They said, “Had it not been for your clan, we would have stoned you to death; you enjoy no standing with us at all” (Hūd 11:91).
Such words give a clear measure of their blatant unbelief and their revolting obstinacy. They also said, “We do not grasp much of what you say,” meaning: We neither understand it nor comprehend it, because we do not like it or want it; we have no inclination toward it whatsoever. Their attitude is the same as that of the disbelievers of Quraysh who told the Messenger of Allah ﷺ: “Our hearts are wrapped in coverings against what you call us to, in our ears is deafness, and between you and us is a barrier, so act – for we too are acting” (Fussilat 41:5).
They went on, “Indeed, we see you weak among us” (Hūd 11:91), that is, oppressed and abandoned. “Had it not been for your clan – your tribe and kinsfolk who live among us – we would certainly have stoned you, and you are by no means honored in our eyes.” He replied, “My people, is my clan dearer to you than Allah?” (Hūd 11:91-92). In other words: you fear my tribe and show me regard on their account, yet you do not fear Allah’s might nor respect me for being His Messenger. Thus my clan has become more venerable in your sight than Allah Himself.
“You have thrown the command of Allah behind your backs” (Hūd 11:92), meaning you have discarded it as something of no concern. “Surely my Lord encompasses everything you do” (Hūd 11:92): He knows in full what you do and contrive, surrounds it all, and will repay you for it on the Day you are returned to Him.
He continued, “My people, carry on with your way; I too am at work. Soon you will know on whom a punishment that humiliates him will descend, and who is the liar. So wait; I too am waiting with you” (Hūd 11:93). This is an uncompromising threat and a firm warning: remain, if you insist, upon your course and conduct, but you will shortly see who receives the final outcome, who is overtaken by destruction and ruin. “Upon whom a disgraceful punishment will come” refers to this worldly life, while “upon whom an everlasting punishment will descend” refers to the Hereafter. As for “who is the liar,” it means: whether I or you are lying in what has been proclaimed, promised, and warned of. “So wait; I am with you, waiting.” It resembles His words: “If a group of you has believed in what I have been sent with, while another group has not, then be patient until Allah judges between us, for He is the best of judges” (al-Aʿrāf 7:87).
Then the arrogant elite of his people declared, “We will surely expel you, Shuʿayb, and those who believe with you from our town, unless you return to our religion.” He said, “Even if we detest it? Indeed, we would be fabricating a lie against Allah were we to return to your religion after Allah has delivered us from it. It is not for us to return to it unless Allah, our Lord, so wills – our Lord encompasses all things in knowledge. In Allah we put our trust. Our Lord, judge between us and our people in truth; You are the best of judges” (al-Aʿrāf 7:88-89).
They imagined they could force the believers back into their old creed. Shuʿayb therefore rose to argue on behalf of his followers, asking, “Even if we detest it?” That is: these believers will never return to you of their own accord; if they ever returned, it would only be under duress and coercion. Once faith has settled into the heart and its sweetness is tasted, no one loathes it, no one apostatises, and no one can part from it.
Hence he said, “We would be inventing a lie against Allah if we were to revert to your faith after Allah has saved us from it. It is not for us to return to it except if Allah, our Lord, so wills. Our Lord encompasses everything in knowledge. In Allah we place our trust,” meaning: He suffices us, protects us, and to Him we turn in every affair.
He then sought judgment against his people and appealed to his Lord to hasten the recompense they deserved, saying, “Our Lord, decide between us and our people with truth; You are the best of those who decide” (al-Aʿrāf 7:89). Thus he prayed against them – and Allah never rejects the supplication of His messengers.