Chapter 16, Verse 113

34:16-17.

Commentary:

The "city" referred to in this verse is Mecca. It warns Meccans of the great punishment which will befall them if they do not accept the Holy Prophet and do not give up their iniquitous ways. The sanctity of Mecca would not save them from the impending punishment. They are also told that they are leading a life of plenty and security, but the time is fast approaching when they will be visited with a terrible famine or, to quote a prayer of the Holy Prophet, with "years of famine like the famine of the days of Joseph", and instead of security they will taste the horrors of war. Both these calamities befell the Meccans after the Hijrah. They were smitten with constant fear. Fear is the inevitable result of war and they became involved in continuous fighting. And such a dreadful famine overtook Mecca that Abu Sufyan, the archenemy of Islam, came to Medina to beg the Prophet to pray to God that He might have mercy on them and save them from the famine. The words, which clothed it like a garment, mean that God afflicted Mecca with fear and hunger to such an extent that these calamities altogether covered it and stuck to it like a garment. Marks of fear and hunger became clearly visible on the faces of Meccans. Famine made them lean and thin and continuous fear overwhelmed them and completely unnerved them.

34:16, 17.

The "city" referred to in this verse is Mecca.

The dreadful famine which held Mecca in its grip for seven long years. See {2694}.

Fear of war in which the Meccans were involved with Muslims and were defeated. They lived in a state of extreme fear as if fear of war had quite covered them. In Arabic idiom the word Dhaqa (tasting) sometimes is used for Libas (dress). There is a well-known Arabic verse:—Qalu Iqtarih Shai’an Najid Laka Tabkha-hu. Qulto Itbakhu Li Jubbatan wa Qamisa, i.e. they said what would you desire us to cook for you. I said, 'Cook for me a long coat and a shirt.'