اَرۡسَلۡنَا
Appears 41 times in Quran
Occurrences in Quran
Found 41 verses containing "اَرۡسَلۡنَا".
کَمَاۤ اَرۡسَلۡنَا فِیۡکُمۡ رَسُوۡلًا مِّنۡکُمۡ یَتۡلُوۡا عَلَیۡکُمۡ اٰیٰتِنَا وَیُزَکِّیۡکُمۡ وَیُعَلِّمُکُمُ الۡکِتٰبَ وَالۡحِکۡمَۃَ وَیُعَلِّمُکُمۡ مَّا لَمۡ تَکُوۡنُوۡا تَعۡلَمُوۡنَ
See 2:130.
With a slight change in the arrangement of the words this verse refers to the work of the Holy Prophet in exactly the same words in which Abraham prayed to God about the appearance of a Prophet among the Meccans (2:130), which clearly shows that Abraham’s prayer had found fulfilment in the person of the Holy Prophet.
2:204; 8:46; 62:11.
Commentary:
The word کما meaning "even as" has been used to connect this verse with the preceding one by pointing out that God will bestow upon the believers the favours mentioned in the preceding verse even as, or just as, He has favoured them with a Prophet.
With a slight change in the arrangement of the words this verse refers to the work of the Holy Prophet in exactly the same words in which Abraham prayed to God about the appearance of a Prophet among the Meccans (2:130), which clearly shows that Abraham’s prayer had found fulfilment in the person of the Holy Prophet. The change in arrangement is that, while recounting the favours of God, this verse, unlike verse 2:130, mentions the work of purification before that of the teaching of the Book and Wisdom, because though in theory the teaching of the Book may come first, in actual practice purification is more important than the teaching of the Book and Wisdom; for whereas the former is the end, the latter is simply the means to that end.
Another difference between this verse and 2:130 is that whereas the latter ends with the words, Thou art the Mighty, the Wise, the former concludes with the words, And (he) teaches you that which you did not know. The reason for this change is not far to seek. Abraham had used the words, Surely, Thou art the Mighty, the Wise, in his prayer, meaning that God being Mighty, it was not difficult for Him to accept his prayer; and as He was also Wise, He knew best what the requirements of his posterity would be. But when God spoke of the actual fulfilment of this prayer, it was quite unnecessary to repeat these words. So in place of the above-quoted words, the words, (he) teaches you that which you did not know, have been added to signify: firstly, that, while accepting the prayer God had granted even more than Abraham had prayed for; and secondly, that the teachings of the Holy Prophet were far in advance of the teachings of the former Prophets and were such as the world really needed but had not so far known.
a
2:130.
101
这节经文陈述将来穆圣的工作所用的字句和伊布拉欣 (亚伯拉罕) 向安拉祈求在麦加人中间出现一位先知的字句完全相同 (2:130)。只有字句先后次序略有变化, 这清楚地表明伊布拉欣的祈祷已在穆圣身上应验。
a
2:204; 8:46; 62:11.
158
Commentary:
The word کما meaning "even as" has been used to connect this verse with the preceding one by pointing out that God will bestow upon the believers the favours mentioned in the preceding verse even as, or just as, He has favoured them with a Prophet.
With a slight change in the arrangement of the words this verse refers to the work of the Holy Prophet in exactly the same words in which Abraham prayed to God about the appearance of a Prophet among the Meccans (2:130), which clearly shows that Abraham’s prayer had found fulfilment in the person of the Holy Prophet. The change in arrangement is that, while recounting the favours of God, this verse, unlike verse 2:130, mentions the work of purification before that of the teaching of the Book and Wisdom, because though in theory the teaching of the Book may come first, in actual practice purification is more important than the teaching of the Book and Wisdom; for whereas the former is the end, the latter is simply the means to that end.
Another difference between this verse and 2:130 is that whereas the latter ends with the words, Thou art the Mighty, the Wise, the former concludes with the words, And (he) teaches you that which you did not know. The reason for this change is not far to seek. Abraham had used the words, Surely, Thou art the Mighty, the Wise, in his prayer, meaning that God being Mighty, it was not difficult for Him to accept his prayer; and as He was also Wise, He knew best what the requirements of his posterity would be. But when God spoke of the actual fulfilment of this prayer, it was quite unnecessary to repeat these words. So in place of the above-quoted words, the words, (he) teaches you that which you did not know, have been added to signify: firstly, that, while accepting the prayer God had granted even more than Abraham had prayed for; and secondly, that the teachings of the Holy Prophet were far in advance of the teachings of the former Prophets and were such as the world really needed but had not so far known.
a
See 2:130.
177
With a slight change in the arrangement of the words this verse refers to the work of the Holy Prophet in exactly the same words in which Abraham prayed to God about the appearance of a Prophet among the Meccans (2:130), which clearly shows that Abraham’s prayer had found fulfilment in the person of the Holy Prophet.
وَلَقَدۡ اَرۡسَلۡنَا نُوۡحًا اِلٰی قَوۡمِہٖ فَلَبِثَ فِیۡہِمۡ اَلۡفَ سَنَۃٍ اِلَّا خَمۡسِیۡنَ عَامًا فَاَخَذَہُمُ الطُّوۡفَانُ وَہُمۡ ظٰلِمُوۡنَ
这节经文中谈及努哈的年龄是九百五十岁。«圣经» 说他的年龄是952岁。很难确定那些古代的先知诸如努哈、呼德、撒利和其他先知生活的确切年代和实际年龄。«古兰经» 说, “除安拉以外无人知道他们” (14:10)。九百五十年这段时间看来不是努哈个人肉体生命的岁数。这看来是他的道统延续的年数。这样, 他的道统看来首先传到伊布拉欣时代, 因为伊布拉欣是 “他的宗派的人” (37:84), 然后传到尤素夫的时代, 然后传到甚至穆撒的时代。实际上, 一个先知的岁数是他道统和教义的年数。在说明努哈年龄的限度时用了 سَنَة (Sanah) 和 عَام (‘Am) 两个单词。前一个单词的基本意义具有 “坏” 的意思, 而后一个单词具有 “好” 的意思。这看来努哈道统开始的五十年是精神全面进步和复兴的时代, 此后就在思想道德方面开始衰落而他的族人的道德逐渐低落, 直到九百年时完全衰亡。
مرادنوحؑ کی عمر نہیں بلکہ ان کی نبوت کا زمانہ مراد ہے یا ان کی قوم کا وہ زمانہ مراد ہے جس میں وہ نیک رہی چنانچہ دوسری جگہ اللہ تعالیٰ نے حضرت ابراہیم علیہ السلام کے متعلق فرمایا ہے اِنَّ مِنْ شِیْعَتِہٖ لَاِبْرَاھِیْمَ (الصّٰفّٰت: ۸۴) یعنی ابراہیمؑ بھی نوحؑ کے اتباع میں سے تھے۔ پس نوحؑ کی عمر اول ابراہیمؑ تک لمبی ہوئی اور پھر حضرت یوسفؑ بلکہ حضرت موسیٰ علیہ السلام تک لمبی ہوئی۔
Here the age of Noah has been mentioned as 950 years. The Bible places it at 952. It is difficult to assign a definite date as to when the Prophets of antiquity, such as Noah, Hud, Salih and others lived and how long they lived. 'None knows them save Allah,' says the Qur’an (14:10). The period, nine hundred and fifty years, does not seem to be the span of Noah’s personal physical life. It seems to be the period of his Dispensation. Thus it seemed first to extend to Abraham’s ministry because Abraham 'was of his party' (37:84) and then to Joseph’s and then down even to that of Moses. In fact, the age of a Prophet is the age of his Dispensation and teaching. In describing the limit of Noah’s age, two words Sanah and ‘Am have been used. Whereas the root meaning of the former word possesses a sense of badness, that of the latter has a sense of goodness. It seems that the first fifty years of Noah’s Dispensation were years of all round spiritual progress and regeneration and that aft
Important Words:
سنة (year) is derived both from سنه and سنو. They say سنه الطعام i.e. the food rotted; or it rotted by the lapse of years. As derived from سنا یسنو this word (سنة) signifies "a simple revolution of the sun," i.e. a simple revolution of the earth round the sun. It is synonymous with عام (and also حول) with this difference that whereas every سنة is an عام every عام is not سنة. It is also said to be longer than the عام which is applied to the twelve Arabian months collectively; but سنة is also applied to twelve revolutions of the moon. According to Imam Raghib سنة is used as denoting a year in which there is difficulty, or drought or barrenness or dearth; and عام as denoting that in which is ampleness of the means or circumstances of life and abundance of herbage or the like. سنة also means, drought or barrenness or vehement or intense drought. أصابتھم السنة means, drought, etc. befell them. سنة سنھاءmeans, a year in which there is no herbage or rain. سنة سنواء means, a hard, rigorous or distressing year (Lane & Aqrab).
Commentary:
In the verse under comment the age of Noah has been mentioned as 950 years. The Bible gives 952 years as his age. But it is difficult to assign a definite date as to when the Prophets of antiquity, such as Noah, Hud, Salih, etc. lived and how long they lived. "None knows them save Allah," says the Quran (14:10). Nine hundred and fifty years does not seem to be the span of Noah’s life but the period of his Dispensation. In fact, the age of a Prophet is the age of his Dispensation and teaching. It is in this sense that we call the Holy Prophet Muhammad the ever-living Prophet and Islam the everlasting religion. It appears from the Quran (37:84) that Abraham was a follower of Noah. This means that Noah’s period continued up to the time of Abraham or even to that of Joseph or of Moses.
Noah’s Dispensation seems to have lasted about 950 years. In describing the limit of Noah’s age two words سنة and عام have been used. Whereas the root meaning of the former word possesses a sense of badness, that of latter has a sense of goodness. It seems that the first fifty years of Noah’s Dispensation were years of all-round spiritual progress and regeneration and after that moral decadence and degeneration set in and his people gradually became degraded morally, till their degeneration became complete in nine hundred years.
971
这节经文中谈及努哈的年龄是九百五十岁。«圣经» 说他的年龄是952岁。很难确定那些古代的先知诸如努哈、呼德、撒利和其他先知生活的确切年代和实际年龄。«古兰经» 说, “除安拉以外无人知道他们” (14:10)。九百五十年这段时间看来不是努哈个人肉体生命的岁数。这看来是他的道统延续的年数。这样, 他的道统看来首先传到伊布拉欣时代, 因为伊布拉欣是 “他的宗派的人” (37:84), 然后传到尤素夫的时代, 然后传到甚至穆撒的时代。实际上, 一个先知的岁数是他道统和教义的年数。在说明努哈年龄的限度时用了 سَنَة (Sanah) 和 عَام (‘Am) 两个单词。前一个单词的基本意义具有 “坏” 的意思, 而后一个单词具有 “好” 的意思。这看来努哈道统开始的五十年是精神全面进步和复兴的时代, 此后就在思想道德方面开始衰落而他的族人的道德逐渐低落, 直到九百年时完全衰亡。
2
مرادنوحؑ کی عمر نہیں بلکہ ان کی نبوت کا زمانہ مراد ہے یا ان کی قوم کا وہ زمانہ مراد ہے جس میں وہ نیک رہی چنانچہ دوسری جگہ اللہ تعالیٰ نے حضرت ابراہیم علیہ السلام کے متعلق فرمایا ہے اِنَّ مِنْ شِیْعَتِہٖ لَاِبْرَاھِیْمَ (الصّٰفّٰت: ۸۴) یعنی ابراہیمؑ بھی نوحؑ کے اتباع میں سے تھے۔ پس نوحؑ کی عمر اول ابراہیمؑ تک لمبی ہوئی اور پھر حضرت یوسفؑ بلکہ حضرت موسیٰ علیہ السلام تک لمبی ہوئی۔
2951
Important Words:
سنة (year) is derived both from سنه and سنو. They say سنه الطعام i.e. the food rotted; or it rotted by the lapse of years. As derived from سنا یسنو this word (سنة) signifies "a simple revolution of the sun," i.e. a simple revolution of the earth round the sun. It is synonymous with عام (and also حول) with this difference that whereas every سنة is an عام every عام is not سنة. It is also said to be longer than the عام which is applied to the twelve Arabian months collectively; but سنة is also applied to twelve revolutions of the moon. According to Imam Raghib سنة is used as denoting a year in which there is difficulty, or drought or barrenness or dearth; and عام as denoting that in which is ampleness of the means or circumstances of life and abundance of herbage or the like. سنة also means, drought or barrenness or vehement or intense drought. أصابتھم السنة means, drought, etc. befell them. سنة سنھاءmeans, a year in which there is no herbage or rain. سنة سنواء means, a hard, rigorous or distressing year (Lane & Aqrab).
Commentary:
In the verse under comment the age of Noah has been mentioned as 950 years. The Bible gives 952 years as his age. But it is difficult to assign a definite date as to when the Prophets of antiquity, such as Noah, Hud, Salih, etc. lived and how long they lived. "None knows them save Allah," says the Quran (14:10). Nine hundred and fifty years does not seem to be the span of Noah’s life but the period of his Dispensation. In fact, the age of a Prophet is the age of his Dispensation and teaching. It is in this sense that we call the Holy Prophet Muhammad the ever-living Prophet and Islam the everlasting religion. It appears from the Quran (37:84) that Abraham was a follower of Noah. This means that Noah’s period continued up to the time of Abraham or even to that of Joseph or of Moses.
Noah’s Dispensation seems to have lasted about 950 years. In describing the limit of Noah’s age two words سنة and عام have been used. Whereas the root meaning of the former word possesses a sense of badness, that of latter has a sense of goodness. It seems that the first fifty years of Noah’s Dispensation were years of all-round spiritual progress and regeneration and after that moral decadence and degeneration set in and his people gradually became degraded morally, till their degeneration became complete in nine hundred years.
