Surat Al-Nahl (16:112): «وَضَرَبَ اللَّهُ مَثَلًا قَرْيَةً كَانَتْ آمِنَةً مُطْمَئِنَّةً يَأْتِيهَا رِزْقُهَا رَغَدًا مِنْ كُلِّ مَكَانٍ فَكَفَرَتْ بِأَنْعُمِ اللَّهِ فَأَذَاقَهَا اللَّهُ لِبَاسَ الْجُوعِ وَالْخَوْفِ بِمَا كَانُوا يَصْنَعُونَ» Translation: “And Allah has exemplified a city that was safe and secure, and its sustenance was plentiful from all sides. So, its inhabitants were ungrateful for Allah’s blessings, and Allah made its people taste hunger and fear as a punishment for what they did.”
In the interpretation of the verse, scholars and commentators say: “And Allah has set a parable for a city.” This is a parable that Allah Almighty established for the people of Makkah, so that the Quraysh would take heed, come to their senses, and abandon their misguidance.
In this verse, Allah (S.W.T) describes the qualities of a village whose people were secure from enemies, war, hunger, and captivity, and from which abundant sustenance flowed from other cities. However, they were ungrateful for this immense blessing from Almighty Allah. As a consequence, hunger and fear gripped them, and they tasted the bitterness of these states after having lived prosperous and peaceful lives.
In this context, the term “Qariya” refers specifically to the city of Makkah, which Allah Almighty has set as an example for oppressive cities. This was during the time when the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, made a supplication against the disbelievers of Makkah, saying: “O Allah, harden Your pressure on them and turn that pressure into a famine like the famine of Yusuf’s time.” The prayer of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah’s prayers and peace be upon him, was accepted, and they suffered from severe famine to the extent that they resorted to eating rotten bones.
This example serves as a warning not only for the people of Makkah but also for others to avoid such actions. It is a reflection on the state of a city that was “safe and secure,” where its people experienced no fear, worries, or distress. It enjoyed happiness and abundance from all sides; lands near and far sent their blessings to Makkah. Yet, after they became ungrateful to Allah Almighty and His prophets, and to the blessings bestowed upon them, “as a punishment for what they did, Allah made them taste hunger and fear.” This suffering gripped the people of that city, making them so thin and wretched that it was as if these conditions were garments draped over their bodies. Thus, Almighty Allah turned their two states into their opposites: hunger instead of abundance, and fear instead of security.
Types of Security in the Quran
Surat Al-Hijr (15:46): «ادْخُلُوهَا بِسَلَامٍ آمِنِينَ»; Translation: “[They say to them] Enter there safely and securely.”
Among the types of security emphasized in the Holy Quran is religious security. Without security, the way of performing religious acts becomes compromised. The preservation of human life is another concern given significant attention in the Holy Quran. The issue of unjust killing and endangering people’s lives is strongly condemned, as murder and other violent acts disrupt security and deprive the populace of peace.
In contemporary human sciences, security is a critical topic extensively addressed in the Quran. Concepts such as freedom or power seem marginal compared to security. As noted, security is discussed in countless verses, indicating that, while faith may be the central theme of the Quran, security is arguably the most essential issue in human relations—interlinked closely with the philosophy of creation, descent, and divine trust.
Therefore, security is a fundamental component emphasized in the Quran and Islam. The teachings of Islam advocate that security should be prioritized among human needs. Even aside from religious perspectives, it becomes evident in the short term that security holds immense value in human social life and should never be neglected.
It is clear that the blessing of security in the Quran enjoys a lofty status and high significance. For this reason, the Quran has paid special attention to it, reminding those who benefit from this blessing while warning them of its great importance. Although numerous verses in the Holy Quran highlight the significance of security, we have limited our discussion to a few in this section of the article.
