لَاۤ
Appears 47 times in Quran
Occurrences in Quran
Found 47 verses containing "لَاۤ".
اَللّٰہُ لَاۤ اِلٰہَ اِلَّا ہُوَ رَبُّ الۡعَرۡشِ الۡعَظِیۡمِ ۩
وَہُوَ اللّٰہُ لَاۤ اِلٰہَ اِلَّا ہُوَ ۖ لَہُ الۡحَمۡدُ فِی الۡاُوۡلٰی وَالۡاٰخِرَۃِ ۖ وَلَہُ الۡحُکۡمُ وَاِلَیۡہِ تُرۡجَعُوۡنَ
Commentary:
The words, "To Him belongs all praise in the beginning and the Hereafter," signify that it is not possible to begin a work unless God provides the means for it and that no work can become complete unless He has provided the means for its completion, and that it can produce no result without His help. The expression الا ولٰی و آلاخرة may also signify respectively the Mosaic and Islamic Dispensations.
2926
Commentary:
The words, "To Him belongs all praise in the beginning and the Hereafter," signify that it is not possible to begin a work unless God provides the means for it and that no work can become complete unless He has provided the means for its completion, and that it can produce no result without His help. The expression الا ولٰی و آلاخرة may also signify respectively the Mosaic and Islamic Dispensations.
وَلَا تَدۡعُ مَعَ اللّٰہِ اِلٰہًا اٰخَرَ ۘ لَاۤ اِلٰہَ اِلَّا ہُوَ ۚ کُلُّ شَیۡءٍ ہَالِکٌ اِلَّا وَجۡہَہٗ ۚ لَہُ الۡحُکۡمُ وَاِلَیۡہِ تُرۡجَعُوۡنَ
10:107; 17:40; 26:214.
اس سے مراد یہ ہے کہ ہر ایک مادی چیز نہ کہ اگلی دنیا کی نعمتیں یا روحانی علوم۔ چنانچہ حضرت عثمان بن مظعونؓ کے سامنے جب لبیدنے یہ شعر پڑھا کہ ؎
اَ لَا کُلُّ شَیْئٍ مَّا خَـلَا اللّٰہَ بَاطِلٗ۔ وَ کُلُّ نَعِیْمٍ لَا مَحَالَۃَ زَائِلٗ
تو عثمان بن مظعونؓ بڑے جو ش سے کھڑے ہو گئے اور کہنے لگے کہ نَعِیْمُ اللّٰہِ لَایَبْطُلُ یعنی جنت کی نعمتیں کبھی زائل نہیں ہوں گی۔ سو کُلُّ شُیْءٍ ھَالِکٌ سے مراد مادی چیزیں ہیں نہ جنت پر اس کا اطلاق ہوتا ہے اور نہ روحانی علوم پر۔ پس صحابہؓ کی تشریح کے ساتھ اس آیت کی تشریح ہو جاتی ہے اور وہی ٹھیک ہے۔
10:107; 17:40; 26:214.
Wajh means, self; face; chief of a people; object or purpose which one is pursuing; place to which one goes or directs his attention; pleasure; favour; sake; etc. (Lane).
10:107; 17:40; 26:214.
Important Words:
وجه means, face; the thing itself; direction; object and motive; deed or action to which a person directs his attention; the desired way (Lane & Aqrab).
Commentary:
In this verse the Holy Prophet is told that he will meet with strong opposition and severe persecution in the discharge of his great mission but no amount of trials and tribulations should discourage or dismay him and he should put his faith in Allah Who is at his back and to Whom all will return.
The expression کل شیء ھالک الا وجھه may mean: (1) Everything will perish save that to which He directs His attention. (2) Everything will perish save that by which His pleasure is sought. The verse signifies that only material things will perish and not the blessings or bounties of Paradise which are everlasting.
a
10:107; 17:40; 26:214.
3
اس سے مراد یہ ہے کہ ہر ایک مادی چیز نہ کہ اگلی دنیا کی نعمتیں یا روحانی علوم۔ چنانچہ حضرت عثمان بن مظعونؓ کے سامنے جب لبیدنے یہ شعر پڑھا کہ ؎
اَ لَا کُلُّ شَیْئٍ مَّا خَـلَا اللّٰہَ بَاطِلٗ۔ وَ کُلُّ نَعِیْمٍ لَا مَحَالَۃَ زَائِلٗ
تو عثمان بن مظعونؓ بڑے جو ش سے کھڑے ہو گئے اور کہنے لگے کہ نَعِیْمُ اللّٰہِ لَایَبْطُلُ یعنی جنت کی نعمتیں کبھی زائل نہیں ہوں گی۔ سو کُلُّ شُیْءٍ ھَالِکٌ سے مراد مادی چیزیں ہیں نہ جنت پر اس کا اطلاق ہوتا ہے اور نہ روحانی علوم پر۔ پس صحابہؓ کی تشریح کے ساتھ اس آیت کی تشریح ہو جاتی ہے اور وہی ٹھیک ہے۔
b
10:107; 17:40; 26:214.
2938
Important Words:
وجه means, face; the thing itself; direction; object and motive; deed or action to which a person directs his attention; the desired way (Lane & Aqrab).
Commentary:
In this verse the Holy Prophet is told that he will meet with strong opposition and severe persecution in the discharge of his great mission but no amount of trials and tribulations should discourage or dismay him and he should put his faith in Allah Who is at his back and to Whom all will return.
The expression کل شیء ھالک الا وجھه may mean: (1) Everything will perish save that to which He directs His attention. (2) Everything will perish save that by which His pleasure is sought. The verse signifies that only material things will perish and not the blessings or bounties of Paradise which are everlasting.
c
10:107; 17:40; 26:214.
2236
Wajh means, self; face; chief of a people; object or purpose which one is pursuing; place to which one goes or directs his attention; pleasure; favour; sake; etc. (Lane).
ہُوَ الَّذِیۡ یُصَوِّرُکُمۡ فِی الۡاَرۡحَامِ کَیۡفَ یَشَآءُ ۚ لَاۤ اِلٰہَ اِلَّا ہُوَ الۡعَزِیۡزُ الۡحَکِیۡمُ
22:6; 23:12-15; 39:7; 40:65; 64:4.
22:6; 23:12-15; 39:7; 40:65; 64:4.
As development of the child takes place in the womb of the mother, the offspring naturally is affected by her physical and moral condition. So Jesus, whose body like that of all other human beings was formed in the womb of a woman, could not escape being affected by the limitations and failings inherent in woman. This is why, in his discussion with the Christians of Najran, the Holy Prophet pointedly referred to the birth of Jesus as an argument to disprove his so-called divinity. He is reported to have said to them: "Do you not know that it was a woman who conceived Jesus, and then she was delivered of him just as a normal woman is delivered of a child" (Jarir, iii.101)?
22:6; 23:13-15; 39:7; 40:65; 64:4.
Important Words:
یصور (fashions) is derived from صار. They say صار الشیء meaning: (1) he made the thing inclined; (2) he divided or cut the thing into parts or pieces. صورہ means, he formed or fashioned it; he gave it a shape. صورہ تصویرا means, he fashioned it and gave it a definite shape.الصورة means, the image or form or shape of a thing by which it is distinguished from other things (Aqrab & Lane).
Commentary:
تصویر (fashioning) and خلق (creating) are two different things as is clear from 7:12 and 82:89. خلق which takes place before تصویر means creating a thing and giving it a general physical form, whereas تصویر signifies detailed formation and the endowing of a child with moral and spiritual faculties. Thus خلق and تصویر are interrelated like body and soul. Medical research has shown that there exists some subtle relationship between the physical features of a man and his morals. The clause, He it is Who fashions you in the wombs, would, therefore, mean that after God brings into existence a body in the womb, He endows it with faculties and capacities necessary to fulfil its destiny. So it is in the womb of his mother that the foundations of a man’s future are laid, and it is to this fact that the Holy Prophet referred when he said that when the formation of the child in the womb begins, the angels ask God whether they should write it down as lucky or ill-fated (Bukhari).
As the formation of the child takes place in the womb of the mother, naturally it is affected by its environment, i.e. the physical and moral condition of the mother. So Jesus, whose body, like that of other human beings, was formed in the womb of a woman, could not escape being affected by the limitations and failings inherent in woman. Now as the Bible holds woman to be morally inferior to man, for it was through Eve that Satan deceived Adam (Gen. 3:12, 13), Jesus could not but have partaken of the failings and weaknesses of his mother. Thus, the fatherless birth of Jesus proved, if anything, that Jesus was by nature more inclined to sin than other men. This is why, in his discussion with the Christians of Najran, the Holy Prophet pointedly referred to the birth of Jesus as an argument disproving his divinity. He is reported to have said to them: "Do you not know that it was a woman who conceived Jesus, just as a woman conceives a child, and then she was delivered of him just as a woman is delivered of a child" (Jarir, iii. 101).
The clause, there is no God but He, has been placed as a natural consequence of the preceding clause. When it is God Who fashions children in the wombs of their mothers, no child born of a woman could claim to be divine.
b
22:6; 23:12-15; 39:7; 40:65; 64:4.
b
22:6; 23:13-15; 39:7; 40:65; 64:4.
298
Important Words:
یصور (fashions) is derived from صار. They say صار الشیء meaning: (1) he made the thing inclined; (2) he divided or cut the thing into parts or pieces. صورہ means, he formed or fashioned it; he gave it a shape. صورہ تصویرا means, he fashioned it and gave it a definite shape.الصورة means, the image or form or shape of a thing by which it is distinguished from other things (Aqrab & Lane).
Commentary:
تصویر (fashioning) and خلق (creating) are two different things as is clear from 7:12 and 82:89. خلق which takes place before تصویر means creating a thing and giving it a general physical form, whereas تصویر signifies detailed formation and the endowing of a child with moral and spiritual faculties. Thus خلق and تصویر are interrelated like body and soul. Medical research has shown that there exists some subtle relationship between the physical features of a man and his morals. The clause, He it is Who fashions you in the wombs, would, therefore, mean that after God brings into existence a body in the womb, He endows it with faculties and capacities necessary to fulfil its destiny. So it is in the womb of his mother that the foundations of a man’s future are laid, and it is to this fact that the Holy Prophet referred when he said that when the formation of the child in the womb begins, the angels ask God whether they should write it down as lucky or ill-fated (Bukhari).
As the formation of the child takes place in the womb of the mother, naturally it is affected by its environment, i.e. the physical and moral condition of the mother. So Jesus, whose body, like that of other human beings, was formed in the womb of a woman, could not escape being affected by the limitations and failings inherent in woman. Now as the Bible holds woman to be morally inferior to man, for it was through Eve that Satan deceived Adam (Gen. 3:12, 13), Jesus could not but have partaken of the failings and weaknesses of his mother. Thus, the fatherless birth of Jesus proved, if anything, that Jesus was by nature more inclined to sin than other men. This is why, in his discussion with the Christians of Najran, the Holy Prophet pointedly referred to the birth of Jesus as an argument disproving his divinity. He is reported to have said to them: "Do you not know that it was a woman who conceived Jesus, just as a woman conceives a child, and then she was delivered of him just as a woman is delivered of a child" (Jarir, iii. 101).
The clause, there is no God but He, has been placed as a natural consequence of the preceding clause. When it is God Who fashions children in the wombs of their mothers, no child born of a woman could claim to be divine.
c
22:6; 23:12-15; 39:7; 40:65; 64:4.
368
As development of the child takes place in the womb of the mother, the offspring naturally is affected by her physical and moral condition. So Jesus, whose body like that of all other human beings was formed in the womb of a woman, could not escape being affected by the limitations and failings inherent in woman. This is why, in his discussion with the Christians of Najran, the Holy Prophet pointedly referred to the birth of Jesus as an argument to disprove his so-called divinity. He is reported to have said to them: "Do you not know that it was a woman who conceived Jesus, and then she was delivered of him just as a normal woman is delivered of a child" (Jarir, iii.101)?
اَللّٰہُ لَاۤ اِلٰہَ اِلَّا ہُوَ الۡحَیُّ الۡقَیُّوۡمُ ۚ لَا تَاۡخُذُہٗ سِنَۃٌ وَّلَا نَوۡمٌ ۚ لَّہٗ مَا فِی السَّمٰوٰتِ وَمَا فِی الۡاَرۡضِ ۗ مَنۡ ذَا الَّذِیۡ یَشۡفَعُ عِنۡدَہٗۤ اِلَّا بِاِذۡنِہٖ ۚ یَعۡلَمُ مَا بَیۡنَ اَیۡدِیۡہِمۡ وَمَا خَلۡفَہُمۡ ۖ وَلَا یُحِیۡطُوۡنَ بِشَیۡءٍ مِّنۡ عِلۡمِہٖۤ اِلَّا بِمَا شَآءَ ۚ وَسِعَ کُرۡسِیُّہُ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَالۡاَرۡضَ ۖ وَلَا یَـُٔوۡدُہٗ حِفۡظُہُمَا ۚ وَہُوَ الۡعَلِیُّ الۡعَظِیۡمُ
3:3; 20:112; 25:59.
2:49.
20:111.
كُرْسِی (Kursiy) 的意思是, 帝位, 宝座, 椅子, 墙的支柱; 知识; 统治权和权力 (اَقْرَبْ, Aqrab)。كَرَاسِی (Karasi) 是复数, 意思是学问高深的人。这节经文优美地描写了安拉的独一性和其伟大的常德。传说穆圣曾经说过, اٰيَةُ الْكُرْسِی (Ayatul-Kursiy) 帝位节, 是 «古兰经» 中最高超的一节经文 (穆斯林)。
اَلْحَیُّ کامل حیات والا۔ اللہ تعالیٰ کے لئے جب اَلْحَیُّ آتا ہے تو الف لام کمال کے معنے دیتا ہے اور اس کے معنے یہ ہوتے ہیں کہ اللہ تعالیٰ حیات کاملہ رکھتا ہے یعنی ایسی حیات جو اپنے قیام میں کسی اور کی محتاج نہیں۔ اسے کسی اور نے زندگی نہیں بخشی بلکہ اس کی ذات ازلی اور ابدی طور پر زندہ ہے۔ اَلْقَیُّوْمُ: قَامَ سے نکلا ہے جس کے معنے کھڑے ہونے کے ہیں۔ اسی سے قَیِّمٌ نکلا ہے جس کے معنے نگران اور مُتوَلّی کے ہیں اور قَـیِّمٌ۔ مُسْتَقِیْمٌ کو بھی کہتے ہیں۔ ’’اَمْرٌقَـیِّمٌ‘‘ ایسا امر جس میں کوئی کجی نہیں بلکہ درست اور ٹھیک ہے۔ اَلْقَ
اردو میں اس موقعہ پر حرف عطف استعمال نہیں کرتے اس لئے نیند کے بعد ایک اور جملہ رکھ کر ترجمہ کو صحیح کیا گیا ہے۔
اَلْکُرْسِیُّ۔ کِرْسٌ سے نکلا ہے جس کے معنے متفرق اجزا کے اکٹھا ہونے کے ہوتے ہیں۔ کہتے ہیں کَرَسْتُ بِنَاءً میں نے عمارت بنائی۔ یعنی اینٹوں پر اینٹیں رکھیں اور کُرْسِیٌّ علم کو بھی کہتے ہیں اور حکومت کو بھی (مفردات) اس لفظ کی اصل سے معلوم ہوتا ہے کہ اصل میں اس کے معنے جمع کرنے اور اکٹھا کرنے کے ہیں اور چونکہ علم بھی پراگندہ معلومات کو جمع کر لیتا ہے اور حکومت ملک کے پراگندہ اجزا کو جمع کر لیتی ہے اس لئے اسے بھی کرسی کہتے ہیں۔
اٰدَہٗ یَئُوْدُہٗ اَوْداً کے معنے ہیں۔ اَضْنَکَہٗ وَ ثَقْلَ عَلَیْہِ (اقرب) یعنی اسے تھکا دیا اور اس پر بوجھ معلوم ہوا۔
اَلْعَلِیُّ۔ عَلِیٌّ کے معنے ہیں بلند شان والا۔ بزرگی کا مالک (اقرب) عَلِیٌّ کا مادہ عَلَا یَعْلُوْ عُلْوًا بھی ہے اور عَلِیَ یَعْلیٰ عَلَا ءً بھی ہے مگر محققین کے نزدیک عَلاَ یَعْلُوْ سے عالی کا لفظ اسم فاعل کے طور پر آتا ہے اور عَلِیَ یَعْلیٰ سے عَلِیٌّ استعمال ہوتا ہے۔ عَلَا یَعْلُوْ بُرے اور بَھلے دونوں فعلوں کے لئے آ جاتا ہے جیسے قرآن کریم میں ہے کہ اِنَّ فِرْعَوْنَ عَلَا فِی الْاَرْضِ (القصص: ۵) لیکن عَلِیَ یَعْلٰی صرف اچھے معنوں میں آتا ہے اور عَلِیٌّ جو اللہ کا نام ہے وہ اسی مادہ سے ہے پس اس کے ہمیشہ اچھے معن
3:3; 20:112; 25:59.
See 2:49.
20:111.
Kursiyy means, a throne, a chair, buttress of a wall; knowledge; dominion and power (Aqrab); Karasi is plural, meaning, men of learning. The verse beautifully describes the Unity of God and His great attributes. The Holy Prophet is reported to have said that Ayatul-Kursiyy is the loftiest verse of the Qur’an (Muslim).
3:3; 20:112; 25:59.
See 2:49.
20:111.
Important Words:
الحی (the Living), of which the verb form is حیی i.e. he lived or he had life, is an attribute of God, signifying that God is the only Being Who is deathless and lives by Himself—He needs no support, He is eternal and everlasting (Mufradat & Lane). This is "life" in the truest sense of the word, and such life is enjoyed by God alone.
القیوم (Self-Subsisting and All-Sustaining) is another attribute of God. The word is derived from قام i.e. he stood erect. القیوم means, the Being Who not only stands by Himself, requiring the support of none, but Who supports all others (Mufradat & Aqrab).
سنة (slumber) is the noun-infinitive from وسن i.e. sleep or slumber took hold of him. سنة means, heaviness of limbs and eyes preceding sleep; sleep or slumber itself; negligence or unguardedness (Aqrab)
کرسی (knowledge) is derived from کرس. They say کرس البناء i.e. he raised the walls of a house. کرسی means, a throne or a chair or a stool, in fact, anything used for sitting on; buttress of a wall; knowledge; dominion and power. Hence, الکراسیmeans, men of learning (Aqrab & Lane).
Commentary:
This verse is known as آیة الکرسی (Ayatul-Kursi) and is considered to be one of the most important verses, beautifully describing the Unity of God and His great attributes. The Holy Prophet is reported to have said that the Ayatul-Kursi is the loftiest verse in the Quran (Muslim). The verse supplies an answer to an implied question. Even if Muslims made the sacrifices required of them in 2:255, the task before them was so great that, based on worldly calculations, there appeared no hope of success for them. How then is the promised victory to come? The verse under comment provides a telling answer. The world was not without a Master. The destinies of its people were controlled by a Being Whose power was limitless, Whose knowledge knew no bounds, Who was ever vigilant, ever watchful, in Whose hands were the entire resources of the earth and the heavens. If such a Being willed the triumph of a party, who was there to thwart His way? The promised victory must come.
For a detailed treatment of the subject of intercession see note on 2:49. The reason why no one shall be allowed to intercede for any person except with the permission of God is that nobody knows what is in the minds of men and consequently none is in a position to intercede for another. God alone knows the secrets of men’s hearts and hence there can be no intercession except by His permission, for He alone knows who is deserving of it.
The clause, they encompass nothing of His knowledge, means that God’s knowledge is unlimited; while the knowledge of others, whoever they may be, is limited; even Prophets know no more than what is apparent of the spiritual condition of their followers.
The word کرسی (knowledge) may signify either knowledge or power; both give equally good meanings and are almost equally applicable. Allah’s knowledge is as extensive as His power. Knowledge and power are indeed the two great pillars on which the throne of God and, for that matter, the controlling power of everyone in authority rests.
d
3:3; 20:112; 25:59.
e
2:49.
f
20:111.
