ভূমিকা

[Why do you not take a lesson?] History provides man with the best lessons. The prosperous land of the Yemen, located in the South of the Arabian Peninsula, was the cradle of a great civilization ruled by kings called Tubba’ (the plural form is Tababi’a). The term literally indicates “those whose orders are followed by people” or “those succeeding each other to rule.” The people enjoyed a very powerful state wielding a vast sway.

The blessed Verse, preceded by making mention of Meccan polytheists and their animosity toward the Prophet (S) and their denial of Resurrection, makes a reference to the fate of the sinful and criminal people of Tubba’ warns Meccan polytheists against Divine torment in store for them on the Day of Resurrection. The blessed Verse asks: “Are they better or the people of Tubba’?

We destroyed them because they were indeed criminals.” The people of Hijaz were to some extent aware of the fate of the people of Tubba’ as a consequence of which no further details are provided in the following Verses concerning them, but It merely suffices to warn Meccan polytheists against a fate in store for them similar to that of other peoples inhabiting the regions in Sham [viz. Syria, Palestine, East Jordan, Lebanon, and the northwestern parts of the Fertile Crescent] and Egypt.

Put the case that you deny Resurrection, how could you deny Divine torments sent down on these criminal and disobedient peoples? “Those before them” alludes to the peoples of Nuh, ‘Ad, Thamud, and the like. Some exegets maintain that Tubba’ was a believer and a truth seeking man and the “people of Tubba’” mentioned in the two Qur’anic Verses bear testimony to the same since not the ruler but his people are censured.

According to a prophetic tradition: “Do not slander Tubba’ since he submitted to Divine Will.” [^1] A tradition is narrated from Imam Sadiq (as) saying: “Tubba’ verily said unto [the tribes of] Aws and Khazraj: ‘Stay here until this Prophet proclaims his Call.