Allah (subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) mentioned two stories in Surat Saba’ (chapter 34). The first story shows the state of one who is grateful to his Lord for the blessings and graces that He bestowed upon him, and the second story is about those who were ungrateful and how Allah (subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) dealt with them through destruction.
Allah (subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) began by describing perfect examples of gratitude, namely the prophets Dawoud and Sulayman (‘Alayhum-as-Salaam). Then Allah (subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) mentioned the people of Saba’ and their state, how Allah (subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) bestowed upon them many blessings which they received with ungratefulness.
Saba’ refers to a famous tribe who dwelt in a town called Ma’rib in Yemen.
Allah related many stories in the Qur’an about His blessings and kindness to people generally, and to the Arabs specifically. The stories and news also tell of those who were punished and destroyed. Some lived near the Arabs and their monuments and traces can be seen today. Their news was broadcast among the people as strong proof for others to believe in them and to serve as further admonition. [Tayseer Al-Kareem]
Allah (subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) also mentioned the stories of the Prophets and Messengers. Allah (subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) chose for you what benefits you, meaning: only the stories of those whom Allah (subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) mentioned in the Qur’an will benefit you.
Allah (subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) said in verse 15:
لَقَدْ كَانَ لِسَبَإٍ فِي مَسْكَنِهِمْ آَيَةٌ
“Indeed there was for Saba’ (Sheba) a sign in their dwelling place.”
A sign here means the blessings that Allah (subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) bestowed upon them and His prevention of all kinds of evil and harm, in order that they should single Allah out in worship. Of these signs, Allah (subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) explained:
جَنَّتَانِ عَنْ يَمِينٍ وَشِمَالٍ
“Two gardens on the right and on the left.” (34:15)
This means their land was between two mountains and water used to come to them from between these mountains, combined with floods from rainfall in their valleys. Their ancient kings built a huge, strong dam between the mountains. The water reached a high level and they used it to water their gardens on the right and left sides of the valley. They harvested the best fruit, which was plentiful, beautiful and delightful.
A number of the Salaf, including Qatadah, mentioned that a woman could walk beneath the trees, carrying a basket or vessel for gathering fruit on her head. Fruit would fall from the trees, filling the basket without her making any effort to pick it, because it was so plentiful and ripe. [At-Tabari 20:3]
Of the blessings Allah (subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) bestowed upon them is that He (subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) made their land and town good by making its weather fair and its people healthy, with plentiful provision. Some said there were no flies, mosquitoes, fleas or any kind of vermin in their land,due to the good weather and the people’s health. Allah took care of them so that they would worship Him alone, without associates. Allah promised if they gave thanks to Him, He would forgive them and be merciful with them, therefore He (subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) said:
كُلُوا مِنْ رِزْقِ رَبِّكُمْ وَاشْكُرُوا لَهُ بَلْدَةٌ طَيِّبَةٌ وَرَبٌّ غَفُورٌ
“(and it was said to them) ‘Eat of the provision of your Lord, and be grateful to Him, a fair (good) land and an Oft-Forgiving Lord!’” (34:15)
Of the blessings Allah (subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) bestowed upon them were secure dwellings and towns joined to one another, with many trees, crops and fruits. When they travelled, they had no need to carry provisions or water. Wherever they stopped, they would find water and fruit, so they could take their noontime rest in one town, and stay overnight in another, according to their journey and needs. [Ibn Kathir]
Shaikh as-Sa’dee (Rahimahullah) said, “Allah (subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) knew about their need to travel from Yemen to the blessed land – towns of San’aa; others said towns of Syria – and He (subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) made the means by which they reached their destination easy and secure without fear, via towns easily seen and connected to one another.” Thus their journey wasn’t difficult and there was no need to carry provisions.
Allah (subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) said in verse 18:
وَجَعَلْنَا بَيْنَهُمْ وَبَيْنَ الْقُرَى الَّتِي بَارَكْنَا فِيهَا قُرًى ظَاهِرَةً وَقَدَّرْنَا فِيهَا السَّيْرَ
“And We placed between them and the towns which We had blessed…” (34:18)
Mujahid, al-Hasan, Sa’ied bin Jubair said this means the towns of Syria. Al-‘Awfi reported that Ibn ‘Abbas (c) said, “The towns which We had blessed by putting Jerusalem among them.” [At-Tabari]
قُرًى ظَاهِرَةً
“Towns easy to be seen.” (34:18)
meaning clear and visible, known to the travelers, so they could take their noontime rest in one town and stay overnight in another.