196
كُرْسِی (Kursiy) 的意思是, 帝位, 宝座, 椅子, 墙的支柱; 知识; 统治权和权力 (اَقْرَبْ, Aqrab)。كَرَاسِی (Karasi) 是复数, 意思是学问高深的人。这节经文优美地描写了安拉的独一性和其伟大的常德。传说穆圣曾经说过, اٰيَةُ الْكُرْسِی (Ayatul-Kursiy) 帝位节, 是 «古兰经» 中最高超的一节经文 (穆斯林)。
1
اَلْحَیُّ کامل حیات والا۔ اللہ تعالیٰ کے لئے جب اَلْحَیُّ آتا ہے تو الف لام کمال کے معنے دیتا ہے اور اس کے معنے یہ ہوتے ہیں کہ اللہ تعالیٰ حیات کاملہ رکھتا ہے یعنی ایسی حیات جو اپنے قیام میں کسی اور کی محتاج نہیں۔ اسے کسی اور نے زندگی نہیں بخشی بلکہ اس کی ذات ازلی اور ابدی طور پر زندہ ہے۔ اَلْقَیُّوْمُ: قَامَ سے نکلا ہے جس کے معنے کھڑے ہونے کے ہیں۔ اسی سے قَیِّمٌ نکلا ہے جس کے معنے نگران اور مُتوَلّی کے ہیں اور قَـیِّمٌ۔ مُسْتَقِیْمٌ کو بھی کہتے ہیں۔ ’’اَمْرٌقَـیِّمٌ‘‘ ایسا امر جس میں کوئی کجی نہیں بلکہ درست اور ٹھیک ہے۔ اَلْقَ
2
اردو میں اس موقعہ پر حرف عطف استعمال نہیں کرتے اس لئے نیند کے بعد ایک اور جملہ رکھ کر ترجمہ کو صحیح کیا گیا ہے۔
3
اَلْکُرْسِیُّ۔ کِرْسٌ سے نکلا ہے جس کے معنے متفرق اجزا کے اکٹھا ہونے کے ہوتے ہیں۔ کہتے ہیں کَرَسْتُ بِنَاءً میں نے عمارت بنائی۔ یعنی اینٹوں پر اینٹیں رکھیں اور کُرْسِیٌّ علم کو بھی کہتے ہیں اور حکومت کو بھی (مفردات) اس لفظ کی اصل سے معلوم ہوتا ہے کہ اصل میں اس کے معنے جمع کرنے اور اکٹھا کرنے کے ہیں اور چونکہ علم بھی پراگندہ معلومات کو جمع کر لیتا ہے اور حکومت ملک کے پراگندہ اجزا کو جمع کر لیتی ہے اس لئے اسے بھی کرسی کہتے ہیں۔
4
اٰدَہٗ یَئُوْدُہٗ اَوْداً کے معنے ہیں۔ اَضْنَکَہٗ وَ ثَقْلَ عَلَیْہِ (اقرب) یعنی اسے تھکا دیا اور اس پر بوجھ معلوم ہوا۔
5
اَلْعَلِیُّ۔ عَلِیٌّ کے معنے ہیں بلند شان والا۔ بزرگی کا مالک (اقرب) عَلِیٌّ کا مادہ عَلَا یَعْلُوْ عُلْوًا بھی ہے اور عَلِیَ یَعْلیٰ عَلَا ءً بھی ہے مگر محققین کے نزدیک عَلاَ یَعْلُوْ سے عالی کا لفظ اسم فاعل کے طور پر آتا ہے اور عَلِیَ یَعْلیٰ سے عَلِیٌّ استعمال ہوتا ہے۔ عَلَا یَعْلُوْ بُرے اور بَھلے دونوں فعلوں کے لئے آ جاتا ہے جیسے قرآن کریم میں ہے کہ اِنَّ فِرْعَوْنَ عَلَا فِی الْاَرْضِ (القصص: ۵) لیکن عَلِیَ یَعْلٰی صرف اچھے معنوں میں آتا ہے اور عَلِیٌّ جو اللہ کا نام ہے وہ اسی مادہ سے ہے پس اس کے ہمیشہ اچھے معن
a
3:3; 20:112; 25:59.
b
See 2:49.
c
20:111.
262
Important Words:
الحی (the Living), of which the verb form is حیی i.e. he lived or he had life, is an attribute of God, signifying that God is the only Being Who is deathless and lives by Himself—He needs no support, He is eternal and everlasting (Mufradat & Lane). This is "life" in the truest sense of the word, and such life is enjoyed by God alone.
القیوم (Self-Subsisting and All-Sustaining) is another attribute of God. The word is derived from قام i.e. he stood erect. القیوم means, the Being Who not only stands by Himself, requiring the support of none, but Who supports all others (Mufradat & Aqrab).
سنة (slumber) is the noun-infinitive from وسن i.e. sleep or slumber took hold of him. سنة means, heaviness of limbs and eyes preceding sleep; sleep or slumber itself; negligence or unguardedness (Aqrab)
کرسی (knowledge) is derived from کرس. They say کرس البناء i.e. he raised the walls of a house. کرسی means, a throne or a chair or a stool, in fact, anything used for sitting on; buttress of a wall; knowledge; dominion and power. Hence, الکراسیmeans, men of learning (Aqrab & Lane).
Commentary:
This verse is known as آیة الکرسی (Ayatul-Kursi) and is considered to be one of the most important verses, beautifully describing the Unity of God and His great attributes. The Holy Prophet is reported to have said that the Ayatul-Kursi is the loftiest verse in the Quran (Muslim). The verse supplies an answer to an implied question. Even if Muslims made the sacrifices required of them in 2:255, the task before them was so great that, based on worldly calculations, there appeared no hope of success for them. How then is the promised victory to come? The verse under comment provides a telling answer. The world was not without a Master. The destinies of its people were controlled by a Being Whose power was limitless, Whose knowledge knew no bounds, Who was ever vigilant, ever watchful, in Whose hands were the entire resources of the earth and the heavens. If such a Being willed the triumph of a party, who was there to thwart His way? The promised victory must come.
For a detailed treatment of the subject of intercession see note on 2:49. The reason why no one shall be allowed to intercede for any person except with the permission of God is that nobody knows what is in the minds of men and consequently none is in a position to intercede for another. God alone knows the secrets of men’s hearts and hence there can be no intercession except by His permission, for He alone knows who is deserving of it.
The clause, they encompass nothing of His knowledge, means that God’s knowledge is unlimited; while the knowledge of others, whoever they may be, is limited; even Prophets know no more than what is apparent of the spiritual condition of their followers.
The word کرسی (knowledge) may signify either knowledge or power; both give equally good meanings and are almost equally applicable. Allah’s knowledge is as extensive as His power. Knowledge and power are indeed the two great pillars on which the throne of God and, for that matter, the controlling power of everyone in authority rests.
c
3:3; 20:112; 25:59.
d
See 2:49.
e
20:111.
318
Kursiyy means, a throne, a chair, buttress of a wall; knowledge; dominion and power (Aqrab); Karasi is plural, meaning, men of learning. The verse beautifully describes the Unity of God and His great attributes. The Holy Prophet is reported to have said that Ayatul-Kursiyy is the loftiest verse of the Qur’an (Muslim).
لَاۤ اِکۡرَاہَ فِی الدِّیۡنِ ۖ قَد تَّبَیَّنَ الرُّشۡدُ مِنَ الۡغَیِّ ۚ فَمَنۡ یَّکۡفُرۡ بِالطّٰغُوۡتِ وَیُؤۡمِنۡۢ بِاللّٰہِ فَقَدِ اسۡتَمۡسَکَ بِالۡعُرۡوَۃِ الۡوُثۡقٰی لَا انۡفِصَامَ لَہَا ۗ وَاللّٰہُ سَمِیۡعٌ عَلِیۡمٌ
31:23.
10:100; 11:119; 18:30; 76:4.
为宗教事业而作出特殊牺牲以及向伊斯兰教的敌人作战的这一命令 (在以前几节经文中体现过的), 很可能引起误解, 认为安拉要穆斯林用武力来传播他们的宗教。这节经文消除了这一误解。它不仅用最强调的话禁止穆斯林强迫非穆斯林皈依伊斯兰教, 而且要讲道理, 为什么不能用武力来达到目的。这是因为正道与邪道已经分明, 因此没有使用武力的理由。伊斯兰教是明显的真理。
طَاغُوْت (Taghut) 是超出正当范围的人; 恶魔; 导致他人走离正道的一些人; 所有的偶像。此字可以用作单数和复数 (2:258和4:61)。
رُشْدٌ کے معنے صداقت پر استقلال سے قائم رہنا ہے نیز غَیٌّ کے اضداد میں سے ہے۔ (اقرب)
اَلْغَیُّ۔ اَلضَّلَا لَۃُ گمراہی۔ اَلْھَلَا کَۃُ تباہی۔ اَلْخَیْبَۃُ ناکامی۔ (اقرب)
مِنْ کے کئی معنے ہوتے ہیں۔ ان میں سے ایک باہمی فرق کے بھی ہیں۔ یعنی جب دو چیزوں میں فرق ہو اور وہ ایک دوسرے سے جداگانہ نوعیت رکھتی ہوں تو اس فرق کو بتانے کے لئے ان دونوں کے اسماء میں مِنْ لاکر اس مضمون کو بتا دیا جاتا ہے۔ یہ ابن مالک نحوی کا قول ہے (مغنی)
تَبَیَّنَ باب تفعّل سے ہے اور یہ باب تکرار اور مبالغہ کے معنے بھی دیتا ہے اس لئے خوب کا لفظ بڑھایا گیا ہے۔ ورنہ خالی ظاہر ہونے کے لئے بَانَ کا لفظ استعمال ہوتا ہے۔
اَلطَّاغُوْتُ : حد سے بڑھنے والا‘ ہر شخص جو گمراہی کا سردار ہو شیطان‘ نیکی سے روکنے والا (اقرب) نیز ہر کاہنؔ۔ معبود ؔباطل‘ ساحرؔ‘ جناتؔ میں سے سرکش۔ ہر نیکی سے روکنے والا طاغوت ہے (مفردات)
اَلْعُرْوَہ۔ عَرَا یَعْرُوْ عَرْوًا سے نکلا ہے جس کے ایک معنے کسی شخص کی طرف اس کا احسان طلب کرنے کے لئے جانے کے ہیں۔ عُرْوَۃٌ انہی معنوں سے بنا ہے۔ گویا جو چیز دوسری چیز سے چمٹ جائے۔ کیونکہ طالب احسان ایسا ہی کرتا ہے۔ وہ عُرْوَہ ہے اسی معنے سے برتن کے دستہ کو عُرْوَہ کہتے ہیں۔ اسی طرح کپڑے کے کاج کو عُرْوَہ کہتے ہیں کیونکہ اس کے ذریعہ سے بٹن چمٹ جاتا ہے۔ پس عُرْوہ ہر اس شے کو کہتے ہیں جس پر اعتماد کیا جاسکے اور سہارا لیا جا سکے۔ (اقرب) عِرْوٌ ایک طرف کو بھی کہتے ہیں۔ بعض نے کہا ہے چونکہ برتن کا دستہ ایک طرف ہوتا ہے اس لئے اسے عُرْوَۃ<
10:100; 11:119; 18:30; 76:4.
31:23.
The injunction (embodied in the preceding verses) to make special sacrifices in the cause of religion and to fight the enemies of Islam was likely to give rise to the misunderstanding that Allah desired Muslims to use force for propagating their religion. This verse removes that misunderstanding and not only forbids Muslims in most emphatic words to use force for converting non-Muslims to Islam, but also gives reasons why force should not be used for this purpose. It is because truth stands out distinct from error, so there has remained no justification for using force. Islam is manifest Truth.
Taghut is one who exceeds proper bounds; the Devil; such persons as turn others from the right path; all idols. The word is used both as singular and plural (2:258 & 4:61).
10:100; 11:119; 18:30; 76:4.
31:23.
Important Words:
الطاغوت (those who transgress) is derived from طغا i.e. he transgressed; he exceeded the just limit. Hence طاغوت is primarily one who exceeds the bounds laid down for him. The Devil (i.e. the Evil One) or such men as turn others from the right path as well as all idols come under the word Taghut. The word is used both as singular and plural as in 4:61 and 2:258.
العروة (handle) being derived from عرا means: (1) the handle of a bucket or a mug, etc.; (2) a ring; etc. which is grasped and clung to for support, or anything which serves as a support (3) a pasture that remains green even in time of drought; (4) the best and excellent part of property and wealth (Aqrab).
Commentary:
The injunction to make special sacrifices in the cause of religion and to fight the enemies of Islam who had transgressed against the Faithful was likely to cause the misunderstanding that Allah desired Muslims to use force for propagating their religion. The verse under comment removes this misunderstanding. The object for which Muslims have been commanded to take up arms against the disbelievers is not to force them to accept Islam, but only to check mischief and put a stop to persecution. The verse enjoins Muslims in the clearest and strongest of words not to resort to force for converting non-Muslims to Islam. In the face of this teaching embodied in the words, There should be no compulsion in religion, it is the height of injustice to accuse Islam of countenancing the use of force for the propagation of its teaching.
The verse not only gives the commandment that in no case is force to be resorted to for the purpose of converting non-Muslims to Islam, but also gives the reason why it should not be used, saying: Surely, right has become distinct from wrong, i.e. the true path has become distinct from the wrong one and therefore there is no justification for using force. Islam is a manifest truth. Anyone who sincerely desires to see this truth can easily see it; but if there is a person who does not desire to see it, no force can possibly make him do so. One only needs to point out its beauties to non-Muslims; it rests with them to accept it or reject it as they like. ایـمان or faith, as defined by Islam, consists in believing something with the heart or the mind and expressing that belief with the tongue. No force on earth can bring about that change.
The person who sticks to true faith and shuns false ones is here represented as laying hold of a strong عروہ (‘urwah) which word, as shown above, gives a number of meanings. Taking it in the first-mentioned sense, i.e. the handle of a mug, etc., the Quran compares Islam to the pure life-giving liquid which is put into a mug, and the believer is represented as taking fast hold of the handle thereof. Taking the word in the second sense, i.e. anything which is grasped and clung to for support; the true faith is represented as something on which complete reliance can be placed in all circumstances. If one adheres to it, there is no fear of one’s stumbling or falling down. Following the third significance, i.e. a pasture that remains green even in time of drought, Islam has been likened to a grazing ground the herbage of which is everlasting. There can be no spiritual famine in Islam. Following the last-mentioned meaning of عروة Islam is represented as a storehouse of spiritual treasures that are without equal.
a
31:23.
g
10:100; 11:119; 18:30; 76:4.
197
为宗教事业而作出特殊牺牲以及向伊斯兰教的敌人作战的这一命令 (在以前几节经文中体现过的), 很可能引起误解, 认为安拉要穆斯林用武力来传播他们的宗教。这节经文消除了这一误解。它不仅用最强调的话禁止穆斯林强迫非穆斯林皈依伊斯兰教, 而且要讲道理, 为什么不能用武力来达到目的。这是因为正道与邪道已经分明, 因此没有使用武力的理由。伊斯兰教是明显的真理。
198
طَاغُوْت (Taghut) 是超出正当范围的人; 恶魔; 导致他人走离正道的一些人; 所有的偶像。此字可以用作单数和复数 (2:258和4:61)。
1
رُشْدٌ کے معنے صداقت پر استقلال سے قائم رہنا ہے نیز غَیٌّ کے اضداد میں سے ہے۔ (اقرب)
2
اَلْغَیُّ۔ اَلضَّلَا لَۃُ گمراہی۔ اَلْھَلَا کَۃُ تباہی۔ اَلْخَیْبَۃُ ناکامی۔ (اقرب)
3
مِنْ کے کئی معنے ہوتے ہیں۔ ان میں سے ایک باہمی فرق کے بھی ہیں۔ یعنی جب دو چیزوں میں فرق ہو اور وہ ایک دوسرے سے جداگانہ نوعیت رکھتی ہوں تو اس فرق کو بتانے کے لئے ان دونوں کے اسماء میں مِنْ لاکر اس مضمون کو بتا دیا جاتا ہے۔ یہ ابن مالک نحوی کا قول ہے (مغنی)
4
تَبَیَّنَ باب تفعّل سے ہے اور یہ باب تکرار اور مبالغہ کے معنے بھی دیتا ہے اس لئے خوب کا لفظ بڑھایا گیا ہے۔ ورنہ خالی ظاہر ہونے کے لئے بَانَ کا لفظ استعمال ہوتا ہے۔
5
اَلطَّاغُوْتُ : حد سے بڑھنے والا‘ ہر شخص جو گمراہی کا سردار ہو شیطان‘ نیکی سے روکنے والا (اقرب) نیز ہر کاہنؔ۔ معبود ؔباطل‘ ساحرؔ‘ جناتؔ میں سے سرکش۔ ہر نیکی سے روکنے والا طاغوت ہے (مفردات)
6
اَلْعُرْوَہ۔ عَرَا یَعْرُوْ عَرْوًا سے نکلا ہے جس کے ایک معنے کسی شخص کی طرف اس کا احسان طلب کرنے کے لئے جانے کے ہیں۔ عُرْوَۃٌ انہی معنوں سے بنا ہے۔ گویا جو چیز دوسری چیز سے چمٹ جائے۔ کیونکہ طالب احسان ایسا ہی کرتا ہے۔ وہ عُرْوَہ ہے اسی معنے سے برتن کے دستہ کو عُرْوَہ کہتے ہیں۔ اسی طرح کپڑے کے کاج کو عُرْوَہ کہتے ہیں کیونکہ اس کے ذریعہ سے بٹن چمٹ جاتا ہے۔ پس عُرْوہ ہر اس شے کو کہتے ہیں جس پر اعتماد کیا جاسکے اور سہارا لیا جا سکے۔ (اقرب) عِرْوٌ ایک طرف کو بھی کہتے ہیں۔ بعض نے کہا ہے چونکہ برتن کا دستہ ایک طرف ہوتا ہے اس لئے اسے عُرْوَۃ<
a
10:100; 11:119; 18:30; 76:4.
b
31:23.
263
Important Words:
الطاغوت (those who transgress) is derived from طغا i.e. he transgressed; he exceeded the just limit. Hence طاغوت is primarily one who exceeds the bounds laid down for him. The Devil (i.e. the Evil One) or such men as turn others from the right path as well as all idols come under the word Taghut. The word is used both as singular and plural as in 4:61 and 2:258.
العروة (handle) being derived from عرا means: (1) the handle of a bucket or a mug, etc.; (2) a ring; etc. which is grasped and clung to for support, or anything which serves as a support (3) a pasture that remains green even in time of drought; (4) the best and excellent part of property and wealth (Aqrab).
Commentary:
The injunction to make special sacrifices in the cause of religion and to fight the enemies of Islam who had transgressed against the Faithful was likely to cause the misunderstanding that Allah desired Muslims to use force for propagating their religion. The verse under comment removes this misunderstanding. The object for which Muslims have been commanded to take up arms against the disbelievers is not to force them to accept Islam, but only to check mischief and put a stop to persecution. The verse enjoins Muslims in the clearest and strongest of words not to resort to force for converting non-Muslims to Islam. In the face of this teaching embodied in the words, There should be no compulsion in religion, it is the height of injustice to accuse Islam of countenancing the use of force for the propagation of its teaching.
The verse not only gives the commandment that in no case is force to be resorted to for the purpose of converting non-Muslims to Islam, but also gives the reason why it should not be used, saying: Surely, right has become distinct from wrong, i.e. the true path has become distinct from the wrong one and therefore there is no justification for using force. Islam is a manifest truth. Anyone who sincerely desires to see this truth can easily see it; but if there is a person who does not desire to see it, no force can possibly make him do so. One only needs to point out its beauties to non-Muslims; it rests with them to accept it or reject it as they like. ایـمان or faith, as defined by Islam, consists in believing something with the heart or the mind and expressing that belief with the tongue. No force on earth can bring about that change.
The person who sticks to true faith and shuns false ones is here represented as laying hold of a strong عروہ (‘urwah) which word, as shown above, gives a number of meanings. Taking it in the first-mentioned sense, i.e. the handle of a mug, etc., the Quran compares Islam to the pure life-giving liquid which is put into a mug, and the believer is represented as taking fast hold of the handle thereof. Taking the word in the second sense, i.e. anything which is grasped and clung to for support; the true faith is represented as something on which complete reliance can be placed in all circumstances. If one adheres to it, there is no fear of one’s stumbling or falling down. Following the third significance, i.e. a pasture that remains green even in time of drought, Islam has been likened to a grazing ground the herbage of which is everlasting. There can be no spiritual famine in Islam. Following the last-mentioned meaning of عروة Islam is represented as a storehouse of spiritual treasures that are without equal.
a
10:100; 11:119; 18:30; 76:4.
b
31:23.
319
The injunction (embodied in the preceding verses) to make special sacrifices in the cause of religion and to fight the enemies of Islam was likely to give rise to the misunderstanding that Allah desired Muslims to use force for propagating their religion. This verse removes that misunderstanding and not only forbids Muslims in most emphatic words to use force for converting non-Muslims to Islam, but also gives reasons why force should not be used for this purpose. It is because truth stands out distinct from error, so there has remained no justification for using force. Islam is manifest Truth.
320
Taghut is one who exceeds proper bounds; the Devil; such persons as turn others from the right path; all idols. The word is used both as singular and plural (2:258 & 4:61).
اَللّٰہُ لَاۤ اِلٰہَ اِلَّا ہُوَ الۡحَیُّ الۡقَیُّوۡمُ
2:256.
See 2:256.
The verse contains a strong refutation of the false doctrine of the divinity of Jesus. This doctrine being one of the principal topics dealt with in this Surah, the opening verses thereof fittingly refer to such attributes of God as cut at the very root of this doctrine. These attributes, i.e. the Ever-Living, the Self-Subsisting and All-Sustaining, prove, on the one hand, that God, the Possessor of these attributes, should need no partner or helper; and on the other that Jesus, who was subject to the law of birth and death, and therefore was neither ever-living, nor self-subsisting and all-sustaining, could not be God. These attributes also prove the hollowness of the doctrine of Atonement which is a corollary to the above doctrine. Jesus, it is claimed by Christians, suffered death to atone for the sins of mankind. If that is so, he could not be God, for God is Ever-Living and cannot suffer death, permanent or temporary. It is futile to say that the death of Jesus meant only the separation of the
See 2:256.
For the meaning of الحی and القیوم see 2:256.
Commentary:
The verse contains a strong refutation of the divinity of Jesus. This doctrine being one of the main topics dealt with in this chapter, the Surah fittingly opens with such attributes of God as cut at the very root of this doctrine. These attributes, i.e. (1) the Living or the Ever-Living, and (2) the Self-Subsisting and All-Sustaining, prove on the one hand that God, the possessor of these attributes, should need no partner or helper; and on the other that Jesus, who was subject to the law of birth and death, being thus neither ever-living nor self-subsisting and all-sustaining, could not be divine.
