Ruku 233 ع
Section 233 of 556 • 6 Verses
وَٱللَّهُ فَضَّلَ بَعْضَكُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ فِى ٱلرِّزْقِ ۚ فَمَا ٱلَّذِينَ فُضِّلُوا۟ بِرَآدِّى رِزْقِهِمْ عَلَىٰ مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَٰنُهُمْ فَهُمْ فِيهِ سَوَآءٌ ۚ أَفَبِنِعْمَةِ ٱللَّهِ يَجْحَدُونَ
24:23; 30:29.
在每一个时期, 某些人或民族靠他们超人的智慧和辛勤的劳动胜过和控制别人或别的民族。这是既不公平的又非正义的, 只要不太幸运的民族也获得适当的机会, 利用自己的才能和智慧为生活挣得好东西。但是, “富者” 总是坚决反对 “不富者” 努力改善他们的状况和分享他们享有的权力和特权。为了使世界不受那些掌握权力和特权的人的暴政统治, 为了向真正优秀有才能的人敞开进步和发展的大门从而在人类中恢复公正和平等, 安拉培养出复兴者。他们的出现预示一个新纪元的到来, 贫困者和 “不富者” 获得归还给他们的权利。本节经文简明地却极好地奠定了私人所有权的法律。从另一方面, 通过在 “他们的给养” 这一用语中, 强调 “转让给” 这个词, 伊斯兰教承认私人所有权。鉴于这一点, 通过使用 “转让给” 这几个字。伊斯兰教也奠定了全人类本身所拥有的一切东西的集体所有权的原则。因为只是那个本属於他的东西才能转让给他。事实上,
«古兰经» 承认一切东西的双重所有权。即个人拥有被认为是通过劳动汗水挣得的财产权, 以及作为人类拥有全人类的财产权。实际上, 伊斯兰教既不主张不受限制的私人所有权, 也不主张完全不受限制地拥有国家财富和生产资料。它采纳中间方针。
24:23; 30:29.
In every age some individuals or nations, by their superior intellect and harder work, come to acquire ascendancy and control over other individuals or nations. This is neither unfair nor unjust so long as proper opportunities are not denied to the less fortunate peoples also to make proper use of their talents and intelligence to earn the good things of life. But the "haves" have always set their face against all attempts on the part of the "have-nots" to better their condition and to have a share in the power and privileges they enjoy. In order to save the world from the tyranny of those in possession of power and privileges and to open the doors of progress and advancement to real merit and talent and thereby to rehabilitate justice and equality among mankind, God raises Reformers. Their advent heralds a new era and the dispossessed and the "have-nots" have their rights restored to them. Briefly, but very beautifully, the verse has laid down the Islamic law with regard to private ownership. Whereas on t
The expression clearly includes all persons under one’s control such as private servants, subordinates, labourers, ryots etc.
24:23; 30:29.
Commentary:
This verse contains another very important argument in favour of Divine revelation. The object and purpose of Divineguidance, it says, is not only to bring about reformation in religious beliefs and doctrines but also to maintain a just balance in the distribution of material wealth and political rights and power. It is a divine law that in every age some individuals or nations, by their superior intellect and harder work, come to acquire ascendancy and control over other individuals or nations. This is neither unfair nor unjust so long as proper opportunities are not denied to the less fortunate peoples also to make proper use of their talents and intelligence for earning the good things of life. But the "haves" have always set their face against all attempts by the "have-nots" to better their material condition and to have a share in the power and privileges the "haves" enjoy. The only way to save the world from the tyranny of those in possession of power and privilege and to open the doors of progress and advancement to real merit and talent and thereby to rehabilitate justice and equality among mankind is that God should send His Messengers. Their advent heralds a new era and the dispossessed and the "have-nots" have their rights restored to them.
So when people become separated from the era of a Prophet by a long time and vested interests grow and become entrenched and power and privileges flow from father to son and common people are denied all share in the government and even so-called religious leaders come to trade upon the superstitious fears of their followers and monopolize all religious authority and common men are not even considered competent to be consulted on religious or secular matters, God raises a Prophet who wages a relentless war against this tyranny and untruth and the so-called leaders who held the reins of power in their hands on the plea of supposed superior abilities are dethroned and man begins to breathe in an atmosphere of true freedom.
