Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah 38058 — The words of al-Hasan al-Basri

It is narrated about al-Hasan that he recited the entire verse "And ask them about the town that stood by the sea, when they transgressed concerning the Sabbath, when their fish came to them openly on their Sabbath day" [Al-A'raf: 163]. He said: This was a fish which Allah Almighty had forbidden to them on one day, and on the remaining days had made lawful for the people. This fish would come to them on that day like pregnant she-camels, holding back from no one. So those people formed an intention and began to hold (it) back, until they would seize it and then eat it. By Allah! There is no food more ruinous than this food that people have ever eaten. It left behind the most lasting disgrace in this world and the severest punishment in the Hereafter. And by Allah! The believer has greater sanctity with Allah than a fish. But Allah Almighty has appointed the Day of Resurrection as the promised time for the people, and the Hour is more calamitous and more bitter.