الۡمَلَاُ
Appears 12 times in Quran
Occurrences in Quran
Found 12 verses containing "الۡمَلَاُ".
وَقَالَ فِرۡعَوۡنُ یٰۤاَیُّہَا الۡمَلَاُ مَا عَلِمۡتُ لَکُمۡ مِّنۡ اِلٰہٍ غَیۡرِیۡ فَاَوۡقِدۡ لِیۡ یٰہٰمٰنُ عَلَی الطِّیۡنِ فَاجۡعَل لِّیۡ صَرۡحًا لَّعَلِّیۡۤ اَطَّلِعُ اِلٰۤی اِلٰہِ مُوۡسٰی وَاِنِّیۡ لَاَظُنُّہٗ مِنَ الۡکٰذِبِیۡنَ
اہل مصر کا عقیدہ تھا کہ آسمانی روحیں اونچے مقامات پر اُترتی ہیں۔ اس لئے وہ روحانی کسب کمال کے لئے اونچی عمارتیں بناتے تھے۔ اہرام مصر اسی عقیدہ کی یادگار ہیں۔
26:30.
40:37.
The verse is susceptible of two interpretations: (1) The Israelites were already working as labourers at the kilns. Pharaoh alludes to this ignoble condition of theirs and seems derisively to say to Haman, 'These people do not appear to have sufficient work to do. Having more than enough leisure they have begun to dream of Prophethood. They must be put to hard labour; then will they come to their senses and give up having false illusions about God and Prophethood.' (2) The Egyptians were well-versed in astronomy. They built high observatories for observing the movements of the stars. So Pharaoh jeeringly asked Haman to build for him a lofty observatory so that he might have a peep at the God of Moses.
26:30.
40:37.
Commentary:
The verse is susceptible of two interpretations: (1) The Israelites were already working as labourers at the kilns. Pharaoh alludes to this ignoble condition of theirs and seems derisively to say to Haman: "These people do not appear to have sufficient work to do. Having more than enough leisure they have begun to dream of prophethood. They must be put to hard labour; then will they come to their senses and give up having false illusions about God and prophethood." (2) The Egyptians were well-versed in astronomy. They built high observatories for observing the movements of the stars. So Pharaoh jeeringly asked Haman to build for him a lofty observatory so that he might have a peep at the God of Moses. The verse may also imply a reference to an ancient belief of the Egyptians that heavenly spirits descended upon lofty places and therefore in order to achieve spiritual perfection they constructed high buildings.
c
26:30.
d
40:37.
1
اہل مصر کا عقیدہ تھا کہ آسمانی روحیں اونچے مقامات پر اُترتی ہیں۔ اس لئے وہ روحانی کسب کمال کے لئے اونچی عمارتیں بناتے تھے۔ اہرام مصر اسی عقیدہ کی یادگار ہیں۔
b
26:30.
c
40:37.
2903
Commentary:
The verse is susceptible of two interpretations: (1) The Israelites were already working as labourers at the kilns. Pharaoh alludes to this ignoble condition of theirs and seems derisively to say to Haman: "These people do not appear to have sufficient work to do. Having more than enough leisure they have begun to dream of prophethood. They must be put to hard labour; then will they come to their senses and give up having false illusions about God and prophethood." (2) The Egyptians were well-versed in astronomy. They built high observatories for observing the movements of the stars. So Pharaoh jeeringly asked Haman to build for him a lofty observatory so that he might have a peep at the God of Moses. The verse may also imply a reference to an ancient belief of the Egyptians that heavenly spirits descended upon lofty places and therefore in order to achieve spiritual perfection they constructed high buildings.
b
26:30.
c
40:37.
2217
The verse is susceptible of two interpretations: (1) The Israelites were already working as labourers at the kilns. Pharaoh alludes to this ignoble condition of theirs and seems derisively to say to Haman, 'These people do not appear to have sufficient work to do. Having more than enough leisure they have begun to dream of Prophethood. They must be put to hard labour; then will they come to their senses and give up having false illusions about God and Prophethood.' (2) The Egyptians were well-versed in astronomy. They built high observatories for observing the movements of the stars. So Pharaoh jeeringly asked Haman to build for him a lofty observatory so that he might have a peep at the God of Moses.
