The Holy Quran 11:116 — Surah Hud

Arabic text

فَلَوْلَا كَانَ مِنَ ٱلْقُرُونِ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ أُو۟لُوا۟ بَقِيَّةٍ يَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ ٱلْفَسَادِ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا مِّمَّنْ أَنجَيْنَا مِنْهُمْ ۗ وَٱتَّبَعَ ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا۟ مَآ أُتْرِفُوا۟ فِيهِ وَكَانُوا۟ مُجْرِمِينَ

Translation

Besides a few of them whom We had rescued (saved from punishment), why were there no more men of understanding from the nations of the past who would prevent (others from) corruption (kufr and Shirk) in the land? (However, instead of preventing others from kufr) The oppressors followed (indulged in) the luxuries they enjoyed and (just like the masses) were criminals (also did what others did). (Had people prevented others from kufr, they would have all been saved from Allaah's punishment which comes when good souls are outnumbered).

Tafsir (excerpt) — Tafsir Usmani

The need for reformers and their importance: by relating the state of earlier [nations], [Allah] urges the community of Muhammad ﷺ always to have among it, in great numbers, those who engage in “amr bil-ma'ruf” (enjoining what is right) and “nahy 'an al-munkar” (forbidding what is wrong).

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