Surah 26: The Poets - Overview

Introduction

This Surah begins a new series of four Surahs (26-29), which illustrate the contrast between the spirit of Prophecy and spiritual Light and the reactions to it in the communities among whom it appeared, by going back to old Prophets and the stories of the Past, as explained in the Introduction to Surah 17.

In this particular Surah we have the story of Moses in his fight with Pharaoh and the Pharaoh's discomfiture. Other Prophets mentioned are Abraham, Noah, Hud, Salih, Lut, and Shu'ayb. The lesson is drawn that the Qur'an is a continuation and fulfillment of previous Revelations, and is pure Truth, unlike poetry of vain poets.

Chronologically the Surah belongs to the middle Makkan period, when the contact of the Light of Prophecy with the milieu of Pagan Makkah was testing the Makkans in their most arrogant mood.

Summary

1- The conflict of Unbelief with Truth is vain; so was the conflict of Pharaoh with Moses: Pharaoh's magicians bowed to the Truth, and Pharaoh and his hosts were drowned. (26:1-69)

Unceasing Plan [26:1-68] God's Plan works unceasingly: His Light shines none the less brightly, because some reject it or mock at it. Moses was freed from all fear when God gave him His Signs and sent him to Pharaoh; he boldly proclaimed the Message, and won the wise ones of Egypt; the rejecters, with Pharaoh, perished, and their heritage passed to worthier hands.

2- Nor did Abraham's people gain anything by their resisting of the Truth he preached, and Noah's people perished by their Unbelief. (26:70-122)

Righteous Prophets [26:69-122] Abraham patiently argued with his people about God's Truth; prayed for wisdom and righteousness, for himself, his father, and future generations; and taught Truth about the Hereafter. Noah preached to a world of Unfaith, and would not reject the humble and lowly; his arrogant rejecters were brought low; in him and his following were vindicated God's righteous Purpose and Mercy.

3- Hud warned his people against reliance on their material strength and Salih against sacrilege, but in both cases the evil ones were brought low. (26:123-159)

Arrogance and Extravagance [26:123-159] The 'Ad were addicted to arrogance; they exulted in material strength and possessions, and had no faith but in force; they were brought low, as were the Thamud, who gave way to extravagance, and were guilty of sacrilege in destroying a symbol of justice and fair-dealing; their repentance was too late: they were blotted out of the earth for the mischief they had made.

4- Lut had to deal with unspeakable crimes, and Shu'ayb against dishonest dealings and mischief: their teaching was rejected, but the rejecters were wiped out. (26:160-191)

Crime and Fraud [26:160-191] The task of Lot was a hard one: his mission was to people addicted to crimes abominable. His reasoning with them was in vain; it only excited their wrath. They threatened to cast him out, but were themselves overwhelmed in disaster. Shu'ayb had to rebuke fraud and commercial dishonesty; he met only ridicule, but the just and fair dealing he preached was vindicated in the end.

5- So, when the spirit of Prophecy came to Makkah, it was resisted by the votaries of evil: but Truth is not like vain poetry, and must triumph at last. (26:192-227)

Message for All [26:192-227] Thus the Truth of God must win against folly and falsehood. The Spirit of Inspiration and Faith brought down the Qur'an to the mind of the Holy Prophet, that he might teach in noble Arabic speech, and through it reach the world. If obstinate rebels do resist the Message, their day is brief: with humble, gentle kindness it must make its way to all, nearest and farthest. It is not like the vain words of poets  false, wandering without a goal: it is Truth, that fills the heart which trusts in God.