These attributes also prove the hollowness of the doctrine of Atonement which is a corollary of the above doctrine. Jesus, it is said, suffered death to atone for the sins of mankind. If that is so, he could not be God, for God is Ever-Living and cannot suffer death, permanent or temporary. It is futile to say that the death of Jesus meant only the separation of the god-Jesus from his physical habitat. The connection between the god-Jesus and his physical body was, according to Christian belief, in its very nature, a temporary one and was bound to break one day, even if Jesus had not died on the cross. So the mere breaking up of this connection could serve no useful purpose. It must be some other death which brought redemption to his sinful followers. That death, according to the Christians themselves, came upon Jesus when after his crucifixion he descended into Hades or Hell (Acts 2:31 and the Book of Common Prayer, Article on Religion, III). Thus, far from being immune from death, which is God’s exclusive prerogative, Jesus suffered death both in its literal and figurative sense. He not only died but descended into Hades. Again he not only suffered from grief and pain but also disgrace and humiliation.
Similarly, the attribute of القیوم (the Self-Subsisting and All-Sustaining) proves the falsity of the Christian doctrine. God, being Self-Subsisting and All-Sustaining, should not only live by Himself without the support of any other being but all others should receive support from Him. But Jesus can never be proved to possess these attributes. Like other mortals, he was born of a woman, lived on food and drink, suffered pain and humiliation, asked others to pray for the alleviation of his sufferings, and finally, as the Christians say, died on the cross. The New Testament bears ample testimony to all these facts. But God being Ever-Living, Self-Subsisting and All-Sustaining is above all this.
c
2:256.
c
See 2:256.
294
For the meaning of الحی and القیوم see 2:256.
Commentary:
The verse contains a strong refutation of the divinity of Jesus. This doctrine being one of the main topics dealt with in this chapter, the Surah fittingly opens with such attributes of God as cut at the very root of this doctrine. These attributes, i.e. (1) the Living or the Ever-Living, and (2) the Self-Subsisting and All-Sustaining, prove on the one hand that God, the possessor of these attributes, should need no partner or helper; and on the other that Jesus, who was subject to the law of birth and death, being thus neither ever-living nor self-subsisting and all-sustaining, could not be divine.
These attributes also prove the hollowness of the doctrine of Atonement which is a corollary of the above doctrine. Jesus, it is said, suffered death to atone for the sins of mankind. If that is so, he could not be God, for God is Ever-Living and cannot suffer death, permanent or temporary. It is futile to say that the death of Jesus meant only the separation of the god-Jesus from his physical habitat. The connection between the god-Jesus and his physical body was, according to Christian belief, in its very nature, a temporary one and was bound to break one day, even if Jesus had not died on the cross. So the mere breaking up of this connection could serve no useful purpose. It must be some other death which brought redemption to his sinful followers. That death, according to the Christians themselves, came upon Jesus when after his crucifixion he descended into Hades or Hell (Acts 2:31 and the Book of Common Prayer, Article on Religion, III). Thus, far from being immune from death, which is God’s exclusive prerogative, Jesus suffered death both in its literal and figurative sense. He not only died but descended into Hades. Again he not only suffered from grief and pain but also disgrace and humiliation.
Similarly, the attribute of القیوم (the Self-Subsisting and All-Sustaining) proves the falsity of the Christian doctrine. God, being Self-Subsisting and All-Sustaining, should not only live by Himself without the support of any other being but all others should receive support from Him. But Jesus can never be proved to possess these attributes. Like other mortals, he was born of a woman, lived on food and drink, suffered pain and humiliation, asked others to pray for the alleviation of his sufferings, and finally, as the Christians say, died on the cross. The New Testament bears ample testimony to all these facts. But God being Ever-Living, Self-Subsisting and All-Sustaining is above all this.
c
See 2:256.
363
The verse contains a strong refutation of the false doctrine of the divinity of Jesus. This doctrine being one of the principal topics dealt with in this Surah, the opening verses thereof fittingly refer to such attributes of God as cut at the very root of this doctrine. These attributes, i.e. the Ever-Living, the Self-Subsisting and All-Sustaining, prove, on the one hand, that God, the Possessor of these attributes, should need no partner or helper; and on the other that Jesus, who was subject to the law of birth and death, and therefore was neither ever-living, nor self-subsisting and all-sustaining, could not be God. These attributes also prove the hollowness of the doctrine of Atonement which is a corollary to the above doctrine. Jesus, it is claimed by Christians, suffered death to atone for the sins of mankind. If that is so, he could not be God, for God is Ever-Living and cannot suffer death, permanent or temporary. It is futile to say that the death of Jesus meant only the separation of the
شَہِدَ اللّٰہُ اَنَّہٗ لَاۤ اِلٰہَ اِلَّا ہُوَ وَالۡمَلٰٓئِکَۃُ وَاُولُوا الۡعِلۡمِ قَآئِمًۢا بِالۡقِسۡطِ ۚ لَاۤ اِلٰہَ اِلَّا ہُوَ الۡعَزِیۡزُ الۡحَکِیۡمُ
5:9; 7:30.
5:9; 7:30.
The words also mean, in accordance with justice.
The one central and indisputable fact in nature and the basic principle of every true religion is Divine Unity. The whole creation and the consummate order pervading it bear undeniable testimony to this fundamental fact. The angels who are the bearers of the Message of truth to the Prophets, the Messengers of God, who propagate it in the world, and those good people who receive and imbibe true knowledge from God’s Messengers, all add their testimony to the Divine testimony. Similarly, all are united in testifying to the falsehood of the idea of setting up gods with Allah, be it in the form of plurality, trinity, or duality of gods.
5:9; 7:30.
Commentary:
The one central and indisputable fact in nature and the basic principle of every true religion is the Unity of God. The whole creation and the consummate order pervading it bear an undeniable testimony to this fundamental truth. The angels who are the bearers of the message of truth to the Prophets, the Messengers of God who propagate it in the world, and those good people who receive and imbibe true knowledge from God’s Messengers, all add their testimony to the testimony of God. Similarly, all are united in testifying to the falsehood of the idea of setting up gods with God, be it in the form of plurality, trinity, or duality of gods. All true testimony must point and does point to the Oneness of the Creator.
d
5:9; 7:30.
a
5:9; 7:30.
310
Commentary:
The one central and indisputable fact in nature and the basic principle of every true religion is the Unity of God. The whole creation and the consummate order pervading it bear an undeniable testimony to this fundamental truth. The angels who are the bearers of the message of truth to the Prophets, the Messengers of God who propagate it in the world, and those good people who receive and imbibe true knowledge from God’s Messengers, all add their testimony to the testimony of God. Similarly, all are united in testifying to the falsehood of the idea of setting up gods with God, be it in the form of plurality, trinity, or duality of gods. All true testimony must point and does point to the Oneness of the Creator.
a
5:9; 7:30.
381A
The words also mean, in accordance with justice.
382
The one central and indisputable fact in nature and the basic principle of every true religion is Divine Unity. The whole creation and the consummate order pervading it bear undeniable testimony to this fundamental fact. The angels who are the bearers of the Message of truth to the Prophets, the Messengers of God, who propagate it in the world, and those good people who receive and imbibe true knowledge from God’s Messengers, all add their testimony to the Divine testimony. Similarly, all are united in testifying to the falsehood of the idea of setting up gods with Allah, be it in the form of plurality, trinity, or duality of gods.
فَاسۡتَجَابَ لَہُمۡ رَبُّہُمۡ اَنِّیۡ لَاۤ اُضِیۡعُ عَمَلَ عٰمِلٍ مِّنۡکُمۡ مِّنۡ ذَکَرٍ اَوۡ اُنۡثٰی ۖ بَعۡضُکُمۡ مِّنۡۢ بَعۡضٍ ۖ فَالَّذِیۡنَ ہَاجَرُوۡا وَاُخۡرِجُوۡا مِنۡ دِیٰرِہِمۡ وَاُوۡذُوۡا فِیۡ سَبِیۡلِیۡ وَقٰتَلُوۡا وَقُتِلُوۡا لَاُکَفِّرَنَّ عَنۡہُمۡ سَیِّاٰتِہِمۡ وَلَاُدۡخِلَنَّہُمۡ جَنّٰتٍ تَجۡرِیۡ مِنۡ تَحۡتِہَا الۡاَنۡہٰرُ ثَوَابًا مِّنۡ عِنۡدِ اللّٰہِ ۗ وَاللّٰہُ عِنۡدَہٗ حُسۡنُ الثَّوَابِ
4:125; 16:98; 20:113.
16:42; 22:59, 60.
See 2:26.
As this Surah mainly deals with Christian doctrines and ideals and with their way of life, and as Christianity, in spite of the claims of the Christian Church to the contrary, gives woman a status definitely inferior to that of man, the insistence on the equality of the status of woman with that of man in the spiritual sphere forms a befitting sequel to it. The words, you are from one another, are intended to emphasize this equality of status of both men and women.
4:125; 16:98; 20:113; 16:42.
22:59, 60.
See 2:26.
Commentary:
As this Surah mainly deals with Christian doctrines and ideals and their way of life, and as Christianity, in spite of its claims to the contrary, gives woman a status definitely inferior to that of man, the insistence on the equality of the status of woman with man in the spiritual sphere forms a fitting sequel to it. At several places in the Quran, believing men and believing women are addressed in the same language and are made equally subject to the same commandments and entitled to the same rights and privileges. Briefly, Islam recognizes the equality of the social and religious rights of man and woman. The words, you are from one another, are intended to emphasize the equality of status mentioned in the preceding part of the verse.
The verse also constitutes an effective refutation of the charges of the Shias against the Holy Prophet’s Companions whose failings and shortcomings, if any, were all forgiven by God in view of the good works they performed.
a
4:125; 16:98; 20:113.
b
16:42; 22:59, 60.
c
2:26.
a
4:125; 16:98; 20:113; 16:42.
b
22:59, 60.
c
See 2:26.
477
Commentary:
As this Surah mainly deals with Christian doctrines and ideals and their way of life, and as Christianity, in spite of its claims to the contrary, gives woman a status definitely inferior to that of man, the insistence on the equality of the status of woman with man in the spiritual sphere forms a fitting sequel to it. At several places in the Quran, believing men and believing women are addressed in the same language and are made equally subject to the same commandments and entitled to the same rights and privileges. Briefly, Islam recognizes the equality of the social and religious rights of man and woman. The words, you are from one another, are intended to emphasize the equality of status mentioned in the preceding part of the verse.
The verse also constitutes an effective refutation of the charges of the Shias against the Holy Prophet’s Companions whose failings and shortcomings, if any, were all forgiven by God in view of the good works they performed.
a
4:125; 16:98; 20:113.
b
16:42; 22:59, 60.
c
See 2:26.
549
As this Surah mainly deals with Christian doctrines and ideals and with their way of life, and as Christianity, in spite of the claims of the Christian Church to the contrary, gives woman a status definitely inferior to that of man, the insistence on the equality of the status of woman with that of man in the spiritual sphere forms a befitting sequel to it. The words, you are from one another, are intended to emphasize this equality of status of both men and women.
اَللّٰہُ لَاۤ اِلٰہَ اِلَّا ہُوَ ۚ لَیَجۡمَعَنَّکُمۡ اِلٰی یَوۡمِ الۡقِیٰمَۃِ لَا رَیۡبَ فِیۡہِ ۗ وَمَنۡ اَصۡدَقُ مِنَ اللّٰہِ حَدِیۡثًا
یعنی قیامت صُغریٰ (جو موت ہے) اس کے بعد ارواح کو محفوظ رکھے گا یہاں تک کہ قیامت کُبریٰ یعنی حشر کا دن آجائے۔
Commentary:
Taking the particle الی (till) in the sense of فی (in or on for which see Lane), the clause لیجمعنکم الی یوم القیامة may also be rendered as, "He will certainly assemble you on the Day of Resurrection" but the more correct rendering is that given in the text, i.e. He will certainly (continue to) assemble you till the Day of Resurrection. The difference in meaning is obvious. People are born and die and will go on doing so till the Last Day. Thus the process of assembling is always going on and will continue till the Day of Resurrection, when God will call all to account.
1
یعنی قیامت صُغریٰ (جو موت ہے) اس کے بعد ارواح کو محفوظ رکھے گا یہاں تک کہ قیامت کُبریٰ یعنی حشر کا دن آجائے۔
556
Commentary:
Taking the particle الی (till) in the sense of فی (in or on for which see Lane), the clause لیجمعنکم الی یوم القیامة may also be rendered as, "He will certainly assemble you on the Day of Resurrection" but the more correct rendering is that given in the text, i.e. He will certainly (continue to) assemble you till the Day of Resurrection. The difference in meaning is obvious. People are born and die and will go on doing so till the Last Day. Thus the process of assembling is always going on and will continue till the Day of Resurrection, when God will call all to account.
مُّذَبۡذَبِیۡنَ بَیۡنَ ذٰلِکَ لَاۤ اِلٰی ہٰٓؤُلَآءِ وَلَاۤ اِلٰی ہٰٓؤُلَآءِ ۚ وَمَنۡ یُّضۡلِلِ اللّٰہُ فَلَنۡ تَجِدَ لَہٗ سَبِیۡلًا
آیت میں اَضَلَّ کا لفظ ہے۔ جس کے ایک معنے ہلاک کرنے کے بھی ہیں۔ (اقرب)
The expression means, "between belief and disbelief" or "between believers and disbelievers".
Important Words:
مذبذبین (wavering) which is the plural of مذبذب is derived from ذب. They say ذب عنه meaning, he repelled from him, i.e. he defended him. ذبذب الشیء means, he made the thing move to and fro; he put it in a state of motion, commotion or agitation. ذبذبه means, he or it made him confounded or perplexed so that he could not know his right course; he left him wavering, vacillating, going to and fro. تذبذب الشیء means, the thing dangled or moved to and fro; or was in a state of motion or commotion. مذبذب means, driven away or repelled from this side and that; wavering or vacillating between two persons or parties or things, not attaching oneself steadily to either (Lane & Aqrab). Another قراءة (reading) of مذبذین is متذبذبین and yet another مذبذبین (mudhabdhibin) with different vowel point at the second ذ (Kashshaf).
The expression بین ذالك (between this and that) means, between belief and disbelief or between believers and disbelievers.
Commentary:
The verse very aptly describes the condition of the hypocrites. To quote a well-known Indian maxim, they have their feet in two separate boats. A hypocrite thinks himself to be acting wisely (2:14) but his action is really the height of folly.
2
آیت میں اَضَلَّ کا لفظ ہے۔ جس کے ایک معنے ہلاک کرنے کے بھی ہیں۔ (اقرب)
607
Important Words:
مذبذبین (wavering) which is the plural of مذبذب is derived from ذب. They say ذب عنه meaning, he repelled from him, i.e. he defended him. ذبذب الشیء means, he made the thing move to and fro; he put it in a state of motion, commotion or agitation. ذبذبه means, he or it made him confounded or perplexed so that he could not know his right course; he left him wavering, vacillating, going to and fro. تذبذب الشیء means, the thing dangled or moved to and fro; or was in a state of motion or commotion. مذبذب means, driven away or repelled from this side and that; wavering or vacillating between two persons or parties or things, not attaching oneself steadily to either (Lane & Aqrab). Another قراءة (reading) of مذبذین is متذبذبین and yet another مذبذبین (mudhabdhibin) with different vowel point at the second ذ (Kashshaf).
The expression بین ذالك (between this and that) means, between belief and disbelief or between believers and disbelievers.
Commentary:
The verse very aptly describes the condition of the hypocrites. To quote a well-known Indian maxim, they have their feet in two separate boats. A hypocrite thinks himself to be acting wisely (2:14) but his action is really the height of folly.
688
The expression means, "between belief and disbelief" or "between believers and disbelievers".
قَالَ رَبِّ اِنِّیۡ لَاۤ اَمۡلِکُ اِلَّا نَفۡسِیۡ وَاَخِیۡ ۖ فَافۡرُقۡ بَیۡنَنَا وَبَیۡنَ الۡقَوۡمِ الۡفٰسِقِیۡنَ
Commentary:
Even if, as the Bible says, "the two men" referred to in 5:24 above were Joshua and Caleb, the present prayer of Moses remains true; for Aaron being a Prophet of God was the only one truly entitled to the guarantee expressed by Moses.
661A
Commentary:
Even if, as the Bible says, "the two men" referred to in 5:24 above were Joshua and Caleb, the present prayer of Moses remains true; for Aaron being a Prophet of God was the only one truly entitled to the guarantee expressed by Moses.
خَلَقَکُمۡ مِّنۡ نَّفۡسٍ وّٰحِدَۃٍ ثُمَّ جَعَلَ مِنۡہَا زَوۡجَہَا وَاَنۡزَلَ لَکُمۡ مِّنَ الۡاَنۡعٰمِ ثَمٰنِیَۃَ اَزۡوٰجٍ ۚ یَخۡلُقُکُمۡ فِیۡ بُطُوۡنِ اُمَّہٰتِکُمۡ خَلۡقًا مِّنۡۢ بَعۡدِ خَلۡقٍ فِیۡ ظُلُمٰتٍ ثَلٰثٍ ۚ ذٰلِکُمُ اللّٰہُ رَبُّکُمۡ لَہُ الۡمُلۡکُ ۖ لَاۤ اِلٰہَ اِلَّا ہُوَ ۖ فَاَنّٰی تُصۡرَفُوۡنَ
4:2; 7:190; 16:73.
“八只成对的家畜” 这些字特指一对山羊、绵羊、骆驼和牛而言 (在6:144-145中谈及此事), 也许是因为它们是人类每天要用的家畜。
“三重黑暗” 这一用语可能指的是胚胎发育的三个阶段: نُطْفَة (Nutfah, 一点精液)、عَلَقَة (‘Alaqah, 凝块) 和 مُضْغَة (Mudghah, 一团肉), 或者是 86:7-8; 3:7和16:79 中所谈到的怀孕的三个重要时期: (a) 怀孕的第二到第三个月; (b) 第三到第五个月以及 (c) 第八个月的初期。怀孕期间在这三个阶段有流产的危险。
اس کے یہ معنے ہیں کہ جب بچہ ماں کے پیٹ میں ہوتا ہے تو تین وقت اس پر خطرہ کے آتے ہیں‘ جب ڈر ہوتا ہے کہ ذرا سی بے احتیاطی سے اسقاط ہو جائے گا۔ یعنی دوسرے سے تیسرے مہینے تک۔ پھر تیسرے سے پانچویں مہینے تک اور پھر آٹھویں مہینے کے شروع میں۔ چنانچہ طبّی طور پر اس کا تجربہ کیا گیا ہے کہ یہ تین وقت ہی زیادہ تر اسقاط کے ہوتے ہیں۔
4:2; 7:190; 16:73.
The word, Anzala, when used in connection with the Word of God, means Auha, i.e. He revealed; and when used about things of constant daily use, it means A‘ta, i.e. he gave or bestowed. The word has been used in the latter sense in the present verse and in vv. 7:27 and 57:26.
Special reference in the words 'eight pairs of cattle' is to the pairs of goat, sheep, camel and the ox, mentioned in 6:144, 145, perhaps because they are animals of daily use for man.
The expression, 'three stages of darkness,' may refer to the three stages of development of the embryo, Nutfah (sperm drop), ‘Alaqah (clot) and Mudghah (lump of flesh) or to the three forms mentioned in 86:7, 8; 3:7 and 16:79, or to the three critical periods of pregnancy: (a) from the second to the third month of pregnancy; (b) from the third to the fifth month and (c) the beginning of the eighth month. During pregnancy there is danger of miscarriage at these three stages.
4:2; 7:190; 16:73; 30:22.
Commentary:
The word أنزل (has sent down) which is transitive from نزل has different significations when used with regard to different things. When used in connection with the Word of God, it means أوحی i.e. He revealed. And when used about things of constant daily use, it means أعطی i.e. he gave or bestowed. The word has been used in the latter sense in the present verse and in vv. 7:27 and 57:26.
Special reference in the words "eight pairs of cattle" is to the pairs of goat, sheep, camel and the ox mentioned in 6:144-145, perhaps because they are animals of daily use for man. The expression "the threefold darkness," may refer to the three stages of development of the human child, viz. نطفة (sperm drop), علقة (clot) and مضغة (lump of flesh) or to the other three forms which are described in the following three verses:
(1) He is created from a gushing fluid which issues forth from between the loins and the breast-bones (86:7-8).
(2) He it is Who fashions you in the wombs as He wills (3:7).
(3) Verily, God has brought you forth from the inside of your mothers (16:79).
Or the words, "the threefold darkness" may refer to the three critical periods of pregnancy, when a little carelessness may cause miscarriage, i.e. (a) from the second to the third month of pregnancy; (b) from the third to the fifth month and (c) the beginning of the eighth month.
c
4:2; 7:190; 16:73.
1126
“八只成对的家畜” 这些字特指一对山羊、绵羊、骆驼和牛而言 (在6:144-145中谈及此事), 也许是因为它们是人类每天要用的家畜。
1127
“三重黑暗” 这一用语可能指的是胚胎发育的三个阶段: نُطْفَة (Nutfah, 一点精液)、عَلَقَة (‘Alaqah, 凝块) 和 مُضْغَة (Mudghah, 一团肉), 或者是 86:7-8; 3:7和16:79 中所谈到的怀孕的三个重要时期: (a) 怀孕的第二到第三个月; (b) 第三到第五个月以及 (c) 第八个月的初期。怀孕期间在这三个阶段有流产的危险。
1
اس کے یہ معنے ہیں کہ جب بچہ ماں کے پیٹ میں ہوتا ہے تو تین وقت اس پر خطرہ کے آتے ہیں‘ جب ڈر ہوتا ہے کہ ذرا سی بے احتیاطی سے اسقاط ہو جائے گا۔ یعنی دوسرے سے تیسرے مہینے تک۔ پھر تیسرے سے پانچویں مہینے تک اور پھر آٹھویں مہینے کے شروع میں۔ چنانچہ طبّی طور پر اس کا تجربہ کیا گیا ہے کہ یہ تین وقت ہی زیادہ تر اسقاط کے ہوتے ہیں۔
d
4:2; 7:190; 16:73; 30:22.