2243
Here the age of Noah has been mentioned as 950 years. The Bible places it at 952. It is difficult to assign a definite date as to when the Prophets of antiquity, such as Noah, Hud, Salih and others lived and how long they lived. 'None knows them save Allah,' says the Qur’an (14:10). The period, nine hundred and fifty years, does not seem to be the span of Noah’s personal physical life. It seems to be the period of his Dispensation. Thus it seemed first to extend to Abraham’s ministry because Abraham 'was of his party' (37:84) and then to Joseph’s and then down even to that of Moses. In fact, the age of a Prophet is the age of his Dispensation and teaching. In describing the limit of Noah’s age, two words Sanah and ‘Am have been used. Whereas the root meaning of the former word possesses a sense of badness, that of the latter has a sense of goodness. It seems that the first fifty years of Noah’s Dispensation were years of all round spiritual progress and regeneration and that aft
فَکُلًّا اَخَذۡنَا بِذَنۡۢبِہٖ ۖ فَمِنۡہُمۡ مَّنۡ اَرۡسَلۡنَا عَلَیۡہِ حَاصِبًا وَّمِنۡہُمۡ مَّنۡ اَخَذَتۡہُ الصَّیۡحَۃُ وَمِنۡہُمۡ مَّنۡ خَسَفۡنَا بِہِ الۡاَرۡضَ وَمِنۡہُمۡ مَّنۡ اَغۡرَقۡنَا ۚ وَمَا کَانَ اللّٰہُ لِیَظۡلِمَہُمۡ وَلٰکِنۡ کَانُوۡۤا اَنۡفُسَہُمۡ یَظۡلِمُوۡنَ
28:82.
16:34; 30:10.
The Qur’an has used different words and expressions for the punishment which overtook the opponents of the various Prophets in their respective times. The punishment that came upon ‘Ad is described as furious wind (41:17; 54:20 & 69:7); that which overtook Thamud as earthquake (7:79), blast (11:68: 54:32), thunderbolt (41:18) and violent blast (69:6); that which destroyed the people of Lot as stones of clay (11:83; 15:75), storm of stones (54:35); and that which overtook Midian, the people of Shu‘aib, as earthquake (7:92; 29:38), blast (11:95), and punishment of the day of overshadowing doom (26:190). Last of all the heavenly punishment which seized Pharaoh and his mighty hosts and courtiers, Haman and Korah and destroyed them root and branch, has been described by the expressions: We…drowned Pharaoh’s people (2:51; 7:137 & 17:104), and We caused the earth to swallow him up (28:82).
28:82.
16:34; 30:10.
Commentary:
Whereas separate mention has been made in the few preceding verses of the peoples of the five great Prophets of God (Hud, Salih, Lot, Shu‘aib and Moses), the manner in which they treated their Prophets and of the Divine punishment that overtook them on account of their wicked behaviour, the present verse deals collectively with the different forms of punishment. The Quran has used different words and expressions to describe the punishment which overtook the opponents of the various Prophets in their respective times. The punishment that came upon ‘Ad, is described as ریحا صرصراi.e. furious wind (41:17; 54:20 & 69:7) and الریح العقیم i.e. destructive wind (51:42); that which overtook Thamud, as رجفة i.e. earthquake (7:79), صیحة i.e. blast (11:68; 54:32), صاعقة i.e. thunderbolt (41:18) and طاغیة i.e. violent blast (69:5); that which destroyed the people of Lot as حجارة من سجیل i.e. stones of clay (11:83; 15:75), صیحة and حاصبا i.e. storm of stones (54:35); and that which overtook Midian, the people of Shu‘aib as رجفة i.e. earthquake (7:92; 29:38), صیحة i.e. blast (11:95), and عذاب یوم الظلة i.e. punishment of the day of overshadowing doom (26:190). Last of all the heavenly punishment which seized Pharaoh and his mighty hosts and his courtiers, Haman and Korah and destroyed them root and branch has been described by the expressions أغرقنا i.e. We drowned them (2:51; 7:137 & 17:104) and خسفنا به i.e. We made the earth swallow him up (28:82).
A careful study of these words shows that some of them, particularly حاصب ، صیحة ، صاعقة ، رجفة and طاغیة are interchangeable and possess almost analogous significance and meaning. See also 11:68.
b
28:82.
c
16:34; 30:10.
b
28:82.
c
16:34; 30:10.
2966
Commentary:
Whereas separate mention has been made in the few preceding verses of the peoples of the five great Prophets of God (Hud, Salih, Lot, Shu‘aib and Moses), the manner in which they treated their Prophets and of the Divine punishment that overtook them on account of their wicked behaviour, the present verse deals collectively with the different forms of punishment. The Quran has used different words and expressions to describe the punishment which overtook the opponents of the various Prophets in their respective times. The punishment that came upon ‘Ad, is described as ریحا صرصراi.e. furious wind (41:17; 54:20 & 69:7) and الریح العقیم i.e. destructive wind (51:42); that which overtook Thamud, as رجفة i.e. earthquake (7:79), صیحة i.e. blast (11:68; 54:32), صاعقة i.e. thunderbolt (41:18) and طاغیة i.e. violent blast (69:5); that which destroyed the people of Lot as حجارة من سجیل i.e. stones of clay (11:83; 15:75), صیحة and حاصبا i.e. storm of stones (54:35); and that which overtook Midian, the people of Shu‘aib as رجفة i.e. earthquake (7:92; 29:38), صیحة i.e. blast (11:95), and عذاب یوم الظلة i.e. punishment of the day of overshadowing doom (26:190). Last of all the heavenly punishment which seized Pharaoh and his mighty hosts and his courtiers, Haman and Korah and destroyed them root and branch has been described by the expressions أغرقنا i.e. We drowned them (2:51; 7:137 & 17:104) and خسفنا به i.e. We made the earth swallow him up (28:82).
A careful study of these words shows that some of them, particularly حاصب ، صیحة ، صاعقة ، رجفة and طاغیة are interchangeable and possess almost analogous significance and meaning. See also 11:68.
a
28:82.
b
16:34; 30:10.
2253
The Qur’an has used different words and expressions for the punishment which overtook the opponents of the various Prophets in their respective times. The punishment that came upon ‘Ad is described as furious wind (41:17; 54:20 & 69:7); that which overtook Thamud as earthquake (7:79), blast (11:68: 54:32), thunderbolt (41:18) and violent blast (69:6); that which destroyed the people of Lot as stones of clay (11:83; 15:75), storm of stones (54:35); and that which overtook Midian, the people of Shu‘aib, as earthquake (7:92; 29:38), blast (11:95), and punishment of the day of overshadowing doom (26:190). Last of all the heavenly punishment which seized Pharaoh and his mighty hosts and courtiers, Haman and Korah and destroyed them root and branch, has been described by the expressions: We…drowned Pharaoh’s people (2:51; 7:137 & 17:104), and We caused the earth to swallow him up (28:82).
وَمَاۤ اَرۡسَلۡنَا مِنۡ رَّسُوۡلٍ اِلَّا لِیُطَاعَ بِاِذۡنِ اللّٰہِ ۚ وَلَوۡ اَنَّہُمۡ اِذ ظَّلَمُوۡۤا اَنۡفُسَہُمۡ جَآءُوۡکَ فَاسۡتَغۡفَرُوا اللّٰہَ وَاسۡتَغۡفَرَ لَہُمُ الرَّسُوۡلُ لَوَجَدُوا اللّٰہَ تَوَّابًا رَّحِیۡمًا
4:111.
4:111
It is sometimes sought to be inferred from these words that though a Prophet is to be always obeyed by the people to whom he preaches his Message, yet he himself does not give allegiance to any other Prophet. This is evidently a wrong inference. The fact that a Prophet is the object of other people’s obedience does not preclude the possibility of his being himself subordinate to, and a follower of, another Prophet. Aaron was a subordinate Prophet to Moses (20:94).
4:111.
Commentary:
It is sometimes sought to be inferred from the words, We have sent no Messenger but that he should be obeyed by the command of Allah, that though a Prophet is to be always obeyed by the people to whom he preaches his message, yet he himself gives allegiance to no other Prophet nor can he be subject to the Law of any other Prophet. This is evidently a very wrong inference. The simple and straightforward meaning of the words is only this that when God sends a Prophet, He means that those to whom he is sent should obey him. But the fact that a Prophet is the object of other people’s obedience cannot preclude the possibility of his being himself subordinate to, and a follower of another Prophet. A governor is sent to a province to be obeyed but that does not mean that he is not subordinate to the Governor General, if any, or to the king. According to the Quran, Aaron was a subordinate Prophet to Moses. This is why, when Moses went up to the Mount leaving Aaron behind him to look after the Israelites, and the Israelites took to worshipping the calf, Moses severely reprimanded him on his return, saying "Hast thou then disobeyed my command?" (20:94). In this connection see also 5:45.
a
4:111.
a
4:111.
537
Commentary:
It is sometimes sought to be inferred from the words, We have sent no Messenger but that he should be obeyed by the command of Allah, that though a Prophet is to be always obeyed by the people to whom he preaches his message, yet he himself gives allegiance to no other Prophet nor can he be subject to the Law of any other Prophet. This is evidently a very wrong inference. The simple and straightforward meaning of the words is only this that when God sends a Prophet, He means that those to whom he is sent should obey him. But the fact that a Prophet is the object of other people’s obedience cannot preclude the possibility of his being himself subordinate to, and a follower of another Prophet. A governor is sent to a province to be obeyed but that does not mean that he is not subordinate to the Governor General, if any, or to the king. According to the Quran, Aaron was a subordinate Prophet to Moses. This is why, when Moses went up to the Mount leaving Aaron behind him to look after the Israelites, and the Israelites took to worshipping the calf, Moses severely reprimanded him on his return, saying "Hast thou then disobeyed my command?" (20:94). In this connection see also 5:45.
a
4:111
625
It is sometimes sought to be inferred from these words that though a Prophet is to be always obeyed by the people to whom he preaches his Message, yet he himself does not give allegiance to any other Prophet. This is evidently a wrong inference. The fact that a Prophet is the object of other people’s obedience does not preclude the possibility of his being himself subordinate to, and a follower of, another Prophet. Aaron was a subordinate Prophet to Moses (20:94).
وَلَقَدۡ اَرۡسَلۡنَا مِنۡ قَبۡلِکَ رُسُلًا اِلٰی قَوۡمِہِمۡ فَجَآءُوۡہُمۡ بِالۡبَیِّنٰتِ فَانۡتَقَمۡنَا مِنَ الَّذِیۡنَ اَجۡرَمُوۡا ۖ وَکَانَ حَقًّا عَلَیۡنَا نَصۡرُ الۡمُؤۡمِنِیۡنَ
10:104; 40:52; 58:22.
10:104; 40:52; 58:22.
10:104; 40:52; 58:22.
b
10:104; 40:52; 58:22.
c
10:104; 40:52; 58:22.
b
10:104; 40:52; 58:22.
وَلَئِنۡ اَرۡسَلۡنَا رِیۡحًا فَرَاَوۡہُ مُصۡفَرًّا لَّظَلُّوۡا مِنۡۢ بَعۡدِہٖ یَکۡفُرُوۡنَ
56:66; 57:21.
56:66; 57:21.
56:66; 57:21.
e
56:66; 57:21.
b
56:66; 57:21.
b
56:66; 57:21.
لَقَدۡ اَرۡسَلۡنَا نُوۡحًا اِلٰی قَوۡمِہٖ فَقَالَ یٰقَوۡمِ اعۡبُدُوا اللّٰہَ مَا لَکُمۡ مِّنۡ اِلٰہٍ غَیۡرُہٗۤ اِنِّیۡۤ اَخَافُ عَلَیۡکُمۡ عَذَابَ یَوۡمٍ عَظِیۡمٍ
11:26-27; 23:24.
11:26-27; 23:24.
After having briefly described the great moral reformation that the appearance of a Divine Prophet brings about among his people and the evil consequences to which opposition to him leads, the Surah with this verse proceeds to give illustrations of some of the nations of antiquity, beginning with the people of Noah.
11:26-27; 23:24.
Important Words:
نوح (Noah) a very ancient Prophet who, as the Bible tells us, lived nine generations after Adam and eleven generations before Abraham. (Gen, 5:3-32; Luke 3:34-38). His native land was Mesopotamia. He is believed to be the progenitor of the greater part of mankind. The word نوح (Noah) may, in Arabic, be considered to have been derived from ناح which means, he bewailed or mourned. They say ناحت علی زوجھا i.e. the woman bewailed or mourned over her dead husband. ناحت الحمامة نوحا means, the pigeon cooed in a plaintive manner. The Prophet Noah is particularly known for the Flood that overtook his people as the result of his bewailings and lamentations before God for the persecution he had to suffer at the hands of his wicked people, most of whom perished in the Flood. His three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth, are generally believed to be the ancestors of the three principal races of mankind. See also 11:26.
Commentary:
After having briefly described the great moral and spiritual reformation that the appearance of a Prophet brings about among a people, and the evil consequences to which opposition to him leads, the present verse proceeds to give illustrations of some of the nations of antiquity, beginning with the people of Noah, to show that those, who oppose God’s Prophets, meet with nothing but destruction. Most of the different races now living on this earth are believed to be descended from Noah. His descendants seem to have spread in all directions, as may be seen from the story of the Deluge which is known to the people of Europe, Asia, Africa and even America.
The words, We sent Noah to his people, show that the Deluge overtook only the people to whom Noah was sent. It was not a universal phenomenon, but the descendants of Noah may have carried the tale to distant lands.
The words یوم عظیم literally meaning "a great day", have been used to signify a day of heavy punishment which was too dreadful to be forgotten.
a
11:26-27; 23:24.
a
11:26-27; 23:24.
959
Important Words:
نوح (Noah) a very ancient Prophet who, as the Bible tells us, lived nine generations after Adam and eleven generations before Abraham. (Gen, 5:3-32; Luke 3:34-38). His native land was Mesopotamia. He is believed to be the progenitor of the greater part of mankind. The word نوح (Noah) may, in Arabic, be considered to have been derived from ناح which means, he bewailed or mourned. They say ناحت علی زوجھا i.e. the woman bewailed or mourned over her dead husband. ناحت الحمامة نوحا means, the pigeon cooed in a plaintive manner. The Prophet Noah is particularly known for the Flood that overtook his people as the result of his bewailings and lamentations before God for the persecution he had to suffer at the hands of his wicked people, most of whom perished in the Flood. His three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth, are generally believed to be the ancestors of the three principal races of mankind. See also 11:26.