قَالَ الۡمَلَاُ مِنۡ قَوۡمِہٖۤ اِنَّا لَنَرٰٮکَ فِیۡ ضَلٰلٍ مُّبِیۡنٍ
11:28; 23:25-26.
11:28; 23:25-26.
11:28; 23:25-26.
Commentary:
It is worth noting that Noah’s people do not here accuse him of imposture. They attribute to him merely an error of judgement and not fabrication or deliberate falsehood. This shows that they looked upon him as an upright man. Indeed, all Prophets, before they receive their mission from God, are looked upon as upright and virtuous men. It is only after they announce their heavenly mission that they are dubbed liars.
b
11:28; 23:25-26.
a
11:28; 23:25-26.
960
Commentary:
It is worth noting that Noah’s people do not here accuse him of imposture. They attribute to him merely an error of judgement and not fabrication or deliberate falsehood. This shows that they looked upon him as an upright man. Indeed, all Prophets, before they receive their mission from God, are looked upon as upright and virtuous men. It is only after they announce their heavenly mission that they are dubbed liars.
b
11:28; 23:25-26.
قَالَ الۡمَلَاُ الَّذِیۡنَ کَفَرُوۡا مِنۡ قَوۡمِہٖۤ اِنَّا لَنَرٰٮکَ فِیۡ سَفَاہَۃٍ وَّاِنَّا لَنَظُنُّکَ مِنَ الۡکٰذِبِیۡنَ
41:16.
41:16.
41:16.
Commentary:
By ascribing folly to Hud, his people meant that he laboured under a misunderstanding as regards his mission. The word سفاھة (foolishness) is used to express almost the same idea as is expressed by the word ضلالة (error) used in 7:61 above. It appears from this verse that the enemies of Hud brought two charges against him viz. of being in error and of lying.
c
41:16.
a
41:16.
965
Commentary:
By ascribing folly to Hud, his people meant that he laboured under a misunderstanding as regards his mission. The word سفاھة (foolishness) is used to express almost the same idea as is expressed by the word ضلالة (error) used in 7:61 above. It appears from this verse that the enemies of Hud brought two charges against him viz. of being in error and of lying.
b
41:16.
قَالَ الۡمَلَاُ الَّذِیۡنَ اسۡتَکۡبَرُوۡا مِنۡ قَوۡمِہٖ لِلَّذِیۡنَ اسۡتُضۡعِفُوۡا لِمَنۡ اٰمَنَ مِنۡہُمۡ اَتَعۡلَمُوۡنَ اَنَّ صٰلِحًا مُّرۡسَلٌ مِّنۡ رَّبِّہٖ ۚ قَالُوۡۤا اِنَّا بِمَاۤ اُرۡسِلَ بِہٖ مُؤۡمِنُوۡنَ
Mala’a-hu means, he filled it. Mala’ul-Qaum means, the leaders of the people; its wealthy members (Aqrab). They are so called because with their presence in an assembly it seems to be full.
Important Words:
الملاء (chief men). See 2:247.
Commentary:
When the so-called leaders of his tribe found, to their mortification, that Salih stood firm as a rock in his convictions and no amount of persuasion could make him swerve from his purpose, they began to harass his followers, but these too they found bold and firm.
974
Important Words:
الملاء (chief men). See 2:247.
Commentary:
When the so-called leaders of his tribe found, to their mortification, that Salih stood firm as a rock in his convictions and no amount of persuasion could make him swerve from his purpose, they began to harass his followers, but these too they found bold and firm.
1003
Mala’a-hu means, he filled it. Mala’ul-Qaum means, the leaders of the people; its wealthy members (Aqrab). They are so called because with their presence in an assembly it seems to be full.
۞ قَالَ الۡمَلَاُ الَّذِیۡنَ اسۡتَکۡبَرُوۡا مِنۡ قَوۡمِہٖ لَنُخۡرِجَنَّکَ یٰشُعَیۡبُ وَالَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا مَعَکَ مِنۡ قَرۡیَتِنَاۤ اَوۡ لَتَعُوۡدُنَّ فِیۡ مِلَّتِنَا ۚ قَالَ اَوَلَوۡ کُنَّا کٰرِہِیۡنَ
14:14.