3442
Commentary:
The word أنزل (has sent down) which is transitive from نزل has different significations when used with regard to different things. When used in connection with the Word of God, it means أوحی i.e. He revealed. And when used about things of constant daily use, it means أعطی i.e. he gave or bestowed. The word has been used in the latter sense in the present verse and in vv. 7:27 and 57:26.
Special reference in the words "eight pairs of cattle" is to the pairs of goat, sheep, camel and the ox mentioned in 6:144-145, perhaps because they are animals of daily use for man. The expression "the threefold darkness," may refer to the three stages of development of the human child, viz. نطفة (sperm drop), علقة (clot) and مضغة (lump of flesh) or to the other three forms which are described in the following three verses:
(1) He is created from a gushing fluid which issues forth from between the loins and the breast-bones (86:7-8).
(2) He it is Who fashions you in the wombs as He wills (3:7).
(3) Verily, God has brought you forth from the inside of your mothers (16:79).
Or the words, "the threefold darkness" may refer to the three critical periods of pregnancy, when a little carelessness may cause miscarriage, i.e. (a) from the second to the third month of pregnancy; (b) from the third to the fifth month and (c) the beginning of the eighth month.
c
4:2; 7:190; 16:73.
2563
The word, Anzala, when used in connection with the Word of God, means Auha, i.e. He revealed; and when used about things of constant daily use, it means A‘ta, i.e. he gave or bestowed. The word has been used in the latter sense in the present verse and in vv. 7:27 and 57:26.
2564
Special reference in the words 'eight pairs of cattle' is to the pairs of goat, sheep, camel and the ox, mentioned in 6:144, 145, perhaps because they are animals of daily use for man.
2565
The expression, 'three stages of darkness,' may refer to the three stages of development of the embryo, Nutfah (sperm drop), ‘Alaqah (clot) and Mudghah (lump of flesh) or to the three forms mentioned in 86:7, 8; 3:7 and 16:79, or to the three critical periods of pregnancy: (a) from the second to the third month of pregnancy; (b) from the third to the fifth month and (c) the beginning of the eighth month. During pregnancy there is danger of miscarriage at these three stages.
فَلَمَّا جَنَّ عَلَیۡہِ الَّیۡلُ رَاٰ کَوۡکَبًا ۖ قَالَ ہٰذَا رَبِّیۡ ۖ فَلَمَّاۤ اَفَلَ قَالَ لَاۤ اُحِبُّ الۡاٰفِلِیۡنَ
Important Words:
جن (darkened) means, it covered up. They say جن اللیل الشیء or جن اللیل علی الشیء i.e. the night covered the thing up; or the night threw its covering of darkness over the thing. جن اللیل means, the night grew dark. See also 2:26 & 6:129.
Commentary:
See collective note under 6:80 below.
822
Important Words:
جن (darkened) means, it covered up. They say جن اللیل الشیء or جن اللیل علی الشیء i.e. the night covered the thing up; or the night threw its covering of darkness over the thing. جن اللیل means, the night grew dark. See also 2:26 & 6:129.
Commentary:
See collective note under 6:80 below.
ذٰلِکُمُ اللّٰہُ رَبُّکُمۡ ۖ لَاۤ اِلٰہَ اِلَّا ہُوَ ۖ خٰلِقُ کُلِّ شَیۡءٍ فَاعۡبُدُوۡہُ ۚ وَہُوَ عَلٰی کُلِّ شَیۡءٍ وَّکِیۡلٌ
40:63.
13:17; 39:63.
Commentary:
God, being the Creator of all things and being Guardian over them, can alone be the true Deity. If there is anything which He has not created or of which He is not the guardian, then He cannot be perfect.
a
40:63.
b
13:17; 39:63.
a
40:63.
b
13:17; 39:63.
845
Commentary:
God, being the Creator of all things and being Guardian over them, can alone be the true Deity. If there is anything which He has not created or of which He is not the guardian, then He cannot be perfect.
a
40:63.
b
13:17; 39:63.
اِتَّبِعۡ مَاۤ اُوۡحِیَ اِلَیۡکَ مِنۡ رَّبِّکَ ۖ لَاۤ اِلٰہَ اِلَّا ہُوَ ۖ وَاَعۡرِضۡ عَنِ الۡمُشۡرِکِیۡنَ
10:110; 33:3.
10:110; 33:3.
10:110; 33:3.
a
10:110; 33:3.
b
10:110; 33:3.
b
10:110; 33:3.
قُلۡ یٰۤاَیُّہَا النَّاسُ اِنِّیۡ رَسُوۡلُ اللّٰہِ اِلَیۡکُمۡ جَمِیۡعَۨا الَّذِیۡ لَہٗ مُلۡکُ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَالۡاَرۡضِ ۖ لَاۤ اِلٰہَ اِلَّا ہُوَ یُحۡیٖ وَیُمِیۡتُ ۖ فَاٰمِنُوۡا بِاللّٰہِ وَرَسُوۡلِہِ النَّبِیِّ الۡاُمِّیِّ الَّذِیۡ یُؤۡمِنُ بِاللّٰہِ وَکَلِمٰتِہٖ وَاتَّبِعُوۡہُ لَعَلَّکُمۡ تَہۡتَدُوۡنَ
21:108; 25:2; 34:29.
2:259; 23:81; 44:9; 57:3.
安拉的所有使者在伊斯兰教的先知之前的, 都是民族的先知, 他们的教导都是在他们选拔出来的时期内为他们被派往那里的各个民族准备的, 而穆圣是永远为全人类选出来的。他的降临是人类历史上独一无二的大事。它力图把所有不同的民族和社团团结成为一个大家庭--------一个完全消除掉肤色、种族和信念区别的人类大家庭。
21:108; 25:2; 34:29.
2:259; 23:81; 44:9; 57:3.
Whereas all the Divine Messengers who appeared before the Prophet of Islam were national Prophets whose teachings were meant for the peoples to whom they were sent and for the particular periods in which they were raised, the Holy Prophet was raised for the whole of mankind till the end of time. His advent was a unique event in human history. It sought to weld all the different nations and communities into one brotherhood—the Brotherhood of Man in which all the distinctions of colour, clime and creed were completely obliterated.
21:108; 25:2; 34:29.
2:259; 23:81; 44:9; 57:3.
Commentary:
This verse beautifully declares that the prophecies of the Old and New Testaments concerning the Promised Prophet have been fulfilled in the Holy Prophet.
The reference in the words, to Whom belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth, is to the fact that just as there is one kingdom in the heavens, so, as a result of the advent of the Holy Prophet, there will in future be only one spiritual kingdom on earth. It is to this kingdom that the prayer of Jesus (Matt. 6:10) refers. This prayer embodied a prophecy about the advent of the Holy Prophet.
The establishment of one spiritual kingdom on earth points to the fact that the Promised Prophet will be a Messenger of God to all mankind, and that by his advent all distinctions of race, nationality and colour will cease.
a
21:108; 25:2; 34:29.
b
2:259; 23:81; 44:9; 57:3.
523
安拉的所有使者在伊斯兰教的先知之前的, 都是民族的先知, 他们的教导都是在他们选拔出来的时期内为他们被派往那里的各个民族准备的, 而穆圣是永远为全人类选出来的。他的降临是人类历史上独一无二的大事。它力图把所有不同的民族和社团团结成为一个大家庭--------一个完全消除掉肤色、种族和信念区别的人类大家庭。
a
21:108; 25:2; 34:29.
b
2:259; 23:81; 44:9; 57:3.
1048
Commentary:
This verse beautifully declares that the prophecies of the Old and New Testaments concerning the Promised Prophet have been fulfilled in the Holy Prophet.
The reference in the words, to Whom belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth, is to the fact that just as there is one kingdom in the heavens, so, as a result of the advent of the Holy Prophet, there will in future be only one spiritual kingdom on earth. It is to this kingdom that the prayer of Jesus (Matt. 6:10) refers. This prayer embodied a prophecy about the advent of the Holy Prophet.
The establishment of one spiritual kingdom on earth points to the fact that the Promised Prophet will be a Messenger of God to all mankind, and that by his advent all distinctions of race, nationality and colour will cease.
b
21:108; 25:2; 34:29.
c
2:259; 23:81; 44:9; 57:3.
1060
Whereas all the Divine Messengers who appeared before the Prophet of Islam were national Prophets whose teachings were meant for the peoples to whom they were sent and for the particular periods in which they were raised, the Holy Prophet was raised for the whole of mankind till the end of time. His advent was a unique event in human history. It sought to weld all the different nations and communities into one brotherhood—the Brotherhood of Man in which all the distinctions of colour, clime and creed were completely obliterated.
وَاِنۡ نَّکَثُوۡۤا اَیۡمٰنَہُمۡ مِّنۡۢ بَعۡدِ عَہۡدِہِمۡ وَطَعَنُوۡا فِیۡ دِیۡنِکُمۡ فَقٰتِلُوۡۤا اَئِمَّۃَ الۡکُفۡرِ ۙ اِنَّہُمۡ لَاۤ اَیۡمٰنَ لَہُمۡ لَعَلَّہُمۡ یَنۡتَہُوۡنَ
2:191; 4:92.
یعنی دلائل سے اعتراض نہ کریں بلکہ تحقیر اور غصہ دلانے والی باتیں کریں۔
2:191; 4:92.
The words "attack your religion" do not refer to mere verbal taunts and reproaches but to actual attacks meant to injure the vital interests of Islam; the word Ta‘ana literally meaning "to pierce with a spear."
The words, these leaders of disbelief are here applied not to a few leading individuals but to the whole people to whom this commandment to fight referred. They are called "leaders" because they were among the first to clash with Muslims and their example encouraged others; and because also their hostility towards Islam was so inveterate and implacable that they served, as it were, as evil models in this respect.
2:191; 4:92.
Commentary:
This verse leaves no doubt as to the fact that Muslims were bidden to fight disbelievers only if they broke their covenant and attacked Islam with a view to injuring it. It also makes it clear that the object in fighting disbelievers was to make them "desist" from transgression.
The words, طعنوا فی دینکم (attack your religion), do not refer to mere verbal taunts and reproaches but to actual attacks meant to injure the vital interests of Islam; the word literally meaning "to pierce with a spear."
The epithet, these leaders of disbelief, is here applied not to a few leading individuals but to the whole people to whom this commandment to fight referred. They are called ائمة (leaders) because, firstly, they were among the first and the foremost to clash with Muslims and their example encouraged others; and, secondly, their hostility towards Islam was so inveterate and implacable that they served, as it were, as evil models in this respect.
b
2:191; 4:92.
1
یعنی دلائل سے اعتراض نہ کریں بلکہ تحقیر اور غصہ دلانے والی باتیں کریں۔
b
2:191; 4:92.
1175
Commentary:
This verse leaves no doubt as to the fact that Muslims were bidden to fight disbelievers only if they broke their covenant and attacked Islam with a view to injuring it. It also makes it clear that the object in fighting disbelievers was to make them "desist" from transgression.
The words, طعنوا فی دینکم (attack your religion), do not refer to mere verbal taunts and reproaches but to actual attacks meant to injure the vital interests of Islam; the word literally meaning "to pierce with a spear."
The epithet, these leaders of disbelief, is here applied not to a few leading individuals but to the whole people to whom this commandment to fight referred. They are called ائمة (leaders) because, firstly, they were among the first and the foremost to clash with Muslims and their example encouraged others; and, secondly, their hostility towards Islam was so inveterate and implacable that they served, as it were, as evil models in this respect.
c
2:191; 4:92.
1163
The words "attack your religion" do not refer to mere verbal taunts and reproaches but to actual attacks meant to injure the vital interests of Islam; the word Ta‘ana literally meaning "to pierce with a spear."
1164
The words, these leaders of disbelief are here applied not to a few leading individuals but to the whole people to whom this commandment to fight referred. They are called "leaders" because they were among the first to clash with Muslims and their example encouraged others; and because also their hostility towards Islam was so inveterate and implacable that they served, as it were, as evil models in this respect.
وَلَا عَلَی الَّذِیۡنَ اِذَا مَاۤ اَتَوۡکَ لِتَحۡمِلَہُمۡ قُلۡتَ لَاۤ اَجِدُ مَاۤ اَحۡمِلُکُمۡ عَلَیۡہِ تَوَلَّوۡا وَّاَعۡیُنُہُمۡ تَفِیۡضُ مِنَ الدَّمۡعِ حَزَنًا اَلَّا یَجِدُوۡا مَا یُنۡفِقُوۡنَ
حدیثوں میں ان لوگوں کی روایت آتی ہے۔ کہ خدا کی قسم ہم سواری مانگنے نہیں گئے تھے‘ بلکہ ہماری مراد چپلیوں سے تھی۔ جن کو پاؤں میں ڈال کر ہم تپتی ہوئی پتھریلی زمین پر چل سکیں۔ قرآن کریم کے الفاظ بھی اسے برداشت کرتے ہیں۔ کیونکہ ان کا لفظی ترجمہ یہی ہے کہ ہمیں وہ چیز دے جس کے اوپر کھڑے ہو کر ہم مقام جہاد تک پہنچ سکیں۔ اور اس سے مراد جوتی یا چپلی ہو سکتی ہے وہ وقت ایسا تنگی کا تھا کہ رسول کریم صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم سب مجاہدین کوجوتیاں یا چپلیاں تک مہیا نہیں کر سکتے تھے۔ (فتح البیان)
The verse is general in its application but the persons particularly referred to were seven poor Muslims who were extremely desirous of going to Jihad but did not possess the means and wherewithal to fulfil the wish of their hearts.
Commentary:
The verse is general in its application, but the persons particularly referred to were seven poor Muslims who were extremely desirous of going to jihad but did not possess the means and the wherewithal to fulfil the wish of their hearts. These men came to the Holy Prophet, begging him to provide them with conveyance so that they might go forth with him. On being told by the Holy Prophet that he was unable to grant their request, they were sorely grieved and went away with their eyes full of tears. It is said that after they had gone, the Holy Prophet was offered three camels by ‘Uthman and four by other Muslims and these he gave to the seven men. The Quran mentions this incident in order to contrast the faith and sincerity of these poor Muslims with the insincerity of those who proffered lame and false excuses and asked to be allowed to stay behind, although they possessed all the means to go. It also appears from this verse that all those who remained behind at Medina were not hypocrites but that among them there were also true and sincere Muslims who could not go because they did not possess the means to do so.
1
حدیثوں میں ان لوگوں کی روایت آتی ہے۔ کہ خدا کی قسم ہم سواری مانگنے نہیں گئے تھے‘ بلکہ ہماری مراد چپلیوں سے تھی۔ جن کو پاؤں میں ڈال کر ہم تپتی ہوئی پتھریلی زمین پر چل سکیں۔ قرآن کریم کے الفاظ بھی اسے برداشت کرتے ہیں۔ کیونکہ ان کا لفظی ترجمہ یہی ہے کہ ہمیں وہ چیز دے جس کے اوپر کھڑے ہو کر ہم مقام جہاد تک پہنچ سکیں۔ اور اس سے مراد جوتی یا چپلی ہو سکتی ہے وہ وقت ایسا تنگی کا تھا کہ رسول کریم صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم سب مجاہدین کوجوتیاں یا چپلیاں تک مہیا نہیں کر سکتے تھے۔ (فتح البیان)
1242
Commentary:
The verse is general in its application, but the persons particularly referred to were seven poor Muslims who were extremely desirous of going to jihad but did not possess the means and the wherewithal to fulfil the wish of their hearts. These men came to the Holy Prophet, begging him to provide them with conveyance so that they might go forth with him. On being told by the Holy Prophet that he was unable to grant their request, they were sorely grieved and went away with their eyes full of tears. It is said that after they had gone, the Holy Prophet was offered three camels by ‘Uthman and four by other Muslims and these he gave to the seven men. The Quran mentions this incident in order to contrast the faith and sincerity of these poor Muslims with the insincerity of those who proffered lame and false excuses and asked to be allowed to stay behind, although they possessed all the means to go. It also appears from this verse that all those who remained behind at Medina were not hypocrites but that among them there were also true and sincere Muslims who could not go because they did not possess the means to do so.
1208
The verse is general in its application but the persons particularly referred to were seven poor Muslims who were extremely desirous of going to Jihad but did not possess the means and wherewithal to fulfil the wish of their hearts.
فَاِنۡ تَوَلَّوۡا فَقُلۡ حَسۡبِیَ اللّٰہُ لَاۤ اِلٰہَ اِلَّا ہُوَ ۖ عَلَیۡہِ تَوَکَّلۡتُ ۖ وَہُوَ رَبُّ الۡعَرۡشِ الۡعَظِیۡمِ
39:39; 21:23; 23:117; 27:27; 40:16.
39:39; 21:23; 23:117; 27:27; 40:16.
39:39; 21:23; 23:117; 27:27; 40:16.
Commentary:
The verse, which is the last of the present Surah, purports to say to disbelievers that it is for their own good that the Prophet invites them to truth and that their refusal to listen to him would do him no harm.
The clause, He is the Lord of the Mighty Throne, implies a beautiful and dignified refutation of the charge that the Prophet was aiming at temporal power. The clause may mean something like this: "I seek the establishment of no temporal kingdom in Arabia or anywhere else. On the contrary, my aim and object is the establishment of the Kingdom of God on earth, in the wake of which material prosperity and temporal power, very much greater than the kingdom of Arabia, are destined to come to me and my followers and no power on earth can stop that."
The words, In Him do I put my trust, and He is the Lord of the mighty Throne, with which the Surah comes to an end, also provide the essence of the spirit of Islam, i.e. (1) that the God of Islam is Supreme over all, and (2) that a true Muslim should put his trust in Him alone.
d
39:39; 21:23; 23:117; 27:27; 40:16.
a
39:39; 21:23; 23:117; 27:27; 40:16.
1276
Commentary:
The verse, which is the last of the present Surah, purports to say to disbelievers that it is for their own good that the Prophet invites them to truth and that their refusal to listen to him would do him no harm.
The clause, He is the Lord of the Mighty Throne, implies a beautiful and dignified refutation of the charge that the Prophet was aiming at temporal power. The clause may mean something like this: "I seek the establishment of no temporal kingdom in Arabia or anywhere else. On the contrary, my aim and object is the establishment of the Kingdom of God on earth, in the wake of which material prosperity and temporal power, very much greater than the kingdom of Arabia, are destined to come to me and my followers and no power on earth can stop that."
The words, In Him do I put my trust, and He is the Lord of the mighty Throne, with which the Surah comes to an end, also provide the essence of the spirit of Islam, i.e. (1) that the God of Islam is Supreme over all, and (2) that a true Muslim should put his trust in Him alone.
d
39:39; 21:23; 23:117; 27:27; 40:16.
۞ وَجٰوَزۡنَا بِبَنِیۡۤ اِسۡرٰٓءِیۡلَ الۡبَحۡرَ فَاَتۡبَعَہُمۡ فِرۡعَوۡنُ وَجُنُوۡدُہٗ بَغۡیًا وَّعَدۡوًا ۖ حَتّٰۤی اِذَاۤ اَدۡرَکَہُ الۡغَرَقُ قَالَ اٰمَنۡتُ اَنَّہٗ لَاۤ اِلٰہَ اِلَّا الَّذِیۡۤ اٰمَنَتۡ بِہٖ بَنُوۡۤا اِسۡرٰٓءِیۡلَ وَاَنَا۠ مِنَ الۡمُسۡلِمِیۡنَ
7:139; 20:78.
20:79; 26:61; 44:25.
These words express the depth of abasement to which the proud Pharaoh had sunk.
7:139; 20:78.
20:79; 26:61; 44:25.
Commentary:
The verse throws interesting light on an important political question. Islam enjoins Muslims to obey their rulers. If, however, the latter deny to them religious freedom and resort to compulsion in matters of faith, Muslims are enjoined to migrate from their country rather than offer resistance to the established authority. But what should they do if the authorities do not even permit them to migrate and force them to remain in the country and suffer persecution? The verse under comment supplies an answer to this question by saying that Pharaoh pursued the Israelites "wrongfully and aggressively," which means that in preventing the Israelites from migrating Pharaoh was doing a thing to which he had absolutely no right. Thus if rulers prevent an oppressed subject people from peacefully leaving a country, the latter would be justified in resisting and opposing them by all legitimate means and in that case defiance of the authority will not be held as a breach of the law or an act of rebellion. Just as nobody is allowed to defy and break the law of the land in which he lives, similarly no Government has a right to compel any person to live under it while denying him freedom of religion and conscience.
The words, He in Whom the children of Israel believe, spoken by Pharaoh at the time of his drowning, show the utterly abject state of his mind at that time. If he had said that he believed in the God of Moses, he might be considered to have had some sense of dignity left in him because, having been brought up in the royal household and being the leader of his people, Moses was entitled to respect even from worldly considerations; but to say that he believed in Him in Whom the children of Israel believed—the very children of Israel whom it was his pride to trample under foot—bespeaks the great depth of abasement to which the proud Pharaoh had fallen.
a
7:139; 20:78.
b
20:79; 26:61; 44:25.
a
7:139; 20:78.
b
20:79; 26:61; 44:25.