Briefly but very beautifully the verse has laid down the Islamic law with regard to private ownership. Whereas on the one hand Islam has recognized the right of private ownership by emphasizing the word their in the expression, "of their worldly gifts", it has, by using the words "will restore" (برادی) also accepted the principle of the collective ownership of all things by all human beings as such, because only that thing is "restored" to another person which belongs to him. In fact, Islam has accepted the principle of dual ownership of everything—the right of possession of a property by the person who earns it and the right in the possession of that property of all human beings as human beings. Moreover, by its institution of Zakah, the prohibition about hoarding wealth and taking and giving of interest, Islam has sought to prevent the accumulation of wealth in a few hands and thus by its free circulation has kept the avenues of progress equally open for all men. Islam, in reality, neither believes in the right of unrestricted private ownership nor in complete and unreserved possession of wealth and the means of its production by the State. It adopts the middle course.
Ordinarily, the words "whom their right hands possess" mean slaves, and in the Quran these words have generally been used in this sense; but they possess a much wider significance and include all persons under one’s control such as private servants, subordinates, labourers, ryots etc.
d
24:23; 30:29.
682
在每一个时期, 某些人或民族靠他们超人的智慧和辛勤的劳动胜过和控制别人或别的民族。这是既不公平的又非正义的, 只要不太幸运的民族也获得适当的机会, 利用自己的才能和智慧为生活挣得好东西。但是, “富者” 总是坚决反对 “不富者” 努力改善他们的状况和分享他们享有的权力和特权。为了使世界不受那些掌握权力和特权的人的暴政统治, 为了向真正优秀有才能的人敞开进步和发展的大门从而在人类中恢复公正和平等, 安拉培养出复兴者。他们的出现预示一个新纪元的到来, 贫困者和 “不富者” 获得归还给他们的权利。本节经文简明地却极好地奠定了私人所有权的法律。从另一方面, 通过在 “他们的给养” 这一用语中, 强调 “转让给” 这个词, 伊斯兰教承认私人所有权。鉴于这一点, 通过使用 “转让给” 这几个字。伊斯兰教也奠定了全人类本身所拥有的一切东西的集体所有权的原则。因为只是那个本属於他的东西才能转让给他。事实上,
«古兰经» 承认一切东西的双重所有权。即个人拥有被认为是通过劳动汗水挣得的财产权, 以及作为人类拥有全人类的财产权。实际上, 伊斯兰教既不主张不受限制的私人所有权, 也不主张完全不受限制地拥有国家财富和生产资料。它采纳中间方针。
a
24:23; 30:29.
1872
Commentary:
This verse contains another very important argument in favour of Divine revelation. The object and purpose of Divineguidance, it says, is not only to bring about reformation in religious beliefs and doctrines but also to maintain a just balance in the distribution of material wealth and political rights and power. It is a divine law that in every age some individuals or nations, by their superior intellect and harder work, come to acquire ascendancy and control over other individuals or nations. This is neither unfair nor unjust so long as proper opportunities are not denied to the less fortunate peoples also to make proper use of their talents and intelligence for earning the good things of life. But the "haves" have always set their face against all attempts by the "have-nots" to better their material condition and to have a share in the power and privileges the "haves" enjoy. The only way to save the world from the tyranny of those in possession of power and privilege and to open the doors of progress and advancement to real merit and talent and thereby to rehabilitate justice and equality among mankind is that God should send His Messengers. Their advent heralds a new era and the dispossessed and the "have-nots" have their rights restored to them.
So when people become separated from the era of a Prophet by a long time and vested interests grow and become entrenched and power and privileges flow from father to son and common people are denied all share in the government and even so-called religious leaders come to trade upon the superstitious fears of their followers and monopolize all religious authority and common men are not even considered competent to be consulted on religious or secular matters, God raises a Prophet who wages a relentless war against this tyranny and untruth and the so-called leaders who held the reins of power in their hands on the plea of supposed superior abilities are dethroned and man begins to breathe in an atmosphere of true freedom.
Briefly but very beautifully the verse has laid down the Islamic law with regard to private ownership. Whereas on the one hand Islam has recognized the right of private ownership by emphasizing the word their in the expression, "of their worldly gifts", it has, by using the words "will restore" (برادی) also accepted the principle of the collective ownership of all things by all human beings as such, because only that thing is "restored" to another person which belongs to him. In fact, Islam has accepted the principle of dual ownership of everything—the right of possession of a property by the person who earns it and the right in the possession of that property of all human beings as human beings. Moreover, by its institution of Zakah, the prohibition about hoarding wealth and taking and giving of interest, Islam has sought to prevent the accumulation of wealth in a few hands and thus by its free circulation has kept the avenues of progress equally open for all men. Islam, in reality, neither believes in the right of unrestricted private ownership nor in complete and unreserved possession of wealth and the means of its production by the State. It adopts the middle course.