ہمیشہ کسی ملک کی ظالم اکثریت اپنے غرور میں اقلیت کو ایسی ہی دھمکیاں دیا کرتی ہے۔ حالانکہ جانتی ہے کہ ہم نے نکالا تو ان کے لئے اور کوئی رہنے کی جگہ نہیں۔ غیر ملک ان کو داخل نہ ہونے دیں گے۔
14:14.
The words show that throughout the ages the good and intelligent men have believed that force should not be used in matters concerning conscience.
14:14.
Commentary:
Disbelievers, complacently conscious of their power and wealth, listen to no request however reasonable, and in the words of the opponents of Shu‘aib always say: "There is no need for anyone to judge between us. We ourselves can judge and our verdict is that, only he who follows our religion will be allowed to live with us." On the other hand, the followers of every Prophet, like the followers of Shu‘aib, have always made a pathetic, though unavailing, appeal to their persecutors in the words: "Will you compel us to adopt your religion, even if it offends our reason and goes against our conscience?" The concluding words of the verse also show that throughout history good and intelligent men have always believed that force should not be used in matters relating to conscience.
a
14:14.
1
ہمیشہ کسی ملک کی ظالم اکثریت اپنے غرور میں اقلیت کو ایسی ہی دھمکیاں دیا کرتی ہے۔ حالانکہ جانتی ہے کہ ہم نے نکالا تو ان کے لئے اور کوئی رہنے کی جگہ نہیں۔ غیر ملک ان کو داخل نہ ہونے دیں گے۔
a
14:14.
987
Commentary:
Disbelievers, complacently conscious of their power and wealth, listen to no request however reasonable, and in the words of the opponents of Shu‘aib always say: "There is no need for anyone to judge between us. We ourselves can judge and our verdict is that, only he who follows our religion will be allowed to live with us." On the other hand, the followers of every Prophet, like the followers of Shu‘aib, have always made a pathetic, though unavailing, appeal to their persecutors in the words: "Will you compel us to adopt your religion, even if it offends our reason and goes against our conscience?" The concluding words of the verse also show that throughout history good and intelligent men have always believed that force should not be used in matters relating to conscience.
c
14:14.
1013
The words show that throughout the ages the good and intelligent men have believed that force should not be used in matters concerning conscience.
وَقَالَ الۡمَلَاُ الَّذِیۡنَ کَفَرُوۡا مِنۡ قَوۡمِہٖ لَئِنِ اتَّبَعۡتُمۡ شُعَیۡبًا اِنَّکُمۡ اِذًا لَّخٰسِرُوۡنَ
یعنی شعیب علیہ السلام کی قوم۔
2
یعنی شعیب علیہ السلام کی قوم۔
قَالَ الۡمَلَاُ مِنۡ قَوۡمِ فِرۡعَوۡنَ اِنَّ ہٰذَا لَسٰحِرٌ عَلِیۡمٌ
20:64; 26:35.
The word Sahir does not necessarily mean, a magician. It also means, a fascinator: one skilful and intelligent; one able to make a thing look other than what it is: a deceiver, deluder or beguiler, etc. (Lane). See also {128}.
20:64; 26:35.
Important Words:
The word ساحر (magician) does not necessarily mean a magician. It also means, an enchanter; fascinator; one knowing, or one skilful and intelligent; one able to make a thing look other than what it is; a deceiver, deluder or beguiler, etc. (Lane). See also 2:103.
a
20:64; 26:35.
513
سَاحِرْ (Sahir) 这个单词的意思并不一定是魔术师。它的意思也可以是: 迷人者; 灵巧和聪明的人; 能把一件事物做得好像另外一件事物的人; 欺骗者; 诈骗者或哄骗者等等 (Lane)。
a
20:64; 26:35.
1003
Important Words:
The word ساحر (magician) does not necessarily mean a magician. It also means, an enchanter; fascinator; one knowing, or one skilful and intelligent; one able to make a thing look other than what it is; a deceiver, deluder or beguiler, etc. (Lane). See also 2:103.
b
20:64; 26:35.
1025
The word Sahir does not necessarily mean, a magician. It also means, a fascinator: one skilful and intelligent; one able to make a thing look other than what it is: a deceiver, deluder or beguiler, etc. (Lane). See also {128}.