وَقَدَّرْنَا فِيهَا السَّيْرَ
“and We determined between them the [distances of] journey.” (34:18)
i.e. We placed the intermediate settlements at calculated distances for the convenience of travelers, so they would not be lost, and made the stages of journey between them easy. We made it in a way that met the needs of the travelers:
سِيرُوا فِيهَا لَيَالِيَ وَأَيَّامًا آَمِنِينَ
“Travel in them safely both by night and day.” (34:18)
meaning, those who travel in them would be safe both by night and by day.
This is out of Allah’s perfect blessing upon them, that travelling was made easy for them.
[Note: This verse indicates that means of conveyance as well as security are blessings from Allah (subhanaahu wa Ta’ala)]
How did the people of Saba’ receive these blessings?
They did three things:
- They turned away from the Bestower and from worshipping Him Alone. [as in verse 34:16]
- They turned away from giving thanks to Him for the blessings that He had bestowed upon them. [They showed batar (ungratefulness) towards the blessings.]
- They became bored of these blessings, to the extent that they said:
فَقَالُوا رَبَّنَا بَاعِدْ بَيْنَ أَسْفَارِنَا
“But they said: ‘Our Lord! Lengthen the distance between our journeys.’” (34:19)
They failed to appreciate these blessings, as Ibn ‘Abbas, Mujahid, al-Hasan and others said, “They wanted to travel long distances through empty wilderness where they would have to carry provisions and travel through intense heat in a state of fear.” [Ibn Katheer]
Allah (subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) said:
وَظَلَمُوا أَنْفُسَهُمْ
“And they wronged themselves.” (34:19)
That was by their disbelief in Allah and His blessings. Therefore, Allah (subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) punished them with the same blessings which had made them transgress, by destroying these blessings. How?
Allah (subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) sent the flood of the dam.
فَأَرْسَلْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ سَيْلَ الْعَرِمِ
“So We sent against them the flood released from the dam.” (34:16)
Some, including Ibn ‘Abbas, Wahb bin Munabbih, Qatadah and ad-Dahhak said that when Allah wanted to punish them by sending the flood upon them, He sent beasts from the earth to the dam: large rats which made a hole in it. [At-Tabari]
These beasts caused a break in the dam, so when the time of the floods came and floodwater hit the structure, it collapsed. Water rushed through the bottom of the valley and destroyed everything in its path; all their gardens and trees were destroyed. Those beautiful, fruit-bearing trees were replaced with trees of no benefit.
Allah (subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) said:
وَبَدَّلْنَاهُمْ بِجَنَّتَيْهِمْ جَنَّتَيْنِ ذَوَاتَيْ أُكُلٍ خَمْطٍ
وَأَثْلٍ وَشَيْءٍ مِنْ سِدْرٍ قَلِيلٍ
“and We converted their two gardens into gardens producing bitter bad fruit (ukul khamt) and tamarisks and some few lote trees.” (34:16)
Because the lote trees were the best of the trees with which the garden was replaced, there were only a few of them.
This is what happened to those two gardens after they had been so fruitful and productive, offering beautiful scenes, deep shade and flowing rivers: they were replaced with thorny trees, tamarisks and lote trees with huge thorns and little fruit. This was because of the people’s disbelief, their sin of associating others with Allah, and because they denied the truth and turned toward falsehood. [Ibn Katheer]
They replaced gratefulness with disbelief, so their blessings were replaced with what was mentioned above. Therefore, Allah (subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) said:
ذَلِكَ جَزَيْنَاهُمْ بِمَا كَفَرُوا وَهَلْ نُجَازِي إِلَّا الْكَفُورَ
“Like this We requited them because they were ungrateful disbelievers. And never do We requite in such a way except those who are ungrateful.” (34: 17)
Meaning, “We punished them for their disbelief. And do We punish, except those who disbelieve in Allah and are ungrateful?”
2. When they were afflicted with the destruction of their dam and gardens, they were also dispersed after they had been together living a life of luxury, and they were scattered here and there throughout the land, as Allah (subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) said in (34:19):
فَجَعَلْنَاهُمْ أَحَادِيثَ وَمَزَّقْنَاهُمْ كُلَّ مُمَزَّقٍ
“So We made them as tales (in the land), and We dispersed them all totally.”
Meaning, “We made (from) them stories related to others as lessons or examples,” – how Allah plotted against them and dispersed them totally. The Arabs have a saying about people when they are dispersed: “They have been scattered like Saba’,” in all directions, and everyone talked about what happened to them.