Ordinarily, the words "whom their right hands possess" mean slaves, and in the Quran these words have generally been used in this sense; but they possess a much wider significance and include all persons under one’s control such as private servants, subordinates, labourers, ryots etc.
b
24:23; 30:29.
1558
In every age some individuals or nations, by their superior intellect and harder work, come to acquire ascendancy and control over other individuals or nations. This is neither unfair nor unjust so long as proper opportunities are not denied to the less fortunate peoples also to make proper use of their talents and intelligence to earn the good things of life. But the "haves" have always set their face against all attempts on the part of the "have-nots" to better their condition and to have a share in the power and privileges they enjoy. In order to save the world from the tyranny of those in possession of power and privileges and to open the doors of progress and advancement to real merit and talent and thereby to rehabilitate justice and equality among mankind, God raises Reformers. Their advent heralds a new era and the dispossessed and the "have-nots" have their rights restored to them. Briefly, but very beautifully, the verse has laid down the Islamic law with regard to private ownership. Whereas on t
1559
The expression clearly includes all persons under one’s control such as private servants, subordinates, labourers, ryots etc.
وَٱللَّهُ جَعَلَ لَكُم مِّنْ أَنفُسِكُمْ أَزْوَٰجًا وَجَعَلَ لَكُم مِّنْ أَزْوَٰجِكُم بَنِينَ وَحَفَدَةً وَرَزَقَكُم مِّنَ ٱلطَّيِّبَٰتِ ۚ أَفَبِٱلْبَٰطِلِ يُؤْمِنُونَ وَبِنِعْمَتِ ٱللَّهِ هُمْ يَكْفُرُونَ
قرآن کریم میں ہے مِنْ اَنْفُسِکُمْ اور اقرب الموارد اور شرح مِائَۃُ عَامِل میں لکھا ہے کہ مِنْ کے معنے بعض کے بھی ہوتے ہیں۔ اس کی رو سے اس آیت کے یہ معنے بنیں گے کہ تمہاری بیویاں ان ماں باپ کی بیٹیاں ہیں جو تمہاری طرح کے ہیں۔ اس لئے ان کے جذبات بھی وہی ہیں جو تمہارے ہیں۔
4:2; 7:190; 30:22; 39:7.
29:68.
The verse refers to the instinct of private possession as an argument in support of the Unity of God.
4:2; 7:190; 30:22; 39:7.
29:68.
Important Words:
حفدة (grandsons) is derived from حفد which means, he was quick or went quickly; was continuous in his course or pace. حفد فی العمل means, he was quick and active, agile or prompt, in work. حفدہ means, he served him. حفدة means, assistants, helpers, or auxiliaries and servants; a man’s grandchildren or sons’ children or a son’s children; children or daughters who serve their parents in the house or a man’s children or grandchildren who serve him (Lane & Aqrab).
Commentary:
In this and the adjoining verses the two themes of the need of a revealed Law and the Unity of Godhead have been dealt with from various points of view, not at random, but in support of each other, and it has been made clear that while on the one hand man is apt to fall a victim to polytheistic beliefs and practices without a revealed Law, on the other the Unity of God requires that God should make provision for man’s guidance. As there is no other god except Him, He Himself must provide for the guidance of His creatures. The Oneness of God implies His perfection and that perfection demands that the creation of man must have a purpose, for a purposeless creation suggests a defective Creator. Again, if man were considered to have been created with a purpose, the fulfilment of that purpose would necessarily require an afterlife, for evidently such a purpose is incapable of being fulfilled in the brief span of man’s terrestrial existence. Now the purpose which requires limitless and infinite life for its fulfilment must be highly noble and sublime and so the Law which is intended to accomplish it must also proceed from God Himself. Thus the subjects of the Unity of God and the need of revealed guidance have been mentioned in support of each other in different forms in these verses and just as in the physical world we see that things receive support from one another, similarly in the spiritual realm various parts of the spiritual edifice support one another in order to establish the one supreme truth of the Oneness of God and the Unity and uniformity of creation.
