The People of the Garden

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Contents

So what happened to the garden?Allah withheld from them, just as they withheld from the poor Others may help us commit evil, but they won’t help us on the Day of Judgment Action points

Charity is a means of reward, of attaining the pleasure of Allah, avoiding the anger of our Creator, a means for sins to be forgiven, to be protected from calamities, and to take away tribulations. It certainly brings blessings and much more.

We are reminded of this in the story of the People of the Garden.

Allah gives the parable of a father who owned a garden, not too far from Sana’a. The parable was a reminder to the Quraysh — and is to us all — of the end of those who are ungrateful.

The owner of this particular garden was very charitable when he was alive. He would give a portion to his family, a portion he would reinvest into the garden, and the excess he would give to the poor in charity.

When he passed away, he left the garden to his children.

So what happened to the garden?

When the children inherited it, they more or less thought to themselves,

“Our family is large and we get only a small portion of this wealth; let us not give to the poor like our father used to. Let us take it for ourselves.”

This was certainly a test from Allah upon them, just like He tested the Quraysh with their given blessings and wealth.

Allah (subḥānahu wa ta’āla) says of the group and the result of their desire to deprive others of the fruits,

“Indeed, We have tried them as We tried the companions of the garden, when they swore to cut its fruit in the [early] morning, leaving no thought for Allah’s Will.

“So there came upon it [i.e. the garden] an affliction from your Lord while they were asleep, so it was reduced to ashes.” [1]

They had attempted to gather the produce as the day had just begun, so the poor would not come to know and ask for their share!

They ended up reaping not their crops but rather the results of their actions.

Allah withheld from them, just as they withheld from the poor

Just as the group withheld from the needy, Allah (subḥānahu wa ta’āla) withheld from them.

Right away, they were devastated and understood that this was a punishment from Allah.

But after beginning to argue as to who was responsible for this situation, they turned in repentance to Allah, fully recognising their wrongdoing and seeking His mercy.

As Allah continues,

“But when they saw it, they said, ‘Indeed, we are lost; rather, we have been deprived.’ The most moderate of them said, ‘Did I not say to you, ‘Why do you not exalt [Allah]?”

“They said, ‘Exalted is our Lord! Indeed, we were wrongdoers.’ Then they approached one another, blaming each other.

“They said, ‘O woe to us; indeed we were transgressors. We trust our Lord will give us a better garden than this, [for] we are indeed turning to our Lord with hope.’

“Such is the punishment [of this world]. And the punishment of the Hereafter is greater, if they only knew. Indeed, for the righteous with their Lord are the Gardens of Pleasure.” [2]

Others may help us commit evil, but they won’t help us on the Day of Judgment

The example of the People of the Garden is a serious reminder of the Day of Judgment, and what punishment may await those of us who do not recognise our wrongdoings in this world.

What is more, your “partner in crime” in this world will definitely become your adversary when attempting to shift all blame unto you. Every person will be interested in only one thing: saving their own necks.

With the People of the Garden, they repented to Allah and were given a garden better than the garden they had originally inherited — this was only due to the mercy of Allah and their sincere repentance.

Action points

Turn to Allah, He can give you better than what you have lost in this world, and He alone can turn all your sins into good deeds.
Regularly contemplate on your mistakes. What are your shortcomings, how can you become a better Muslim?
Own up to Allah! Repent and hope from Him better than what you've missed out on; He is al-Karīm, al-Wahhāb.