An-Nahl 112: (As a lesson) Allah has given the example of a country; one country was safe and content. Its provisions came from everywhere in abundance. Then, they became ungrateful towards Allah’s blessings and Allah made them taste the calamities of hunger and fear for what they have done.

We have come to verse 112 of Surah An-Nahl. Allah set forth a land as an example for a lesson. Now Allah Almighty here gives a land as an example. A land was safe and peaceful. Its provision came to it abundantly from everywhere. Then they were ungrateful for Allah's blessings. So Allah made them taste the distress of hunger and fear because of what they did, it says. Fear and distress. Now, our forefathers would go to the mosque, the mosques would fill, our mothers would be at prayer and supplication, they would observe all of Allah's commands. And Allah Almighty did not leave them hungry in that poverty.

He fed them, gave them drink, satisfied them. They lived in the best way. Now they are in abundance but stark naked, stark naked. So they are trying to push Allah's limits.

If you asked these people themselves, are they at peace? Believe me, they cannot find a particle of any letter of peace in their hearts. In each one's heart there is a distress of its own. Some because of their love, their sweetheart. Some because they saw the revealing clothes of their neighbour and could not buy that dress. Another, because (?) together with another, because the sweetheart went off and left him, lives the pain in his heart. So, in fornication with one another, pushing Allah's limits, their hearts are in fear and unrest. You cannot find peace in these. Peace is in the one who lives Islam.

In the one who fulfils Allah's commands. They are fearless. And their Lord is behind them. Yes. I am reading the verse once more now. Allah set forth a land as an example for a lesson. If He gives a land as an example there, He gives it for people. Today this example is being lived right now in our lands. Not only in our country. It is being lived all over the world anyway. And there is no peace in the world either. There is no peace in people. Only in the one who lives Islam is there peace. Allah set forth a land as an example for a lesson; a land was safe and peaceful; its provision came to it from every place, every place, abundantly; then they were ungrateful for Allah's blessings; so Allah made them taste the distress of hunger and fear because of what they did.

In our time, the counterpart of this verse is most people, most — the counterpart of this verse, the land given as an example in this verse is Mecca the Honoured. Mecca, even before Islam, with the building of the House of Allah by Abraham (peace be upon him), was a place frequented by all people. Then these people went astray and worshipped idols. They filled the House of Allah with idols. Since Mecca the Honoured was a place people stopped by, those living here, from every side caravans — to those living here, it says, caravans would stop by from every side, they would trade. They would gain abundant commerce.

The people of this land also lived in security and peace. Then these people were ungrateful for Allah's blessings. What is meant by the blessing here is the Prophet (peace be upon him). The polytheists of Mecca, denying the Prophet (peace be upon him), insulted him. They even attempted to kill him. But Allah was with His Beloved. Isn't that so? The polytheists of Mecca, even if the whole world united, could not have harmed even a hair of his. Sadly these people could not understand this, and finally, with the emigration of the Prophet (peace be upon him), Mecca suffered seven years of famine. Besides this, the polytheists of Mecca, the fear of Islam's spreading, themselves with hunger (?).

Yes.

And with poverty; the hardships of poverty drove them to despair and fear. To despair and fear. Now, the example there is the example of our time. Allah Almighty is recounting an event that happened. The verses address that time, every time, the future. The verses are valid until the Last Day. The event lived in Mecca the Honoured appears in our time too, being lived again. Only right now there is no famine. Yes, but there is unrest and fear. Allah, giving the polytheists of this city as an example, to people who will come until the Last Day, has shown them even as an example of lessons. He willed that they be respectful toward Allah's blessings and know their Lord.

People who are ungrateful for the blessings Allah Almighty gives, disbelievers who recognize neither Allah nor the Book — Allah gives them constant distress of heart. They are in constant unrest. People who do not believe in Allah and the Hereafter are also, toward the blessings Allah gives, ungrateful. They eat and drink the blessings Allah gives, but not even once do they thank their Lord who gives these blessings.

Here truly a question like this comes up, I say. Non-Muslims say prayers at meals. Before eating they thank Allah. Are their thanks or prayers not accepted in Allah's sight? Yes. In answer we say that their prayers are not accepted in Allah's sight. Because they associate partners with Allah. They call Jesus and Ezra sons of Allah. Associating partners with Allah, they say Allah is three. So to whom are their prayers? If they had prayed to that One Allah, they would accept the religion of Islam and become Muslims. Because there is no god but Allah. Allah has no need of a wife or children either.

This whole created universe is in need of Allah. So whoever denies Allah, does not believe in the Hereafter, denies the prophets, associates partners with Allah — these are ungrateful people who deny Allah's blessings. And Allah constricts them in this world with painful distress and fear, and they are punished with unrest as the recompense of what they did. Moreover, when they pass on to the Hereafter like this, with the eternal punishment of Hell they are punished.