اَوَّلُ
Appears 10 times in Quran
Derived Words (3)
Words derived from the stem "اَوَّلُ".
- first
- the first
- the First
- of yore
- the first
- the former
- the former people
- yore
Occurrences in Quran
Found 10 verses containing "اَوَّلُ".
وَلَمَّا جَآءَ مُوۡسٰی لِمِیۡقٰتِنَا وَکَلَّمَہٗ رَبُّہٗ قَالَ رَبِّ اَرِنِیۡۤ اَنۡظُرۡ اِلَیۡکَ ۚ قَالَ لَنۡ تَرٰٮنِیۡ وَلٰکِنِ انۡظُرۡ اِلَی الۡجَبَلِ فَاِنِ اسۡتَقَرَّ مَکَانَہٗ فَسَوۡفَ تَرٰٮنِیۡ ۚ فَلَمَّا تَجَلّٰی رَبُّہٗ لِلۡجَبَلِ جَعَلَہٗ دَکًّا وَّخَرَّ مُوۡسٰی صَعِقًا ۚ فَلَمَّاۤ اَفَاقَ قَالَ سُبۡحٰنَکَ تُبۡتُ اِلَیۡکَ وَاَنَا۠ اَوَّلُ الۡمُؤۡمِنِیۡنَ
2:254; 4:165.
这节经文对最重要的宗教论题之一--------是否人可以用肉眼见到安拉--------作了解释。这节经文并不支持用肉眼可以见到安拉的这种看法 (6:104)。用肉眼非但不能见到安拉, 也不能见到天使; 我们只能看到他们所显示的形式。同样地, 只能见到安拉的一种显示形式而不能见到他自己。因此, 像穆撒那样的安拉的一个伟大的先知, 他知道安拉所有的常德, 会要做一件做不到的事情, 这是不可理解的。穆撒知道他只能看到安拉的一种显示形式, 而不是安拉的本体。但是, 在从麦德彦去埃及的旅途中, 在那 “火光” 中已见到过安拉的一种显示形式。(28:30) 那么, “我的养主啊! 求你向我显示 (你的存在), 以便我看见你。” 这句话中所包含的他请求见到安拉又意味着什么呢? 这一请求看来指的是, 在较后一些时候, 在伊斯兰教的穆圣身上要发生的安拉最完美的显示形式。穆撒得到许诺说, 从以色列人的兄弟中将出现一个先知, 安拉要那个先知讲出他的话。(«申命记» 18:18-22) 这一预言意示, 安拉将给予比过去给予穆撒的更大的显示形式。因此, 他自然极想见到那许诺的将会是怎样一种安拉光荣和伟大的显示形式。他但愿能见到安拉可能向他显示那种光荣和伟大的形式。他被告知说, 那种显示形式非他的能力可能承受, 它不能在他心上发生, 而且安拉已经选择高山作为他在物质上的显示形式。那高山剧烈地震摇, 它看来好像已经破碎, 穆撒由于震摇的冲击而跌下, 失去了知觉。这使他认识到, 他的精神还没有达到那种高超的阶段使他可以成为他请求见到的安拉显示形式的那种对象。那个唯一的特殊地位是留给比他伟大得多的人--------安拉的创造物的冠冕--------圣洁的先知, 穆罕默德。穆撒的请求也可以认为是由于以色列家族的前辈要想肉眼见到安拉的事情所引起的。(2:56) 他的这一个不寻常的感受使穆撒认识到自己的请求是不合时宜的。因此他自发地大声说道, “我归向你, 我是 (这个时代) 第一个信仰者。”这句话意味着他认识到自己没有被授予那种能力使他能够见到安拉光荣的那种完美的显示形式。而那种完美的显示形式将发生在主许的先知的心上。他第一个相信那个伟大的先知命定会达到这种伟大精神的卓越地位。穆撒对穆圣的这一信念, 在46:11节经文中也曾谈及。
那座高山并没有真正破碎。这是句譬喻的话, 用来表达地震的极大严重性(读《出埃及记》24:18)。
2:254; 4:165.
