"So why," meaning: why then, "were there not among the generations before you, those possessing remnant [of wisdom and righteousness]," meaning: obedience.
"forbidding corruption upon the earth, except for a few of those We saved from among them?" He says: That did not happen except by a few of those believers whom We saved.
"And those who wronged pursued the luxury in which they were given," meaning: the polytheists pursued the worldly life, and that which Allah (glorified and exalted is He) had expanded for them within it.
Muhammad said: The root of al-taraffuh (luxuriousness) is abundance in living and excess in enjoyment.
The meaning: They pursued what they were given of wealth and became prosperous; thus, they were tempted by it.
Surah Hud from verse (117) to verse (120).
﴿فلولا﴾ فَهَلا ﴿كَانَ مِنَ الْقُرُونِ مِنْ قبلكُمْ أولو بَقِيَّة﴾ يَعْنِي: طَاعَةٍ.
﴿يَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْفَسَادِ فِي الأَرْضِ إِلا قَلِيلا مِمَّنْ أنجينا مِنْهُم﴾ يَقُولُ: لمْ يَكُنْ ذَلِكَ إِلا قَلِيلا مِمَّنْ أَنْجَيْنَا مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ.
﴿وَاتَّبَعَ الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا مَا أُتْرِفُوا فِيهِ﴾ يَعْنِي: الْمُشْرِكِينَ اتَّبَعُوا الدُّنْيَا، وَمَا وَسَّعَ اللَّهُ ﷿ عَلَيْهِمْ فِيهَا.
قَالَ محمدٌ: أَصْلُ التَّرَفُّهِ: السَّعَةُ فِي الْعَيْشِ، وَالإِسْرَافُ فِي التَّنْعِيمِ.
الْمَعْنَى: اتَّبَعُوا مَا أُعْطُوا مِنَ الأَمْوَالِ وَأَثْرَوْهُ؛ فَفُتِنُوا بِهِ.
سُورَة هود من الْآيَة (١١٧) إِلَى الْآيَة (١٢٠).
