The Response of Shu`ayb's People

They said,

﴿يشُعَيْبُ مَا نَفْقَهُ﴾

(O Shu`ayb! We do not understand) This means that we do not comprehend.

﴿كَثِيراً﴾

(much) `most of what you say'. Ath-Thawri said, "He (Shu`ayb) was called the orator of the Prophets.'' As-Suddi said,

﴿وَإِنَّا لَنَرَاكَ فِينَا ضَعِيفًا﴾

(and we see you weak among us.) "They meant, `You are only one person.''' Abu Rawq said, "They meant, `You are despised, because your tribe is not upon your religion.'''

﴿وَلَوْلاَ رَهْطُكَ لَرَجَمْنَـكَ﴾

(Were it not for your family, you would have been stoned,) This means, your people. Were it not for their powerful position over the people of Madyan, they would have stoned him to death. Some said that this means with rocks. It has also been said that this means that they would have cursed and insulted him verbally.

﴿وَمَآ أَنتَ عَلَيْنَا بِعَزِيزٍ﴾

(and you are not powerful against us.) This means, "You have no position of power over us.''