وَقَالَ الۡمَلَاُ مِنۡ قَوۡمِ فِرۡعَوۡنَ اَتَذَرُ مُوۡسٰی وَقَوۡمَہٗ لِیُفۡسِدُوۡا فِی الۡاَرۡضِ وَیَذَرَکَ وَاٰلِہَتَکَ ۚ قَالَ سَنُقَتِّلُ اَبۡنَآءَہُمۡ وَنَسۡتَحۡیٖ نِسَآءَہُمۡ وَاِنَّا فَوۡقَہُمۡ قٰہِرُوۡنَ
2:50; 7:142; 14:7; 28:5.
2:50; 7:142; 14:7; 28:5.
It were the chiefs themselves who had counselled Pharaoh to give respite to Moses and his brother (7:112); but now the same chiefs blame him for the time he had given to Moses and Aaron in accordance with their own advice. This is how those who meet with disgrace and humiliation become morally degraded.
Pharaoh himself was worshipped as a god by his people (28:39) and he in turn worshipped other deities. Hence the chiefs accused Moses and Aaron of having denounced the worship of Pharaoh and his gods.
The word Nuqattilu is in the intensified form and expresses the sense of ruthlessness and a slow and gradual process of killing.
2:50; 7:142; 14:7; 28:5.
Important Words:
قاھرون (dominant). For the full meaning of this word see 6:19.
Commentary:
It was the chiefs themselves who had counselled Pharaoh to give respite to Moses and his brother (7:112); but now the same chiefs blamed him for the delay he had allowed Moses and Aaron in accordance with their own advice. This is how a deterioration takes place in the morals of those who meet with disgrace and humiliation.
Pharaoh himself was worshipped as a god by his people (28:39) and he in turn worshipped other deities. Hence, the chief men accused Moses and Aaron of having denounced the worship of Pharaoh and his gods.
The verb نقتل (we will ruthlessly slay) is in the intensified form and expresses the sense of ruthlessness and a slow and gradual process.
This expression is thus intended to signify the hardship and privations which Pharaoh inflicted on the Israelites and by means of which he sought to bring about their gradual but sure and ruthless destruction. The Quran, therefore, cannot be accused of anachronism on the ground that Pharaoh did not slay the children of the Israelites after Moses went to him as a Messenger of God, for it is an authentic fact of history that both before and after Moses went to Pharaoh with his message, the latter had put into execution schemes against the Israelites with a view to bringing about their gradual but inevitable ruin. This is the reason why the Israelites said to Moses and Aaron, "Ye have made our savour to be abhorred in the eyes of Pharaoh and in the eyes of his servants, to put a sword in their hand to slay us" (Exod. 5:21). Reference to this is to be found in 7:130. Moreover, the verse does not say that Pharaoh actually caused the Israelite children to be slain on this occasion. It only mentions a threat and not an accomplished fact.
b
2:50; 7:142; 14:7; 28:5.
a
2:50; 7:142; 14:7; 28:5.
1017
Important Words:
قاھرون (dominant). For the full meaning of this word see 6:19.
Commentary:
It was the chiefs themselves who had counselled Pharaoh to give respite to Moses and his brother (7:112); but now the same chiefs blamed him for the delay he had allowed Moses and Aaron in accordance with their own advice. This is how a deterioration takes place in the morals of those who meet with disgrace and humiliation.
Pharaoh himself was worshipped as a god by his people (28:39) and he in turn worshipped other deities. Hence, the chief men accused Moses and Aaron of having denounced the worship of Pharaoh and his gods.
The verb نقتل (we will ruthlessly slay) is in the intensified form and expresses the sense of ruthlessness and a slow and gradual process.
This expression is thus intended to signify the hardship and privations which Pharaoh inflicted on the Israelites and by means of which he sought to bring about their gradual but sure and ruthless destruction. The Quran, therefore, cannot be accused of anachronism on the ground that Pharaoh did not slay the children of the Israelites after Moses went to him as a Messenger of God, for it is an authentic fact of history that both before and after Moses went to Pharaoh with his message, the latter had put into execution schemes against the Israelites with a view to bringing about their gradual but inevitable ruin. This is the reason why the Israelites said to Moses and Aaron, "Ye have made our savour to be abhorred in the eyes of Pharaoh and in the eyes of his servants, to put a sword in their hand to slay us" (Exod. 5:21). Reference to this is to be found in 7:130. Moreover, the verse does not say that Pharaoh actually caused the Israelite children to be slain on this occasion. It only mentions a threat and not an accomplished fact.
a
2:50; 7:142; 14:7; 28:5.