Now, who will benefit or receive admonition from their story? Allah (subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) said:
إِنَّ فِي ذَلِكَ لَآَيَاتٍ لِكُلِّ صَبَّارٍ شَكُورٍ
“Verily, in this are indeed signs for every steadfast, grateful person.” (34:19)
In the punishment suffered by these people – the way in which their blessings and good health were taken away due to their disbelief and sins – is a lesson and a sign for every person. It is essential to be patient in the face of adversity, to bear it for the sake of Allah and not abandon patience for discontentment. It is equally important to be grateful for the blessings of Allah by acknowledging them, praising the One Who bestowed them (Allah) and utilizing the blessings in the obedience of Allah.
Lessons from the story of Saba’
1- Whoever hears the story of Saba’, of what they did and what happened to them, will know that such punishment was a recompense for their ungratefulness for the blessings of Allah. Whoever imitates their actions will receive punishment like them. In other words: it will be done to him as was done to them.
2- The people of Saba’ did three things which deserved punishment:
a- They turned away from the Real Bestower and from worshipping Him.
The people of Saba’ started to worship the sun instead of Allah as the hoopoe told Prophet Sulayman (‘Alayhissalam). [Surat an-Naml 27:24]
Another way of turning away from Allah and worshipping Him is by being busy with worldly affairs. Allah (subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) made everything so easy for them to the extent that they need not be occupied with anything except His worship.
b- They showed batar, meaning they were ungrateful for Allah’s blessings.
c- This feeling directly brings boredom of the blessing.
As soon as they became bored of the blessings, the people of Saba’ wished and asked for their removal. Of course this is not the attitude of a mindful person, but rather one who is ungrateful.
- Dispersion and separation is a punishment from Allah, and one should avoid the causes of separation; on the other hand, being together as one group is a blessing.
- Gratitude and being grateful to Allah is a means of maintaining the blessing and repelling the punishment.
Whenever the Shaytan whispers in your heart that you don’t need certain blessings, seek refuge with Allah, especially when a feeling of batar comes towards your children, your house, your school, your books, your husband, etc. [There are children who wish for the death of their father or mother for worldly gain, inheritance, etc…!]
5- The Messengers are truthful in what they said of news, and the recompense is truth as one can witness its examples in this life. [Tayseer Al-Kareem]
6- Mutarrif used to say, “How blessed is the grateful, patient servant, if he is given something, he gives thanks, and if he is tested, he bears it with patience.” [Muslim]
7- Regarding afflictions, people are divided into two categories:
- those whom Allah afflicts (tries) with blessings.
- those whom Allah afflicts with distress or calamities.
The most difficult kind of affliction is affliction with blessings. This is because firstly, the owner of the blessings forgets that Allah is the Real Bestower and secondly, he thinks that the blessings belong to him.
This is exactly opposite to the one afflicted with calamity. That person remains patient because he knows it is a trial and people around him help him to stay patient.
However, the person afflicted with blessings is unaware that he is being tested with them, or he forgets and the people increase him in ungratefulness and Kufr. Therefore, a trial through blessings becomes more difficult because of forgetfulness.
Batar
Batar has many meanings:
1- To strut or swagger.
2- Lack of bearing (tolerating) the blessing.
3- Perplexity or wonder.
4- Transgressing in blessing.
5- To hate something without it being deserving of that. [Lisaan Al-Arab]
Batar means: to have a feeling that the blessing belongs to one, and he owns it, it is under his power, and he may use it whenever he wants and in the way that he wants. He does not have the feeling that it is from Allah, the real Bestower and that he should thank Allah for it.
How does batar (ungratefulness) occur?
a- Al-Qurtubi said, “This worldly life is an abode of trials,” meaning this life is never perfect, there should be deficiencies such as problems with the husband/wife, conflict with a friend, etc. What will this deficient state do to a person? He will magnify it to an extent that he wishes for the removal of the blessing or he may invoke Allah to remove the blessing, such as invoking Allah to make divorce easy.
For example, when Allah afflicts someone living in a Muslim country with fitnah or an affliction in his wealth, he decides to leave for a disbelieving country because he does not feel the blessing of being in a Muslim land.
b- Another form of batar:
A person might receive the blessing of Allah with a feeling that he doesn’t need it, or he doesn’t care whether he has it or not. These destructive feelings and words may ruin the person, because he has not received the blessing with acceptance and humility to Allah.
One should know that Allah did not give him that blessing except because He (Ta’ala) knows that he needs it and it is good for him, because He is the One Who disposes the affairs of His creation. Therefore, one should receive blessings with a feeling of gratefulness and with a feeling that he needs it.
