جَوَاب

27:57.

Commentary:

The word یتطھرون (who would keep pure) may also signify "who affect to be pure"; because the باب (form) of تفعل is not unoften used to imply affectation. The word was used by the opponents of Lot about his followers by way of taunt, signifying that they posed and paraded as extra-righteous and holy persons.

7:83; 26:168.

Important Words:

یتطھرون (would keep clean) is derived from طھر which means, he was or became clean. طھر الشیء (tahhara) means, he made the thing clean with water, he washed the thing. یتطھرون is from باب تفعل which is generally used to imply affectation. The word was used by the opponents of Lot ironically and by way of taunt, meaning that his family and people posed and paraded as extra pure and righteous persons. Sometimes man sinks so low in sin and vice that he becomes lost to all sense of decency and even the voice of conscience becomes stilled in him and he exults in crimes and instead of being ashamed of his own wicked deeds he makes taunting and sarcastic remarks against good people. So did the people of Lot.

21:69; 37:98.

Commentary:

Abraham’s account began with the 17th verse and in the 18th verse he gave strong arguments in refutation of Shirk. From the 19th to 24th verse, in consonance with the Quranic style and practice which adds to its elegance and beauty, a digression intervened and a great religious principle was briefly discussed in relation to the Holy Prophet. The principle discussed was that when one nation, as the result of its rejection of the Divine Message, falls a victim to decay and decadence another people takes its place. From this verse the thread is taken up of Abraham’s story.

7:82; 11:79; 26:166.

Important Words

تقطعون (commit robbery) is formed from قطع. They say قطع الشیء i.e. he cut off the thing; explained and expounded it. قطعه عن حقه means, he deprived him of his right. قطع الصلوة means, he rendered the Prayer nugatory.

قطع الطریق علی السالکین means, he made the way dangerous to the wayfarers and forbade them to use it (Aqrab).

Commentary:

The expression تقطعون السبیل means:

(a) you rob travellers on the highway. Lot’s people had adopted the calling of the road; or

(b) you violate the Divinely appointed sex-laws and commit unnatural offences.

Three vices have been ascribed to the people of Lot in this verse: (1) unnatural vice; (2) highway robbery; and (3) committing crimes openly and unashamedly in their assemblies.

21:81.

Important Words:

محاریب (palaces) is the plural of محراب which among other things means, a palace; a mosque (Lane & Aqrab). See also 3:38.

جفان (basins) is the plural of جفنة which is an infinitive noun from جفن. They say جفن الناقة i.e. he slaughtered the she-camel and gave the flesh for food to the people in bowls. جفنة means, a large bowl or receptacle, particularly used for food; a small well; a generous man. جفنة غراء means, a generous man who entertains many guests and feeds many. He is so called because people are fed by him in the جفنة (Lane & Aqrab).

جواب (reservoirs) is the plural of جابیة which is derived from جبا. They say جبا الخراج i.e. he collected the tribute. جبا الماء فی الحوضmeans, he collected the water in the pond. جواب is the plural of جابیة which means, a large watering-trough in which water is collected for camels, a water reservoir; a company of men (Lane & Aqrab).

راسیات (fixed) is the plural of راسیة which is derived from رسا which means, it was or became fixed, firm, stable. قدر راسیةmeans, a cooking pot that will not be removed from its place on account of its large size and heaviness. جبال راسیة means, firm mountains (Lane & Aqrab). See also 16:16.

Commentary:

The verse shows that besides being a highly prosperous, powerful and civilized monarch, Solomon was the prince of builders among Israelite rulers. He had a special taste for architecture which had greatly developed under him. The Temple of Jerusalem bears an eloquent testimony to his fine architectural taste.