The verse adduces another argument in support of the Unity of Godhead, viz. the human instinct of private possession. It was pointed out in the previous verse that the exclusive possession of wealth and power by certain individuals makes it necessary that there should be a revealed Law to maintain equality and justice between different classes. In this verse it is stated that the instinct of private possession prompts man to transmit his property to his natural heirs and not to strangers. How then can he, in fairness to God, dare set up 'partners' who should share Godhead with Him and thus set the seal on his ingratitude to Him? The way in which man displays his ingratitude to God is dealt with in the next verse.
a
4:2; 7:190; 30:22; 39:7.
b
29:68.
1
قرآن کریم میں ہے مِنْ اَنْفُسِکُمْ اور اقرب الموارد اور شرح مِائَۃُ عَامِل میں لکھا ہے کہ مِنْ کے معنے بعض کے بھی ہوتے ہیں۔ اس کی رو سے اس آیت کے یہ معنے بنیں گے کہ تمہاری بیویاں ان ماں باپ کی بیٹیاں ہیں جو تمہاری طرح کے ہیں۔ اس لئے ان کے جذبات بھی وہی ہیں جو تمہارے ہیں۔
a
4:2; 7:190; 30:22; 39:7.
b
29:68.
1873
Important Words:
حفدة (grandsons) is derived from حفد which means, he was quick or went quickly; was continuous in his course or pace. حفد فی العمل means, he was quick and active, agile or prompt, in work. حفدہ means, he served him. حفدة means, assistants, helpers, or auxiliaries and servants; a man’s grandchildren or sons’ children or a son’s children; children or daughters who serve their parents in the house or a man’s children or grandchildren who serve him (Lane & Aqrab).
Commentary:
In this and the adjoining verses the two themes of the need of a revealed Law and the Unity of Godhead have been dealt with from various points of view, not at random, but in support of each other, and it has been made clear that while on the one hand man is apt to fall a victim to polytheistic beliefs and practices without a revealed Law, on the other the Unity of God requires that God should make provision for man’s guidance. As there is no other god except Him, He Himself must provide for the guidance of His creatures. The Oneness of God implies His perfection and that perfection demands that the creation of man must have a purpose, for a purposeless creation suggests a defective Creator. Again, if man were considered to have been created with a purpose, the fulfilment of that purpose would necessarily require an afterlife, for evidently such a purpose is incapable of being fulfilled in the brief span of man’s terrestrial existence. Now the purpose which requires limitless and infinite life for its fulfilment must be highly noble and sublime and so the Law which is intended to accomplish it must also proceed from God Himself. Thus the subjects of the Unity of God and the need of revealed guidance have been mentioned in support of each other in different forms in these verses and just as in the physical world we see that things receive support from one another, similarly in the spiritual realm various parts of the spiritual edifice support one another in order to establish the one supreme truth of the Oneness of God and the Unity and uniformity of creation.
The verse adduces another argument in support of the Unity of Godhead, viz. the human instinct of private possession. It was pointed out in the previous verse that the exclusive possession of wealth and power by certain individuals makes it necessary that there should be a revealed Law to maintain equality and justice between different classes. In this verse it is stated that the instinct of private possession prompts man to transmit his property to his natural heirs and not to strangers. How then can he, in fairness to God, dare set up 'partners' who should share Godhead with Him and thus set the seal on his ingratitude to Him? The way in which man displays his ingratitude to God is dealt with in the next verse.
a
4:2; 7:190; 30:22; 39:7.
b
29:68.
1560
The verse refers to the instinct of private possession as an argument in support of the Unity of God.
وَيَعْبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ مَا لَا يَمْلِكُ لَهُمْ رِزْقًا مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ شَيْـًٔا وَلَا يَسْتَطِيعُونَ
10:19; 22:72; 29:18.
10:19; 22:72; 29:18.
10:19; 22:72; 29:18.
Commentary:
This verse exposes the stupidity of the course followed by polytheists. It purports to say that while they cannot bear to see their property going into the possession of anyone save their own natural descendants, in the case of God they attribute His powers and authority to persons upon whom He has bestowed no such privilege. This course is all the more unjust because the property which they call their own is really not theirs but is entrusted to them by God. If in spite of the fact that they are not the real owners of the property which is in their possession, they consider themselves competent to bequeath it to anyone they like, why should it not be in the power of God to make anyone He likes to be the recipient of His revealed Law?
