Surah 11:87

"They said, ‘Shu‘ayb! Does your prayer command you that we should abandon what our fathers have served, or that (we should abandon) doing what we please with our wealth? Surely you – you indeed are the tolerant (and) right-minded one.’"

Islamic Commentaries (1)Manuscripts (46)

The Response of Shu'ayb's People Verses 11:87

Show Full Scripture Context (11:87) — 1 Verse

Verse 87

قَالُواْ يَٰشُعَيۡبُ أَصَلَوٰتُكَ تَأۡمُرُكَ أَن نَّتۡرُكَ مَا يَعۡبُدُ ءَابَآؤُنَآ أَوۡ أَن نَّفۡعَلَ فِيٓ أَمۡوَٰلِنَا مَا نَشَـٰٓؤُاْۖ إِنَّكَ لَأَنتَ ٱلۡحَلِيمُ ٱلرَّشِيدُ

They said, ‘Shu‘ayb! Does your prayer command you that we should abandon what our fathers have served, or that (we should abandon) doing what we please with our wealth? Surely you – you indeed are the tolerant (and) right-minded one.’

They said to Shu'ayb, in mockery,

{Does your Salah} Al-A'mash said, "This means your reading."

Quoted Scripture

"command you that we give up what our fathers used to worship,"

meaning the idols and statues.

Quoted Scripture

"or that we give up doing what we like with our property?"

This means, "Should we abandon our practice of lightening the scales because of your statement? This is our wealth and we will do with it as we please." Al-Hasan said concerning Allah's statement,

{Does your Salah command you that we give up what our fathers used to worship,} 11:87

"By Allah, this means that his prayer commanded them to abandon what their fathers used to worship." At-Thawri said concerning Allah's statement,

Quoted Scripture

"or that we give up doing what we like with our property?"

"They were speaking in reference to the paying of Zakah (charity)."

Quoted Scripture

"Verily, you are the forbearer right-minded!"

Ibn 'Abbas, Maymun bin Mihran, Ibn Jurayj, Ibn Aslam, and Ibn Jarir all said, "These enemies of Allah were only saying this in mockery. May Allah disfigure them and curse them from ever receiving His mercy. And verily, He did so."

About this Source & Scholarly Authority (Tafsir Ibn Kathir)

Universal Sunni Consensus: Tafsir al-Qur'an al-Azim by Hafiz Ibn Kathir (701–774 AH / 1301–1373 AD) is universally regarded across all major schools of Sunni Islam (traditional, Salafi, Ash'ari) as the most authoritative classical exegesis. It is prized because it relies on Tafsir bil-Ma'thur—interpreting the Quran using the Quran itself, authentic Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad, and recorded statements of the early Companions (Sahabah).

Standard English Edition: This text is from the standard 10-volume English abridgment published by Dar-us-Salam Publications (supervised by Shaykh Safiur-Rahman Al-Mubarakpuri), which is the official, most widely distributed English Quranic commentary in mosques and Islamic libraries worldwide today.

Navigation