Commentary:
After having briefly described the great moral and spiritual reformation that the appearance of a Prophet brings about among a people, and the evil consequences to which opposition to him leads, the present verse proceeds to give illustrations of some of the nations of antiquity, beginning with the people of Noah, to show that those, who oppose God’s Prophets, meet with nothing but destruction. Most of the different races now living on this earth are believed to be descended from Noah. His descendants seem to have spread in all directions, as may be seen from the story of the Deluge which is known to the people of Europe, Asia, Africa and even America.
The words, We sent Noah to his people, show that the Deluge overtook only the people to whom Noah was sent. It was not a universal phenomenon, but the descendants of Noah may have carried the tale to distant lands.
The words یوم عظیم literally meaning "a great day", have been used to signify a day of heavy punishment which was too dreadful to be forgotten.
a
11:26-27; 23:24.
992
After having briefly described the great moral reformation that the appearance of a Divine Prophet brings about among his people and the evil consequences to which opposition to him leads, the Surah with this verse proceeds to give illustrations of some of the nations of antiquity, beginning with the people of Noah.
وَمَاۤ اَرۡسَلۡنَا فِیۡ قَرۡیَۃٍ مِّنۡ نَّبِیٍّ اِلَّاۤ اَخَذۡنَاۤ اَہۡلَہَا بِالۡبَاۡسَآءِ وَالضَّرَّآءِ لَعَلَّہُمۡ یَضَّرَّعُوۡنَ
6:43.
6:43.
This is a general law of God which invariably comes into operation whenever a Prophet of God makes his appearance. The advent of every Prophet is attended in an extraordinary degree with calamities and miseries of diverse kinds which are intended to serve as an eye-opener for the people.
6:43.
Commentary:
This verse refers to a general law of God which invariably comes into operation whenever a Prophet of God makes his appearance. The advent of every Prophet is attended in an extraordinary manner with calamities and miseries of diverse kinds that afflict mankind in order to serve as an eye-opener for the people.
If the Messenger of God is raised for a particular people, then only that people are made to suffer, but if he is raised for the whole world, then the whole world is visited by afflictions and disasters. These afflictions are meant as warnings and are intended to awaken the people. Two things may be inferred from this verse: (1) that general disasters do not overtake a people unless a Prophet of God has first been raised; (2) that it never happens that the advent of a Prophet of God is not accompanied by calamities of a general nature.
c
6:43.
a
6:43.
991
Commentary:
This verse refers to a general law of God which invariably comes into operation whenever a Prophet of God makes his appearance. The advent of every Prophet is attended in an extraordinary manner with calamities and miseries of diverse kinds that afflict mankind in order to serve as an eye-opener for the people.
If the Messenger of God is raised for a particular people, then only that people are made to suffer, but if he is raised for the whole world, then the whole world is visited by afflictions and disasters. These afflictions are meant as warnings and are intended to awaken the people. Two things may be inferred from this verse: (1) that general disasters do not overtake a people unless a Prophet of God has first been raised; (2) that it never happens that the advent of a Prophet of God is not accompanied by calamities of a general nature.
b
6:43.
1015
This is a general law of God which invariably comes into operation whenever a Prophet of God makes his appearance. The advent of every Prophet is attended in an extraordinary degree with calamities and miseries of diverse kinds which are intended to serve as an eye-opener for the people.
وَلَقَدۡ اَرۡسَلۡنَا نُوۡحًا اِلٰی قَوۡمِہٖۤ اِنِّیۡ لَکُمۡ نَذِیۡرٌ مُّبِیۡنٌ
7:60; 23:24; 71:3.
7:60; 23:24; 71:3.
7:60; 23:24; 71:3.
Important Words:
مبین (plain) is derived from ابان which again is derived from بان for which see 2:169. مبین gives three meanings: (1) plain and clear; (2) he who or that which makes a thing clear by giving reasons and arguments; (3) he who or that which cuts something asunder.
Commentary:
In the previous verse it was stated that disbelievers did not care either to ponder over the inglorious end to which false prophets and their followers came or to the great success attained by true Prophets. The former class of people were likened to the blind and the deaf and the latter to the hearing and the seeing. With the present verse begin some illustrations of these two classes of men. The first illustration is that of Noah, who was one of the great Prophets of God.
All Prophets of God are نذیر مبین (plain Warners) i.e. (1) there is no secrecy about their teaching and manner of work. Unlike false pretenders, they do not conceal their teaching. With them everything is fair and above board. (2) Their teaching is also based on reason and argument. Thus, unlike the warning of the false prophets, the warning of the true Prophets causes no despair or despondency among their followers. The Holy Prophet has strongly condemned warnings which occasion despair. He is reported to have said: من قال ھلك القوم فھو اھلکھم i.e. "He who says that the people have perished, it is really he himself who causes them to perish by so saying" (Muslim, ch. on Birri Was-Silah). Such a person, in fact, makes people lose faith and confidence in themselves and makes them despair of their future. Lost in the slough of despond, they begin to think lightly of sin and iniquity and feel hopelessly discouraged and disheartened. It is the function of a divine reformer to tell people that he has with him the remedy of their corruption. Thus when Noah said that he was نذیر مبین i.e. a plain Warner, he meant that all his work was above suspicion and that his warning was based on reason; that he had come not to dishearten his people, but to make them realize their true condition. He also meant that he not only warned them of impending punishment but also pointed out to them the way in which they could escape that punishment. It was to "worship none but Allah."
d
7:60; 23:24; 71:3.
a
7:60; 23:24; 71:3.
1407
Important Words:
مبین (plain) is derived from ابان which again is derived from بان for which see 2:169. مبین gives three meanings: (1) plain and clear; (2) he who or that which makes a thing clear by giving reasons and arguments; (3) he who or that which cuts something asunder.
Commentary:
In the previous verse it was stated that disbelievers did not care either to ponder over the inglorious end to which false prophets and their followers came or to the great success attained by true Prophets. The former class of people were likened to the blind and the deaf and the latter to the hearing and the seeing. With the present verse begin some illustrations of these two classes of men. The first illustration is that of Noah, who was one of the great Prophets of God.
All Prophets of God are نذیر مبین (plain Warners) i.e. (1) there is no secrecy about their teaching and manner of work. Unlike false pretenders, they do not conceal their teaching. With them everything is fair and above board. (2) Their teaching is also based on reason and argument. Thus, unlike the warning of the false prophets, the warning of the true Prophets causes no despair or despondency among their followers. The Holy Prophet has strongly condemned warnings which occasion despair. He is reported to have said: من قال ھلك القوم فھو اھلکھم i.e. "He who says that the people have perished, it is really he himself who causes them to perish by so saying" (Muslim, ch. on Birri Was-Silah). Such a person, in fact, makes people lose faith and confidence in themselves and makes them despair of their future. Lost in the slough of despond, they begin to think lightly of sin and iniquity and feel hopelessly discouraged and disheartened. It is the function of a divine reformer to tell people that he has with him the remedy of their corruption. Thus when Noah said that he was نذیر مبین i.e. a plain Warner, he meant that all his work was above suspicion and that his warning was based on reason; that he had come not to dishearten his people, but to make them realize their true condition. He also meant that he not only warned them of impending punishment but also pointed out to them the way in which they could escape that punishment. It was to "worship none but Allah."
e
7:60; 23:24; 71:3.
وَلَقَدۡ اَرۡسَلۡنَا مُوۡسٰی بِاٰیٰتِنَا وَسُلۡطٰنٍ مُّبِیۡنٍ
14:6; 40:24.
14:6; 40:24.
14:6; 23:46; 40:24.
Commentary:
As already stated, the present Surah discusses the history of only those Prophets whose peoples were ultimately destroyed. The present and the following few verses deal with Moses’ mission to Pharaoh and his people who rejected him and therefore met with destruction. The Surah makes no reference to the Israelites, for the obvious reason that they believed in Moses’ and became heirs to Divine blessings.
Incidentally, it may be noted here that the Biblical account of Moses as given in Exod. chapters 2, 3 & 4, differs from the Quranic description in several points:
1. According to the Bible, Moses was not cast into the river, but was concealed under a basket in the bushes by the side of the river (Exod. 2:3). According to the Quran, however, he was cast into the river (20:40). The name Moses, as explained in Exod. 2:10 supports the Quranic version, for Moses was so called because he "was saved from water." See also note under 2:54.
2. According to the Bible, the Egyptian who died at the hands of Moses was killed by him intentionally (Exod. 2:11,12), while according to the Quran, Moses did not strike the man with the intention of killing him. The man died only accidentally (28:16). Thus the Bible represents Moses as a wilful murderer, while the Quran acquits him of this heinous act.
3. According to the Bible, Moses saw two Hebrews quarrelling with each other (Exod. 2:13,14); while the Quran says that one was a Hebrew and the other an Egyptian (28:19).
4. The Quran differs from the Bible in the details of the incident at the well. The Bible says that there were as many as seven daughters of the priest of Midian at the well. (Exod. 2:16), while according to the Quran there were only two (28:24). Again, according to the Bible, the girls filled their troughs to water their father’s flock, but the shepherds came and drove them away (Exod. 2:16), while according to the Quran the girls kept themselves and their flock away owing to modesty (28:24). Again, the Bible represents Moses as standing up against the shepherds and helping the girls (Exod. 2:17), while according to the Quran, there was no standing up against the shepherds on the part of Moses; he only watered the flock of the girls (28:25).
5. According to the Bible, Moses was bidden to take his people out of Egypt without apprising Pharaoh of their flight. He is, in fact, represented as playing a trick on Pharaoh and deceiving him (Exod. 3:18). But the Quran represents him as being bidden by God to go to Pharaoh and ask him to let the children of Israel go with him (20:48).
6. According to the Bible, Moses bade the Israelite women to borrow from their Egyptian neighbours their ornaments, their gold, their silver and their raiment with a view to robbing them of their valuables (Exod. 3:22). According to the Quran, they were not bidden by God to take the ornaments from the Egyptians; they did so deceitfully and were themselves responsible for the deceit (20:88).
7. The hand of Moses, says the Bible, was white and its whiteness was due to leprosy (Exod. 4:6). According to the Quran his hand was indeed brightly white, but its whiteness was not due to any disease. It constituted a Divine sign (20:23).
8. The Bible represents Aaron not as a real brother of Moses or his brother from the side of his mother, but a brother in the sense that he was a member of the Levite family (Exod. 4:14). The Quran, however, represents him as a real brother of Moses, or at least his brother from the side of his mother (20:95).
9. According to the Bible, Aaron took part with the Israelites in taking the calf for an idol; nay, it even represents him as the very author of the calf-worship (Exod. 32:35). But the Quran exonerates him of this charge (20:91).
It is unnecessary to remark here that both reason and recent research in history agree that of the two versions the Quranic one is correct.
In fact, Christian writers themselves have admitted the inaccuracy of the Biblical account (Enc. Bri. under "Moses"). The writer of this article declares that a great part of the Hamurabi teaching has been incorporated in the Pentateuch. He also considers the Biblical account showing Aaron as having taken part in calf-worship as spurious and a later addition, and infers that there have been other similar interpolations in the Bible.
The word Harun (Aaron) has no significance in Hebrew. According to modern scholars, the name is to be found in the languages of North Arabia (Enc. Bri.). This shows that the Hebrews had, till then, some connection with Arabic, their original tongue.
e
14:6; 40:24.
b
14:6; 23:46; 40:24.
1477
Commentary:
As already stated, the present Surah discusses the history of only those Prophets whose peoples were ultimately destroyed. The present and the following few verses deal with Moses’ mission to Pharaoh and his people who rejected him and therefore met with destruction. The Surah makes no reference to the Israelites, for the obvious reason that they believed in Moses’ and became heirs to Divine blessings.
Incidentally, it may be noted here that the Biblical account of Moses as given in Exod. chapters 2, 3 & 4, differs from the Quranic description in several points:
1. According to the Bible, Moses was not cast into the river, but was concealed under a basket in the bushes by the side of the river (Exod. 2:3). According to the Quran, however, he was cast into the river (20:40). The name Moses, as explained in Exod. 2:10 supports the Quranic version, for Moses was so called because he "was saved from water." See also note under 2:54.
2. According to the Bible, the Egyptian who died at the hands of Moses was killed by him intentionally (Exod. 2:11,12), while according to the Quran, Moses did not strike the man with the intention of killing him. The man died only accidentally (28:16). Thus the Bible represents Moses as a wilful murderer, while the Quran acquits him of this heinous act.
3. According to the Bible, Moses saw two Hebrews quarrelling with each other (Exod. 2:13,14); while the Quran says that one was a Hebrew and the other an Egyptian (28:19).
4. The Quran differs from the Bible in the details of the incident at the well. The Bible says that there were as many as seven daughters of the priest of Midian at the well. (Exod. 2:16), while according to the Quran there were only two (28:24). Again, according to the Bible, the girls filled their troughs to water their father’s flock, but the shepherds came and drove them away (Exod. 2:16), while according to the Quran the girls kept themselves and their flock away owing to modesty (28:24). Again, the Bible represents Moses as standing up against the shepherds and helping the girls (Exod. 2:17), while according to the Quran, there was no standing up against the shepherds on the part of Moses; he only watered the flock of the girls (28:25).
5. According to the Bible, Moses was bidden to take his people out of Egypt without apprising Pharaoh of their flight. He is, in fact, represented as playing a trick on Pharaoh and deceiving him (Exod. 3:18). But the Quran represents him as being bidden by God to go to Pharaoh and ask him to let the children of Israel go with him (20:48).
6. According to the Bible, Moses bade the Israelite women to borrow from their Egyptian neighbours their ornaments, their gold, their silver and their raiment with a view to robbing them of their valuables (Exod. 3:22). According to the Quran, they were not bidden by God to take the ornaments from the Egyptians; they did so deceitfully and were themselves responsible for the deceit (20:88).
7. The hand of Moses, says the Bible, was white and its whiteness was due to leprosy (Exod. 4:6). According to the Quran his hand was indeed brightly white, but its whiteness was not due to any disease. It constituted a Divine sign (20:23).
8. The Bible represents Aaron not as a real brother of Moses or his brother from the side of his mother, but a brother in the sense that he was a member of the Levite family (Exod. 4:14). The Quran, however, represents him as a real brother of Moses, or at least his brother from the side of his mother (20:95).