1363
Commentary:
The verse throws interesting light on an important political question. Islam enjoins Muslims to obey their rulers. If, however, the latter deny to them religious freedom and resort to compulsion in matters of faith, Muslims are enjoined to migrate from their country rather than offer resistance to the established authority. But what should they do if the authorities do not even permit them to migrate and force them to remain in the country and suffer persecution? The verse under comment supplies an answer to this question by saying that Pharaoh pursued the Israelites "wrongfully and aggressively," which means that in preventing the Israelites from migrating Pharaoh was doing a thing to which he had absolutely no right. Thus if rulers prevent an oppressed subject people from peacefully leaving a country, the latter would be justified in resisting and opposing them by all legitimate means and in that case defiance of the authority will not be held as a breach of the law or an act of rebellion. Just as nobody is allowed to defy and break the law of the land in which he lives, similarly no Government has a right to compel any person to live under it while denying him freedom of religion and conscience.
The words, He in Whom the children of Israel believe, spoken by Pharaoh at the time of his drowning, show the utterly abject state of his mind at that time. If he had said that he believed in the God of Moses, he might be considered to have had some sense of dignity left in him because, having been brought up in the royal household and being the leader of his people, Moses was entitled to respect even from worldly considerations; but to say that he believed in Him in Whom the children of Israel believed—the very children of Israel whom it was his pride to trample under foot—bespeaks the great depth of abasement to which the proud Pharaoh had fallen.
b
7:139; 20:78.
c
20:79; 26:61; 44:25.
1285
These words express the depth of abasement to which the proud Pharaoh had sunk.
وَیٰقَوۡمِ لَاۤ اَسۡـَٔلُکُمۡ عَلَیۡہِ مَالًا ۖ اِنۡ اَجۡرِیَ اِلَّا عَلَی اللّٰہِ ۚ وَمَاۤ اَنَا۠ بِطَارِدِ الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡۤا ۚ اِنَّہُمۡ مُّلٰقُوۡا رَبِّہِمۡ وَلٰکِنِّیۡۤ اَرٰٮکُمۡ قَوۡمًا تَجۡہَلُوۡنَ
10:73; 26:110.
26:115.
Commentary:
After referring to the prejudiced attitude of his opponents, Noah now proceeds to defend himself and his followers. In the first place, he asks what purpose he could possibly have in fabricating lies. Was it self-interest or personal aggrandizement that he was seeking? They knew that he asked for no reward from them. Then why should he have resorted to the abominable practice of forging lies? It might be argued that though Noah asked for no reward, he at least commanded the allegiance of his followers and that in itself constituted sufficient motive for his activities. But this objection, too, stands on no solid ground, because the Prophets of God are always the first to act upon the commandments which they enjoin upon others and they subject themselves to a greater discipline than they demand from their followers. They do not exult in the authority they enjoy. Theirs is only a life of sacrifice and service and not of dictatorial authority over others.
After having defended himself, Noah goes on to defend his followers. He repudiates the strictures of his opponents against them by saying that, as they had professed to believe in him, he had no right to drive them away merely on the basis of groundless mistrust and suspicion. Again, as he asked for no reward or recompense from anybody, the distinction of rich and poor did not exist for him and therefore he could not reject or spurn his followers on account of their being of humble origin. Only true and sincere faith carried weight with him, and that his followers possessed in abundance. Therefore, the objection that those who believed in him were poor and lowly was, besides being absurd, quite irrelevant.
Another objection which Noah’s opponents levelled at his followers was that their faith was insincere. Noah rebutted this charge by saying that just as he did not demand any material benefit from them, they also did not demand anything from him. They only sought the favour of God Whom they were sure to meet, and He to Whom nothing is hidden would deal with them according to their faith. So, why should he question or doubt their sincerity?
The words, They shall certainly meet their Lord, also contain an answer to the taunt of disbelievers that Noah’s followers had acquired no superiority over them by believing in him. Noah asked what greater superiority there could be than that his followers had attained nearness to God and had made great moral and spiritual progress, so much so that heavenly light shone in their faces. If in their ignorance his enemies could not see so patent a fact, the fault was their own.
The clause, But I consider you to be a people who act ignorantly, may refer to the sacrifices which the followers of Noah made in the cause of truth, for to believe in a Prophet in the beginning is not an easy matter. It is like plunging into fire. So Noah drew the attention of his opponents to the sacrifices of his followers and pointed out how unreasonable it was to hold their faith to be insincere in view of their great sacrifices for the sake of their faith.
b
10:73; 26:110.
c
26:115.
a
10:73; 26:110.
b
26:115.
1411
Commentary:
After referring to the prejudiced attitude of his opponents, Noah now proceeds to defend himself and his followers. In the first place, he asks what purpose he could possibly have in fabricating lies. Was it self-interest or personal aggrandizement that he was seeking? They knew that he asked for no reward from them. Then why should he have resorted to the abominable practice of forging lies? It might be argued that though Noah asked for no reward, he at least commanded the allegiance of his followers and that in itself constituted sufficient motive for his activities. But this objection, too, stands on no solid ground, because the Prophets of God are always the first to act upon the commandments which they enjoin upon others and they subject themselves to a greater discipline than they demand from their followers. They do not exult in the authority they enjoy. Theirs is only a life of sacrifice and service and not of dictatorial authority over others.
After having defended himself, Noah goes on to defend his followers. He repudiates the strictures of his opponents against them by saying that, as they had professed to believe in him, he had no right to drive them away merely on the basis of groundless mistrust and suspicion. Again, as he asked for no reward or recompense from anybody, the distinction of rich and poor did not exist for him and therefore he could not reject or spurn his followers on account of their being of humble origin. Only true and sincere faith carried weight with him, and that his followers possessed in abundance. Therefore, the objection that those who believed in him were poor and lowly was, besides being absurd, quite irrelevant.
Another objection which Noah’s opponents levelled at his followers was that their faith was insincere. Noah rebutted this charge by saying that just as he did not demand any material benefit from them, they also did not demand anything from him. They only sought the favour of God Whom they were sure to meet, and He to Whom nothing is hidden would deal with them according to their faith. So, why should he question or doubt their sincerity?
The words, They shall certainly meet their Lord, also contain an answer to the taunt of disbelievers that Noah’s followers had acquired no superiority over them by believing in him. Noah asked what greater superiority there could be than that his followers had attained nearness to God and had made great moral and spiritual progress, so much so that heavenly light shone in their faces. If in their ignorance his enemies could not see so patent a fact, the fault was their own.
The clause, But I consider you to be a people who act ignorantly, may refer to the sacrifices which the followers of Noah made in the cause of truth, for to believe in a Prophet in the beginning is not an easy matter. It is like plunging into fire. So Noah drew the attention of his opponents to the sacrifices of his followers and pointed out how unreasonable it was to hold their faith to be insincere in view of their great sacrifices for the sake of their faith.
a
26:115.
d
10:73; 26:110.
یٰقَوۡمِ لَاۤ اَسۡـَٔلُکُمۡ عَلَیۡہِ اَجۡرًا ۖ اِنۡ اَجۡرِیَ اِلَّا عَلَی الَّذِیۡ فَطَرَنِیۡۤ ۚ اَفَلَا تَعۡقِلُوۡنَ
26:128.
26:128.
26:128.
Commentary:
This verse reveals on the one hand an independence of spirit and an absence of any selfish motive on the part of the Prophet Hud and, on the other, represents him as helplessly crying for God’s mercy. Such, indeed, is the true nature of all holy men. In their attitude towards the men of this world they display complete independence of spirit, but before God they exhibit such humility and lowliness as if they are virtually nothing.
b
26:128.
a
26:128.
1432
Commentary:
This verse reveals on the one hand an independence of spirit and an absence of any selfish motive on the part of the Prophet Hud and, on the other, represents him as helplessly crying for God’s mercy. Such, indeed, is the true nature of all holy men. In their attitude towards the men of this world they display complete independence of spirit, but before God they exhibit such humility and lowliness as if they are virtually nothing.
a
26:128.
کَذٰلِکَ اَرۡسَلۡنٰکَ فِیۡۤ اُمَّۃٍ قَدۡ خَلَتۡ مِنۡ قَبۡلِہَاۤ اُمَمٌ لِّتَتۡلُوَا۠ عَلَیۡہِمُ الَّذِیۡۤ اَوۡحَیۡنَاۤ اِلَیۡکَ وَہُمۡ یَکۡفُرُوۡنَ بِالرَّحۡمٰنِ ۚ قُلۡ ہُوَ رَبِّیۡ لَاۤ اِلٰہَ اِلَّا ہُوَ عَلَیۡہِ تَوَکَّلۡتُ وَاِلَیۡہِ مَتَابِ
25:61.
25:61.
25:61.
Commentary:
The previous two verses spoke of the people to whom God grants perfect peace of mind and who enjoy a truly happy end. By the words, Thus have We sent thee, the Quran means to suggest that God has raised the Holy Prophet so that he may, by his noble teaching and noble example, produce men of this type.
The verse draws the attention of disbelievers to God’s attribute of الرحمن (the Gracious) in a very striking manner. It says that whereas disbelievers demand immediate punishment, God continues to delay and postpone it. It is His attribute of Ar-Rahman which is at the root of this postponement, and yet disbelievers say that He is not Ar-Rahman. If God had not been Ar-Rahman they would have met their destruction long before.
The question also arises here, how could the Holy Prophet raise a stone-hearted people like the Arabs to the high standard of moral and spiritual excellence mentioned in the preceding verse? In reply to this natural misgiving, the Holy Prophet is bidden to say, "It is not my work, but God’s. In Him do I put my trust, and to Him will I repeatedly turn for help till this object is attained." The verse also draws our attention to the great spiritual lesson that real reformation, which is the purification of the heart, is brought about only through trust in God and constantly turning to Him in prayer. Those who seek to reform the hearts of men by physical and material means can never succeed. Material means can at best reform the exterior of men. It is only spiritual means that can engender conviction and purity of heart. This is why the so-called cultured and enlightened nations of the West have, in spite of their best efforts, failed to present that high standard of morality and spirituality to which the Holy Prophet raised his Companions, notwithstanding his utter lack of material resources.
a
25:61.
b
25:61.
1642
Commentary:
The previous two verses spoke of the people to whom God grants perfect peace of mind and who enjoy a truly happy end. By the words, Thus have We sent thee, the Quran means to suggest that God has raised the Holy Prophet so that he may, by his noble teaching and noble example, produce men of this type.
The verse draws the attention of disbelievers to God’s attribute of الرحمن (the Gracious) in a very striking manner. It says that whereas disbelievers demand immediate punishment, God continues to delay and postpone it. It is His attribute of Ar-Rahman which is at the root of this postponement, and yet disbelievers say that He is not Ar-Rahman. If God had not been Ar-Rahman they would have met their destruction long before.
The question also arises here, how could the Holy Prophet raise a stone-hearted people like the Arabs to the high standard of moral and spiritual excellence mentioned in the preceding verse? In reply to this natural misgiving, the Holy Prophet is bidden to say, "It is not my work, but God’s. In Him do I put my trust, and to Him will I repeatedly turn for help till this object is attained." The verse also draws our attention to the great spiritual lesson that real reformation, which is the purification of the heart, is brought about only through trust in God and constantly turning to Him in prayer. Those who seek to reform the hearts of men by physical and material means can never succeed. Material means can at best reform the exterior of men. It is only spiritual means that can engender conviction and purity of heart. This is why the so-called cultured and enlightened nations of the West have, in spite of their best efforts, failed to present that high standard of morality and spirituality to which the Holy Prophet raised his Companions, notwithstanding his utter lack of material resources.
a
25:61.
یُنَزِّلُ الۡمَلٰٓئِکَۃَ بِالرُّوۡحِ مِنۡ اَمۡرِہٖ عَلٰی مَنۡ یَّشَآءُ مِنۡ عِبَادِہٖۤ اَنۡ اَنۡذِرُوۡۤا اَنَّہٗ لَاۤ اِلٰہَ اِلَّاۤ اَنَا۠ فَاتَّقُوۡنِ
By Ruh, (which signifies soul or spirit; Divine revelation; the Qur’an; etc.—Lane), is here meant the life-giving Word of God. The word also denotes a Prophet’s Divine Message because of its life-giving qualities.
Important Words:
الروح (revelation) is derived from راح which means, it became cool and pleasant; he was brisk, lively, active, prompt or quick. روح means, soul or spirit; Divine revelation or inspiration; the Quran; angel; joy and happiness; mercy (Lane). See also 4:172.
Commentary:
By الروح (revelation) is here meant the life-giving Word of God. It is also used to denote a Prophet’s Message for its life-giving qualities. The words, warn people, suggest that 'revelation' here means the special revelation which is given to a Divine Messenger. It should be remembered that Divine revelation is generally of two kinds: (a) The revelation which concerns the recipient’s own person. It does not require to be made known and published, though generally there is no special ban on giving it publicity. (b) The revelation which is meant for mankind at large. This latter kind of revelation must be given wide publicity and it amounts to a veritable sin to suppress it. This revelation is technically known as a Prophet’s revelation. The words, by His command, signify:
(1) That angels can bring no revelation of their own accord but do so only at the command of God and carry only God’s own word.
(2) That the revelation referred to here is the one which embodies Divine commands and prohibitions and constitutes the essence of the Divine Message.
(3) That the decree of God implied in the words اتی امر اللّٰه (the decree of Allah is coming) occurring in the preceding verse is general and is fulfilled in the case of every Prophet. In other words, the advent of every Prophet is attended by the punishment of disbelievers and the progress and advance of the cause of truth.
(4) That it is obligatory to believe in a Prophet inasmuch as the message he brings contains the 'commands of God'. Rejection of the Prophet thus amounts to a denial of God Himself.
The expression من عبادہ (of His servants) means the chosen servants of God and not all men, and contains a beautiful hint that prophethood is God’s special gift and it is bestowed only upon His chosen servants. The recipients of this special Divine gift must be true servants of God. The expression also signifies that prophethood is bestowed upon only the devotees of the true God and not upon the devotees of false gods. History fails to record a single instance of a Prophet having risen from among the devotees of false gods.
It may be understood from the words, on whomsoever of His servants He pleases, that it is God’s own prerogative to select a man for the exalted office of a Prophet.
The Arabic expression ینزل (yunazzilu —He sends down) is used to express a gradual sending down and is meant to signify that the word of God is revealed gradually and in pieces and is not sent down all at once and as one complete whole. This is essential because a new revelation is intended to replace the existing order by a new order which is based upon new Divine commands and prohibitions.
This replacement of the old order by a new one can only be possible if these commandments and prohib-itions are given gradually and in stages so that people may be able to assimilate them and adopt them in their daily lives. All Divine Laws were revealed gradually and piecemeal and their revelation was spread over a long period of time. Christian critics of Islam conveniently forget this patent characteristic of the Quranic revelation when finding fault with it on the basis of its having been sent down to the Holy Prophet in stages. The objection that this gradual revelation of the Quran shows it to be the Prophet’s own composition exposes only their own ignorance of the Divine Law in this respect.
The words, So take Me alone for your protector, contain the essence of all religious teaching. The teachings of different Prophets have differed in detail but they are one in proclaiming the Oneness of God because it forms the basis and kernel of all religious teaching.
1804
Important Words:
الروح (revelation) is derived from راح which means, it became cool and pleasant; he was brisk, lively, active, prompt or quick. روح means, soul or spirit; Divine revelation or inspiration; the Quran; angel; joy and happiness; mercy (Lane). See also 4:172.
Commentary:
By الروح (revelation) is here meant the life-giving Word of God. It is also used to denote a Prophet’s Message for its life-giving qualities. The words, warn people, suggest that 'revelation' here means the special revelation which is given to a Divine Messenger. It should be remembered that Divine revelation is generally of two kinds: (a) The revelation which concerns the recipient’s own person. It does not require to be made known and published, though generally there is no special ban on giving it publicity. (b) The revelation which is meant for mankind at large. This latter kind of revelation must be given wide publicity and it amounts to a veritable sin to suppress it. This revelation is technically known as a Prophet’s revelation. The words, by His command, signify:
(1) That angels can bring no revelation of their own accord but do so only at the command of God and carry only God’s own word.
(2) That the revelation referred to here is the one which embodies Divine commands and prohibitions and constitutes the essence of the Divine Message.
(3) That the decree of God implied in the words اتی امر اللّٰه (the decree of Allah is coming) occurring in the preceding verse is general and is fulfilled in the case of every Prophet. In other words, the advent of every Prophet is attended by the punishment of disbelievers and the progress and advance of the cause of truth.
(4) That it is obligatory to believe in a Prophet inasmuch as the message he brings contains the 'commands of God'. Rejection of the Prophet thus amounts to a denial of God Himself.
The expression من عبادہ (of His servants) means the chosen servants of God and not all men, and contains a beautiful hint that prophethood is God’s special gift and it is bestowed only upon His chosen servants. The recipients of this special Divine gift must be true servants of God. The expression also signifies that prophethood is bestowed upon only the devotees of the true God and not upon the devotees of false gods. History fails to record a single instance of a Prophet having risen from among the devotees of false gods.
It may be understood from the words, on whomsoever of His servants He pleases, that it is God’s own prerogative to select a man for the exalted office of a Prophet.
The Arabic expression ینزل (yunazzilu —He sends down) is used to express a gradual sending down and is meant to signify that the word of God is revealed gradually and in pieces and is not sent down all at once and as one complete whole. This is essential because a new revelation is intended to replace the existing order by a new order which is based upon new Divine commands and prohibitions.
This replacement of the old order by a new one can only be possible if these commandments and prohib-itions are given gradually and in stages so that people may be able to assimilate them and adopt them in their daily lives. All Divine Laws were revealed gradually and piecemeal and their revelation was spread over a long period of time. Christian critics of Islam conveniently forget this patent characteristic of the Quranic revelation when finding fault with it on the basis of its having been sent down to the Holy Prophet in stages. The objection that this gradual revelation of the Quran shows it to be the Prophet’s own composition exposes only their own ignorance of the Divine Law in this respect.
The words, So take Me alone for your protector, contain the essence of all religious teaching. The teachings of different Prophets have differed in detail but they are one in proclaiming the Oneness of God because it forms the basis and kernel of all religious teaching.
1529
By Ruh, (which signifies soul or spirit; Divine revelation; the Qur’an; etc.—Lane), is here meant the life-giving Word of God. The word also denotes a Prophet’s Divine Message because of its life-giving qualities.
یٰۤاَیُّہَا النَّاسُ اذۡکُرُوۡا نِعۡمَتَ اللّٰہِ عَلَیۡکُمۡ ۚ ہَلۡ مِنۡ خٰلِقٍ غَیۡرُ اللّٰہِ یَرۡزُقُکُمۡ مِّنَ السَّمَآءِ وَالۡاَرۡضِ ۚ لَاۤ اِلٰہَ اِلَّا ہُوَ ۖ فَاَنّٰی تُؤۡفَکُوۡنَ
10:32; 27:65; 34:25.
10:32; 27:65; 34:25.
10:32; 27:65; 34:25.
d
10:32; 27:65; 34:25.
b
10:32; 27:65; 34:25.
a
10:32; 27:65; 34:25.
وَاِذۡ قَالَ مُوۡسٰی لِفَتٰٮہُ لَاۤ اَبۡرَحُ حَتّٰۤی اَبۡلُغَ مَجۡمَعَ الۡبَحۡرَیۡنِ اَوۡ اَمۡضِیَ حُقُبًا
نوجوان رفیق سے مراد حضرت مسیح علیہ السلام ہیں جو موسوی سفر کے شریک تھے۔
اس میں اس زمانہ کی طرف اشارہ ہے جب موسیٰ علیہ السلام کا زمانہ ختم ہوا اور محمد رسول اللہ صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم کا زمانہ شروع ہوا۔ بے شک بیچ میں حضرت مسیح علیہ السلام آئے مگر وہ موسیٰ علیہ السلام کے تابع نبی تھے۔
With this verse begins the subject of the Isra’ (Spiritual Night Journey) of Moses. As stated above, the followers of Jesus Christ achieved great material power and prosperity, and in their chequered career left their indelible imprint twice on world’s history. This double prosperity of Christian nations has been likened to "two gardens" in v. 33. The first of these two periods began with the conversion to Christianity of the Roman Emperor, Constantine when it became the religion of the State, and continued till the birth of the Holy Prophet of Islam. The second and more important of these two periods is represented by the present age when Christian nations of the West have acquired so much power and prestige that the nations of Asia and Africa have to dance attendance upon them like serfs and slaves. Between these "two gardens" flowed a "stream" (v. 34). This "stream" denoted the birth and rise to power of Islam which left its deep mark on human history during the interval between these two per
Huqub is plural of Huqbah which means, long time, indefinite time; an age; seventy years or more (Lane & Mufradat).
The Isra’ of Moses was, like the Isra’ of the Holy Prophet (17:2), no physical journey but a spiritual experience by means of which Moses was transported from his body of flesh and blood to a spiritual tabernacle. The Bible and the Qur’an both support this view. Some of the arguments advanced in its support are as follows:
(1) The Bible which is considered by Christians to be more or less a reliable record of Moses’s life has omitted all mention of this most unusual and wonderful incident and has failed even to make a passing reference to it.
(2) Before and after he was commissioned as a Divine Prophet, Moses is known to have undertaken only one journey and that was to Midian. The Bible and the Qur’an have both referred to this journey. Both also agree that Moses undertook the journey to Midian alone, while in the journey referred to
Important Words:
حقبا (ages) is the plural of حقب (huqbun) which is derived from حقب (haqiba). They say حقب المطر i.e. the rain was delayed. حقب الامر means, the affair became marred or impeded. حقب (huqbun) means, time; indefinite time; long time; an age; a year or years; seventy years; eighty years or more (Lane, Aqrab & Mufradat).
