The Story of Sheba — A Blessing Turned Ingratitude
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بَلۡدَةٌ طَيِّبَةٌ وَرَبٌّ غَفُورٌ
— سبأ 15
Verse: "There was for [the tribe of] Sheba in their homeland a sign — two gardens on the right and the left." (34:15)
The story: The Sheba kingdom in Yemen — a flourishing land with two gardens and the great Ma'rib Dam. Allah said: "A good land and a forgiving Lord." Then they turned away — Allah sent the Arim flood, which destroyed the dam and transformed the gardens.
The economic and spiritual lesson: Great blessings do not guarantee gratitude — they may lead to ingratitude when the human forgets their source. "We have set forth for you examples."
Lesson: The question is not "are you in blessing?" but "are you grateful for it?"
Source: Ibn Kathir (6/501); Al-Sadi; Al-Qurtubi (14/278)
Question: What reason does the Quran give for Sheba's blessing turning into punishment?
Answer: "They turned away" — turning from Allah and failing to be grateful after great blessings led to the Arim flood destroying their prosperity.