً لِّقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ

111. Indeed in their stories, there is a lesson for men of understanding. It (the Qur'an) is not a forged statement but a confirmation of the Allah's existing Books [the Taurat (Torah), the Injeel (Gospel) and other Scriptures of Allah] and a detailed explanation of everything and a guide and a Mercy for the people who believe. [Yoosuf 12:111]

وَلَوْ شِئْنَا لَرَفَعْنَاهُ بِهَا وَلَٰكِنَّهُ أَخْلَدَ إِلَى الْأَرْضِ وَاتَّبَعَ هَوَاهُ ۚ فَمَثَلُهُ كَمَثَلِ الْكَلْبِ إِن تَحْمِلْ عَلَيْهِ يَلْهَثْ أَوْ تَتْرُكْهُ يَلْهَث ۚ ذَّٰلِكَ مَثَلُ الْقَوْمِ الَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا بِآيَاتِنَا ۚ فَاقْصُصِ الْقَصَصَ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ

176. And had We willed, We would surely have elevated him therewith but he clung to the earth and followed his own vain desire. So his description is the description of a dog: if you drive him away, he lolls his tongue out, or if you leave him alone, he (still) lolls his tongue out. Such is the description of the people who reject Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.). So relate the stories, perhaps they may reflect. [A’raaf 7:176]

Shaykh Sa’dee’s Introduction to the Stories of the Prophets[1]

Chapter Mentioning what Allaah has related to us from His Book regarding the News of the Prophets and their Peoples

Allaah has related nice stories of His Prophets to us in His Book and He has described them as being the best of stories. This description by Allaah, the Great, indicates that they are the most truthful stories, far reaching and the most beneficial for the servants. One of the most important benefits of these stories is that through them belief is completed in the Prophets. We believe in all the Prophets generally and believing in the details comes from their stories. Allaah describes them as having complete truthfulness and perfect lofty characteristics. They had virtues and perfection over everyone else. Their goodness even reached the animals to give them their rights and not harm them. This detailed belief in the Prophets leads to the servant attaining complete faith and falls under the area of increasing faith.

In the stories of the Prophets is a well-grounded belief in Allaah and in His Oneness, sincerely doing good deeds for Him, belief in the Last Day and a clarification of Tawheed (singling out Allaah alone for worship) and the obligation for Tawheed. There is also the ugliness of shirk and that associating partners in worship besides Allaah is a reason for destruction in this world and the Next.

In the stories of the Prophets there are also lessons to learn; an example to follow in all stages of the religion, for Tawheed, performing worship, giving da’wah (calling to worship Allaah alone), displaying patience and steadfastness in the face of worries. Displaying peace of mind, tranquillity and complete steadfastness. Examples of truthfulness and sincerity to Allaah in all situations when moving or still. Seeking reward from Allaah. They did not ask for reward, payment or thanks from the creation except if there were some benefit for the creation.

There is also a lesson for us in that they were all united upon the one religion and the origin was one. They called everyone to Allaah, to good deeds and rectification. They criticised everyone who went against that. There are many great fiqh legal benefits and legislative rulings and secret wisdoms that every student of knowledge cannot be without.

In the stories there are lessons, reminders, encouragements, discouragements, a way out after hardship and ease after matters become difficult. There is also a visible nice ending in this Life. There is praise and love in the hearts of creation which are provisions for the people of taqwa, God consciousness and delight for the worshippers. They are consolation for the people who are sad and lessons for the believers. The intention of the stories are not for bedtime tales, but the greater aim is that they are a reminder and a lesson…….

[1] Translated by Umm ‘AbdirRahmaan Tara Hashim. 2017. www.learnstoriesoftheprophets.blogspot.com

From p196 تيسير لطيف المنان في خلاصة تفسير القرآن لشيخ عبد الرحمن السعدي

*Stories of the Prophets* (The Benefits Derived from their Stories)
( _Shaykh Abdur-Rahmaan ibn Naasir As Sa'di_ رحمه الله )

Read By _Ustadh Abdulilah Lahmami_ حفظه الله

To hear the rest of the lessons as they are uploaded please go to www.markazmuaadh.com

Stories of the Prophets عليهم السلام

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