Commentary:
With this verse begins the very important subject of the اسراء (Spiritual Night Journey) of Moses. As stated above, the followers of Jesus Christ achieved great material power and prosperity and in their chequered career left their imprint twice on world’s history. This double prosperity of Christian nations has been likened to "two gardens" in v. 33 above. The first of these two periods began with the conversion to Christianity of the Roman Emperor Constantine, when it became the religion of the State, and continued to the birth of the Holy Prophet of Islam. The second and more important of these two periods is represented by the present age when Christian nations of the west have acquired so much power and prestige that the nations of Asia and Africa have had to dance attendance upon them like serfs and slaves. Between these "two gardens" flowed a "stream" (v. 34). These "two gardens", as stated above, represent the two periods of Christian prosperity and progress. The "stream" denotes the birth and rise to power of the Prophet of Islam. He and his followers made their mark in human history during the interval between these two periods.
Now in order to provide a historical setting to the whole account and complete the connected whole, a somewhat detailed description of the Isra’ or the Spiritual Journey of Moses has been given in the present and following few verses. Moses had foretold the advent of a Prophet like unto him (Deut. 18:18). This prophecy has been referred to in the Quran in 73:16. By putting the account of Moses’ Spiritual Journey between that of the Dwellers of the Cave and of Dhul-Qarnain—the two periods representing Christian progress and advance—the Quran has pointed to the fact that the Prophet referred to in Moses’ prophecy, who was also to be his counterpart, was to appear during the interval between these two periods. Thus, these incidents have been mentioned in their historical order.
Very fantastic stories have gained currency about the nature and purpose of the Isra’ or Spiritual Journey of Moses and the circumstances under which it took place. Commentators of the Quran differ as to the name and status of "the servant of God" whom Moses sought and met and about "the young man" who was with him in his "journey". Failing to comprehend the spiritual aspect of this seemingly physical journey most of them have indulged only in conjectures and guesses and consequently have grievously erred. The fact is that mention was made of the Isra’ or Spiritual Journey or as literally interpreted, the Migration of the Holy Prophet to Medina in v. 2 of the present Surah. Light was also thrown on the great results that were to ensue from this Migration and the wonderful success that Muslims were to achieve after it. They were also warned of the great dangers that lay in their way and of the unrelenting opposition of Jews and Christians, particularly of the grievous blows that Islam as a political force was to receive at the hands of the latter. The Isra’ of Moses has only been mentioned to lend support to the prophecies of ultimate success of Islam that were implied in the Isra’ of the Holy Prophet and also to make it clear beyond doubt that the seemingly dazzling power and prosperity of Christian nations will endure for a limited time and the cause of Islam will eventually triumph.
Similarly, the Isra’ of Moses was, like the Isra’ of the Holy Prophet, no physical journey but a spiritual experience by means of which Moses was transported from this body of flesh and blood to a spiritual tabernacle. The Bible and the Quran both support this contention. Some of the arguments advanced in its support are as follows:
(1) The Bible which is more or less a reliable record of Moses’ life has omitted all mention of this most unusual and wonderful incident and has failed even to make a passing reference to it.
(2) Before Moses was made a Prophet, he is known to have undertaken only one journey and that was to Midian. The Bible and the Quran have both referred to this journey, the latter at several places. The Bible and the Quran also both agree that Moses undertook this journey alone, while in the journey referred to in the present and the following verses of the Quran he is described as having been accompanied by "his companion."
(3) Even after he was made Prophet, Moses undertook no such journey. The Bible embodies a somewhat detailed record of Moses’ life but it contains no account of any such journey and even makes no reference to it.
(4) It is well known that after Moses had been away on Mount Tur for a few days his people took a calf for worship. When his absence from them for only forty days on Mount Tur caused such great spiritual havoc among them, which has been described in the Bible in detail, the depths of spiritual chaos to which these people of weak faith and fickle minds should have sunk in Moses’ absence on a journey of a much longer duration, as evidently the journey referred to in these verses was, can easily be imagined. The Bible could not have failed to mention it. But the Bible alludes to no such happening. Moreover, it would have cast a serious reflection on Moses’ wisdom and intelligence if, having had such a terrible experience once, he should have undertaken another journey which would have kept him away from his people for a much longer period.
(5) In his absence on Mount Tur for only forty days Moses appointed Aaron his vicegerent for his people. But apart from this solitary instance Moses is not known ever to have appointed anybody his vicegerent or Khalifah in his absence on any journey. The Bible contains no reference to any such appointment. It is inconceivable that if Moses had gone on such a long journey as mentioned in these verses he would have failed to appoint a Khalifah in his absence.
(6) It is against the established practice of all the Prophets of God to remain separated from their people for a long time. Some of them are known to have gone on short journeys but those were missionary expeditions and their scope did not extend beyond their own peoples. Jesus certainly did go to Kashmir after the Crucifixion but he left one section of his people in Palestine to live among another and a larger section in Kashmir. But Moses’ journey referred to above was not a journey undertaken with any missionary purpose nor was it confined to his own people. He left his people in search of a man who was more learned than himself.
(7) The expression مجمع البحرین (junction of two seas) occurring in the verse under comment also points to the fact that the Isra’ of Moses was a spiritual journey because there is no place in the world which is known by this name. The expression can have only one significance i.e. "the junction of two seas." Such junctions nearest to the place where Moses lived after he had left Egypt are Bab ul-Mandab which unites the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean, the Straits of Dardanelles which joins the Mediterranean Sea with the Sea of Marmora and Al-Bahrain where the waters of the Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean meet. Of all these places the Straits of Dardanelles alone can possibly be the point where such a meeting could have taken place because on its way lies Canaan which was the destination of Moses but which he could not reach in his life-time. All these three points were about one thousand miles distant from Moses’ place of living and considering the absence of good means of communication and transport in those days it would have taken him about a year’s time to cover such a long distance and Moses could not afford to remain absent from his people for such a long time without seriously jeopardising their spiritual well-being.
From this historical evidence it can be safely inferred without fear of contradiction that Moses’ Journey referred to in these verses was a spiritual journey undertaken with a spiritual body for a spiritual purpose.
Besides this external evidence there is also internal evidence in the Quran which clearly shows that this journey was no physical event but a spiritual experience of Moses.
(a) The "learned man" made a big hole in the boat to save it from being forcibly seized by the king. Now a quite natural question arises here, viz. was the boat navigable after it was damaged or was it not? If it was, why did not the king seize it; if it was not, why did it not sink? In this physical world no boat is ever known to have remained floating after a big hole had been made in its bottom. In the world of visions, however, such things are possible.
(b) The "slaying of the young boy" also shows that this incident happened in a vision because in this world of flesh and bones no sensible person, much less a Prophet of God, would take the life of another person without legitimate cause.
(c) The incident of the "repairing of the wall" also lends support to the above conclusion. How could a great Prophet of God and a most noble and broad-minded person like Moses have found fault with his learned companion for not demanding payment from two poor orphan boys for repairing their wall because the people of their town had refused to entertain him and his companion? What had the two orphan boys done to deserve Moses’ displeasure? It was the people of the town and not they who had refused to entertain them as their guests. What earthly connection was there between these two things? In this material world no sensible person could indulge in such talk, much less a great Prophet of God. Such things can happen only in visions and dreams.
(d) Ibn ‘Abbas is reported to have said that the word کنز (treasure) occurring in v. 83 below means "a treasure of knowledge". This shows that this word has been used in this verse in its metaphorical sense and needs to be interpreted and explained. Similarly, the repairing of the wall and the demanding of hospitality were not physical acts. Thus the whole journey was only a spiritual experience.
In short, even a casual and cursory glance over the relevant verses leaves no doubt about the fact that the whole affair was nothing more than a vision. It is simply inconceivable that a great Prophet of God like Moses should have undertaken a long and arduous journey in search of a "man of God" to learn from him how to break a hole in a boat or kill a young man or to repair a wall and demand no remuneration for it. Even an illiterate rustic would consider it below his dignity to do such a foolish thing, much less a Prophet of God.
Moreover, the Holy Prophet is reported to have said ودونا ان موسی کان صبر حتی یقص اللّٰه علینا من خبر ھما i.e. would that Moses had kept silent, so that God would have revealed to us many more secrets of the future (Bukhari, Kitabut-Tafsir). This saying of the Holy Prophet shows that the unusual acts which this "man of God" is stated to have performed were great secrets of the future which were communicated to Moses in his Vision in metaphorical language. If these acts are understood to have literally taken place, then they could not have excited the Holy Prophet’s curiosity and he could not possibly have wished Moses to have kept silent in order to learn more about similar acts. According to Mawardi, the person whom Moses had gone to see was no human being but an angel (Kathir).
All these facts taken together constitute very solid and weighty evidence, incapable of being doubted or contradicted, that the story of the journey of Moses is but a vision which needs to be interpreted and explained to understand its reality and significance.
The words "his young companion" may refer to Joshua, the son of Nun, but they apply more fittingly to Jesus. Jesus was the young companion of Moses i.e. he was the last great Prophet of the Mosaic Dispensation who came not to destroy but to fulfil the Law and the Prophets (Matt. 5:17).
The words, I will not stop until I reach the junction of the two seas, show that Moses’ young companion joined him towards the end of his journey. Moses did not seem to have taken the young man with him from the very outset of his journey. The words do not represent him as having started on his journey but only as pursuing it with a young companion. Strictly speaking these words can only be spoken by one who is about to reach his destination.
The expression مجمع البحرین i.e. junction of two seas, denotes the time when the Mosaic Dispensation was to have come to an end and the Islamic Dispensation to have commenced. According to Ta‘tirul-Anam بحر (sea), when seen in a vision, signifies a powerful, just and kind king. It also signifies praise and glorification of God. In the first sense of the word, بحر (sea) the expression مجمع البحرین would mean the meeting place of two powerful, just and kind kings i.e. Moses and the Holy Prophet Muhammad, and according to the second signification, the expression denotes the junction of the two seas of God’s glorification which means two religious Dispensations—Mosaic and Islamic.
The words, Or I will journey on for ages, signify that the Mosaic Dispensation would remain in force for many centuries. The period from the time of Moses to the advent of the Holy Prophet when the Mosaic Dispensation came to an end extends over 2000 years.
2
نوجوان رفیق سے مراد حضرت مسیح علیہ السلام ہیں جو موسوی سفر کے شریک تھے۔
3
اس میں اس زمانہ کی طرف اشارہ ہے جب موسیٰ علیہ السلام کا زمانہ ختم ہوا اور محمد رسول اللہ صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم کا زمانہ شروع ہوا۔ بے شک بیچ میں حضرت مسیح علیہ السلام آئے مگر وہ موسیٰ علیہ السلام کے تابع نبی تھے۔
2101
Important Words:
حقبا (ages) is the plural of حقب (huqbun) which is derived from حقب (haqiba). They say حقب المطر i.e. the rain was delayed. حقب الامر means, the affair became marred or impeded. حقب (huqbun) means, time; indefinite time; long time; an age; a year or years; seventy years; eighty years or more (Lane, Aqrab & Mufradat).
Commentary:
With this verse begins the very important subject of the اسراء (Spiritual Night Journey) of Moses. As stated above, the followers of Jesus Christ achieved great material power and prosperity and in their chequered career left their imprint twice on world’s history. This double prosperity of Christian nations has been likened to "two gardens" in v. 33 above. The first of these two periods began with the conversion to Christianity of the Roman Emperor Constantine, when it became the religion of the State, and continued to the birth of the Holy Prophet of Islam. The second and more important of these two periods is represented by the present age when Christian nations of the west have acquired so much power and prestige that the nations of Asia and Africa have had to dance attendance upon them like serfs and slaves. Between these "two gardens" flowed a "stream" (v. 34). These "two gardens", as stated above, represent the two periods of Christian prosperity and progress. The "stream" denotes the birth and rise to power of the Prophet of Islam. He and his followers made their mark in human history during the interval between these two periods.
Now in order to provide a historical setting to the whole account and complete the connected whole, a somewhat detailed description of the Isra’ or the Spiritual Journey of Moses has been given in the present and following few verses. Moses had foretold the advent of a Prophet like unto him (Deut. 18:18). This prophecy has been referred to in the Quran in 73:16. By putting the account of Moses’ Spiritual Journey between that of the Dwellers of the Cave and of Dhul-Qarnain—the two periods representing Christian progress and advance—the Quran has pointed to the fact that the Prophet referred to in Moses’ prophecy, who was also to be his counterpart, was to appear during the interval between these two periods. Thus, these incidents have been mentioned in their historical order.
Very fantastic stories have gained currency about the nature and purpose of the Isra’ or Spiritual Journey of Moses and the circumstances under which it took place. Commentators of the Quran differ as to the name and status of "the servant of God" whom Moses sought and met and about "the young man" who was with him in his "journey". Failing to comprehend the spiritual aspect of this seemingly physical journey most of them have indulged only in conjectures and guesses and consequently have grievously erred. The fact is that mention was made of the Isra’ or Spiritual Journey or as literally interpreted, the Migration of the Holy Prophet to Medina in v. 2 of the present Surah. Light was also thrown on the great results that were to ensue from this Migration and the wonderful success that Muslims were to achieve after it. They were also warned of the great dangers that lay in their way and of the unrelenting opposition of Jews and Christians, particularly of the grievous blows that Islam as a political force was to receive at the hands of the latter. The Isra’ of Moses has only been mentioned to lend support to the prophecies of ultimate success of Islam that were implied in the Isra’ of the Holy Prophet and also to make it clear beyond doubt that the seemingly dazzling power and prosperity of Christian nations will endure for a limited time and the cause of Islam will eventually triumph.
Similarly, the Isra’ of Moses was, like the Isra’ of the Holy Prophet, no physical journey but a spiritual experience by means of which Moses was transported from this body of flesh and blood to a spiritual tabernacle. The Bible and the Quran both support this contention. Some of the arguments advanced in its support are as follows:
(1) The Bible which is more or less a reliable record of Moses’ life has omitted all mention of this most unusual and wonderful incident and has failed even to make a passing reference to it.
(2) Before Moses was made a Prophet, he is known to have undertaken only one journey and that was to Midian. The Bible and the Quran have both referred to this journey, the latter at several places. The Bible and the Quran also both agree that Moses undertook this journey alone, while in the journey referred to in the present and the following verses of the Quran he is described as having been accompanied by "his companion."
(3) Even after he was made Prophet, Moses undertook no such journey. The Bible embodies a somewhat detailed record of Moses’ life but it contains no account of any such journey and even makes no reference to it.
(4) It is well known that after Moses had been away on Mount Tur for a few days his people took a calf for worship. When his absence from them for only forty days on Mount Tur caused such great spiritual havoc among them, which has been described in the Bible in detail, the depths of spiritual chaos to which these people of weak faith and fickle minds should have sunk in Moses’ absence on a journey of a much longer duration, as evidently the journey referred to in these verses was, can easily be imagined. The Bible could not have failed to mention it. But the Bible alludes to no such happening. Moreover, it would have cast a serious reflection on Moses’ wisdom and intelligence if, having had such a terrible experience once, he should have undertaken another journey which would have kept him away from his people for a much longer period.
(5) In his absence on Mount Tur for only forty days Moses appointed Aaron his vicegerent for his people. But apart from this solitary instance Moses is not known ever to have appointed anybody his vicegerent or Khalifah in his absence on any journey. The Bible contains no reference to any such appointment. It is inconceivable that if Moses had gone on such a long journey as mentioned in these verses he would have failed to appoint a Khalifah in his absence.
(6) It is against the established practice of all the Prophets of God to remain separated from their people for a long time. Some of them are known to have gone on short journeys but those were missionary expeditions and their scope did not extend beyond their own peoples. Jesus certainly did go to Kashmir after the Crucifixion but he left one section of his people in Palestine to live among another and a larger section in Kashmir. But Moses’ journey referred to above was not a journey undertaken with any missionary purpose nor was it confined to his own people. He left his people in search of a man who was more learned than himself.
(7) The expression مجمع البحرین (junction of two seas) occurring in the verse under comment also points to the fact that the Isra’ of Moses was a spiritual journey because there is no place in the world which is known by this name. The expression can have only one significance i.e. "the junction of two seas." Such junctions nearest to the place where Moses lived after he had left Egypt are Bab ul-Mandab which unites the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean, the Straits of Dardanelles which joins the Mediterranean Sea with the Sea of Marmora and Al-Bahrain where the waters of the Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean meet. Of all these places the Straits of Dardanelles alone can possibly be the point where such a meeting could have taken place because on its way lies Canaan which was the destination of Moses but which he could not reach in his life-time. All these three points were about one thousand miles distant from Moses’ place of living and considering the absence of good means of communication and transport in those days it would have taken him about a year’s time to cover such a long distance and Moses could not afford to remain absent from his people for such a long time without seriously jeopardising their spiritual well-being.
From this historical evidence it can be safely inferred without fear of contradiction that Moses’ Journey referred to in these verses was a spiritual journey undertaken with a spiritual body for a spiritual purpose.
Besides this external evidence there is also internal evidence in the Quran which clearly shows that this journey was no physical event but a spiritual experience of Moses.
(a) The "learned man" made a big hole in the boat to save it from being forcibly seized by the king. Now a quite natural question arises here, viz. was the boat navigable after it was damaged or was it not? If it was, why did not the king seize it; if it was not, why did it not sink? In this physical world no boat is ever known to have remained floating after a big hole had been made in its bottom. In the world of visions, however, such things are possible.
(b) The "slaying of the young boy" also shows that this incident happened in a vision because in this world of flesh and bones no sensible person, much less a Prophet of God, would take the life of another person without legitimate cause.
(c) The incident of the "repairing of the wall" also lends support to the above conclusion. How could a great Prophet of God and a most noble and broad-minded person like Moses have found fault with his learned companion for not demanding payment from two poor orphan boys for repairing their wall because the people of their town had refused to entertain him and his companion? What had the two orphan boys done to deserve Moses’ displeasure? It was the people of the town and not they who had refused to entertain them as their guests. What earthly connection was there between these two things? In this material world no sensible person could indulge in such talk, much less a great Prophet of God. Such things can happen only in visions and dreams.
(d) Ibn ‘Abbas is reported to have said that the word کنز (treasure) occurring in v. 83 below means "a treasure of knowledge". This shows that this word has been used in this verse in its metaphorical sense and needs to be interpreted and explained. Similarly, the repairing of the wall and the demanding of hospitality were not physical acts. Thus the whole journey was only a spiritual experience.
In short, even a casual and cursory glance over the relevant verses leaves no doubt about the fact that the whole affair was nothing more than a vision. It is simply inconceivable that a great Prophet of God like Moses should have undertaken a long and arduous journey in search of a "man of God" to learn from him how to break a hole in a boat or kill a young man or to repair a wall and demand no remuneration for it. Even an illiterate rustic would consider it below his dignity to do such a foolish thing, much less a Prophet of God.
Moreover, the Holy Prophet is reported to have said ودونا ان موسی کان صبر حتی یقص اللّٰه علینا من خبر ھما i.e. would that Moses had kept silent, so that God would have revealed to us many more secrets of the future (Bukhari, Kitabut-Tafsir). This saying of the Holy Prophet shows that the unusual acts which this "man of God" is stated to have performed were great secrets of the future which were communicated to Moses in his Vision in metaphorical language. If these acts are understood to have literally taken place, then they could not have excited the Holy Prophet’s curiosity and he could not possibly have wished Moses to have kept silent in order to learn more about similar acts. According to Mawardi, the person whom Moses had gone to see was no human being but an angel (Kathir).
All these facts taken together constitute very solid and weighty evidence, incapable of being doubted or contradicted, that the story of the journey of Moses is but a vision which needs to be interpreted and explained to understand its reality and significance.
The words "his young companion" may refer to Joshua, the son of Nun, but they apply more fittingly to Jesus. Jesus was the young companion of Moses i.e. he was the last great Prophet of the Mosaic Dispensation who came not to destroy but to fulfil the Law and the Prophets (Matt. 5:17).
The words, I will not stop until I reach the junction of the two seas, show that Moses’ young companion joined him towards the end of his journey. Moses did not seem to have taken the young man with him from the very outset of his journey. The words do not represent him as having started on his journey but only as pursuing it with a young companion. Strictly speaking these words can only be spoken by one who is about to reach his destination.
The expression مجمع البحرین i.e. junction of two seas, denotes the time when the Mosaic Dispensation was to have come to an end and the Islamic Dispensation to have commenced. According to Ta‘tirul-Anam بحر (sea), when seen in a vision, signifies a powerful, just and kind king. It also signifies praise and glorification of God. In the first sense of the word, بحر (sea) the expression مجمع البحرین would mean the meeting place of two powerful, just and kind kings i.e. Moses and the Holy Prophet Muhammad, and according to the second signification, the expression denotes the junction of the two seas of God’s glorification which means two religious Dispensations—Mosaic and Islamic.
The words, Or I will journey on for ages, signify that the Mosaic Dispensation would remain in force for many centuries. The period from the time of Moses to the advent of the Holy Prophet when the Mosaic Dispensation came to an end extends over 2000 years.
