ءَايَٰتٍۭ

Commentary:

The verse purports to say that the denial of the Holy Prophet by the Jews, and for that matter by all other disbelievers, is quite unreasonable because his claim is based on convincing arguments and manifest Signs. The verse gives the lie to those who have the effrontery to assert that, according to the Quran, the Prophet of Islam showed no Signs. The greatest of the Signs shown by the Holy Prophet is the matchlessness of the Quran itself.

The word الفاسقون (the disobedient) occurring at the end of this verse means "those who first take upon themselves to observe what the Law orders and acknowledge its authority and then go against it" (Lane). This is a true picture of the Jews who rejected the Holy Prophet in spite of the fact that his coming had been foretold in their own Scriptures.

7:104; 27:13.

27:14; 28:37; 40:25.

Commentary:

The nine signs alluded to in this verse have been mentioned elsewhere in the Quran. They are as follows: (a) the rod (7:108); (b) the white hand (7:109); (c), (d) drought and scarcity of fruits which means the death of the first born children (7:131); (e) the storm; (f) the locusts; (g) the lice; (h) the frogs; and (i) the punishment of the blood (7:134). The Bible gives a strange description of these signs. Some of them were miracles pure and simple, such as the miracle of the rod and the radiant hand, while others served both as signs and as punishment. In 7:134 these Signs have been described as آیات مفصلات; the word مفصلات indicating that they were shown at intervals. Reference to these signs in this verse implies that similar signs will be shown to the Jews by the Holy Prophet and that like Pharaoh they would not benefit by them and like him they too would incur God’s displeasure and be visited with heavenly punishment.

Important Words:

سورة (chapter) is infinitive noun from سار. They say سار الحائط i.e. he scaled the wall. سار الیه means, he jumped upon him and attacked him. سورة means, trace, mark, sign; rank, dignity, degree, excellence; a very high and beautiful building; a thing complete and perfect; part or portion of a thing; a chapter of the Quran. They say له عندک سورة i.e. he has a rank or dignity with you, i.e. you respect him. له سورة فی المجد means, he possesses a degree or rank in dignity. فأتوا بسورة من مثله means, so bring a chapter like it (Lane, Aqrab & Qurtubi).

فرضنا ھا (We have made it obligatory). فرضه means, he made a notch or an incision in it, namely, a piece of wood. فرضmeans, (1) He (God) made a thing or prayer or statutes or ordinances obligatory or binding upon men, (2) he (the Prophet) instituted or prescribed a thing as an ordinance or statute; (3) he (a judge) decreed or adjudged; he assigned or appointed a particular time for doing a thing or he determined or defined or limited it. They say فرض اللّٰه الاحکام علی عبادہ i.e. God has made the commandments obligatory on His servants. فرضناھا means, in which We have set down the obligatory statutes (Lane & Aqrab).

Commentary:

All the different chapters of the Quran are called Surahs. But the present chapter has been specifically called a Surahbecause it draws pointed attention to the importance of its contents. The implication of the use of the word Surah—also meaning rank or dignity—is that Muslims by acting upon the commandments and ordinances embodied in this Surahwould make great social progress and attain national eminence, glory and dignity. The emphasis on the words, "which We have revealed and which We have made obligatory," also points to the great importance of the commandments of this Surah inasmuch as all other Quranic Surahs also have been revealed by God and their commandments have also been made obligatory and the present Surah possesses no peculiarity in this respect. The implication also seems to be that whereas the commandments contained in this Surah are specially intended to raise the moral standard of the Muslim community and to make them a great nation, they would be neglected and ignored by them; and regrettably it has so happened. In slavish imitation of the customs and manners of other nations the Muslims have infringed and violated the commandments of this Surah more than the ordinances embodied in other chapters of the Quran.

The words, "that you may remember," signify that Muslims should not ignore the important lesson that the Surah has been revealed for their social and moral uplift, leading ultimately to their spiritual advancement. They should remember that just as defiance of commandments about sexual relations does serious injury to physical and social development of a people, similarly wrong spiritual connections lead to moral and spiritual deterioration.

9:63.

22:17; 24:35; 57:10.

Important Words:

کبتوا (will be abused). کبته means, he threw him down prostrate. کبت اللّٰه الکافر means, God prostrated the disbeliever, and deprived him of what he desired, or disappointed him, or caused him to fail in attaining his desire; he routed him or put him to flight; he turned him away or averted him; he abused; debased him, rendered him vile, despicable or ignominious. (Aqrab)

Commentary:

Calling one’s wife "mother" is tantamount to opposing God—so hideous is the offence. Befittingly the subject of opposition to truth by the Jews and hypocrites is introduced in this verse.

The words "and We have sent clear signs," show that Divine punishment overtakes the sinners after their sins have been fully established and their guilt brought home to them.

22:17; 24:35; 58:6.

14:6; 33:44; 65:12.