The verse also points out that polytheistic beliefs tend to mar man’s material and spiritual progress. A polytheist attributes those powers to false gods which they do not possess and thus his attention is turned away from that Being Who is the source of all power and Who can bestow great favours upon him. It is thus that the intellectual progress and mental advancement of those communities and individuals who hold polytheistic beliefs becomes retarded and impeded while those who believe in the Oneness of God continue to make some progress even in the period of their decline and decay.
c
10:19; 22:72; 29:18.
a
10:19; 22:72; 29:18.
1874
Commentary:
This verse exposes the stupidity of the course followed by polytheists. It purports to say that while they cannot bear to see their property going into the possession of anyone save their own natural descendants, in the case of God they attribute His powers and authority to persons upon whom He has bestowed no such privilege. This course is all the more unjust because the property which they call their own is really not theirs but is entrusted to them by God. If in spite of the fact that they are not the real owners of the property which is in their possession, they consider themselves competent to bequeath it to anyone they like, why should it not be in the power of God to make anyone He likes to be the recipient of His revealed Law?
The verse also points out that polytheistic beliefs tend to mar man’s material and spiritual progress. A polytheist attributes those powers to false gods which they do not possess and thus his attention is turned away from that Being Who is the source of all power and Who can bestow great favours upon him. It is thus that the intellectual progress and mental advancement of those communities and individuals who hold polytheistic beliefs becomes retarded and impeded while those who believe in the Oneness of God continue to make some progress even in the period of their decline and decay.
c
10:19; 22:72; 29:18.
فَلَا تَضْرِبُوا۟ لِلَّهِ ٱلْأَمْثَالَ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَعْلَمُ وَأَنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ
It is highly presumptuous on the part of man to devise a law regarding God while he is quite ignorant of His great and unlimited powers.
Commentary:
The verse means to say that it is foolish on the part of man to devise a law regarding God Himself while he is quite ignorant of His unlimited powers. God has reserved to Himself the right to grant to His servants such privileges in respect of religion as He in His infinite, infallible wisdom regards suitable and for this purpose He chooses him whom He considers really deserving, on account of his sincerity and devotion, to be raised to the rank of His spiritual heir.
In some Scriptures some of the Prophets have been called "sons of God". Such expressions have been used metaphorically and only mean that God chose them to be the heirs to His heavenly kingdom. But men out of their ignorance and perversity take such expressions literally and begin to regard God’s honoured servants as His sons in the physical sense of the word. By applying to them the epithet "the sons of God", these Divine Scriptures meant to demonstrate their spiritual eminence and very deep connection with Him. It is foolish to read in such terms any significance unworthy of God.
The words, Allah knows and you know not, signify that such expressions when used in heavenly Scriptures do not conflict with God’s attributes. For example, the epithet "son" when used by God about a person means one who has such close spiritual connection with Him as is possessed by a son with his parents. But when disbelievers use this term, they use it in its physical sense and thus detract, on the one hand, from the Supreme Exaltedness of God and, on the other, from the dignity of those whom in their folly they wish to honour; because a physical relationship cannot equal the honour and dignity which result from spiritual nearness to God.
1875
Commentary:
The verse means to say that it is foolish on the part of man to devise a law regarding God Himself while he is quite ignorant of His unlimited powers. God has reserved to Himself the right to grant to His servants such privileges in respect of religion as He in His infinite, infallible wisdom regards suitable and for this purpose He chooses him whom He considers really deserving, on account of his sincerity and devotion, to be raised to the rank of His spiritual heir.
In some Scriptures some of the Prophets have been called "sons of God". Such expressions have been used metaphorically and only mean that God chose them to be the heirs to His heavenly kingdom. But men out of their ignorance and perversity take such expressions literally and begin to regard God’s honoured servants as His sons in the physical sense of the word. By applying to them the epithet "the sons of God", these Divine Scriptures meant to demonstrate their spiritual eminence and very deep connection with Him. It is foolish to read in such terms any significance unworthy of God.
The words, Allah knows and you know not, signify that such expressions when used in heavenly Scriptures do not conflict with God’s attributes. For example, the epithet "son" when used by God about a person means one who has such close spiritual connection with Him as is possessed by a son with his parents. But when disbelievers use this term, they use it in its physical sense and thus detract, on the one hand, from the Supreme Exaltedness of God and, on the other, from the dignity of those whom in their folly they wish to honour; because a physical relationship cannot equal the honour and dignity which result from spiritual nearness to God.