1704
With this verse begins the subject of the Isra’ (Spiritual Night Journey) of Moses. As stated above, the followers of Jesus Christ achieved great material power and prosperity, and in their chequered career left their indelible imprint twice on world’s history. This double prosperity of Christian nations has been likened to "two gardens" in v. 33. The first of these two periods began with the conversion to Christianity of the Roman Emperor, Constantine when it became the religion of the State, and continued till the birth of the Holy Prophet of Islam. The second and more important of these two periods is represented by the present age when Christian nations of the West have acquired so much power and prestige that the nations of Asia and Africa have to dance attendance upon them like serfs and slaves. Between these "two gardens" flowed a "stream" (v. 34). This "stream" denoted the birth and rise to power of Islam which left its deep mark on human history during the interval between these two per
1704A
Huqub is plural of Huqbah which means, long time, indefinite time; an age; seventy years or more (Lane & Mufradat).
The Isra’ of Moses was, like the Isra’ of the Holy Prophet (17:2), no physical journey but a spiritual experience by means of which Moses was transported from his body of flesh and blood to a spiritual tabernacle. The Bible and the Qur’an both support this view. Some of the arguments advanced in its support are as follows:
(1) The Bible which is considered by Christians to be more or less a reliable record of Moses’s life has omitted all mention of this most unusual and wonderful incident and has failed even to make a passing reference to it.
(2) Before and after he was commissioned as a Divine Prophet, Moses is known to have undertaken only one journey and that was to Midian. The Bible and the Qur’an have both referred to this journey. Both also agree that Moses undertook the journey to Midian alone, while in the journey referred to
اَللّٰہُ لَاۤ اِلٰہَ اِلَّا ہُوَ ۖ لَہُ الۡاَسۡمَآءُ الۡحُسۡنٰی
19:52.
The verse contains the quintessence and kernel of the Quranic revelation referred to in v. 3, above. It is that God exists. He is One. He possesses all perfect attributes and is completely free from all conceivable defects and imperfections and, therefore, He alone is entitled to our worship and adoration.
7:181; 59:25.
Commentary:
The verse contains the quintessence and kernel of the Quranic revelation referred to in v. iii, above. It is that God exists. He is One. He possesses all perfect attributes and is completely free from all conceivable defects and imperfections and therefore He alone is entitled to our worship and adoration.
c
7:181; 59:25.
813
这节经文包含以上第三节经文中所述及的 «古兰经» 启示的基本要素及其核心: 安拉是存在的, 他只一个。他具有全部完美的常德。他完全没有一切可想像的缺点和不完美的地方。因此他独有资格受到我们的敬仰和崇拜。
b
7:181; 59:25.
2245
Commentary:
The verse contains the quintessence and kernel of the Quranic revelation referred to in v. iii, above. It is that God exists. He is One. He possesses all perfect attributes and is completely free from all conceivable defects and imperfections and therefore He alone is entitled to our worship and adoration.
c
19:52.
1811
The verse contains the quintessence and kernel of the Quranic revelation referred to in v. 3, above. It is that God exists. He is One. He possesses all perfect attributes and is completely free from all conceivable defects and imperfections and, therefore, He alone is entitled to our worship and adoration.
اِنَّنِیۡۤ اَنَا اللّٰہُ لَاۤ اِلٰہَ اِلَّاۤ اَنَا۠ فَاعۡبُدۡنِیۡ وَاَقِمِ الصَّلٰوۃَ لِذِکۡرِیۡۤ
27:10; 28:31.
27:10; 28:31.
27:10; 28:31.
Commentary:
The verse contains the first commandment that was given to Moses. It appears that the observance of Prayer is the most important commandment in religion.
The words for My remembrance may mean:
(a) for My remembering you i.e. as I have remembered you, therefore, you should also remember Me by way of thanks-giving;
(b) your Prayer should be for the sake of remembering Me;
(c) you should set up the institution of Prayer so that My remembrance may become established in the world.
i
27:10; 28:31.
d
27:10; 28:31.
2248
Commentary:
The verse contains the first commandment that was given to Moses. It appears that the observance of Prayer is the most important commandment in religion.
The words for My remembrance may mean:
(a) for My remembering you i.e. as I have remembered you, therefore, you should also remember Me by way of thanks-giving;
(b) your Prayer should be for the sake of remembering Me;
(c) you should set up the institution of Prayer so that My remembrance may become established in the world.
d
27:10; 28:31.
اِنَّمَاۤ اِلٰہُکُمُ اللّٰہُ الَّذِیۡ لَاۤ اِلٰہَ اِلَّا ہُوَ ۚ وَسِعَ کُلَّ شَیۡءٍ عِلۡمًا
وَمَاۤ اَرۡسَلۡنَا مِنۡ قَبۡلِکَ مِنۡ رَّسُوۡلٍ اِلَّا نُوۡحِیۡۤ اِلَیۡہِ اَنَّہٗ لَاۤ اِلٰہَ اِلَّاۤ اَنَا۠ فَاعۡبُدُوۡنِ
یہ آیت عربی کے ترجمہ کے لحاظ سے بہت مشکل ہے کیونکہ یہ مضمون اردو میں مثبت الفاظ میں ادا کرتے ہیں۔ لیکن عربی میں منفی الفاظ سے۔ ہم نے ترجمہ کی سہولت کے لئے مفہوم کو قائم رکھتے ہوئے ترجمہ مثبت الفاظ میں کر دیا ہے۔
Commentary:
The verse gives a third argument in favour of the Unity of God. It purports to say that all the Divine Messengers and great religious reformers who appeared among different nations and countries at different times testified with one voice to the Oneness of God which was their common mission. In spite of the fact that with the passage of time the teachings of these Prophets became tampered with and were subjected to distortions and interpolations, the belief in the Unity of God continued to be the basic principle of all these teachings. These Prophets and Messengers appeared among all nations and peoples and the greatest of all, the Holy Prophet Muhammad, appeared at a time when the whole world was immersed in the Cimmerian darkness of moral turpitude, and idol worship was rife among every people and country in one form or another and was practised in its most heinous form in Arabia where the Holy Prophet preached his message of the Oneness of God. He carried on such an effective and relentless campaign against idolatry that it disappeared from Arabia never to return. Not only did he condemn and forbid idol-worship and enjoin and impress upon his people the worship of One True God but also gave unanswerable arguments in support of monotheism and against polytheism and he fully succeeded in engendering in the minds of his followers an invincible faith in Divine Unity and an equally implacable hatred for shirk—setting up equals with God. In four short sentences of one of its shortest Surah—Al-Ikhlas, the Quran has refuted and demolished in a most beautiful and effective manner four forms of polytheism. The first verse proclaims the absolute Unity of God. It says: "Say, He is Allah, the One." It means that out of ignorance and perversity man invents and indulges in most fantastic theories and ideas about God. But the central and pivotal fact about the Divine Being remains that He is absolutely One in every respect and manner. He is neither the beginning nor the end of anything and He is not like anything, nor any thing is like Him. To regard anything like Him is to impugn His absolute Unity.
In the words, "Allah, the Independent and Besought of all," the Quran has demolished the second kind of shirk i.e. to ascribe Divine powers and attributes to other beings and things. The verse says that God has need of nobody but all beings and things have need of Him. It is therefore foolish and futile to have recourse to beings and things which themselves are wholly dependent upon God. The third verse, viz. "He begets not, nor is He begotten" refutes and repudiates the third kind of polytheism i.e. the doctrine of God being the father or son of anybody. The verse means to say that God is eternal and everlasting. He has begotten no son who should take His place, nor is He begotten of anyone from whom He should have inherited His Divine powers and attributes. He was always Independent and Besought of all and will ever be so. So we should worship Him and call on Him alone for the fulfilment of our needs and requirements. The verse "And there is none like unto Him," exposes the folly and futility of the fourth kind of shirk. It signifies that it is beyond any created thing to be His partner in Divinity i.e. to be like Him in His person or attributes. God is far exalted and above that to which man can aspire. However high man may rise, he cannot even touch the fringes of the precincts of Divinity and will ever remain God’s servant.
This is the most sublime conception of absolute Unity of God as taught and inculcated by the Quran.
At another place (2:256) the Quran has shed further light on Divine Unity. It says: "There is no God but Allah, the Living, the Self-Subsisting and All-Sustaining. Slumber seizes Him not, nor sleep (i.e. no interruption ever takes place in His works). To Him belongs whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is in the earth. Who is he that will intercede with Him except by His permission (i.e. God grants the prayers of His servants but no one should think that He can compel God to accept His prayer. It is after He has granted the permission to any of His servants that he can intercede with Him)? He knows what is before them and what is behind them (i.e. He knows the past and the future. His knowledge is complete and all-comprehensive because full control is not possible without complete knowledge and complete knowledge is the never-failing accompaniment of absolute Unity). And they encompass nothing of His knowledge except what He pleases (i.e. man can accomplish nothing except with the help of the knowledge that he receives from God). His knowledge extends over the heavens and the earth (i.e. not an atom moves in the heavens and the earth without His permission and every particle is subject to His control). And the care of them burdens Him not (i.e. the universe will continue to exist and function under the never-failing supervision and protection of God). And He is the High (i.e. every atom of the universe bears witness to His Almightiness and He is so exalted that human reason cannot attain to full comprehension of Him); and yet He is great (i.e. He is so manifest in His great works that every honest seeker after Him can attain to communion with Him)." This is the very high and noble conception of Divine Unity which the Holy Prophet gave to the world and for which he worked and suffered. He told the people of the world that Divine Unity consists in the fact that man should rise to such a high stage of spiritual exaltation as to become completely engrossed in One God and become at one with Him. It is when man reaches this high stage of moral and spiritual development that he can be said to have attained the great object of his creation.
2
یہ آیت عربی کے ترجمہ کے لحاظ سے بہت مشکل ہے کیونکہ یہ مضمون اردو میں مثبت الفاظ میں ادا کرتے ہیں۔ لیکن عربی میں منفی الفاظ سے۔ ہم نے ترجمہ کی سہولت کے لئے مفہوم کو قائم رکھتے ہوئے ترجمہ مثبت الفاظ میں کر دیا ہے۔
2366
Commentary:
The verse gives a third argument in favour of the Unity of God. It purports to say that all the Divine Messengers and great religious reformers who appeared among different nations and countries at different times testified with one voice to the Oneness of God which was their common mission. In spite of the fact that with the passage of time the teachings of these Prophets became tampered with and were subjected to distortions and interpolations, the belief in the Unity of God continued to be the basic principle of all these teachings. These Prophets and Messengers appeared among all nations and peoples and the greatest of all, the Holy Prophet Muhammad, appeared at a time when the whole world was immersed in the Cimmerian darkness of moral turpitude, and idol worship was rife among every people and country in one form or another and was practised in its most heinous form in Arabia where the Holy Prophet preached his message of the Oneness of God. He carried on such an effective and relentless campaign against idolatry that it disappeared from Arabia never to return. Not only did he condemn and forbid idol-worship and enjoin and impress upon his people the worship of One True God but also gave unanswerable arguments in support of monotheism and against polytheism and he fully succeeded in engendering in the minds of his followers an invincible faith in Divine Unity and an equally implacable hatred for shirk—setting up equals with God. In four short sentences of one of its shortest Surah—Al-Ikhlas, the Quran has refuted and demolished in a most beautiful and effective manner four forms of polytheism. The first verse proclaims the absolute Unity of God. It says: "Say, He is Allah, the One." It means that out of ignorance and perversity man invents and indulges in most fantastic theories and ideas about God. But the central and pivotal fact about the Divine Being remains that He is absolutely One in every respect and manner. He is neither the beginning nor the end of anything and He is not like anything, nor any thing is like Him. To regard anything like Him is to impugn His absolute Unity.
In the words, "Allah, the Independent and Besought of all," the Quran has demolished the second kind of shirk i.e. to ascribe Divine powers and attributes to other beings and things. The verse says that God has need of nobody but all beings and things have need of Him. It is therefore foolish and futile to have recourse to beings and things which themselves are wholly dependent upon God. The third verse, viz. "He begets not, nor is He begotten" refutes and repudiates the third kind of polytheism i.e. the doctrine of God being the father or son of anybody. The verse means to say that God is eternal and everlasting. He has begotten no son who should take His place, nor is He begotten of anyone from whom He should have inherited His Divine powers and attributes. He was always Independent and Besought of all and will ever be so. So we should worship Him and call on Him alone for the fulfilment of our needs and requirements. The verse "And there is none like unto Him," exposes the folly and futility of the fourth kind of shirk. It signifies that it is beyond any created thing to be His partner in Divinity i.e. to be like Him in His person or attributes. God is far exalted and above that to which man can aspire. However high man may rise, he cannot even touch the fringes of the precincts of Divinity and will ever remain God’s servant.
This is the most sublime conception of absolute Unity of God as taught and inculcated by the Quran.
At another place (2:256) the Quran has shed further light on Divine Unity. It says: "There is no God but Allah, the Living, the Self-Subsisting and All-Sustaining. Slumber seizes Him not, nor sleep (i.e. no interruption ever takes place in His works). To Him belongs whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is in the earth. Who is he that will intercede with Him except by His permission (i.e. God grants the prayers of His servants but no one should think that He can compel God to accept His prayer. It is after He has granted the permission to any of His servants that he can intercede with Him)? He knows what is before them and what is behind them (i.e. He knows the past and the future. His knowledge is complete and all-comprehensive because full control is not possible without complete knowledge and complete knowledge is the never-failing accompaniment of absolute Unity). And they encompass nothing of His knowledge except what He pleases (i.e. man can accomplish nothing except with the help of the knowledge that he receives from God). His knowledge extends over the heavens and the earth (i.e. not an atom moves in the heavens and the earth without His permission and every particle is subject to His control). And the care of them burdens Him not (i.e. the universe will continue to exist and function under the never-failing supervision and protection of God). And He is the High (i.e. every atom of the universe bears witness to His Almightiness and He is so exalted that human reason cannot attain to full comprehension of Him); and yet He is great (i.e. He is so manifest in His great works that every honest seeker after Him can attain to communion with Him)." This is the very high and noble conception of Divine Unity which the Holy Prophet gave to the world and for which he worked and suffered. He told the people of the world that Divine Unity consists in the fact that man should rise to such a high stage of spiritual exaltation as to become completely engrossed in One God and become at one with Him. It is when man reaches this high stage of moral and spiritual development that he can be said to have attained the great object of his creation.
فَتَعٰلَی اللّٰہُ الۡمَلِکُ الۡحَقُّ ۖ لَاۤ اِلٰہَ اِلَّا ہُوَ رَبُّ الۡعَرۡشِ الۡکَرِیۡمِ
20:115; 22:63; 24:26.
20:115; 22:63; 24:26.
20:115; 22:63; 24:26.
Commentary:
This verse expressly supplies the answer to the vital question as to what is the aim and object of man’s creation. It is this that man should develop in himself and demonstrate in his behaviour Divine attributes, particularly the four basic ones mentioned in the present verse, viz. the King (الملک), the True Lord (الحق), the One God, beside Whom there is no other God (لا اله الا ھو); the Lord of the Glorious Throne (رب العرش الکریم). These four attributes demanded for their manifestation the creation of man and the universe. They correspond to, and, in fact, are the four attributes mentioned in an inverse order in the opening chapter of the Quran, viz.
رب العالمین (the Lord of all the worlds), الرحمان (the Gracious), الرحیم (the Merciful) and مالک یوم الدین (Master of the Day of Judgement); the attribute 'Lord of the Glorious Throne' (رب العرش الکریم) corresponding to the attribute 'Lord of the Worlds' (رب العالمین) and the attribute 'There is no God but He' (لا اله الا ھو) to the attribute 'the Gracious' (الرحمان). Similarly, the attribute 'the True' (الحق) corresponds to the attribute 'the Merciful' (الرحیم) and the attribute the King (الملک) corresponds to the attribute 'Master of the Day of Judgement' (مالک یوم الدین). Thus there exists a very striking resemblance and a deep connection between these two sets of Divine attributes.
a
20:115; 22:63; 24:26.
a
20:115; 22:63; 24:26.
2588
Commentary:
This verse expressly supplies the answer to the vital question as to what is the aim and object of man’s creation. It is this that man should develop in himself and demonstrate in his behaviour Divine attributes, particularly the four basic ones mentioned in the present verse, viz. the King (الملک), the True Lord (الحق), the One God, beside Whom there is no other God (لا اله الا ھو); the Lord of the Glorious Throne (رب العرش الکریم). These four attributes demanded for their manifestation the creation of man and the universe. They correspond to, and, in fact, are the four attributes mentioned in an inverse order in the opening chapter of the Quran, viz.
رب العالمین (the Lord of all the worlds), الرحمان (the Gracious), الرحیم (the Merciful) and مالک یوم الدین (Master of the Day of Judgement); the attribute 'Lord of the Glorious Throne' (رب العرش الکریم) corresponding to the attribute 'Lord of the Worlds' (رب العالمین) and the attribute 'There is no God but He' (لا اله الا ھو) to the attribute 'the Gracious' (الرحمان). Similarly, the attribute 'the True' (الحق) corresponds to the attribute 'the Merciful' (الرحیم) and the attribute the King (الملک) corresponds to the attribute 'Master of the Day of Judgement' (مالک یوم الدین). Thus there exists a very striking resemblance and a deep connection between these two sets of Divine attributes.
a
20:115; 22:63; 24:26.
وَتَفَقَّدَ الطَّیۡرَ فَقَالَ مَا لِیَ لَاۤ اَرَی الۡہُدۡہُدَ اَمۡ کَانَ مِنَ الۡغَآئِبِیۡنَ
کئی ادومی بادشاہوں کا نام ہُدَدْ تھا۔ جس کو عرب لوگ اپنے لہجہ کے لحاظ سے ہُدْہُدْکہتے تھے۔ یہ نام بنو اسماعیل میں عام رائج تھا۔ حضرت سلیمان علیہ السلام کے دربار کے ایک سردار کا نام بھی ہدہد تھا۔ جب حضرت سلیمان علیہ السلام نے موآب کو جو ایک بڑا انجینئر تھا‘ اس کی سازش کی وجہ سے قتل کرایا تو یہ ہُدْہُدْبھاگ کر مصر چلا گیا کہ کہیں مجھے بھی نہ مار ڈالیں۔ پھر بعد میں معافی مانگ کر اور سفارشیں کراکے واپس آگیا (دیکھئے جیوش انسائیکلوپیڈیا) ممکن ہے کہ چونکہ یہ عام نام تھا بعض اور سرداروں کا بھی یہ نام ہو۔ اور چونکہ عربی میں ہُدْہُدْ ایک پرندے کا بھی نام
Tafaqqada (he reviewed) is derived from Faqada, i.e. he lost it, it was or became absent from him. Tafaqqada-hu means, he sought for or after it leisurely or repeatedly, it being absent from him, or he sought to obtain knowledge of it (Mufradat). Solomon seemed to have reviewed his army and Hud-hud, an important officer of the State, possibly a general, was absent at the important occasion.
Important Words:
تفقد (he reviewed) is derived from فقد. They say فقدہ i.e. he found it not; he lost it, it was or became absent from him. الفقدwhich is noun-infinitive, though often used as meaning being non-existent, properly signifies the thing’s being absent from the range of perception by sense so that its place is not known. تفقدہ means, he sought for or after it; or did so leisurely or repeatedly; or sought for or after it, it being absent from him, or he sought or sought leisurely or repeatedly to obtain knowledge of it, having known it before (Lane, Aqrab & Mufradat).
Commentary:
Contrary to popular belief based on fable and fiction "Hudhud" was not the name of a bird which Solomon employed as his message-bearer. This is clear from the following facts mentioned in the present and the next few verses.
(1) It is inconceivable that a great Divine Prophet and a mighty monarch like Solomon should have been so angry with a little bird as to be prepared to inflict severe punishment upon it or even to kill it if it did not give clear reason for its absence. Birds are not subject to the penalties of law (v. 22).
(2) The hoopoe or "Hudhud" is not a migratory bird. It cannot fly long distances. Solomon, therefore, could not have selected it for a journey to Sheba and back (v. 23).
(3) The bird also seems to be acquainted with the requirements of a State and with kings and thrones as is clear from the report he made to Solomon, viz. that the Queen of Sheba had been given all that was needed for carrying on the government of her country (v. 24).
(4) Surprisingly, the bird seems to be well-versed in knowledge about Divine Unity and the evils of associating gods with Allah (vv. 25, 26).
It quite clearly follows from these facts that "Hudhud" was not a bird but a man, even a very responsible officer of State who had been entrusted with an important political mission by Solomon to the Queen of Sheba. The practice of exchange of envoys seems to be quite popular in Solomon’s time. It is also a known fact that men are named after birds and animals. "Hudhud" appears to be a very popular name among Solomon’s people. The word seems to be the Arabicised form of Hadad, a Biblical name. It appears to have been the name of several Edomite kings who ruled immediately before the first Israelite king and who defeated Midian. One of the courtiers of Solomon was also named Hudhud. A son of Ishmael, too, bore this name. Similarly, an Edomite prince who fled to Egypt for fear of Jacob’s massacre was known by this name (1 Kings 11:14). The name appeared to be so popular and is so frequently used in the Old Testament that when mentioned without a qualifying word it means, "a man of the Edomite family" (Jew. Enc.). According to Muntaha al-Arab "Hudhud" was the name of the father of Bilqis, the Queen of Sheba.