9. According to the Bible, Aaron took part with the Israelites in taking the calf for an idol; nay, it even represents him as the very author of the calf-worship (Exod. 32:35). But the Quran exonerates him of this charge (20:91).
It is unnecessary to remark here that both reason and recent research in history agree that of the two versions the Quranic one is correct.
In fact, Christian writers themselves have admitted the inaccuracy of the Biblical account (Enc. Bri. under "Moses"). The writer of this article declares that a great part of the Hamurabi teaching has been incorporated in the Pentateuch. He also considers the Biblical account showing Aaron as having taken part in calf-worship as spurious and a later addition, and infers that there have been other similar interpolations in the Bible.
The word Harun (Aaron) has no significance in Hebrew. According to modern scholars, the name is to be found in the languages of North Arabia (Enc. Bri.). This shows that the Hebrews had, till then, some connection with Arabic, their original tongue.
d
14:6; 40:24.
وَمَاۤ اَرۡسَلۡنَا مِنۡ قَبۡلِکَ اِلَّا رِجَالًا نُّوۡحِیۡۤ اِلَیۡہِمۡ مِّنۡ اَہۡلِ الۡقُرٰۤی ۗ اَفَلَمۡ یَسِیۡرُوۡا فِی الۡاَرۡضِ فَیَنۡظُرُوۡا کَیۡفَ کَانَ عٰقِبَۃُ الَّذِیۡنَ مِنۡ قَبۡلِہِمۡ ۗ وَلَدَارُ الۡاٰخِرَۃِ خَیۡرٌ لِّلَّذِیۡنَ اتَّقَوۡا ۗ اَفَلَا تَعۡقِلُوۡنَ
16:44; 21:8.
16:44; 21:8.
16:44; 21:8.
Commentary:
It is clear from this verse that only men, not women, can become Prophets. In fact, men and women have their specific spheres of work, the office of prophethood being outside the sphere of women. All other spiritual favours and blessings, however, are as open to women as to men.
The verse also warns disbelievers that their present pomp and power should not deceive them into thinking that they will indefinitely continue to enjoy these things. The time was fast approaching when their power and glory would depart and the people would see the truth and accept Islam. Their days would end in adversity and degradation, unlike those of the believers, whose condition would continue to improve, though sincere believers always enjoy perfect peace of mind even in adversity.
b
16:44; 21:8.
b
16:44; 21:8.
1609
Commentary:
It is clear from this verse that only men, not women, can become Prophets. In fact, men and women have their specific spheres of work, the office of prophethood being outside the sphere of women. All other spiritual favours and blessings, however, are as open to women as to men.
The verse also warns disbelievers that their present pomp and power should not deceive them into thinking that they will indefinitely continue to enjoy these things. The time was fast approaching when their power and glory would depart and the people would see the truth and accept Islam. Their days would end in adversity and degradation, unlike those of the believers, whose condition would continue to improve, though sincere believers always enjoy perfect peace of mind even in adversity.
b
16:44; 21:8.
وَلَقَدۡ اَرۡسَلۡنَا رُسُلًا مِّنۡ قَبۡلِکَ وَجَعَلۡنَا لَہُمۡ اَزۡوٰجًا وَّذُرِّیَّۃً ۚ وَمَا کَانَ لِرَسُوۡلٍ اَنۡ یَّاۡتِیَ بِاٰیَۃٍ اِلَّا بِاِذۡنِ اللّٰہِ ۗ لِکُلِّ اَجَلٍ کِتَابٌ
14:12; 40:79.
14:12; 40:79.
14:12; 40:79.
Commentary:
Disbelievers objected that the Holy Prophet had come without any worldly resources. The verse under comment replies to this objection by stating that earlier Prophets were also without any worldly resources. They, like him, had their physical needs and requirements. They, too, had wives and children whom they had to support and look after and had their duties to perform. Yet in spite of all the impediments and obstacles in their way and in spite of their physical needs and requirements and of the absence of material resources, they succeeded and triumphed. So shall the Holy Prophet.
The verse also makes it clear that signs of punishment are certainly shown to disbelievers but not at the time and in the form in which they demand them. The form and time of signs are determined by God alone, for they are shown only "by the command of Allah."
It may be asked here what, if God raised Messengers for the reformation of man, prevented Him from delegating to these Messengers the power of punishment, particularly when He knew that Signs would be demanded of them by their opponents and also when even earthly governments invest their officials with certain magisterial powers? Again, if God had invested His Prophets with the power to punish the people, it would have at least this advantage that the people would have feared and respected them and dared not oppose them. The Quran answers this question in the words, For every term there is a divine decree, which means that, as it is God Who determines the nature and form of each punishment and the time of its occurrence and He alone, being All-Knowing, knows in what form and at what time the sending down of a certain punishment will prove beneficial to the people, the power of punishing cannot be delegated to any other person. For if that delegation can at all be fair and useful, it must be accompanied by the delegation of many other divine powers, which is simply unthinkable. The infliction of punishment, therefore, could not be entrusted to the Prophets or to anybody else.
a
14:12; 40:79.
a
14:12; 40:79.
1649
Commentary:
Disbelievers objected that the Holy Prophet had come without any worldly resources. The verse under comment replies to this objection by stating that earlier Prophets were also without any worldly resources. They, like him, had their physical needs and requirements. They, too, had wives and children whom they had to support and look after and had their duties to perform. Yet in spite of all the impediments and obstacles in their way and in spite of their physical needs and requirements and of the absence of material resources, they succeeded and triumphed. So shall the Holy Prophet.
The verse also makes it clear that signs of punishment are certainly shown to disbelievers but not at the time and in the form in which they demand them. The form and time of signs are determined by God alone, for they are shown only "by the command of Allah."
It may be asked here what, if God raised Messengers for the reformation of man, prevented Him from delegating to these Messengers the power of punishment, particularly when He knew that Signs would be demanded of them by their opponents and also when even earthly governments invest their officials with certain magisterial powers? Again, if God had invested His Prophets with the power to punish the people, it would have at least this advantage that the people would have feared and respected them and dared not oppose them. The Quran answers this question in the words, For every term there is a divine decree, which means that, as it is God Who determines the nature and form of each punishment and the time of its occurrence and He alone, being All-Knowing, knows in what form and at what time the sending down of a certain punishment will prove beneficial to the people, the power of punishing cannot be delegated to any other person. For if that delegation can at all be fair and useful, it must be accompanied by the delegation of many other divine powers, which is simply unthinkable. The infliction of punishment, therefore, could not be entrusted to the Prophets or to anybody else.
c
14:12; 40:79.
وَمَاۤ اَرۡسَلۡنَا مِنۡ رَّسُوۡلٍ اِلَّا بِلِسَانِ قَوۡمِہٖ لِیُبَیِّنَ لَہُمۡ ۖ فَیُضِلُّ اللّٰہُ مَنۡ یَّشَآءُ وَیَہۡدِیۡ مَنۡ یَّشَآءُ ۚ وَہُوَ الۡعَزِیۡزُ الۡحَکِیۡمُ
13:28; 74:32.
13:28; 74:32.
The verse does not mean that the Message of the Holy Prophet was confined to the Arabs alone. Such an assumption is belied by other verses of the Qur’an in which he is clearly and unequivocally declared to be a Divine Messenger sent for the whole world (7:159; 34:29). Not only does the Qur’an claim a universal mission for the Holy Prophet, but the Holy Prophet himself is reported to have said, 'I have been sent to the black and the red,' meaning the whole of mankind (Bihar); and 'I have been raised for all mankind' (Bukhari). The Qur’an was revealed in the Arabic language because the Arabs were its first addressees (and also because Arabic, being the most expressive, eloquent and comprehensive language, was eminently suited to be the vehicle for the delivery of the Quranic Message) and through them its Message was to be preached to the world and not that the Message was meant for the Arabs only.
13:28; 74:32.
Commentary:
The verse does not mean that a Divine Messenger should receive his revelation only in the language of his people. What it means is that the major and fundamental part of his revelation must be in the tongue of his people, otherwise the conveying of his Message to those who are its first recipients would become difficult. Occasionally, however, a Prophet may receive a revelation in a foreign tongue. In fact, such exceptional revelation would serve as a divine sign or miracle.
It is wrong to infer from this verse, as the Rev. Mr. Wherry and other Christian writers have done, that the Message of the Holy Prophet was confined to the Arabs. Such an assumption is forcefully belied by other verses of the Quran in which the Prophet is clearly and unequivocally declared to be a Prophet sent for the whole world (7:159; 34:29). Not only does the Quran claim a universal mission for the Holy Prophet, but the Prophet himself also claimed to be a Messenger for all mankind. For instance, he is reported to have said, بعثت الی الاسود و الاحمر i.e. I have been sent to the black and the red, meaning the whole of mankind (Bihar). Similarly, he said, بعثت الی الناس عامة i.e. I have been raised for all mankind (Bukhari). According to yet another hadith he is reported to have said, ارسلت الی الخلق کافة i.e. I have been sent to the whole creation (Mishkat).
Incidentally, this verse proves that Arabic is the mother of all tongues, because the fact that the Holy Prophet was sent to the whole of mankind shows that the language which the Wise God made the vehicle of His Message, must, in one way or another, be the mother of all languages. This was actually proved to be the truth by Ahmad, the Founder of the Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam (see "Minan-ur-Rahman").
The fact that the words, Then Allah lets go astray whom He wills, have been placed after the words, that he might make things clear to them, shows that it is only after the truth is brought home to men that they become deserving of punishment for rejecting it. Thus, although all non-Muslims are technically called disbelievers or Kafirs, yet all of them will not go to Hell; for, as the verse shows, only those disbelievers become deserving of punishment who reject the truth after it has been made clear to them. Mere technical disbelief does not render one liable to punishment.
g
13:28; 74:32.
a
13:28; 74:32.
1659
Commentary:
The verse does not mean that a Divine Messenger should receive his revelation only in the language of his people. What it means is that the major and fundamental part of his revelation must be in the tongue of his people, otherwise the conveying of his Message to those who are its first recipients would become difficult. Occasionally, however, a Prophet may receive a revelation in a foreign tongue. In fact, such exceptional revelation would serve as a divine sign or miracle.
It is wrong to infer from this verse, as the Rev. Mr. Wherry and other Christian writers have done, that the Message of the Holy Prophet was confined to the Arabs. Such an assumption is forcefully belied by other verses of the Quran in which the Prophet is clearly and unequivocally declared to be a Prophet sent for the whole world (7:159; 34:29). Not only does the Quran claim a universal mission for the Holy Prophet, but the Prophet himself also claimed to be a Messenger for all mankind. For instance, he is reported to have said, بعثت الی الاسود و الاحمر i.e. I have been sent to the black and the red, meaning the whole of mankind (Bihar). Similarly, he said, بعثت الی الناس عامة i.e. I have been raised for all mankind (Bukhari). According to yet another hadith he is reported to have said, ارسلت الی الخلق کافة i.e. I have been sent to the whole creation (Mishkat).
Incidentally, this verse proves that Arabic is the mother of all tongues, because the fact that the Holy Prophet was sent to the whole of mankind shows that the language which the Wise God made the vehicle of His Message, must, in one way or another, be the mother of all languages. This was actually proved to be the truth by Ahmad, the Founder of the Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam (see "Minan-ur-Rahman").
The fact that the words, Then Allah lets go astray whom He wills, have been placed after the words, that he might make things clear to them, shows that it is only after the truth is brought home to men that they become deserving of punishment for rejecting it. Thus, although all non-Muslims are technically called disbelievers or Kafirs, yet all of them will not go to Hell; for, as the verse shows, only those disbelievers become deserving of punishment who reject the truth after it has been made clear to them. Mere technical disbelief does not render one liable to punishment.
a
13:28; 74:32.
1453
The verse does not mean that the Message of the Holy Prophet was confined to the Arabs alone. Such an assumption is belied by other verses of the Qur’an in which he is clearly and unequivocally declared to be a Divine Messenger sent for the whole world (7:159; 34:29). Not only does the Qur’an claim a universal mission for the Holy Prophet, but the Holy Prophet himself is reported to have said, 'I have been sent to the black and the red,' meaning the whole of mankind (Bihar); and 'I have been raised for all mankind' (Bukhari). The Qur’an was revealed in the Arabic language because the Arabs were its first addressees (and also because Arabic, being the most expressive, eloquent and comprehensive language, was eminently suited to be the vehicle for the delivery of the Quranic Message) and through them its Message was to be preached to the world and not that the Message was meant for the Arabs only.
وَلَقَدۡ اَرۡسَلۡنَا مُوۡسٰی بِاٰیٰتِنَاۤ اَنۡ اَخۡرِجۡ قَوۡمَکَ مِنَ الظُّلُمٰتِ اِلَی النُّوۡرِ وَذَکِّرۡہُمۡ بِاَیّٰٮمِ اللّٰہِ ۚ اِنَّ فِیۡ ذٰلِکَ لَاٰیٰتٍ لِّکُلِّ صَبَّارٍ شَکُوۡرٍ
14:2.
14:2.
The expression Ayyamullah signifies the favours and punishments of Allah (Taj), like the well-known Arabic phrase Ayyamul-‘Arab which means, the fights and conflicts of the Arabs.
14:2.
Commentary:
The example of Moses has been mentioned here to show that, the Holy Prophet being like him, his opponents shall come to grief like the enemies of Moses. The Prophet’s enemies are thus warned that, while denying him, they should not forget the case of Moses and his enemies.
By the words, the days of Allah, are meant the days when God assisted believers against their enemies; also the days when He punished the enemies of the Prophets for their evil deeds. The verse means that the right way to bring men from darkness into light is to draw their attention to both the favours of God and His punishments. It is not at all right to think that faith based on fear lacks elements of reality. Such a view, indeed, betrays ignorance of human nature. Many people refrain from evil only due to the fear of punishment. If the incentive of fear were altogether dispensed with, nothing could wean such people from their evil ways. The Quran, being a perfect book, has provided guidance for men of all sorts of dispositions and temperaments and has made use of the incentives both of love and of fear.
In the words, Surely, therein are Signs for every patient and thankful person, Muslims are warned that, like the followers of Moses, they will have to pass through trials and tribulations and it is only when they have patiently borne the ordeal and come out of it with untarnished faith and sincerity that they will inherit the favours of God. But if, like the people of Moses, they prove ungrateful to God, they will be visited with punishment.
a
14:2.
a
14:2.