1034
It were the chiefs themselves who had counselled Pharaoh to give respite to Moses and his brother (7:112); but now the same chiefs blame him for the time he had given to Moses and Aaron in accordance with their own advice. This is how those who meet with disgrace and humiliation become morally degraded.
1035
Pharaoh himself was worshipped as a god by his people (28:39) and he in turn worshipped other deities. Hence the chiefs accused Moses and Aaron of having denounced the worship of Pharaoh and his gods.
1036
The word Nuqattilu is in the intensified form and expresses the sense of ruthlessness and a slow and gradual process of killing.
فَقَالَ الۡمَلَاُ الَّذِیۡنَ کَفَرُوۡا مِنۡ قَوۡمِہٖ مَا نَرٰٮکَ اِلَّا بَشَرًا مِّثۡلَنَا وَمَا نَرٰٮکَ اتَّبَعَکَ اِلَّا الَّذِیۡنَ ہُمۡ اَرَاذِلُنَا بَادِیَ الرَّاۡیِ وَمَا نَرٰی لَکُمۡ عَلَیۡنَا مِنۡ فَضۡلٍۭ بَلۡ نَظُنُّکُمۡ کٰذِبِیۡنَ
23:25.
26:112.
The expression Badiyur-Ra’yi meaning, at first thought; apparently; without proper consideration (Lane), the words Aradhiluna Badiyar-Ra’yi signify that the followers of Noah (a) are mean to all outward appearance; (b) their faith is insincere; (c) it is the result of only superficial thinking. It is a pity that men test the claims of a Heavenly Messenger by their self-devised standards and, when he does not satisfy those standards, they deceive themselves with the idea that they had weighed his claims dispassionately and with an open mind and had found them to be false.
23:25.
26:112.
Important Words:
بادی الرأی (to all outward appearance) is made up of two Arabic words بادی and الرأی. The word بادی has two possible derivations. It may be derived from بدأ (bad’a) which means, he or it began or he or it came into existence. بدأ به means, he began with it; he made it to be the first. Or the word بادی may be derived from بدأ (of which the aorist is یبدو) which means, it appeared or it showed itself. According to these two different roots the word بادی would mean: (1) that which or he who is first or that which or he who begins; (2) that which or he who appears. And the word الرأی means sight or perception or opinion. So the compound expression بادی الرأی would mean: (1) at first thought or on the first opinion; (2) at the appearance of opinion or according to the appearance of opinion, which may mean either inconsiderately or insincerely (Lane, under بدا & بدأ).
Commentary:
The Arabic expression بادی الرأی (to all outward appearance) is capable of three interpretations according to the rules of Arabic grammar. First, it may be taken as referring to the words ونراك (and we see). In this case, the verse would mean that the followers of Noah appear to us to be the meanest of us at first thought or on the first opinion, i.e. so far as our opinion is concerned we consider them to be mean. If, however, there is any hidden good in them, it may be known to Noah only.
Secondly, the expression بادی الرأی may be taken to refer to the words اراذلنا (the meanest of us). In this case the verse would mean that the followers of Noah were apparently low and mean.
Thirdly, the expression بادی الرأی may be taken as qualifying the words اتبعك (have followed thee). In this case the verse would mean that those who have accepted Noah have done so only outwardly or without proper thinking i.e. their faith was either insincere or inconsiderate, being based on mere cursory thinking.
To sum up, the words اراذلنا بادی الرأی mean: (1) the followers of Noah are mean to all outward appearance; or (2) their faith in Noah is insincere; or (3) their faith is the result of only superficial thinking.
The words, We see in thee nothing but a man like ourselves, mean, "There is nothing extraordinary in your outward appearance to distinguish you from us. You are just a human being like any other mortal. When therefore, there is nothing extraordinary in your outward appearance, how should we know that inwardly you have been endowed with exceptional powers which have helped you to gain access to Divine presence, while we cannot ?"