3
کئی ادومی بادشاہوں کا نام ہُدَدْ تھا۔ جس کو عرب لوگ اپنے لہجہ کے لحاظ سے ہُدْہُدْکہتے تھے۔ یہ نام بنو اسماعیل میں عام رائج تھا۔ حضرت سلیمان علیہ السلام کے دربار کے ایک سردار کا نام بھی ہدہد تھا۔ جب حضرت سلیمان علیہ السلام نے موآب کو جو ایک بڑا انجینئر تھا‘ اس کی سازش کی وجہ سے قتل کرایا تو یہ ہُدْہُدْبھاگ کر مصر چلا گیا کہ کہیں مجھے بھی نہ مار ڈالیں۔ پھر بعد میں معافی مانگ کر اور سفارشیں کراکے واپس آگیا (دیکھئے جیوش انسائیکلوپیڈیا) ممکن ہے کہ چونکہ یہ عام نام تھا بعض اور سرداروں کا بھی یہ نام ہو۔ اور چونکہ عربی میں ہُدْہُدْ ایک پرندے کا بھی نام
2827
Important Words:
تفقد (he reviewed) is derived from فقد. They say فقدہ i.e. he found it not; he lost it, it was or became absent from him. الفقدwhich is noun-infinitive, though often used as meaning being non-existent, properly signifies the thing’s being absent from the range of perception by sense so that its place is not known. تفقدہ means, he sought for or after it; or did so leisurely or repeatedly; or sought for or after it, it being absent from him, or he sought or sought leisurely or repeatedly to obtain knowledge of it, having known it before (Lane, Aqrab & Mufradat).
Commentary:
Contrary to popular belief based on fable and fiction "Hudhud" was not the name of a bird which Solomon employed as his message-bearer. This is clear from the following facts mentioned in the present and the next few verses.
(1) It is inconceivable that a great Divine Prophet and a mighty monarch like Solomon should have been so angry with a little bird as to be prepared to inflict severe punishment upon it or even to kill it if it did not give clear reason for its absence. Birds are not subject to the penalties of law (v. 22).
(2) The hoopoe or "Hudhud" is not a migratory bird. It cannot fly long distances. Solomon, therefore, could not have selected it for a journey to Sheba and back (v. 23).
(3) The bird also seems to be acquainted with the requirements of a State and with kings and thrones as is clear from the report he made to Solomon, viz. that the Queen of Sheba had been given all that was needed for carrying on the government of her country (v. 24).
(4) Surprisingly, the bird seems to be well-versed in knowledge about Divine Unity and the evils of associating gods with Allah (vv. 25, 26).
It quite clearly follows from these facts that "Hudhud" was not a bird but a man, even a very responsible officer of State who had been entrusted with an important political mission by Solomon to the Queen of Sheba. The practice of exchange of envoys seems to be quite popular in Solomon’s time. It is also a known fact that men are named after birds and animals. "Hudhud" appears to be a very popular name among Solomon’s people. The word seems to be the Arabicised form of Hadad, a Biblical name. It appears to have been the name of several Edomite kings who ruled immediately before the first Israelite king and who defeated Midian. One of the courtiers of Solomon was also named Hudhud. A son of Ishmael, too, bore this name. Similarly, an Edomite prince who fled to Egypt for fear of Jacob’s massacre was known by this name (1 Kings 11:14). The name appeared to be so popular and is so frequently used in the Old Testament that when mentioned without a qualifying word it means, "a man of the Edomite family" (Jew. Enc.). According to Muntaha al-Arab "Hudhud" was the name of the father of Bilqis, the Queen of Sheba.
2159
Tafaqqada (he reviewed) is derived from Faqada, i.e. he lost it, it was or became absent from him. Tafaqqada-hu means, he sought for or after it leisurely or repeatedly, it being absent from him, or he sought to obtain knowledge of it (Mufradat). Solomon seemed to have reviewed his army and Hud-hud, an important officer of the State, possibly a general, was absent at the important occasion.
وَمَا لِیَ لَاۤ اَعۡبُدُ الَّذِیۡ فَطَرَنِیۡ وَاِلَیۡہِ تُرۡجَعُوۡنَ
Commentary:
The implied reference in this and the preceding verse seems to be to the special pledge which the Promised Messiah used to take from every new Ahmadi in the words:
میں دین کو دنیا پر مقدم کروں گا
i.e. I will give precedence to Faith over the things of the world.
3227
Commentary:
The implied reference in this and the preceding verse seems to be to the special pledge which the Promised Messiah used to take from every new Ahmadi in the words:
میں دین کو دنیا پر مقدم کروں گا
i.e. I will give precedence to Faith over the things of the world.
اِنَّہُمۡ کَانُوۡۤا اِذَا قِیۡلَ لَہُمۡ لَاۤ اِلٰہَ اِلَّا اللّٰہُ یَسۡتَکۡبِرُوۡنَ
ہُوَ الۡحَیُّ لَاۤ اِلٰہَ اِلَّا ہُوَ فَادۡعُوۡہُ مُخۡلِصِیۡنَ لَہُ الدِّیۡنَ ۗ اَلۡحَمۡدُ لِلّٰہِ رَبِّ الۡعٰلَمِیۡنَ
39:12; 98:6.
عربی کے الفاظ کے لحاظ سے یہاں ضمیر استعمال ہونی چاہیے مگر چونکہ پہلے اللہ کا ذکر گذر چکا ہے اور اردو میں مضمون واضح نہیں ہوتا ہم نے اس جگہ اللہ کا لفظ کھول کر لکھ دیا ہے اور اس کے بعد ضمیر ہی رہنے دی ہے یہ صرف عربی اور اردو کے طریق بیان کا فرق ہے۔
39:12; 98:6.
39:12; 98:6.
d
39:12; 98:6.
1
عربی کے الفاظ کے لحاظ سے یہاں ضمیر استعمال ہونی چاہیے مگر چونکہ پہلے اللہ کا ذکر گذر چکا ہے اور اردو میں مضمون واضح نہیں ہوتا ہم نے اس جگہ اللہ کا لفظ کھول کر لکھ دیا ہے اور اس کے بعد ضمیر ہی رہنے دی ہے یہ صرف عربی اور اردو کے طریق بیان کا فرق ہے۔
d
39:12; 98:6.
b
39:12; 98:6.
غَافِرِ الذَّنۡۢبِ وَقَابِلِ التَّوۡبِ شَدِیۡدِ الۡعِقَابِ ذِی الطَّوۡلِ ۖ لَاۤ اِلٰہَ اِلَّا ہُوَ ۖ اِلَیۡہِ الۡمَصِیۡرُ
یعنی معاف تو بہت کرتا ہے مگر اس کی سزا انسانی سزا جیسی نہیں ہوتی بلکہ سخت ہوتی ہے۔
Taul means, beneficence; bounty; excellence; superabundance; power; wealth; ampleness of circumstances; superiority, ascendancy (Lane).
Important Words:
الطول (bounty) is derived from طال which means, it was or became elongated, extended, long, tall or high. طول (taul) means, beneficence and bounty and a gift; excellence; excess or super-abundance; power or ability; wealth or competence; ample-ness of circumstances; superiority, ascendancy. طول (tul) means, length; extension, etc. (Lane & Aqrab).
Commentary:
God as represented by Islam is Forgiver of sins, Acceptor of repentance, and Beneficent, but he who persists in wicked ways and does not reform or repent, to him He is very severe in punishment.
2
یعنی معاف تو بہت کرتا ہے مگر اس کی سزا انسانی سزا جیسی نہیں ہوتی بلکہ سخت ہوتی ہے۔
3495
Important Words:
الطول (bounty) is derived from طال which means, it was or became elongated, extended, long, tall or high. طول (taul) means, beneficence and bounty and a gift; excellence; excess or super-abundance; power or ability; wealth or competence; ample-ness of circumstances; superiority, ascendancy. طول (tul) means, length; extension, etc. (Lane & Aqrab).
Commentary:
God as represented by Islam is Forgiver of sins, Acceptor of repentance, and Beneficent, but he who persists in wicked ways and does not reform or repent, to him He is very severe in punishment.
2593
Taul means, beneficence; bounty; excellence; superabundance; power; wealth; ampleness of circumstances; superiority, ascendancy (Lane).
فَاعۡلَمۡ اَنَّہٗ لَاۤ اِلٰہَ اِلَّا اللّٰہُ وَاسۡتَغۡفِرۡ لِذَنۡۢبِکَ وَلِلۡمُؤۡمِنِیۡنَ وَالۡمُؤۡمِنٰتِ ۗ وَاللّٰہُ یَعۡلَمُ مُتَقَلَّبَکُمۡ وَمَثۡوٰٮکُمۡ
دیکھئے نوٹ سورۃ فتح آیت۳۔ نیز دیکھئے تفسیر کبیر جلد دہم صفحہ ۴۸۳ تا ۴۹۵ تفسیر سورۃ نصر۔
See {2612} and {2765}.
The words, Mutaqallabakum and Mathwakum, may mean, 'When you move about transacting your affairs and when you take rest, or the former word may apply to this world and the latter to the next.'
Commentary:
For the meaning and significance of the expression استغفر لذنبک see a detailed note on 40:56 & 48:3. The words متقلبکم و مثواکمmay mean, when you move about transacting your affairs and when you take rest, or متقلبکم may apply to this world and مثواکمto the next.
1
دیکھئے نوٹ سورۃ فتح آیت۳۔ نیز دیکھئے تفسیر کبیر جلد دہم صفحہ ۴۸۳ تا ۴۹۵ تفسیر سورۃ نصر۔
3804
Commentary:
For the meaning and significance of the expression استغفر لذنبک see a detailed note on 40:56 & 48:3. The words متقلبکم و مثواکمmay mean, when you move about transacting your affairs and when you take rest, or متقلبکم may apply to this world and مثواکمto the next.
2752
See {2612} and {2765}.
2753
The words, Mutaqallabakum and Mathwakum, may mean, 'When you move about transacting your affairs and when you take rest, or the former word may apply to this world and the latter to the next.'
لَاۤ اِلٰہَ اِلَّا ہُوَ یُحۡیٖ وَیُمِیۡتُ ۖ رَبُّکُمۡ وَرَبُّ اٰبَآئِکُمُ الۡاَوَّلِیۡنَ
10:57; 57:3.
10:57; 57:3.
7:159; 10:57; 57:3.
b
10:57; 57:3.
b
7:159; 10:57; 57:3.
b
10:57; 57:3.
ہُوَ اللّٰہُ الَّذِیۡ لَاۤ اِلٰہَ اِلَّا ہُوَ ۖ عٰلِمُ الۡغَیۡبِ وَالشَّہٰدَۃِ ۖ ہُوَ الرَّحۡمٰنُ الرَّحِیۡمُ
6:74; 9:94; 13:10.
6:74; 9:94; 13:10.
6:74; 9:94; 13:10; 64:19.
Commentary:
The verse means that the Quran, before whose powerful Message even tall and firm mountains would crumble and fall, has been revealed by God Whose attributes are inimitable and matchless. He knows everything and nothing is hidden from Him. He provides his creatures, out of His bountiful grace and mercy, and not in return for anything done by them, all the means of their development and progress even before they are born.
a
6:74; 9:94; 13:10.
a
6:74; 9:94; 13:10; 64:19.
4207
Commentary:
The verse means that the Quran, before whose powerful Message even tall and firm mountains would crumble and fall, has been revealed by God Whose attributes are inimitable and matchless. He knows everything and nothing is hidden from Him. He provides his creatures, out of His bountiful grace and mercy, and not in return for anything done by them, all the means of their development and progress even before they are born.
c
6:74; 9:94; 13:10.
ہُوَ اللّٰہُ الَّذِیۡ لَاۤ اِلٰہَ اِلَّا ہُوَ الۡمَلِکُ الۡقُدُّوۡسُ السَّلٰمُ الۡمُؤۡمِنُ الۡمُہَیۡمِنُ الۡعَزِیۡزُ الۡجَبَّارُ الۡمُتَکَبِّرُ ۚ سُبۡحٰنَ اللّٰہِ عَمَّا یُشۡرِکُوۡنَ
7:181; 20:9; 62:2.
Commentary:
God is the King Who is free from every fault, defect, or deficiency. He is the Source of all peace, and the Granter of safety and security. He is Guardian over all, overcoming every power, the Mender of every breakage and the Restorer of every loss; and He is above every need and is the Besought of all.
b
7:181; 20:9; 62:2.
4208
Commentary:
God is the King Who is free from every fault, defect, or deficiency. He is the Source of all peace, and the Granter of safety and security. He is Guardian over all, overcoming every power, the Mender of every breakage and the Restorer of every loss; and He is above every need and is the Besought of all.
اَللّٰہُ لَاۤ اِلٰہَ اِلَّا ہُوَ ۚ وَعَلَی اللّٰہِ فَلۡیَتَوَکَّلِ الۡمُؤۡمِنُوۡنَ
قُلۡ اِنِّیۡ لَاۤ اَمۡلِکُ لَکُمۡ ضَرًّا وَّلَا رَشَدًا
رَّبُّ الۡمَشۡرِقِ وَالۡمَغۡرِبِ لَاۤ اِلٰہَ اِلَّا ہُوَ فَاتَّخِذۡہُ وَکِیۡلًا
26:29; 37:6.
26:29; 37:6.
26:29; 37:6.
Commentary:
The Holy Prophet is told here again that while preaching his divine mission he will meet with bitter opposition and persecution. Therefore, he should, on the one hand, put his full trust in God, the Lord of the East and the West, and, on the other, bear with patience and fortitude the jibes, opposition and persecution of his enemies.
a
26:29; 37:6.
a
26:29; 37:6.
4421
Commentary:
The Holy Prophet is told here again that while preaching his divine mission he will meet with bitter opposition and persecution. Therefore, he should, on the one hand, put his full trust in God, the Lord of the East and the West, and, on the other, bear with patience and fortitude the jibes, opposition and persecution of his enemies.
a
26:29; 37:6.
لَاۤ اُقۡسِمُ بِیَوۡمِ الۡقِیٰمَۃِ
La here may signify, 'It is not like what they think.' Sometimes it is used as an answer to some objection or in repudiation of what is said before (Lane).
Commentary:
For the nature, significance and philosophy of Quranic oaths see detailed notes on 91:2 and 37:2. One object of oaths, however, is to lay emphasis on the importance of the subject about which an oath is taken.
لا (nay) is used in different senses. Here it may signify, "it is not like what they think." Sometimes, it is used as an answer to some objection or in repudiation of what is said before. In this and the next verse it is used to refute the disbelievers’ assertion made in v. 4, about the impossibility of the Resurrection and also to emphasize the importance of the oath.
القیامة (the Resurrection) signifying a great and calamitous occurrence, may refer to three events: (a) The death of a person is called القیامة الصغریٰ i.e. the small resurrection. It is to this resurrection that reference is made in the famous hadith, viz. من مات فقد قامت قیامته i.e. he who dies, his resurrection has indeed taken place. (b) The moral death of a whole people or nation. This is called القامة الوسطی i.e. the Middle Resurrection. (c) The Final Resurrection. The word قیامة (resurrection) has been used in the Quran in all these three senses.
4457
Commentary:
For the nature, significance and philosophy of Quranic oaths see detailed notes on 91:2 and 37:2. One object of oaths, however, is to lay emphasis on the importance of the subject about which an oath is taken.
لا (nay) is used in different senses. Here it may signify, "it is not like what they think." Sometimes, it is used as an answer to some objection or in repudiation of what is said before. In this and the next verse it is used to refute the disbelievers’ assertion made in v. 4, about the impossibility of the Resurrection and also to emphasize the importance of the oath.
القیامة (the Resurrection) signifying a great and calamitous occurrence, may refer to three events: (a) The death of a person is called القیامة الصغریٰ i.e. the small resurrection. It is to this resurrection that reference is made in the famous hadith, viz. من مات فقد قامت قیامته i.e. he who dies, his resurrection has indeed taken place. (b) The moral death of a whole people or nation. This is called القامة الوسطی i.e. the Middle Resurrection. (c) The Final Resurrection. The word قیامة (resurrection) has been used in the Quran in all these three senses.
3176
La here may signify, 'It is not like what they think.' Sometimes it is used as an answer to some objection or in repudiation of what is said before (Lane).
لَاۤ اُقۡسِمُ بِہٰذَا الۡبَلَدِ
یعنی اسے شہادت کے طور پر پیش کرتا ہوں۔
52:5; 95:4.
The particle la is used here to draw pointed attention to the subject which is about to be introduced and to signify that it is so clear and obvious that it needs no swearing to support it. Or, it may be intended to refute an understood objection. In that case the meaning would be: 'Not that thou art not a forger, as the disbelievers think, thou art a true Prophet of God and this City is called to bear witness to this fact.' But more appropriately the verse means something like this: 'You harbour evil designs about Islam. O disbelievers, I know what is in your minds, but I tell you that it would never happen as you desire, and I cite this City as a witness to this fact.'
52:5; 95:4.
Commentary:
According to some authorities, the particle لا has been used here to draw pointed attention to the subject which is about to be introduced. According to them, the meaning of the verse is: "Listen! Listen! I call to witness this city." Some other scholars think that the verse signifies that the subject which is going to be introduced is so clear and obvious that it needs no swearing to support it. Yet according to another school the particle is intended to refute an understood objection and the meaning of the verse is: "Not that thou art a forger, as the disbelievers think. Thou art not a forger but a true Prophet of God and this city is called to bear witness to this fact." But more appropriately the verse would mean something like this: "You harbour evil designs about Islam, O, disbelievers! I know what is in your minds, but I tell you that it would never happen as you desire, and I cite this city as a witness to this fact."
b
52:5; 95:4.
1689
小品词 لَا (La) 用在这里是要对即将提出的题目引起注意, 并表示这是显而易见的, 是无须起誓才能证实的。这个小品词的用意也可以是为了驳斥一个人所共知的异议。如这样, 就意味着: “不是像不信者所以为的那样, 否定你是伪造者, 你是安拉的真正先知, 可以用这座圣城来证明这一事实。” 但这节经文的更确切的意思大致是这样: “你对伊斯兰教心怀邪恶的阴谋。啊! 不信者呀! 我知道你心里想些什么, 但是我跟你说, 这不会遂你心愿发生的, 我用这座圣城来证明这个事实。”
3
یعنی اسے شہادت کے طور پر پیش کرتا ہوں۔
b
52:5; 95:4.
4723
Commentary:
According to some authorities, the particle لا has been used here to draw pointed attention to the subject which is about to be introduced. According to them, the meaning of the verse is: "Listen! Listen! I call to witness this city." Some other scholars think that the verse signifies that the subject which is going to be introduced is so clear and obvious that it needs no swearing to support it. Yet according to another school the particle is intended to refute an understood objection and the meaning of the verse is: "Not that thou art a forger, as the disbelievers think. Thou art not a forger but a true Prophet of God and this city is called to bear witness to this fact." But more appropriately the verse would mean something like this: "You harbour evil designs about Islam, O, disbelievers! I know what is in your minds, but I tell you that it would never happen as you desire, and I cite this city as a witness to this fact."
b
52:5; 95:4.
3343
The particle la is used here to draw pointed attention to the subject which is about to be introduced and to signify that it is so clear and obvious that it needs no swearing to support it. Or, it may be intended to refute an understood objection. In that case the meaning would be: 'Not that thou art not a forger, as the disbelievers think, thou art a true Prophet of God and this City is called to bear witness to this fact.' But more appropriately the verse means something like this: 'You harbour evil designs about Islam. O disbelievers, I know what is in your minds, but I tell you that it would never happen as you desire, and I cite this City as a witness to this fact.'
لَاۤ اَعۡبُدُ مَا تَعۡبُدُوۡنَ
10:105; 39:15-16.
Commentary:
Various explanations have been given to the present and the next three verses by commentators. Some say that as the pagan Meccans had put their question in two forms, therefore two forms have been adopted in answer to their question. Others say that the repetition is for the sake of emphasis. Yet some others like Zajjaj are of the opinion that the first two sentences signify denial of worship in the present time and the last two sentences denial of it in future. As against this, Zamakhshari says that the first two sentences stand for denial of worship in future while the last two for that in the past. Be that as it may, when لا (no, not) governs مضارع, it signifies future tense. According to this usage of the particle the expression would mean: "I will never worship."
Moreover, the particle ما is used in two ways; as مصدریه transforming into infinitive the verb which it governs, and as موصوله meaning الذی i.e. "that which." Sometimes it is also used for rational beings and means من i.e. "he who." According to the various uses of the particle the verses would mean: I will not adopt your way of worship, or, I will not worship those that you worship, whether rational beings or irrational inanimate things. But the verses have a better and more appropriate translation if ما is taken as مصدریه in the former two verses and as موصوله in the latter two. Thus, the four verses would be interpreted something like this "I will never adopt your mode or manner of worship, nor will you adopt the manner in which I worship. And I shall not worship those things (idols) or rational or irrational beings whom you worship, nor will you worship Him Whom I worship."
b
10:105; 39:15-16.
4859
Commentary:
Various explanations have been given to the present and the next three verses by commentators. Some say that as the pagan Meccans had put their question in two forms, therefore two forms have been adopted in answer to their question. Others say that the repetition is for the sake of emphasis. Yet some others like Zajjaj are of the opinion that the first two sentences signify denial of worship in the present time and the last two sentences denial of it in future. As against this, Zamakhshari says that the first two sentences stand for denial of worship in future while the last two for that in the past. Be that as it may, when لا (no, not) governs مضارع, it signifies future tense. According to this usage of the particle the expression would mean: "I will never worship."
Moreover, the particle ما is used in two ways; as مصدریه transforming into infinitive the verb which it governs, and as موصوله meaning الذی i.e. "that which." Sometimes it is also used for rational beings and means من i.e. "he who." According to the various uses of the particle the verses would mean: I will not adopt your way of worship, or, I will not worship those that you worship, whether rational beings or irrational inanimate things. But the verses have a better and more appropriate translation if ما is taken as مصدریه in the former two verses and as موصوله in the latter two. Thus, the four verses would be interpreted something like this "I will never adopt your mode or manner of worship, nor will you adopt the manner in which I worship. And I shall not worship those things (idols) or rational or irrational beings whom you worship, nor will you worship Him Whom I worship."