1561
It is highly presumptuous on the part of man to devise a law regarding God while he is quite ignorant of His great and unlimited powers.
۞ ضَرَبَ ٱللَّهُ مَثَلًا عَبْدًا مَّمْلُوكًا لَّا يَقْدِرُ عَلَىٰ شَىْءٍ وَمَن رَّزَقْنَٰهُ مِنَّا رِزْقًا حَسَنًا فَهُوَ يُنفِقُ مِنْهُ سِرًّا وَجَهْرًا ۖ هَلْ يَسْتَوُۥنَ ۚ ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ ۚ بَلْ أَكْثَرُهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
2:275; 13:23.
یعنی خداتعالیٰ نے۔
2:275; 13:23.
The disbelievers are like a person who has lost all freedom of will and action and is the slave of his own low desires and fancies.
The implied reference may be to the Holy Prophet—God’s servant par excellence. (1) He served mankind secretly (by praying for them at night) and openly (by tangible acts of service). (2) He served mankind at all hours of the day and night.
2:275; 13:23.
Commentary:
The previous verse pointed out that when God uses an endearing term for some of His beloved servants, it connotes something quite different from such an expression when used by idolaters. The present verse presents the Holy Prophet as one whom God loves, and gives the reason of God’s love for him. It deals with this subject in a parable. It likens disbelievers to a person who has lost his freedom and is the slave of his own lust and, being in the possession of another, has lost all freedom of will and action. Can such a person in any way be like him who, being free from all sorts of superstitious beliefs and evil practices, spends his great God-given powers in the service of His creatures? Evidently the latter person is by far superior to the former in every respect and deserves in a far greater degree to be blessed with Divinerevelation. The implied reference is to the Holy Prophet.
The words, secretly and openly, may be understood in three senses: (1) The Holy Prophet served mankind secretly i.e. by praying for them at night and openly i.e. by tangible acts of service. His whole life was, as it were, a continuous and uninterrupted act of selfless service. (2) He served mankind day and night i.e. he served mankind with might and main at all hours of the day and night. (3) His service, though generally unrecognized by those whom he served, did sometimes receive approbation and recognition from them. The verse means to say that all the great natural powers of the Holy Prophet were fully and completely employed in the service of humanity and in this service he gave no thought to his own comfort and it made no difference to him whether or not his service was acknowledged.
The verse also suggests that there are some good deeds which remain unknown to men in this life and hence go without recognition. Such good deeds demand that there should be a "day" when they may be recognized and suitably rewarded.
a
2:275; 13:23.
2
یعنی خداتعالیٰ نے۔
a
2:275; 13:23.
1876
Commentary:
The previous verse pointed out that when God uses an endearing term for some of His beloved servants, it connotes something quite different from such an expression when used by idolaters. The present verse presents the Holy Prophet as one whom God loves, and gives the reason of God’s love for him. It deals with this subject in a parable. It likens disbelievers to a person who has lost his freedom and is the slave of his own lust and, being in the possession of another, has lost all freedom of will and action. Can such a person in any way be like him who, being free from all sorts of superstitious beliefs and evil practices, spends his great God-given powers in the service of His creatures? Evidently the latter person is by far superior to the former in every respect and deserves in a far greater degree to be blessed with Divinerevelation. The implied reference is to the Holy Prophet.
The words, secretly and openly, may be understood in three senses: (1) The Holy Prophet served mankind secretly i.e. by praying for them at night and openly i.e. by tangible acts of service. His whole life was, as it were, a continuous and uninterrupted act of selfless service. (2) He served mankind day and night i.e. he served mankind with might and main at all hours of the day and night. (3) His service, though generally unrecognized by those whom he served, did sometimes receive approbation and recognition from them. The verse means to say that all the great natural powers of the Holy Prophet were fully and completely employed in the service of humanity and in this service he gave no thought to his own comfort and it made no difference to him whether or not his service was acknowledged.
The verse also suggests that there are some good deeds which remain unknown to men in this life and hence go without recognition. Such good deeds demand that there should be a "day" when they may be recognized and suitably rewarded.
a
2:275; 13:23.
1562
The disbelievers are like a person who has lost all freedom of will and action and is the slave of his own low desires and fancies.
1563
The implied reference may be to the Holy Prophet—God’s servant par excellence. (1) He served mankind secretly (by praying for them at night) and openly (by tangible acts of service). (2) He served mankind at all hours of the day and night.