This is the common objection raised by the opponents of the Prophets. The enemies of Noah purported to say that if he possessed some special inward power from God, that ought to have caused some difference in his outward appearance and as a result of it he should have acquired knowledge of some worldly sciences also, but they saw no evidence of this. How could they then believe that his internal powers were different from, and superior to, theirs. In support of this argument the opponents of Noah might possibly have shown to him pictures of their holy men having extraordinary exteriors, such as the Hindu saints are believed to possess, for instance, a number of heads and several hands. In olden days, men could not conceive that a Prophet was like ordinary mortals in appearance. So the enemies of Noah, arguing that the outward must correspond with the inward and that there must be harmony between the two, raised against him the objection that if he was really a true Prophet, his outward appearance must have been different from theirs. Silly though the argument is, it must have won endorsement from the contemporaries of Noah.
The enemies of Noah further reinforce their argument by saying that while he himself possessed no special powers, and was a mortal like themselves, his followers were even worse than him. What success could he achieve, they asked, with adher-ents who, to all outward appearance, were the meanest of the society? The enemies of Noah thus argued that neither his own personal qualities nor those of his followers gave him the appearance of "superiority" over them.
The words, we believe you to be liars, embody the result of the arguments brought forward by Noah’s opponents, which is that he was a liar, for he had asserted his truth and superiority without any basis or proof.
It is a pity that men test the claims of a heavenly Messenger by their self-devised standards and, when he does not satisfy those standards, they deceive themselves with the idea that they had weighed up his claims dispassionately and with an open mind and had found them to be false. Even in the present age when man has made great progress in knowledge, science and culture and has known many Prophets, he presumes to test the claims of God’s Messengers’ not by criteria laid down by Him but by his own false standards.
f
23:25.
g
26:112.
b
23:25.
c
26:112.
1409
Important Words:
بادی الرأی (to all outward appearance) is made up of two Arabic words بادی and الرأی. The word بادی has two possible derivations. It may be derived from بدأ (bad’a) which means, he or it began or he or it came into existence. بدأ به means, he began with it; he made it to be the first. Or the word بادی may be derived from بدأ (of which the aorist is یبدو) which means, it appeared or it showed itself. According to these two different roots the word بادی would mean: (1) that which or he who is first or that which or he who begins; (2) that which or he who appears. And the word الرأی means sight or perception or opinion. So the compound expression بادی الرأی would mean: (1) at first thought or on the first opinion; (2) at the appearance of opinion or according to the appearance of opinion, which may mean either inconsiderately or insincerely (Lane, under بدا & بدأ).
Commentary:
The Arabic expression بادی الرأی (to all outward appearance) is capable of three interpretations according to the rules of Arabic grammar. First, it may be taken as referring to the words ونراك (and we see). In this case, the verse would mean that the followers of Noah appear to us to be the meanest of us at first thought or on the first opinion, i.e. so far as our opinion is concerned we consider them to be mean. If, however, there is any hidden good in them, it may be known to Noah only.
Secondly, the expression بادی الرأی may be taken to refer to the words اراذلنا (the meanest of us). In this case the verse would mean that the followers of Noah were apparently low and mean.
Thirdly, the expression بادی الرأی may be taken as qualifying the words اتبعك (have followed thee). In this case the verse would mean that those who have accepted Noah have done so only outwardly or without proper thinking i.e. their faith was either insincere or inconsiderate, being based on mere cursory thinking.
To sum up, the words اراذلنا بادی الرأی mean: (1) the followers of Noah are mean to all outward appearance; or (2) their faith in Noah is insincere; or (3) their faith is the result of only superficial thinking.
The words, We see in thee nothing but a man like ourselves, mean, "There is nothing extraordinary in your outward appearance to distinguish you from us. You are just a human being like any other mortal. When therefore, there is nothing extraordinary in your outward appearance, how should we know that inwardly you have been endowed with exceptional powers which have helped you to gain access to Divine presence, while we cannot ?"
This is the common objection raised by the opponents of the Prophets. The enemies of Noah purported to say that if he possessed some special inward power from God, that ought to have caused some difference in his outward appearance and as a result of it he should have acquired knowledge of some worldly sciences also, but they saw no evidence of this. How could they then believe that his internal powers were different from, and superior to, theirs. In support of this argument the opponents of Noah might possibly have shown to him pictures of their holy men having extraordinary exteriors, such as the Hindu saints are believed to possess, for instance, a number of heads and several hands. In olden days, men could not conceive that a Prophet was like ordinary mortals in appearance. So the enemies of Noah, arguing that the outward must correspond with the inward and that there must be harmony between the two, raised against him the objection that if he was really a true Prophet, his outward appearance must have been different from theirs. Silly though the argument is, it must have won endorsement from the contemporaries of Noah.