1660
Commentary:
The example of Moses has been mentioned here to show that, the Holy Prophet being like him, his opponents shall come to grief like the enemies of Moses. The Prophet’s enemies are thus warned that, while denying him, they should not forget the case of Moses and his enemies.
By the words, the days of Allah, are meant the days when God assisted believers against their enemies; also the days when He punished the enemies of the Prophets for their evil deeds. The verse means that the right way to bring men from darkness into light is to draw their attention to both the favours of God and His punishments. It is not at all right to think that faith based on fear lacks elements of reality. Such a view, indeed, betrays ignorance of human nature. Many people refrain from evil only due to the fear of punishment. If the incentive of fear were altogether dispensed with, nothing could wean such people from their evil ways. The Quran, being a perfect book, has provided guidance for men of all sorts of dispositions and temperaments and has made use of the incentives both of love and of fear.
In the words, Surely, therein are Signs for every patient and thankful person, Muslims are warned that, like the followers of Moses, they will have to pass through trials and tribulations and it is only when they have patiently borne the ordeal and come out of it with untarnished faith and sincerity that they will inherit the favours of God. But if, like the people of Moses, they prove ungrateful to God, they will be visited with punishment.
b
14:2.
1454
The expression Ayyamullah signifies the favours and punishments of Allah (Taj), like the well-known Arabic phrase Ayyamul-‘Arab which means, the fights and conflicts of the Arabs.
وَلَقَدۡ اَرۡسَلۡنَا مِنۡ قَبۡلِکَ فِیۡ شِیَعِ الۡاَوَّلِیۡنَ
Important Words:
شیع (parties) is the plural of شیعة (a party) which is derived from شاع meaning, it (a thing or a piece of news) became spread or disclosed. اشاع الخبر means, he spread or disclosed the news. شیع بالابل (shayya‘a) means, he (a pastor) called to the camels whereupon they (gathered together and) followed one another. شیعة of which the plural is شیع means, a separate or distinct party of men, so called from their agreeing together and following one another; the followers or assistants of a man; any people that have combined in or for an affair; any people or party whose affair or case is one and who follow one another’s opinion (Lane).
Commentary:
In the word شیع (parties or more literally, parties forming groups) all the former peoples have been spoken of as groups. This negatives the assertion of those so-called in-dependent people who describe themselves as not belonging to any group, for every man must belong to one group or another whether old or new, known or unknown. Herding, according to psychologists, is one of the strongest instincts of man, and it is in reference to this fact that the former peoples have been spoken of as forming so many شیع (parties or groups). For the meaning of the word شیع see Important Words.
The verse purports to state that the Prophet of Islam is not the first Prophet. There have been Prophets before him and God extended His protection to their teachings also. Similarly He will protect his teaching, the Quran. On the occasion of the appearance of a Prophet who brings a new Law, this protection is afforded to his teaching, among other things, by his followers being invested with political power which enables them to give a practical demonstration of the truth of his teaching. His followers may not attain to political power very early in their career, nevertheless they achieve such influence as enables them to demonstrate by actual practice the truth of his teachings. It is indeed surprising that the opponents of every Prophet have always refused to test the truth of his claim by the criteria of the history of past Prophets, which is the easiest way to ascertain the merits of any such claim. This attitude of disbelievers proves that they are not honest or earnest about ascertaining the truth but intend only to confuse the issues.
1717
Important Words:
شیع (parties) is the plural of شیعة (a party) which is derived from شاع meaning, it (a thing or a piece of news) became spread or disclosed. اشاع الخبر means, he spread or disclosed the news. شیع بالابل (shayya‘a) means, he (a pastor) called to the camels whereupon they (gathered together and) followed one another. شیعة of which the plural is شیع means, a separate or distinct party of men, so called from their agreeing together and following one another; the followers or assistants of a man; any people that have combined in or for an affair; any people or party whose affair or case is one and who follow one another’s opinion (Lane).
Commentary:
In the word شیع (parties or more literally, parties forming groups) all the former peoples have been spoken of as groups. This negatives the assertion of those so-called in-dependent people who describe themselves as not belonging to any group, for every man must belong to one group or another whether old or new, known or unknown. Herding, according to psychologists, is one of the strongest instincts of man, and it is in reference to this fact that the former peoples have been spoken of as forming so many شیع (parties or groups). For the meaning of the word شیع see Important Words.
The verse purports to state that the Prophet of Islam is not the first Prophet. There have been Prophets before him and God extended His protection to their teachings also. Similarly He will protect his teaching, the Quran. On the occasion of the appearance of a Prophet who brings a new Law, this protection is afforded to his teaching, among other things, by his followers being invested with political power which enables them to give a practical demonstration of the truth of his teaching. His followers may not attain to political power very early in their career, nevertheless they achieve such influence as enables them to demonstrate by actual practice the truth of his teachings. It is indeed surprising that the opponents of every Prophet have always refused to test the truth of his claim by the criteria of the history of past Prophets, which is the easiest way to ascertain the merits of any such claim. This attitude of disbelievers proves that they are not honest or earnest about ascertaining the truth but intend only to confuse the issues.
وَمَاۤ اَرۡسَلۡنَا فِیۡ قَرۡیَۃٍ مِّنۡ نَّذِیۡرٍ اِلَّا قَالَ مُتۡرَفُوۡہَاۤ اِنَّا بِمَاۤ اُرۡسِلۡتُمۡ بِہٖ کٰفِرُوۡنَ
6:124; 17:17.
The Prophets of God come to raise the depressed and suppressed humanity to their rightful place in society and to restore to them the rights which are denied to them by the vested interests. That is why in all ages it is the rich, the wealthy, the men of power and influence––the vested interests–– who range themselves against the new Divine Message.
6:124; 17:17.
Commentary:
The Prophets of God come to raise depressed and suppressed humanity to their rightful place in society and to restore to them the rights which are denied to them by the vested interests. That is why in all ages it is the rich, the wealthy, the men of power and influence—the vested interests—who range themselves against the new Divine Message. They feel that under its influence the oppressed and the exploited people will come to realize their true position and, therefore, will refuse to be exploited any more. Hence they fight their Prophet tooth and nail and put all sorts of obstacles and impediments in his way.
c
6:124; 17:17.
1052
安拉派遣的先知把受压迫和镇压的人提高到社会上公正的地位并且恢复他们被既得利益集团所剥夺的权利。这就是为什么不论什么时代有钱的人、富裕的人、有权势的人--------那些既得利益集体--------总是站在一起反对安拉派遣的新使者一方。
c
6:124; 17:17.
3158
Commentary:
The Prophets of God come to raise depressed and suppressed humanity to their rightful place in society and to restore to them the rights which are denied to them by the vested interests. That is why in all ages it is the rich, the wealthy, the men of power and influence—the vested interests—who range themselves against the new Divine Message. They feel that under its influence the oppressed and the exploited people will come to realize their true position and, therefore, will refuse to be exploited any more. Hence they fight their Prophet tooth and nail and put all sorts of obstacles and impediments in his way.
c
6:124; 17:17.
2399
The Prophets of God come to raise the depressed and suppressed humanity to their rightful place in society and to restore to them the rights which are denied to them by the vested interests. That is why in all ages it is the rich, the wealthy, the men of power and influence––the vested interests–– who range themselves against the new Divine Message.
وَمَاۤ اَرۡسَلۡنَا مِنۡ قَبۡلِکَ اِلَّا رِجَالًا نُّوۡحِیۡۤ اِلَیۡہِمۡ ۚ فَسۡـَٔلُوۡۤا اَہۡلَ الذِّکۡرِ اِنۡ کُنۡتُمۡ لَا تَعۡلَمُوۡنَ
12:110; 21:8.
12:110; 21:8.
12:110; 21:8.
Commentary:
Disbelievers laboured under the misconception that the Holy Prophet was an ordinary man like themselves, so there was little to fear from his rejection. The present verse warns them that all the previous Prophets were also ordinary mortals but they succeeded in their mission and their opponents met with complete discomfiture and destruction. So they too would invite their ruin if they rejected him.
The words, So ask those who possess the Reminder, contain a sound rebuke to the Meccan disbelievers. They took pride in the fact that they were the descendants of great Prophets, Abraham and Ishmael, and were well acquainted with their history. They are here told that they seem to have forgotten the history of their ancestors of whom they are so proud. They should consult some other people who happen to know and thus realize that it is not safe to defy God’s Prophets.
Taking ذکر in the sense to remember, the words اھل الذکر would mean, those who remember, and the expression, ask those who possess the Reminder, would mean that if the disbelievers of Mecca have forgotten the history of their forefathers they should learn it from Muslims who are اھل الذکر, i.e. who possess and remember that history. The taunt must have cut to the quick the Meccan idolaters who were so proud of their ancestry.
The words, نوحی الیھم (to whom We sent revelation), point out that the honour and greatness which the Prophets had acquired had their basis not in material resources or numbers, but were due to the revelations they received from God.
The verse also suggests an answer to the misgivings of disbelievers who asked how the Holy Prophet, a helpless man, could bring political power and glory to his followers. They are told that all the previous Prophets were as helpless as he, yet they were successful in their mission and gained power and greatness.
b
12:110; 21:8.
b
12:110; 21:8.
1845
Commentary:
Disbelievers laboured under the misconception that the Holy Prophet was an ordinary man like themselves, so there was little to fear from his rejection. The present verse warns them that all the previous Prophets were also ordinary mortals but they succeeded in their mission and their opponents met with complete discomfiture and destruction. So they too would invite their ruin if they rejected him.
The words, So ask those who possess the Reminder, contain a sound rebuke to the Meccan disbelievers. They took pride in the fact that they were the descendants of great Prophets, Abraham and Ishmael, and were well acquainted with their history. They are here told that they seem to have forgotten the history of their ancestors of whom they are so proud. They should consult some other people who happen to know and thus realize that it is not safe to defy God’s Prophets.
Taking ذکر in the sense to remember, the words اھل الذکر would mean, those who remember, and the expression, ask those who possess the Reminder, would mean that if the disbelievers of Mecca have forgotten the history of their forefathers they should learn it from Muslims who are اھل الذکر, i.e. who possess and remember that history. The taunt must have cut to the quick the Meccan idolaters who were so proud of their ancestry.
The words, نوحی الیھم (to whom We sent revelation), point out that the honour and greatness which the Prophets had acquired had their basis not in material resources or numbers, but were due to the revelations they received from God.
The verse also suggests an answer to the misgivings of disbelievers who asked how the Holy Prophet, a helpless man, could bring political power and glory to his followers. They are told that all the previous Prophets were as helpless as he, yet they were successful in their mission and gained power and greatness.
c
12:110; 21:8.
سُنَّۃَ مَنۡ قَدۡ اَرۡسَلۡنَا قَبۡلَکَ مِنۡ رُّسُلِنَا ۖ وَلَا تَجِدُ لِسُنَّتِنَا تَحۡوِیۡلًا
33:63; 35:44; 48:24.
33:63; 35:44; 48:24.
33:63; 35:44; 48:24.
Commentary:
The verse means to say that it is invariably God’s way with His Messengers that whenever anyone of them is expelled from his native land by his people with indignity and dishonour, that people is visited with Divine punishment. A striking illustration of this divine law is to be found in the case of the tribe of Thamud and the Jews. The former sought to put obstacles in the way of the Prophet Salih’s missionary expedition by killing his she-camel and the latter put Jesus on the cross. The Thamud met with the destruction of their bodies and souls while the Jews suffered only moral and political death. But the Meccans were spared this punishment because the Holy Prophet left Mecca in pursuance of God’s own command and was not expelled from it by his people.
b
33:63; 35:44; 48:24.
b
33:63; 35:44; 48:24.
2007
Commentary:
The verse means to say that it is invariably God’s way with His Messengers that whenever anyone of them is expelled from his native land by his people with indignity and dishonour, that people is visited with Divine punishment. A striking illustration of this divine law is to be found in the case of the tribe of Thamud and the Jews. The former sought to put obstacles in the way of the Prophet Salih’s missionary expedition by killing his she-camel and the latter put Jesus on the cross. The Thamud met with the destruction of their bodies and souls while the Jews suffered only moral and political death. But the Meccans were spared this punishment because the Holy Prophet left Mecca in pursuance of God’s own command and was not expelled from it by his people.
b
33:63; 35:44; 48:24.
اَلَمۡ تَرَ اَنَّاۤ اَرۡسَلۡنَا الشَّیٰطِیۡنَ عَلَی الۡکٰفِرِیۡنَ تَؤُزُّہُمۡ اَزًّا
8:49; 47:26; 59:17.
8:49; 47:26; 59:17.
8:49; 47:26; 59:17.
Important Words:
ارسلنا (We sent). ارسلت البعیر means, I let the camel go wherever it liked. ارسل فلاناً علیه means, he left such a one to do with him whatever he liked; he set such a one on him or gave him mastery or power over him (Aqrab & Lane).
تؤزھم (goading them on) is derived from از. They say أزت القدر i.e. the cooking pot boiled or boiled vehemently or made a sound in cooking. ازہ means, he stirred him, roused or provoked him; and insisted, urged or instigated him, علی کذا to do such a thing. أزہ is more intensive than ھزہ which means, he shook him; induced him to do the thing (Lane).
Commentary:
The words تؤزھم أزا mean:(a) satans incite disbelievers to acts of disobedience; (b) they continue to incite disbelievers to acts of disobedience till they enter Hell; and (c) they incite disbelievers against Muslims that they should attack the latter, and persecute them.
الکافرین (disbelievers) here signifies a particular class of disbelievers i.e. those disbelievers who by their persistent transgression and evil deeds deprive themselves completely of Divine protection.
b
8:49; 47:26; 59:17.
b
8:49; 47:26; 59:17.
2223
Important Words:
ارسلنا (We sent). ارسلت البعیر means, I let the camel go wherever it liked. ارسل فلاناً علیه means, he left such a one to do with him whatever he liked; he set such a one on him or gave him mastery or power over him (Aqrab & Lane).
تؤزھم (goading them on) is derived from از. They say أزت القدر i.e. the cooking pot boiled or boiled vehemently or made a sound in cooking. ازہ means, he stirred him, roused or provoked him; and insisted, urged or instigated him, علی کذا to do such a thing. أزہ is more intensive than ھزہ which means, he shook him; induced him to do the thing (Lane).
