Summary of Chapter 11 (Hud)

I believe that Chapter 10 and 11 are identical and complementary, so they should be read in continuity. Chapter 10 focuses towards giving arguments to polytheists/atheists and invites them to monotheism. On the other hand, chapter 11 describes the behavior of these people and their rejection of messengers, in detail. Both chapters challenge the opponents to produce similar Chapter/s like it.

The theme is based upon the fact that oppressive systems based on falsehood are bound to perish. The messengers warned their respective communities, however they were not to listen. Eventually, their systems collapsed and so did they. This is what this chapter is about – It describes different aspects of societies that were corrupt but the chiefs among them resisted change, perhaps because they could not exploit people under the system which the messengers brought.

The summary of this chapter can be found in Verse 116-117:

Among the generations before your time, only a few were virtuous enough to discourage disorder in the land. We saved those few, whereas those who continued to violate human rights only pursued material riches. And they were guilty of stealing the fruit of others’ labor (and they were requited). V116

Your Sustainer never unjustly destroys a community (for wrong beliefs alone) as long as its people are reformers, setting right their own, and one another’s condition. V117

Prophets mentioned: Nooh, Hood, Salih, Ibrahim, Lut, Shoaib, Musa.

Passage 1 (Verses 1-24) breakdown:

Since every creature on this Earth depends on God for sustenance, It can provide for everyone if we implement It’s laws. So, whoever seeks protection with Allah would entitle himself to be provided with abundance (Monetary and spiritually). However, we must be honest in our approach because God knows our inner thoughts. We must not profess belief, rather apply it.

Sadly, the opponents of the message do not expect accountability for their actions and thus go around harming people. These fabricators seem to make god’s system crooked by adding their own desires to it and then claiming it is from god and thus hinder rational people from it. These are the ones who have ignored their souls and their invented dogmas would fail them in the afterlife. No one does more harm than one who invents lies about God such as: Prophets would intercede on our behalf and thus we would eventually be forgiven no matter what we do.

Moreover, they wonder why the messenger does not possess treasures or show them ‘angels’. That is where the fundamental problem lies: They equate spiritual abundance to accumulation of material possessions. Also, the attitude of these people is that if a trial comes to them, they abandon all hope in god and reject it. However, if that trial is removed, they are boastful about it as if they themselves were the ones to remove it. This shows their very self-centered approach to life!

Passage ends by asking: Can the blind and seeing be equal? Or can the deaf and listener be equal? Then how could they receive similar treatment?

Passage 2 (V25-49) breakdown:

Nooh’s account – Unique aspect being that he called his people towards the ‘ark’ that would protect them from the punishment. This resonates with 11:3. Another thing to learn is that the Nooh couldn’t even save his own son! How could Prophets possibly intercede on our behalf?

Passage 3 (V50-60) breakdown:

Hood’s account – I believe Aad represents the religious part of a society that invents dogmas and exploits people for their own benefit.

Passage 4 (V61-68) breakdown:

Salih’s account – Unique aspect is the ‘she camel’ metaphorically used to represent the poor working class people. It focuses upon the exploitation of these people in a society by restricting them land and it’s produce which should be available to every citizen.

Thamud seem to have placed great hopes in Salih which means that he was a respectable and honored person among them. However, that was quickly to change after he preached against their oppressive system.

Passage 5 (V69-83) breakdown:

Ibrahim and Loot’s account – Ibrahim was given glad tidings of Ishaq and Yaqoob. This seems to show that miracles do happen – just not how people expect it. They expect magic! Moreover, it shows that messengers feel resentful about their people countering punishment but no one could stop an oppressive system based on falsehood from falling.

The people of Loot seem like extremely aggressive people who cut the way of nature. Loot couldn’t even save his own wife due to her deeds. This again proves that people will be judged solely on their deeds and no intercession would take place.

Passage 6 (V84-95) breakdown:

Shoaib’s account – This focuses on trading justly and equitably. Systems or people that cheat others eventually collapse.

Passage 7 (V96-100) breakdown:

Musa’s account – Firaun represents a tyrant dictator who exploits people. Musa’s encounter with Firaun is the ultimate and holistic challenge against an unjust society.

Passage 8 (V101-123) breakdown:

Most people only worship/serve what their forefathers did. They do not reason for themselves and become blind followers of whatever religion or ideology they’re born in. God never punishes people out of jealousy or hatred but it is the people who are bent on doing wrong to their own selves! So, when the punishment came, their parallel authorities and systems could not avail them in the least as they were based on exploiting the common man. God’s law of requital is strong and it never fails.

Reward is based on action and all matters are decided by God’s laws. So we are to serve It by serving humanity, and have faith in It as this system would entail opposition.

All these narrations are described to strengthen our hearts. In it is truth, and admonition for the believers. In this chapter, there are profound messages for anyone who fears the punishment of wasting this life away in the race of accumulating material possessions.