The enemies of Noah further reinforce their argument by saying that while he himself possessed no special powers, and was a mortal like themselves, his followers were even worse than him. What success could he achieve, they asked, with adher-ents who, to all outward appearance, were the meanest of the society? The enemies of Noah thus argued that neither his own personal qualities nor those of his followers gave him the appearance of "superiority" over them.
The words, we believe you to be liars, embody the result of the arguments brought forward by Noah’s opponents, which is that he was a liar, for he had asserted his truth and superiority without any basis or proof.
It is a pity that men test the claims of a heavenly Messenger by their self-devised standards and, when he does not satisfy those standards, they deceive themselves with the idea that they had weighed up his claims dispassionately and with an open mind and had found them to be false. Even in the present age when man has made great progress in knowledge, science and culture and has known many Prophets, he presumes to test the claims of God’s Messengers’ not by criteria laid down by Him but by his own false standards.
a
23:25.
b
26:112.
1310
The expression Badiyur-Ra’yi meaning, at first thought; apparently; without proper consideration (Lane), the words Aradhiluna Badiyar-Ra’yi signify that the followers of Noah (a) are mean to all outward appearance; (b) their faith is insincere; (c) it is the result of only superficial thinking. It is a pity that men test the claims of a Heavenly Messenger by their self-devised standards and, when he does not satisfy those standards, they deceive themselves with the idea that they had weighed his claims dispassionately and with an open mind and had found them to be false.
وَقَالَ الۡمَلِکُ اِنِّیۡۤ اَرٰی سَبۡعَ بَقَرٰتٍ سِمَانٍ یَّاۡکُلُہُنَّ سَبۡعٌ عِجَافٌ وَّسَبۡعَ سُنۡۢبُلٰتٍ خُضۡرٍ وَّاُخَرَ یَابِسٰتٍ ۖ یّٰۤاَیُّہَا الۡمَلَاُ اَفۡتُوۡنِیۡ فِیۡ رُءۡیٰیَ اِنۡ کُنۡتُمۡ لِلرُّءۡیَا تَعۡبُرُوۡنَ
Important Words:
عجاف (withered) of which the singular is اعجف is derived from عجف i.e. it (a beast) became lean, meagre and emaciated. اعجف means, lean, meagre or emaciated, having lost fatness or plumpness. وجه اعجف means, a face that has little flesh (Lane).
تعبرون (you can interpret a dream) is derived from عبر. They say عبر السبیل (‘abara) i.e. he travelled or passed along the way as though he cut it. عبر النھر (‘abbara) means he conveyed him across the river. عبر الرؤیا means, he interpreted or explained the dream and told its final sequel or result. They say عبر عما فی نفسه i.e. he declared or explained what was in his mind. They say عبرت عن فلان i.e. I spoke for such a one. The Quranic expression ان کنتم للرؤیا تعبرون means, if you be the interpreters of the dream, or if you can interpret a dream (Lane & Aqrab).
Commentary:
It appears from this verse that the King was so fully convinced that his vision was real and true that he not only asked the learned men of his court to interpret it but also wished them to tell him what he should do to escape its evil effects, if any. The vision seemed to be so vivid that the King was deeply affected by it and his fright became the means of Joseph’s deliverance from the prison.
1547
Important Words:
عجاف (withered) of which the singular is اعجف is derived from عجف i.e. it (a beast) became lean, meagre and emaciated. اعجف means, lean, meagre or emaciated, having lost fatness or plumpness. وجه اعجف means, a face that has little flesh (Lane).
تعبرون (you can interpret a dream) is derived from عبر. They say عبر السبیل (‘abara) i.e. he travelled or passed along the way as though he cut it. عبر النھر (‘abbara) means he conveyed him across the river. عبر الرؤیا means, he interpreted or explained the dream and told its final sequel or result. They say عبر عما فی نفسه i.e. he declared or explained what was in his mind. They say عبرت عن فلان i.e. I spoke for such a one. The Quranic expression ان کنتم للرؤیا تعبرون means, if you be the interpreters of the dream, or if you can interpret a dream (Lane & Aqrab).