Commentary:
The words تؤزھم أزا mean:(a) satans incite disbelievers to acts of disobedience; (b) they continue to incite disbelievers to acts of disobedience till they enter Hell; and (c) they incite disbelievers against Muslims that they should attack the latter, and persecute them.
الکافرین (disbelievers) here signifies a particular class of disbelievers i.e. those disbelievers who by their persistent transgression and evil deeds deprive themselves completely of Divine protection.
c
8:49; 47:26; 59:17.
وَمَاۤ اَرۡسَلۡنَا قَبۡلَکَ اِلَّا رِجَالًا نُّوۡحِیۡۤ اِلَیۡہِمۡ ۖ فَسۡـَٔلُوۡۤا اَہۡلَ الذِّکۡرِ اِنۡ کُنۡتُمۡ لَا تَعۡلَمُوۡنَ
12:110; 16:44.
12:110; 16:44.
12:110; 16:44.
Commentary:
اھل الذکر may signify: (a) the former Prophets; (b) their followers; and (c) the Muslims, i.e. the followers of the Quran because it has also been called الذکر (15:10; 16:45; 21:51 & 36:70).
This and the following verse contain the answer to the objection embodied in the words, Is this man aught but a human being like yourselves (v. 4 above). The verse purports to say that the former Prophets were also ordinary mortals like the Holy Prophet and yet they (the Meccans) believe in them. It further implies that in spite of being ordinary men they succeeded in their mission and their enemies were destroyed. The opponents of the Holy Prophet should not therefore delude themselves into the false satisfaction that as he is an ordinary human being his rejection will do them no harm. For a fuller explanation of the present verse see 16:44.
a
12:110; 16:44.
a
12:110; 16:44.
2349
Commentary:
اھل الذکر may signify: (a) the former Prophets; (b) their followers; and (c) the Muslims, i.e. the followers of the Quran because it has also been called الذکر (15:10; 16:45; 21:51 & 36:70).
This and the following verse contain the answer to the objection embodied in the words, Is this man aught but a human being like yourselves (v. 4 above). The verse purports to say that the former Prophets were also ordinary mortals like the Holy Prophet and yet they (the Meccans) believe in them. It further implies that in spite of being ordinary men they succeeded in their mission and their enemies were destroyed. The opponents of the Holy Prophet should not therefore delude themselves into the false satisfaction that as he is an ordinary human being his rejection will do them no harm. For a fuller explanation of the present verse see 16:44.
b
12:110; 16:44.
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.
وَمَاۤ اَرۡسَلۡنَا مِنۡ قَبۡلِکَ مِنۡ رَّسُوۡلٍ وَّلَا نَبِیٍّ اِلَّاۤ اِذَا تَمَنّٰۤی اَلۡقَی الشَّیۡطٰنُ فِیۡۤ اُمۡنِیَّتِہٖ فَیَنۡسَخُ اللّٰہُ مَا یُلۡقِی الشَّیۡطٰنُ ثُمَّ یُحۡکِمُ اللّٰہُ اٰیٰتِہٖ ۗ وَاللّٰہُ عَلِیۡمٌ حَکِیۡمٌ
مفسرین نے لکھا ہے کہ جب کبھی کوئی نبی تلاوت کرتا ہے۔ شیطان اس میں کچھ ملا دیتا ہے۔ سوائے مسیحؑ کے جس کو شیطان نے نہیں چھؤا۔ یہ نبیوں کی صریح ہتک ہے۔ خصوصیت سے نبی کریم صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم کی جو سب نبیوں سے افضل تھے۔ اس آیت میں صرف یہ بیان ہے کہ نبی ارادے کرتے ہیں اور شیطان ان کو مٹانا چاہتا ہے مگر خداتعالیٰ نبیوں کے ارادوں کو پورا کرتا ہے۔ اور شیطان ناکام رہتا ہے۔ یہ بات سچی ہے اور ہر نبی سے ہوئی ہے اور سب سے زیادہ ہمارے نبی کریم صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم سے۔
اُمْنِیَّۃٌ کا لفظ جو یہاں استعمال ہوا ہے اس کے معنے خواہش یا ارادہ کے بھی لغت میں لکھے ہیں (تاج) مطلب یہ ہے کہ ہر نبی دنیا کی اصلاح کا ارادہ کرتا ہے مگر شیطان ہر نبی کے راستہ میں یا اس کی خواہشات کے پورا ہونے کے راستہ میں روکیں ڈالتا ہے۔
This verse has been deliberately misinterpreted and its meaning purposely distorted by prejudiced Christian writers. They say that one day at Mecca when the Holy Prophet recited the 20th and 21st verses of Surah An- Najm: Now tell me about Lat and ‘Uzza, and Manat, the third one, another goddess, Satan put in his mouth the words Tilkal-Gharaniqul-‘Ula, wa Inna Shafa‘atahunna Laturtaja, i.e. these are exalted goddesses and their intercession is hoped for. They call it the 'Lapse of Muhammad' or his 'Compromise with idolatry.' The Holy Prophet never made any compromise with idolatry nor was there any lapse on his part. The charge is a case of wish being father to the thought. These critics are always on the lookout to discover a lapse in the Holy Prophet and when they can find none, they invent one and impute it to him. They say that the verse refers to the above incident. We shall deal at length with the whole episode when we come to the relevant verses (53:20, 21). Suffice
Important Words:
تمنی (he sought or desired to obtain). تمنی الشیء means, he desired the thing. تمنی الرجل means, the man lied. تمنی الکتاب means, he read or recited the book. أمنیة (أمانی plural) means, what is desired; a lie; an object of wish (Aqrab).
Commentary:
This verse has been subjected to much conjecture and speculation by some ignorant and careless commentators and has been deliberately misinterpreted and its meaning purposely distorted by prejudiced Christian writers. It is said that one day at Mecca when the Holy Prophet recited the Quranic verse, أفرأیتم اللات والعزی و مناة الثالثة الاخری i.e. "now tell me about Lat and ‘Uzza, and Manat, the third one, another goddess" (53:21), Satan put in his mouth the words تلک الغرانیق العلی وان شفا عتھن لترتجی i.e. these are exalted goddesses and their intercession is hoped for. They call it the 'lapse of Muhammad' or his 'compromise with idolatry'. In fact the Holy Prophet never made any compromise with idolatry nor was there any lapse on his part. The lapse, if any, occurred in the minds of these hostile critics of Islam. It is a case of wish being father to the thought. These people are always on the lookout to discover a lapse in the Holy Prophet and when they find none, they invent one and impute it to him.
They say that the verse under comment refers to the above incident. We shall deal at length with the whole episode when we come to the relevant verse i.e. 53:21. Suffice it here to say that the whole story is belied by the fact that 53rdchapter was, according to consensus of scholarly opinion, revealed in the 5th year of the Call at Mecca while the present Surah was revealed at Medina or on the eve of his departure from Mecca. It is inconceivable that God should have waited for eight long years to refer in this verse to that incident. Moreover, the story has been rejected as totally unfounded by all learned commentators of the Quran, Ibn Kathir, being one of them. It appears to have been based on some reports narrated by Waqidi, whom all competent authorities regard as quite untrustworthy. It seems strange that the utterance of this blasphemy should have been attributed to that great and uncompromising iconoclast i.e. the Holy Prophet, whose whole life was spent in denouncing and condemning idolatry and idol worship. Besides this the whole context of 53:21 belies this story. The verses preceding and succeeding 53:21 contain an unsparing denunciation of idolatry. In fact the whole Surah (53) is a condemnation of شرک (idol worship).
Moreover, there is nothing in the words of the verse itself to warrant the forging of such a blatant lie. The meaning of the verse is quite clear. It purports to say that whenever a Prophet desires to attain his object, i.e. whenever he preaches the message of truth and desires that Divine Unity may be established on earth, Satan places all sorts of obstacles and impediments in his way, i.e. wicked people seek to retard the progress of truth by putting all sorts of obstacles in the way of the Prophet. They wish to see his mission fail. But they cannot frustrate the Divine plan and God removes all those impediments and makes the cause of truth prevail and triumph. This meaning of the verse is quite simple and clear and is in perfect harmony with the text. The words "But Allah removes the obstacles placed by Satan," lend powerful support to this meaning. The verse is of general import. What it refers to happens in the case of every prophet. There is no warrant for suggesting that the verse applies exclusively to the Holy Prophet. History too supports the view that the verse is of general application. In their impatience to find fault with the Holy Prophet, however, hostile Christian writers have singled him out, and, misinterpreting the verse, have attributed a supposed lapse to him.
Moreover, it is wrong to suggest, as some commentators have done, that it is possible for Satan to interfere with the purity of the Quranic revelation. God has taken upon Himself to protect and safeguard it against all interference and interpolation. See also 15:10 & 72:27-29.
1
مفسرین نے لکھا ہے کہ جب کبھی کوئی نبی تلاوت کرتا ہے۔ شیطان اس میں کچھ ملا دیتا ہے۔ سوائے مسیحؑ کے جس کو شیطان نے نہیں چھؤا۔ یہ نبیوں کی صریح ہتک ہے۔ خصوصیت سے نبی کریم صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم کی جو سب نبیوں سے افضل تھے۔ اس آیت میں صرف یہ بیان ہے کہ نبی ارادے کرتے ہیں اور شیطان ان کو مٹانا چاہتا ہے مگر خداتعالیٰ نبیوں کے ارادوں کو پورا کرتا ہے۔ اور شیطان ناکام رہتا ہے۔ یہ بات سچی ہے اور ہر نبی سے ہوئی ہے اور سب سے زیادہ ہمارے نبی کریم صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم سے۔
2
اُمْنِیَّۃٌ کا لفظ جو یہاں استعمال ہوا ہے اس کے معنے خواہش یا ارادہ کے بھی لغت میں لکھے ہیں (تاج) مطلب یہ ہے کہ ہر نبی دنیا کی اصلاح کا ارادہ کرتا ہے مگر شیطان ہر نبی کے راستہ میں یا اس کی خواہشات کے پورا ہونے کے راستہ میں روکیں ڈالتا ہے۔
2482
Important Words:
تمنی (he sought or desired to obtain). تمنی الشیء means, he desired the thing. تمنی الرجل means, the man lied. تمنی الکتاب means, he read or recited the book. أمنیة (أمانی plural) means, what is desired; a lie; an object of wish (Aqrab).
Commentary:
This verse has been subjected to much conjecture and speculation by some ignorant and careless commentators and has been deliberately misinterpreted and its meaning purposely distorted by prejudiced Christian writers. It is said that one day at Mecca when the Holy Prophet recited the Quranic verse, أفرأیتم اللات والعزی و مناة الثالثة الاخری i.e. "now tell me about Lat and ‘Uzza, and Manat, the third one, another goddess" (53:21), Satan put in his mouth the words تلک الغرانیق العلی وان شفا عتھن لترتجی i.e. these are exalted goddesses and their intercession is hoped for. They call it the 'lapse of Muhammad' or his 'compromise with idolatry'. In fact the Holy Prophet never made any compromise with idolatry nor was there any lapse on his part. The lapse, if any, occurred in the minds of these hostile critics of Islam. It is a case of wish being father to the thought. These people are always on the lookout to discover a lapse in the Holy Prophet and when they find none, they invent one and impute it to him.
They say that the verse under comment refers to the above incident. We shall deal at length with the whole episode when we come to the relevant verse i.e. 53:21. Suffice it here to say that the whole story is belied by the fact that 53rdchapter was, according to consensus of scholarly opinion, revealed in the 5th year of the Call at Mecca while the present Surah was revealed at Medina or on the eve of his departure from Mecca. It is inconceivable that God should have waited for eight long years to refer in this verse to that incident. Moreover, the story has been rejected as totally unfounded by all learned commentators of the Quran, Ibn Kathir, being one of them. It appears to have been based on some reports narrated by Waqidi, whom all competent authorities regard as quite untrustworthy. It seems strange that the utterance of this blasphemy should have been attributed to that great and uncompromising iconoclast i.e. the Holy Prophet, whose whole life was spent in denouncing and condemning idolatry and idol worship. Besides this the whole context of 53:21 belies this story. The verses preceding and succeeding 53:21 contain an unsparing denunciation of idolatry. In fact the whole Surah (53) is a condemnation of شرک (idol worship).
Moreover, there is nothing in the words of the verse itself to warrant the forging of such a blatant lie. The meaning of the verse is quite clear. It purports to say that whenever a Prophet desires to attain his object, i.e. whenever he preaches the message of truth and desires that Divine Unity may be established on earth, Satan places all sorts of obstacles and impediments in his way, i.e. wicked people seek to retard the progress of truth by putting all sorts of obstacles in the way of the Prophet. They wish to see his mission fail. But they cannot frustrate the Divine plan and God removes all those impediments and makes the cause of truth prevail and triumph. This meaning of the verse is quite simple and clear and is in perfect harmony with the text. The words "But Allah removes the obstacles placed by Satan," lend powerful support to this meaning. The verse is of general import. What it refers to happens in the case of every prophet. There is no warrant for suggesting that the verse applies exclusively to the Holy Prophet. History too supports the view that the verse is of general application. In their impatience to find fault with the Holy Prophet, however, hostile Christian writers have singled him out, and, misinterpreting the verse, have attributed a supposed lapse to him.
Moreover, it is wrong to suggest, as some commentators have done, that it is possible for Satan to interfere with the purity of the Quranic revelation. God has taken upon Himself to protect and safeguard it against all interference and interpolation. See also 15:10 & 72:27-29.
