Allusion is here made to the fact that all the means of...
Allusion is here made to the fact that all the means of exploitation had been readily available from all points of view, however, it is up to men to develop the land with their own toil, and obtain its resources. And they would not be able to claim any share of it without working and making the required effort. Since such is the case, they should seek repentance from their sins and return to Him for Allah is always near to His subjects and accepts their requests. The verse concludes: "...
" Commentary : The idol worshippers told Salih(a.s.) that before he used to be their source of hope and pride and because of this they loved him. They said this so that he might be encouraged to try to preserve the good relationship they used to have, and give up his calling to them towards monotheism.
They told him that he was their source of hope in the past and they used to appeal to him asking his counsel, they used to have faith in his wisdom, insight, and in his intelligence, and they never cast any shadow of a doubt upon his benevolence and compassion. However, they told him that unfortunately, you made us lose hope in you with your opposition against our way of life which is the worship of idols and icons according to the way of our ancestors.
This has been our source of pride and thus indicates that you do not have the slightest respect for our leaders, nor do you have any faith in our wisdom and intelligence nor do you defend our traditions. The verse says: " They said: 'O Salih! You have hitherto been a source of hope among us. ..." Do you actually want to dissuade us from worshipping what our fathers used to worship? They declared: "... Do you(now)forbid us to worship what our fathers worshipped?
..." The fact of the matter is that we are in doubt as to the way of life to which you are calling us(that is monotheism)and, at the same time, we are also pessimistic about it. They said: "... Truly we are in disquieting doubt as to that unto which you invite us'.