Commentary:
It appears from this verse that the King was so fully convinced that his vision was real and true that he not only asked the learned men of his court to interpret it but also wished them to tell him what he should do to escape its evil effects, if any. The vision seemed to be so vivid that the King was deeply affected by it and his fright became the means of Joseph’s deliverance from the prison.
وَقَالَ الۡمَلَاُ مِنۡ قَوۡمِہِ الَّذِیۡنَ کَفَرُوۡا وَکَذَّبُوۡا بِلِقَآءِ الۡاٰخِرَۃِ وَاَتۡرَفۡنٰہُمۡ فِی الۡحَیٰوۃِ الدُّنۡیَا مَا ہٰذَاۤ اِلَّا بَشَرٌ مِّثۡلُکُمۡ یَاۡکُلُ مِمَّا تَاۡکُلُوۡنَ مِنۡہُ وَیَشۡرَبُ مِمَّا تَشۡرَبُوۡنَ
17:17.
21:9; 25:8.
Commentary:
It is indeed very strange that the one fact which really goes in favour of Divine Messengers has been advanced by disbelievers throughout the ages as an argument against them, viz. that they were mortals like themselves who ate and drank and were subject to all the demands of nature. All the Messengers were rejected on the basis of this foolish plea. The rejecters never paused to ponder over this simple fact that the object of the raising up of Messengers was that they should have served as a model for men, and how could one who was not human and therefore immune from human weaknesses and frailties, could be a model for human beings? Only a man could be a model for men.
The second reason that has always led disbelievers to reject Divine Messengers is that they (the disbelievers) "have been afforded ease and comfort in this life." Instead of being grateful to God for His manifold favours upon them those very Divine blessings make disbelievers so arrogant and defiant that they reject God’s Messengers.
a
17:17.
b
21:9; 25:8.
a
17:17.
b
21:9; 25:8.
2535
Commentary:
It is indeed very strange that the one fact which really goes in favour of Divine Messengers has been advanced by disbelievers throughout the ages as an argument against them, viz. that they were mortals like themselves who ate and drank and were subject to all the demands of nature. All the Messengers were rejected on the basis of this foolish plea. The rejecters never paused to ponder over this simple fact that the object of the raising up of Messengers was that they should have served as a model for men, and how could one who was not human and therefore immune from human weaknesses and frailties, could be a model for human beings? Only a man could be a model for men.
The second reason that has always led disbelievers to reject Divine Messengers is that they (the disbelievers) "have been afforded ease and comfort in this life." Instead of being grateful to God for His manifold favours upon them those very Divine blessings make disbelievers so arrogant and defiant that they reject God’s Messengers.
a
21:9; 25:8.
e
17:17.
وَانۡطَلَقَ الۡمَلَاُ مِنۡہُمۡ اَنِ امۡشُوۡا وَاصۡبِرُوۡا عَلٰۤی اٰلِہَتِکُمۡ ۖ اِنَّ ہٰذَا لَشَیۡءٌ یُّرَادُ
71:24.
71:24.
71:24.
Commentary:
As disbelievers believed that there were many gods, and the Holy Prophet proclaimed the Unity of God, they would say that somehow he had rolled all the gods into one.
The words "This is a thing designed" put in the mouths of the leaders of disbelief signify that according to them the Holy Prophet had his own ulterior motives to serve in preaching the message of the Unity of God. Or the words may mean that when invited by the Holy Prophet to give up idolatry, the leaders of the Quraish said to one another that they should stick to their own gods and that was a most desirable thing for them to do.
e
71:24.
a
71:24.
3377
Commentary:
As disbelievers believed that there were many gods, and the Holy Prophet proclaimed the Unity of God, they would say that somehow he had rolled all the gods into one.
The words "This is a thing designed" put in the mouths of the leaders of disbelief signify that according to them the Holy Prophet had his own ulterior motives to serve in preaching the message of the Unity of God. Or the words may mean that when invited by the Holy Prophet to give up idolatry, the leaders of the Quraish said to one another that they should stick to their own gods and that was a most desirable thing for them to do.
a
71:24.