1962
This verse has been deliberately misinterpreted and its meaning purposely distorted by prejudiced Christian writers. They say that one day at Mecca when the Holy Prophet recited the 20th and 21st verses of Surah An- Najm: Now tell me about Lat and ‘Uzza, and Manat, the third one, another goddess, Satan put in his mouth the words Tilkal-Gharaniqul-‘Ula, wa Inna Shafa‘atahunna Laturtaja, i.e. these are exalted goddesses and their intercession is hoped for. They call it the 'Lapse of Muhammad' or his 'Compromise with idolatry.' The Holy Prophet never made any compromise with idolatry nor was there any lapse on his part. The charge is a case of wish being father to the thought. These critics are always on the lookout to discover a lapse in the Holy Prophet and when they can find none, they invent one and impute it to him. They say that the verse refers to the above incident. We shall deal at length with the whole episode when we come to the relevant verses (53:20, 21). Suffice
وَلَقَدۡ اَرۡسَلۡنَا نُوۡحًا اِلٰی قَوۡمِہٖ فَقَالَ یٰقَوۡمِ اعۡبُدُوا اللّٰہَ مَا لَکُمۡ مِّنۡ اِلٰہٍ غَیۡرُہٗۤ ۖ اَفَلَا تَتَّقُوۡنَ
7:60; 11:26; 71:2.
7:60; 11:26; 71:2.
7:60; 11:26; 71:2.
Commentary:
In the preceding few verses a brief account was given as to how God has provided for the physical needs of man. From this verse begins an account of the means which God has provided for the satisfaction of his spiritual needs. The coming of Divine Messengers is the first and foremost means provided for this purpose. The present and the next few verses refer to Noah, the first great Prophet who came with a Divinely-revealed Law. He called his people to God, to the path of success and salvation and like other Prophets emphasized the Unity of God which was the pivot round which all the religious beliefs and teachings revolved, and which formed the corner stone of the edifice of all religions.
It may be said in passing that humanity had to pass through four cycles to reach its perfect moral and spiritual development: (1) In the cycle of Adam the foundations were laid of human civilization. (2) Noah was the founder of the cycle of the Shari‘ah. (3) In the cycle of Moses the details of the Shari‘ah were revealed and (4) with the Holy Prophet was completed the fourth and last cycle when the Shari‘ah became complete and perfect and man attained the highest peak of social, moral and spiritual development.
c
7:60; 11:26; 71:2.
a
7:60; 11:26; 71:2.
2528
Commentary:
In the preceding few verses a brief account was given as to how God has provided for the physical needs of man. From this verse begins an account of the means which God has provided for the satisfaction of his spiritual needs. The coming of Divine Messengers is the first and foremost means provided for this purpose. The present and the next few verses refer to Noah, the first great Prophet who came with a Divinely-revealed Law. He called his people to God, to the path of success and salvation and like other Prophets emphasized the Unity of God which was the pivot round which all the religious beliefs and teachings revolved, and which formed the corner stone of the edifice of all religions.
It may be said in passing that humanity had to pass through four cycles to reach its perfect moral and spiritual development: (1) In the cycle of Adam the foundations were laid of human civilization. (2) Noah was the founder of the cycle of the Shari‘ah. (3) In the cycle of Moses the details of the Shari‘ah were revealed and (4) with the Holy Prophet was completed the fourth and last cycle when the Shari‘ah became complete and perfect and man attained the highest peak of social, moral and spiritual development.
c
7:60; 11:26; 71:2.
ثُمَّ اَرۡسَلۡنَا رُسُلَنَا تَتۡرَا ۖ کُلَّ مَا جَآءَ اُمَّۃً رَّسُوۡلُہَا کَذَّبُوۡہُ ۚ فَاَتۡبَعۡنَا بَعۡضَہُمۡ بَعۡضًا وَّجَعَلۡنٰہُمۡ اَحَادِیۡثَ ۚ فَبُعۡدًا لِّقَوۡمٍ لَّا یُؤۡمِنُوۡنَ
2:88; 36:31.
یعنی دنیا میں ان کا نام و نشان باقی نہ رہا۔
2:88; 36:31.
Their destruction was so complete that generations coming after them talked of them as of a people who once lived on this earth, as no trace of their existence was left.
2:88; 36:31.
Important Words:
تتراً (one after another) is derived from وتر. They say وترہ i.e. he made it (a number) sole; or one and no more; he made it to be odd number. وتر الخبر means, he made the tidings to follow one part after another or to follow with a small space between every two portions thereof. تواتر means, it was consecutive, or was so with intervals or was so with interruption. وترة of the nose means the partition between the two nostrils. جاؤواتتری means, they came following one another; one after another. ثم أرسلنا رسلنا تتری means, then We sent Our Messengers one after another; or interruptedly; at intervals or making a long time to intervene between every two (Lane & Aqrab).
Commentary:
This verse like several others shows that after a Divine Law has been revealed God continues to raise other Messengers to support, explain and establish it. After the Law of Moses was revealed God sent other Messengers who followed the Mosaic Law and exhorted the Israelites to follow it.
It appears from the Bible that there had always lived among the Israelites a number of Prophets and Reformers who explained the Torah to the Israelites. Jesus was the last of these Prophets. He himself says, "Think not that I am come to destroy the Law, or the Prophets. I am not come to destroy but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the Law, till all be fulfilled" (Matt. 5:17, 18).
The words, "We made them mere tales," signify that when the opponents of the Prophets are destroyed their destruction is so complete that generations coming after them talk of them as people who once lived on this earth, because no trace of their existence or work remains behind.
c
2:88; 36:31.
1
یعنی دنیا میں ان کا نام و نشان باقی نہ رہا۔
d
2:88; 36:31.
2542
Important Words:
تتراً (one after another) is derived from وتر. They say وترہ i.e. he made it (a number) sole; or one and no more; he made it to be odd number. وتر الخبر means, he made the tidings to follow one part after another or to follow with a small space between every two portions thereof. تواتر means, it was consecutive, or was so with intervals or was so with interruption. وترة of the nose means the partition between the two nostrils. جاؤواتتری means, they came following one another; one after another. ثم أرسلنا رسلنا تتری means, then We sent Our Messengers one after another; or interruptedly; at intervals or making a long time to intervene between every two (Lane & Aqrab).
Commentary:
This verse like several others shows that after a Divine Law has been revealed God continues to raise other Messengers to support, explain and establish it. After the Law of Moses was revealed God sent other Messengers who followed the Mosaic Law and exhorted the Israelites to follow it.
It appears from the Bible that there had always lived among the Israelites a number of Prophets and Reformers who explained the Torah to the Israelites. Jesus was the last of these Prophets. He himself says, "Think not that I am come to destroy the Law, or the Prophets. I am not come to destroy but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the Law, till all be fulfilled" (Matt. 5:17, 18).
The words, "We made them mere tales," signify that when the opponents of the Prophets are destroyed their destruction is so complete that generations coming after them talk of them as people who once lived on this earth, because no trace of their existence or work remains behind.
c
2:88; 36:31.
1999
Their destruction was so complete that generations coming after them talked of them as of a people who once lived on this earth, as no trace of their existence was left.
ثُمَّ اَرۡسَلۡنَا مُوۡسٰی وَاَخَاہُ ہٰرُوۡنَ بِاٰیٰتِنَا وَسُلۡطٰنٍ مُّبِیۡنٍ
20:30, 31; 43:44.
20:30, 31; 43:44.
20:43, 44.
d
20:30, 31; 43:44.
a
20:43, 44.
d
20:30, 31; 43:44.
وَمَاۤ اَرۡسَلۡنَا قَبۡلَکَ مِنَ الۡمُرۡسَلِیۡنَ اِلَّاۤ اِنَّہُمۡ لَیَاۡکُلُوۡنَ الطَّعَامَ وَیَمۡشُوۡنَ فِی الۡاَسۡوَاقِ ۗ وَجَعَلۡنَا بَعۡضَکُمۡ لِبَعۡضٍ فِتۡنَۃً اَتَصۡبِرُوۡنَ ۗ وَکَانَ رَبُّکَ بَصِیۡرًا
21:9.
21:9.
21:9.
Commentary:
This verse again answers from another angle the commonplace objection of disbelievers that the Holy Prophet lived like an ordinary man (v. 8). It means to say that the Holy Prophet’s mission is not something novel. He is just like those Divine Messengers who have gone before him. He is an ordinary mortal like them and like them he eats and talks and moves about and, like the followers of those Prophets, his followers also will have to suffer for the cause they hold dear. If these things did not stand in the way of the earlier Prophets being accepted as Divine Messengers, why should they in his case, and why should new criteria be devised to test his truth?
a
21:9.
a
21:9.
2657
Commentary:
This verse again answers from another angle the commonplace objection of disbelievers that the Holy Prophet lived like an ordinary man (v. 8). It means to say that the Holy Prophet’s mission is not something novel. He is just like those Divine Messengers who have gone before him. He is an ordinary mortal like them and like them he eats and talks and moves about and, like the followers of those Prophets, his followers also will have to suffer for the cause they hold dear. If these things did not stand in the way of the earlier Prophets being accepted as Divine Messengers, why should they in his case, and why should new criteria be devised to test his truth?
a
21:9.
وَلَقَدۡ اَرۡسَلۡنَا فِیۡہِمۡ مُّنۡذِرِیۡنَ
اَلَّذِیۡنَ کَذَّبُوۡا بِالۡکِتٰبِ وَبِمَاۤ اَرۡسَلۡنَا بِہٖ رُسُلَنَا ۖ فَسَوۡفَ یَعۡلَمُوۡنَ
وَلَقَدۡ اَرۡسَلۡنَا رُسُلًا مِّنۡ قَبۡلِکَ مِنۡہُمۡ مَّنۡ قَصَصۡنَا عَلَیۡکَ وَمِنۡہُمۡ مَّنۡ لَّمۡ نَقۡصُصۡ عَلَیۡکَ ۗ وَمَا کَانَ لِرَسُوۡلٍ اَنۡ یَّاۡتِیَ بِاٰیَۃٍ اِلَّا بِاِذۡنِ اللّٰہِ ۚ فَاِذَا جَآءَ اَمۡرُ اللّٰہِ قُضِیَ بِالۡحَقِّ وَخَسِرَ ہُنَالِکَ الۡمُبۡطِلُوۡنَ
13:39; 14:12.
4:165.
Though the prophecies containing warnings and threats meant for disbelievers are subject to postponement, revocation or cancellation, yet if, by closing the door of repentance upon themselves, they make themselves deserving of Divine punishment, they are punished. But it is not for the Prophet to say when and how they will be punished.
4:165.
13:39; 14:12.
Commentary:
The verse purports to say that though the prophecies containing warnings and threats meant for disbelievers are subject to postponement, revocation or cancel-lation, yet, if by closing the door of repentance, the disbelievers make themselves deserving of Divine punishment they are punished. But it is not for the Prophet to say when and how they are to be punished.
e
4:165.
f
13:39; 14:12.
1173
虽然对不信者具有警告和威吓作用的预言是可以延迟、撤回或取消的, 但是不信者如果给自己关上悔过之门, 那么, 他们就使自己应受安拉的惩罚, 他们就会受到惩罚。但是, 他们在何时和如何将被惩罚, 这却不是先知可以决定的事情。
a
4:165.
b
13:39; 14:12.
3549
Commentary:
The verse purports to say that though the prophecies containing warnings and threats meant for disbelievers are subject to postponement, revocation or cancel-lation, yet, if by closing the door of repentance, the disbelievers make themselves deserving of Divine punishment they are punished. But it is not for the Prophet to say when and how they are to be punished.
a
13:39; 14:12.
d
4:165.
2618
Though the prophecies containing warnings and threats meant for disbelievers are subject to postponement, revocation or cancellation, yet if, by closing the door of repentance upon themselves, they make themselves deserving of Divine punishment, they are punished. But it is not for the Prophet to say when and how they will be punished.
وَلَقَدۡ اَرۡسَلۡنَا مُوۡسٰی بِاٰیٰتِنَا وَسُلۡطٰنٍ مُّبِیۡنٍ
23:46.
23:46.
c
23:46.
c
23:46.
3511
Commentary:
A notable instance of the fact that opposition to truth has always landed the opposers into ruin is that of the opponents of Moses—the great counterpart of the Holy Prophet.
c
23:46.
وَکَمۡ اَرۡسَلۡنَا مِنۡ نَّبِیٍّ فِی الۡاَوَّلِیۡنَ
15:11.
15:11.
15:11.
Commentary:
The verse purports to say that though earlier Prophets were rejected and opposed, yet God did not cease to send new Prophets on that account. So this system of the coming of heavenly Teachers will continue till the end of time and the jeering and opposition of disbelievers and their evil deeds will not stop it.
d
15:11.
a
15:11.
3646
Commentary:
The verse purports to say that though earlier Prophets were rejected and opposed, yet God did not cease to send new Prophets on that account. So this system of the coming of heavenly Teachers will continue till the end of time and the jeering and opposition of disbelievers and their evil deeds will not stop it.
d
15:11.
وَکَذٰلِکَ مَاۤ اَرۡسَلۡنَا مِنۡ قَبۡلِکَ فِیۡ قَرۡیَۃٍ مِّنۡ نَّذِیۡرٍ اِلَّا قَالَ مُتۡرَفُوۡہَاۤ اِنَّا وَجَدۡنَاۤ اٰبَآءَنَا عَلٰۤی اُمَّۃٍ وَّاِنَّا عَلٰۤی اٰثٰرِہِمۡ مُّقۡتَدُوۡنَ
21:54; 26:75.
21:54; 26:75.
21:54; 26:75.
Commentary:
The hackneyed plea of idolaters to support idol worship has always been that it was a time-honoured practice observed by their forefathers. In fact, old ideas and customs die hard. They have always proved a stumbling block in the way of disbelievers to accept the Divine Message. For the meaning of the word أمة see 6:39 and 16:121.
a
21:54; 26:75.
c
21:54; 26:75.
3657
Commentary:
The hackneyed plea of idolaters to support idol worship has always been that it was a time-honoured practice observed by their forefathers. In fact, old ideas and customs die hard. They have always proved a stumbling block in the way of disbelievers to accept the Divine Message. For the meaning of the word أمة see 6:39 and 16:121.
e
21:54; 26:75.
وَسۡـَٔلۡ مَنۡ اَرۡسَلۡنَا مِنۡ قَبۡلِکَ مِنۡ رُّسُلِنَاۤ اَجَعَلۡنَا مِنۡ دُوۡنِ الرَّحۡمٰنِ اٰلِہَۃً یُّعۡبَدُوۡنَ
21:26.
اس سے مراد یہ ہے کہ جو پہلے رسولوں کی تعلیم تھی اس کے متعلق کفار سے سوال کرو کہ تمہارے پاس وہ تعلیمیں موجود ہیں۔ کیا ان میں ایک سے زیادہ خداؤں کا ذکر ہے؟ اگر نہیں تو تم اپنے رسولوں کے خلاف تعلیم کیوں پھیلا رہے ہو؟
21:26.