For example, when one grows old and looks back, he will realize the wisdom of Allah in why he was not accepted by a particular college and yet He (Allah) opened for him the gate of knowledge and so forth. He was initially looking at that situation as if it was deficient. However, when he received everything with acceptance, abundant good came after it.
Just as throwing Yusuf ‘(‘Alayhissalam) in the well was the beginning to all the good for him.
Therefore, one should receive the blessings of Allah with appreciation and gratefulness.
One of the worst cases of ungratefulness for the blessings of Allah is when Allah (subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) grants someone an offspring contrary to what he was hoping for. For example he wants a boy and Allah grants him a girl. He accepts the girl while holding her in contempt.
Or when students of knowledge show ungratefulness to lectures or lessons and they say they don’t need them, and Allah deprives them of them.
Furthermore, the means of communication is a blessing from Allah (subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) and we should thank Allah for it, realising that through such means the religion is spread all over the world, through the internet, etc.
Other Forms of Batar (Ungratefulness)
c- Becoming bored of a blessing. He knows that he is enjoying the blessing of Allah, and the people are competing for it, yet he becomes bored of it.
d- Not feeling that a blessing is actually a blessing. He needs to be reminded that he is living in blessing.
e- When he receives the blessing he rejoices and becomes happy, and when he loses it he despairs or becomes desperate. This indicates that when he gets the blessing and becomes happy when the blessing remains with him, he may reach a state in which he does not feel this blessing because he is not content with his Lord. This indication should scare us. If a person is not content with his Lord unless He gives him some blessing, then if he receives a blessing and it settles with him, he will be ungrateful regarding this blessing and will not appreciate it.
f- Greediness. Always looking to what others have or own [this is regarding worldly matters, not religious blessings].
One of the signs of ungratefulness is that the person will be continuously looking at what other people possess. This is batar. Why? Because he is not pleased with what he has and all his life he is searching for extra things, more than what he has.
If there is anything that he does not have, he wants it, even if it is less than what he has. Allah has granted him, but he does not like what he has. This is batar.
g- Being ungrateful regarding others people’s blessing (this is a subtle form of batar, which people are hardly aware of).
He looks at people from whom Allah withholds certain blessings (deficiency in a worldly matter) with sadness, thinking they are unfortunate and poor; they don’t have what he has of blessings, and these people really don’t know what they’re missing. He thinks that those who don’t have what he has are unhappy, and this is batar because he does not consider what others have as blessings.
He thinks he is blessed but those who do not have what he has are not really living, even though these people are grateful and satisfied with what Allah has granted them. However, this person is not pleased with what Allah has granted them. Thus he is ungrateful towards others’ blessings.
Recompense or punishment for batar
a. The blessing itself will be taken away.
b. The blessing will be exchanged for something worse. After possessing something big, he will possess something despicable.
c. The person will become the talk of the town; his ungratefulness and Allah’s punishment will serve as an example for people. This is one of the spiritual punishments.
d. His heart will be distracted and insecure after being safe and satisfied. All this will go and he will lose spiritual security as his punishment.
How many husbands were ungrateful for their wives and children, and Allah (subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) turned their lives into misery?
Remedies for Batar
1- Believing in Allah and in the Hereafter. This belief is related to shukr (gratitude) in three aspects: everyone who believes in the Hereafter believes that gratitude is fruitful, even if he does not see the impact of his gratitude in this life. Although Allah (subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) promised to give His slaves the good consequence of their shukr in this life, the greatest impact of patience and gratitude will be attained in the Hereafter. But whoever is in doubt will ask, “Why (or for what) should I be patient?”
2- Belief in the Hereafter repels batar. It will be said to everyone who has a blessing and shows ungratefulness, “The delight and enjoyment of this life is endless and will never satisfy you; you will be chasing this life all the time.” Every day and night, the ungrateful person wants something other than what he has.
Everyone should know: “The real life is the life in the Hereafter.”
3- If a person knows he will be taken to account for all his blessings, he will fear that having more blessings will increase and prolong his reckoning on the Day of Resurrection.
Why do the poor enter Paradise before the rich? Because they have less than what the rich have, so their reckoning will be quicker.
The person who knows he will be questioned about every blessing is not eager to have more. He is satisfied with what he is granted.
Sources:
Tafseer Ibn Katheer
Tayseer Al-Kareem
Commentary of Shaikha Anaahid As-Simeeri
The Name of Allah Al-Hafeedh and lessons from the story of Saba by www.alrekab.com
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