عَٰمِل

39:75.

Commentary:

When a man truly turns to God, after committing a sin, and sincerely repents of his misdeeds, he is forgiven by God. The verse makes it further clear that forgiveness is only the first stage. God leads those who repent to higher stages of spiritual progress and promises them Heaven.

4:125; 16:98; 20:113; 16:42.

22:59, 60.

See 2:26.

Commentary:

As this Surah mainly deals with Christian doctrines and ideals and their way of life, and as Christianity, in spite of its claims to the contrary, gives woman a status definitely inferior to that of man, the insistence on the equality of the status of woman with man in the spiritual sphere forms a fitting sequel to it. At several places in the Quran, believing men and believing women are addressed in the same language and are made equally subject to the same commandments and entitled to the same rights and privileges. Briefly, Islam recognizes the equality of the social and religious rights of man and woman. The words, you are from one another, are intended to emphasize the equality of status mentioned in the preceding part of the verse.

The verse also constitutes an effective refutation of the charges of the Shias against the Holy Prophet’s Companions whose failings and shortcomings, if any, were all forgiven by God in view of the good works they performed.

Important Words:

صدقات (alms) is the plural of and here signifies Zakah. See also 4:5.

الفقراء (the poor) is the plural of فقیر which is derived from) فقر (faqara) which means, he dug the ground or he dug a well to draw forth water; or he bored or perforated beads, etc. فقر البعیر means, he made an incision in the nose of the camel to render it tractable. فقرہ also means, he broke the فقار or vertebrae of his back. فقر (faqura) or فقر (faqira) or افتقرmeans, he was or became poor or needy. فقر (faqrun) means, poverty, want or need; the state of a man when he has only what suffices for his household. فقیر means, poor or needy; one having only what suffices for his household; one who has only a bare sufficiency of food; one who is crippled by disease; one who has no trade or has only a mean trade. The word (one who possesses only what is barely sufficient) differs from مسکین (for which see below) which means, one who possesses nothing, altogether destitute. Some authorities however differ from this view (Lane). See also 2:269.

المساکین (the needy) is the plural of مسکین which is derived from سکن which means, he or it was or became still, motionless or stationary or quiet or clam. مسکین means, lowly, humble or submissive; low, abject or in a state of humiliation; weak, subdued or suppressed; poor; destitute, i.e. possessing nothing; or possessing somewhat; rendered by poverty to have little power of motion. Authorities differ as to who is in a worse condition—فقیر or مسکین (Lane).

Commentary:

In the previous verse reference was made to the displeasure of the hypocrites if they were not given a share in the Zakah. The present verse defines the objects for which Zakah is to be spent and these, as the verse explains, are eight in number.

The first-mentioned class, i.e. فقراء (the poor), signifies those broken or perforated with poverty or disease, whereas, the second-mentioned class, i.e. مساکین (the needy) signifies those rendered motionless through want of means, e.g. the unemployed, or those possessing the ability to work but lacking the means thereof.

The words, those employed in connection therewith, signify those who are employed in collecting Zakah, or in keeping an account thereof or in the performance of any other duty connected therewith.

The words, whose hearts are to be reconciled, mean those whose hearts are sincerely inclined towards Islam but who, owing to their having become disconnected with their former society, stand in need of monetary help. The term extends to new converts also.

The word, slaves, signifies, besides actual slaves, captives and such persons as are called upon to pay blood money to secure their freedom.

The expression, for those in debt, means those who are unable to pay their debts or those who have suffered an extraordinary loss in trade, etc.

The words, for the cause of Allah, imply every good or pious work commanded by God.

The term ابن السبیل (the wayfarer) includes those stranded on a journey for lack of money; or those who travel in search of knowledge or for promoting social relations. See also 2:178.

6:136; 11:94; 39:40.

Commentary:

The Holy Prophet is here commanded to say to disbelievers that bootless quarrelling and fighting serves no useful purpose. Time will show who is in the right and who in the wrong by the results that the actions of Muslims and their opponents produce.

6:136; 39:40.

Important Words:

علی مکانتکم (as best you can). See 6:136.

Commentary:

The words, act as best you can, I too am acting, mean that they should go on working according to their own lights and plans, and he could work as guided by his faith. The results would show who was working in accordance with God’s will and who was seeking to defy and frustrate His purpose.

In fact, Prophets of God always ask their people to leave the matter to God and wait for His decision, but their opponents always seek to take the matter into their own hands. The result invariably is that their efforts to destroy the Prophet and his followers prove futile and they themselves are destroyed.

21:4.

Important Words:

غمرة (heedlessness) is derived from غمر. They say غمر الماء i.e. the water was or became much in quantity or deep so that it concealed its bottom. غمر الماء means, the water was abundant so that it came over him or covered him. غمر also means, he abounded in beneficence. غمرة means, water that rises above the stature of a man; difficulty, trouble or rigour. غمرة الموت means, the agony of death. فذرھم فی غمرتھمmeans, therefore leave them in their ignorance; or in their error and obstinacy and perplexity; in their overwhelming heedlessness or ignorance (Lane & Aqrab).

25:76; 34:38.

Important Words:

غرفا (lofty mansions) or غرفات is the plural of غرفة which is derived from غرف (gharafa). They say غرف الماء i.e. he took the water with his hand. غرفة means, a handful of water; an upper hand; a chamber or a chamber in the upper or uppermost storey of a house (Lane & Aqrab).

Commentary:

In this verse believers are promised in clear and unequivocal terms that those who leave their homes in the cause of God, and then remain steadfast in their belief and do good deeds, the reward they get far exceeds that which they lose for God’s sake. This Divine promise was fulfilled to the very letter in the case of the Companions of the Holy Prophet.

Commentary:

The words of this and the preceding verse may also be taken as having been spoken by God Himself.

6:136; 11:122.

Important Words:

مکانتکم (as you can). مکانة is considered by some to have been derived from کان which means, he or it was, or it came into existence. Thus it means, place of existence; state or condition. It may also be taken to have been derived from مکن. They say مکن عند الامیر i.e. he had a great position with the prince. In this sense of the root word مکانة would mean, greatness; high rank or standing; honourable place or position; power. The expression اعملوا علی مکانتکم would thus mean, do what you can; do your worst (Lane & Aqrab).

The verse throws out an open challenge to disbelievers to do their worst and use all their power, resources and influence to destroy Islam but they will never succeed in their evil designs. Islam is humanity’s last hope and final destiny and, therefore, its cause is bound to triumph and prevail.

1:2; 7:44; 37:183.

Commentary:

When believers see the promises of success and prosperity, made to them by the Prophet of God in the hour of severe tribulation, being literally fulfilled, their hearts become full of gratitude and they sing Divine praises from the inmost depths of their being. The words "the earth" in the sentence "and has given us the earth to inherit" may refer to the Holy Land, and the verse may particularly apply to the Holy Prophet’s Companions who had to wait for only a few years to see the fulfilment of the promise that the Holy Land would fall into their possession. The Muslims conquered Palestine in the caliphate of ‘Umar and it remained in their hands for more than 1300 years with the exception of a brief period of about 90 years. The present possession of Palestine by the Jews seems to be only a temporary phase.