21:26.
Commentary:
The verse means to say that study of the lives of all Divine Messengers reveals the fact that they all taught and preached Unity of God and directed all their efforts to its establishment in the world. There is not to be found in their teachings the faintest support of polytheism or remotest reference to it.
b
21:26.
2
اس سے مراد یہ ہے کہ جو پہلے رسولوں کی تعلیم تھی اس کے متعلق کفار سے سوال کرو کہ تمہارے پاس وہ تعلیمیں موجود ہیں۔ کیا ان میں ایک سے زیادہ خداؤں کا ذکر ہے؟ اگر نہیں تو تم اپنے رسولوں کے خلاف تعلیم کیوں پھیلا رہے ہو؟
d
21:26.
3671
Commentary:
The verse means to say that study of the lives of all Divine Messengers reveals the fact that they all taught and preached Unity of God and directed all their efforts to its establishment in the world. There is not to be found in their teachings the faintest support of polytheism or remotest reference to it.
e
21:26.
وَلَقَدۡ اَرۡسَلۡنَا مُوۡسٰی بِاٰیٰتِنَاۤ اِلٰی فِرۡعَوۡنَ وَمَلَا۠ئِہٖ فَقَالَ اِنِّیۡ رَسُوۡلُ رَبِّ الۡعٰلَمِیۡنَ
11:97; 14:6; 23:46; 40:24.
11:97; 14:6; 23:46; 40:24.
11:97; 14:6; 23:46; 40:24.
Commentary:
In the immediately preceding verse it was mentioned that the basic teaching of all Divine Messengers was the Unity of God. In this and the following verses, a study of the story of the greatest Israelite Prophet, Moses, has been enjoined for the purpose of showing that he laid the greatest emphasis on Divine Unity.
c
11:97; 14:6; 23:46; 40:24.
e
11:97; 14:6; 23:46; 40:24.
3672
Commentary:
In the immediately preceding verse it was mentioned that the basic teaching of all Divine Messengers was the Unity of God. In this and the following verses, a study of the story of the greatest Israelite Prophet, Moses, has been enjoined for the purpose of showing that he laid the greatest emphasis on Divine Unity.
f
11:97; 14:6; 23:46; 40:24.
وَفِیۡ عَادٍ اِذۡ اَرۡسَلۡنَا عَلَیۡہِمُ الرِّیۡحَ الۡعَقِیۡمَ
46:25.
46:25.
b
46:25.
c
46:25.
3917
Commentary:
For the story of ‘Ad see 11:51-61 and 26:124-141.
b
46:25.
اِنَّاۤ اَرۡسَلۡنَا عَلَیۡہِمۡ رِیۡحًا صَرۡصَرًا فِیۡ یَوۡمِ نَحۡسٍ مُّسۡتَمِرٍّ
منحوس سے یہ مرادنہیں کہ کوئی وقت منحوس ہوتا ہے اور کوئی مبارک۔ بلکہ مطلب یہ ہے کہ وہ وقت اس قوم کے لئے منحوس ہو گیا تھا۔
a
41:17; 69:7.
1342
这节经文指的不是时刻有吉利或不吉利、幸运或不幸运的, 而是指对阿德种族来说, 这一天证明是不幸的。
1
منحوس سے یہ مرادنہیں کہ کوئی وقت منحوس ہوتا ہے اور کوئی مبارک۔ بلکہ مطلب یہ ہے کہ وہ وقت اس قوم کے لئے منحوس ہو گیا تھا۔
b
41:17; 69:7.
4020
Commentary:
The verse does not mean that any particular time is auspicious or inauspicious or lucky or unlucky. The meaning is that for the tribe of ‘Ad the day proved unlucky.
b
41:17; 69:7.
2904
The verse does not mean that any particular time is auspicious or inauspicious, lucky or unlucky. The meaning is that for the tribe of ‘Ad the day proved unlucky.
اِنَّاۤ اَرۡسَلۡنَا عَلَیۡہِمۡ صَیۡحَۃً وّٰحِدَۃً فَکَانُوۡا کَہَشِیۡمِ الۡمُحۡتَظِرِ
不信者被彻底摧毁了, 或在安拉看来成了一堆废料, 就像编篱人收集起来的削下的残枝。
The disbelievers were completely crushed, or they were as worthless in the sight of God as whittled down and crushed stubble, collected by a maker of hedges.
7:79; 11:68; 26:159; 41:18.
Important Words:
المحتظر (maker of enclosure) is act. part. from احتظرwhich is derived from حظر which means, he forbade, he prohibited. احتظرmeans he took for himself an enclosure. احتظر به means, he took it for protection محتظر means, a maker of enclosure. (Lane & Aqrab).
Commentary:
The verse signifies either that the disbelievers were completely crushed or that they were as worthless in the sight of God as whittled down and crushed stubble, collected by a maker of hedges.
1343
不信者被彻底摧毁了, 或在安拉看来成了一堆废料, 就像编篱人收集起来的削下的残枝。
c
7:79; 11:68; 26:159; 41:18.
4028
Important Words:
المحتظر (maker of enclosure) is act. part. from احتظرwhich is derived from حظر which means, he forbade, he prohibited. احتظرmeans he took for himself an enclosure. احتظر به means, he took it for protection محتظر means, a maker of enclosure. (Lane & Aqrab).
Commentary:
The verse signifies either that the disbelievers were completely crushed or that they were as worthless in the sight of God as whittled down and crushed stubble, collected by a maker of hedges.
2908
The disbelievers were completely crushed, or they were as worthless in the sight of God as whittled down and crushed stubble, collected by a maker of hedges.
اِنَّاۤ اَرۡسَلۡنَا عَلَیۡہِمۡ حَاصِبًا اِلَّاۤ اٰلَ لُوۡطٍ ۖ نَّجَّیۡنٰہُمۡ بِسَحَرٍ
25:41; 26:174.
25:41; 26:174.
25:41; 26:174.
c
25:41; 26:174.
b
25:41; 26:174.
b
25:41; 26:174.
لَقَدۡ اَرۡسَلۡنَا رُسُلَنَا بِالۡبَیِّنٰتِ وَاَنۡزَلۡنَا مَعَہُمُ الۡکِتٰبَ وَالۡمِیۡزَانَ لِیَقُوۡمَ النَّاسُ بِالۡقِسۡطِ ۖ وَاَنۡزَلۡنَا الۡحَدِیۡدَ فِیۡہِ بَاۡسٌ شَدِیۡدٌ وَّمَنٰفِعُ لِلنَّاسِ وَلِیَعۡلَمَ اللّٰہُ مَنۡ یَّنۡصُرُہٗ وَرُسُلَہٗ بِالۡغَیۡبِ ۚ اِنَّ اللّٰہَ قَوِیٌّ عَزِیۡزٌ
7:102; 14:10; 35:26.
42:18; 55:8.
مِيْزَان (Mizan) 的意思可以是: (a) 与别人相处所应该遵循的公平交易原则; (b) 衡量、估计、评价和判断人的行为的标准; (c) 全宇宙无所不在的、保持万物公正平衡的天平; (d) 穆圣的实践和 «古兰经» 的正确运用; (e) 遵循中庸之道, 避免极端; (f) 以观察和经历为基础的理智和理论。
7:102; 14:10; 35:26.
42:18; 55:8.
Mizan may mean, (a) Principles of equity which people are enjoined to observe in their dealings with others. (b) Standards by which human actions are measured, weighed, appraised and judged. (c) Balance which pervades the whole universe maintaining just equilibrium among all things. (d) Practice of the Holy Prophet and right use of the Book of God. Following the golden mean and avoiding extremes. (f) Reasons and arguments based on observation and experience.
Al-Hadid (iron) is the metal which perhaps has played the greatest and most useful part in the growth and development of human civilization. The word may also signify the power to compel obedience to the laws upon which the whole existence of human society depends. Thus the verse means that God has sent down three things: (a) Divine Laws; (b) the system which maintains just equilibrium in human social relations and (c) political power which compels obedience to Divine Laws.
7:102; 14:10; 35:26.
42:18; 55:8.
Commentary:
الکتاب signifies the eternal divine laws. المیزان has different senses with different scholars. Some of these are: (a) Principles of equity which people are enjoined to observe in their dealings with others. (b) Standards by which human actions are measured, weighed, appraised and judged. (c) Balance which pervades the whole universe maintaining just equilibrium between all things. (d) Practice or example of the Holy Prophet and right use of the Book of God. (e) The capacity for leadership by means of which the Holy Prophet, in conformity with the Book of Allah, established a system of justice between the State, the society and the individual. (f) Following the golden means and avoiding extremes in the discharge of one’s obligations towards God and men. (g) Reasons and arguments based on observation and experience. See also 42:18 and 55:10.
الحدید (iron) is the metal which has perhaps played the greatest and most useful part in the growth and development of human civilization. It may also signify the power to compel obedience to the laws upon which the whole existence of human society depends. Thus the verse means that God has sent down three things, viz. (a) divine laws; (b) the system which maintains just equilibrium in human social relations and (c) the power to compel obedience to divine laws.
c
7:102; 14:10; 35:26.
d
42:18; 55:8.
1403
مِيْزَان (Mizan) 的意思可以是: (a) 与别人相处所应该遵循的公平交易原则; (b) 衡量、估计、评价和判断人的行为的标准; (c) 全宇宙无所不在的、保持万物公正平衡的天平; (d) 穆圣的实践和 «古兰经» 的正确运用; (e) 遵循中庸之道, 避免极端; (f) 以观察和经历为基础的理智和理论。
a
7:102; 14:10; 35:26.
b
42:18; 55:8.
4166
Commentary:
الکتاب signifies the eternal divine laws. المیزان has different senses with different scholars. Some of these are: (a) Principles of equity which people are enjoined to observe in their dealings with others. (b) Standards by which human actions are measured, weighed, appraised and judged. (c) Balance which pervades the whole universe maintaining just equilibrium between all things. (d) Practice or example of the Holy Prophet and right use of the Book of God. (e) The capacity for leadership by means of which the Holy Prophet, in conformity with the Book of Allah, established a system of justice between the State, the society and the individual. (f) Following the golden means and avoiding extremes in the discharge of one’s obligations towards God and men. (g) Reasons and arguments based on observation and experience. See also 42:18 and 55:10.
الحدید (iron) is the metal which has perhaps played the greatest and most useful part in the growth and development of human civilization. It may also signify the power to compel obedience to the laws upon which the whole existence of human society depends. Thus the verse means that God has sent down three things, viz. (a) divine laws; (b) the system which maintains just equilibrium in human social relations and (c) the power to compel obedience to divine laws.
c
7:102; 14:10; 35:26.
d
42:18; 55:8.
2997
Mizan may mean, (a) Principles of equity which people are enjoined to observe in their dealings with others. (b) Standards by which human actions are measured, weighed, appraised and judged. (c) Balance which pervades the whole universe maintaining just equilibrium among all things. (d) Practice of the Holy Prophet and right use of the Book of God. Following the golden mean and avoiding extremes. (f) Reasons and arguments based on observation and experience.
2998
Al-Hadid (iron) is the metal which perhaps has played the greatest and most useful part in the growth and development of human civilization. The word may also signify the power to compel obedience to the laws upon which the whole existence of human society depends. Thus the verse means that God has sent down three things: (a) Divine Laws; (b) the system which maintains just equilibrium in human social relations and (c) political power which compels obedience to Divine Laws.
وَلَقَدۡ اَرۡسَلۡنَا نُوۡحًا وَّاِبۡرٰہِیۡمَ وَجَعَلۡنَا فِیۡ ذُرِّیَّتِہِمَا النُّبُوَّۃَ وَالۡکِتٰبَ ۖ فَمِنۡہُمۡ مُّہۡتَدٍ ۖ وَّکَثِیۡرٌ مِّنۡہُمۡ فٰسِقُوۡنَ
29:28.
29:28.
29:28; 5:47.
Commentary:
In the preceding verse it was mentioned that in order to make men lead useful and righteous lives and realize the object for which God has brought this universe into existence, He sent His Messengers and revealed to them guidance from Himself and supported the claims of Divine Messengers with clear and sound arguments; and He also sent down iron which is of immense value and utility to mankind. The present verse gives the names of some of those Divine Messengers. Noah is probably the first law-bearing Prophet and Abraham the progenitor of the three great peoples—Jews, Christians and Muslims. After these two Prophets, the system of prophethood continued till it found its final exponent in the Mosaic Dispensation in the person of Jesus to whom the next verse makes a pointed reference.
a
29:28.
c
29:28; 5:47.
4167
Commentary:
In the preceding verse it was mentioned that in order to make men lead useful and righteous lives and realize the object for which God has brought this universe into existence, He sent His Messengers and revealed to them guidance from Himself and supported the claims of Divine Messengers with clear and sound arguments; and He also sent down iron which is of immense value and utility to mankind. The present verse gives the names of some of those Divine Messengers. Noah is probably the first law-bearing Prophet and Abraham the progenitor of the three great peoples—Jews, Christians and Muslims. After these two Prophets, the system of prophethood continued till it found its final exponent in the Mosaic Dispensation in the person of Jesus to whom the next verse makes a pointed reference.
a
29:28.
اِنَّاۤ اَرۡسَلۡنَا نُوۡحًا اِلٰی قَوۡمِہٖۤ اَنۡ اَنۡذِرۡ قَوۡمَکَ مِنۡ قَبۡلِ اَنۡ یَّاۡتِیَہُمۡ عَذَابٌ اَلِیۡمٌ
11:26; 23:24.
Commentary:
The Holy Prophet represented in himself all the Divine Messengers that had gone before him. The account given in this Surah of the Prophet Noah applies with equal effect to the conditions and circumstances through which the Holy Prophet had to pass. It is in this light that the meaning of the Surah should be read and appreciated.
b
11:26; 23:24.
4386
Commentary:
The Holy Prophet represented in himself all the Divine Messengers that had gone before him. The account given in this Surah of the Prophet Noah applies with equal effect to the conditions and circumstances through which the Holy Prophet had to pass. It is in this light that the meaning of the Surah should be read and appreciated.