وَضَرَبَ ٱللَّهُ مَثَلًا رَّجُلَيْنِ أَحَدُهُمَآ أَبْكَمُ لَا يَقْدِرُ عَلَىٰ شَىْءٍ وَهُوَ كَلٌّ عَلَىٰ مَوْلَىٰهُ أَيْنَمَا يُوَجِّههُّ لَا يَأْتِ بِخَيْرٍ ۖ هَلْ يَسْتَوِى هُوَ وَمَن يَأْمُرُ بِٱلْعَدْلِ ۙ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ صِرَٰطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ
This and the preceding verse refer to two different classes of disbelievers. The preceding verse refers to those disbelievers, who are slaves to superstitious beliefs and idolatrous practices and customs and, though possessing some means and the ability to do some useful work, are prevented from doing it because they are deprived of freedom of action. And the present verse refers to such disbelievers as are not only slaves to superstitious practices but are also totally lacking in the means and the ability to do any real good work.
Commentary:
This verse contains another parable concerning the Holy Prophet and his enemies. It says that the Prophet’s enemies are mute and dumb. All sorts of crimes and sins are committed before their eyes, but they do not even open their lips to condemn them or to dissuade or check people from them. They have never said a word to safeguard the honour of God, their Lord and Master. It is only the Prophet who has always raised his voice against sin and iniquity.
Again, says the verse, if the Prophet’s adversaries could not bid others to do good works and not associate equals with God, they could, at least do good works themselves and declare the Holiness of God by their own example. But they did none of these things. They could neither carry their own burdens nor help others carry their burdens. But the Holy Prophetnot only himself practised virtue but exhorted and enjoined others to be just, equitable and God-fearing. Therefore he, and not they, deserved to be chosen for Divine favours.
The theme in this and the preceding verse is the same, but these two verses refer to two different classes of disbelievers. The preceding verse refers to such disbelievers as are slaves to superstitious beliefs and idolatrous practices and customs and though possessing the means and the ability to do some useful and effective work, abstain from doing it for fear of incurring public opprobrium; while the present verse refers to such disbelievers as are not only slaves to superstitious practices but also lack the means and the ability to do any good work. As contrasted with these two classes of disbelievers the Holy Prophet is not only free from all sorts of superstitious beliefs and foolish customs but is also endowed with great natural powers. He uses his great God-given gifts in the service of mankind while disbelievers are a burden and a sort of a stigma on the Holiness of God Who has created them.
1877
Commentary:
This verse contains another parable concerning the Holy Prophet and his enemies. It says that the Prophet’s enemies are mute and dumb. All sorts of crimes and sins are committed before their eyes, but they do not even open their lips to condemn them or to dissuade or check people from them. They have never said a word to safeguard the honour of God, their Lord and Master. It is only the Prophet who has always raised his voice against sin and iniquity.
Again, says the verse, if the Prophet’s adversaries could not bid others to do good works and not associate equals with God, they could, at least do good works themselves and declare the Holiness of God by their own example. But they did none of these things. They could neither carry their own burdens nor help others carry their burdens. But the Holy Prophetnot only himself practised virtue but exhorted and enjoined others to be just, equitable and God-fearing. Therefore he, and not they, deserved to be chosen for Divine favours.
The theme in this and the preceding verse is the same, but these two verses refer to two different classes of disbelievers. The preceding verse refers to such disbelievers as are slaves to superstitious beliefs and idolatrous practices and customs and though possessing the means and the ability to do some useful and effective work, abstain from doing it for fear of incurring public opprobrium; while the present verse refers to such disbelievers as are not only slaves to superstitious practices but also lack the means and the ability to do any good work. As contrasted with these two classes of disbelievers the Holy Prophet is not only free from all sorts of superstitious beliefs and foolish customs but is also endowed with great natural powers. He uses his great God-given gifts in the service of mankind while disbelievers are a burden and a sort of a stigma on the Holiness of God Who has created them.
1564
This and the preceding verse refer to two different classes of disbelievers. The preceding verse refers to those disbelievers, who are slaves to superstitious beliefs and idolatrous practices and customs and, though possessing some means and the ability to do some useful work, are prevented from doing it because they are deprived of freedom of action. And the present verse refers to such disbelievers as are not only slaves to superstitious practices but are also totally lacking in the means and the ability to do any real good work.