This verse sheds some light on one of the most important religious subjects—whether it is possible for one to see God with the physical eyes. The verse lends no support to the view that God is visible to the physical eyes (6:104). Not to say of seeing God with the physical eyes, man cannot even see angels; we can see only a manifestation of them. Similarly, only a manifestation of God can be seen and not God Himself. It is, therefore, inconceivable that a great Prophet of God like Moses, with all his knowledge of the attributes of God, should have desired an impossibility. Moses knew that he could see only a manifestation of God and not God Himself. But he had already seen a manifestation of God in "the Fire" when travelling from Midian to Egypt (28:30). What then did Moses mean by his request to see God, contained in the words, My Lord, show Thyself to me that I may look at Thee. The request seems to refer to the perfect manifestation of God which was to take place in the person of the Holy Proph
The mountain was not actually broken into pieces. The words have been used figuratively to express the great severity of the earthquake. See Exod. 24: 18.
2:254; 4:165.
Important Words:
تجلی (manifested Himself) is derived from جلا . They say جلاالامر i.e. the affair was or became clear, manifest, displayed, uncovered or laid open. تجلی الشیء i.e. the thing became manifest or apparent. تجلی الشیء used transitively means, he looked at the thing standing upon a higher position. The Quranic expression فلماتجلی ربه للجبل means, when his Lord became manifest to the mountain, i.e. when He manifested Himself on the mountain (Lane & Aqrab).
دکا (pieces) is the noun-infinitive from دك i.e. he broke or crushed or pounded a thing. They say دك الارض i.e. he made even the elevations and depressions of the earth. دکته الحمی means, fever weakened him. دك , therefore, means, an even or level place; a land broken and made even; a crumbled mountain; a mound or hill or dust or earth such as is a sandhill. The Quranic words جعله دکا means, He made it even or level; or He made it crumbled (Lane).
Commentary:
This verse sheds light on one of the most important religious subjects—whether it is possible for one to see God with the physical eyes. The verse lends no support to the view that God is visible to the physical eyes. Let alone seeing Him, the human eye cannot even see angels. Says the Quran: If God had appointed as Messenger an angel, He would have made him appear as a man (6:10). As we cannot see angels but only a manifestation of them, similarly we can see only a manifestation of God, and not God Himself. It is, therefore, inconceivable that a great Prophet of God like Moses with all his knowledge of the attributes of God, should have desired an impossibility. Moses knew that he could see only a manifestation of God and not God Himself. But he had already seen a manifestation of God in "the fire" when travelling from Midian to Egypt (28:30). What then did Moses mean by his request to see God, contained in the words, My Lord, show Thyself to me that I may look at Thee? The request seems to refer to the Perfect manifestation of God that was not granted to Moses but was to take place at the time of the Holy Prophet of Islam who was to be a مثیل or like of Moses. Indeed, Moses had already been given the promise that there was to appear, from among the brethren of the Israelites, a Prophet in whose mouth God was to put His word (Deut. 18:18-22). The words in which the promise was given implied a greater manifestation of God than had been vouchsafed to Moses. So Moses was naturally anxious to see what sort of God’s Glory and Majesty the promised Manifestation would be. He, therefore, wished that something of that Glory and Majesty might be shown to him. But a manifestation of that Glory was beyond the capacity of Moses to bear; it could not take place in or upon his heart. He was, therefore, asked to see a manifestation of it taking place at the Mount. But this should not be understood to mean that the Mount was to serve as a receptacle for the Great Glory: for, according to the Quran (33:73), the heart of Moses was certainly more capable of enduring it than the Mount. The Mount thus served only as the site or locality where that great manifestation was to take place. But even this proved too much for the Mount which shook violently.
The effect on the Mount was similar in nature to that produced on a Companion of the Holy Prophet when the latter’s head happened to be resting on his thigh at a time when a revelation descended on the Prophet. He felt such a heavy weight on his thigh that he feared that it would be crushed under it. Moses, too, could not bear to see the manifestation of Divine Power and Majesty and fell down unconscious, in spite of the fact that he had been warned beforehand of the terrible quaking that was to overtake the Mount. Thus it was that Moses realised that he did not possess the capacity for that powerful manifestation of Divine glory which was to take place later through the Holy Prophet of Islam. This is why when he recovered his senses, Moses cried, Holy art Thou, I turn towards Thee, and I am the first to believe. These words meant that he had realized that he did not possess the capacity for that perfect manifestation of Divine glory which was to take place through the Promised Prophet and that he was the first believer in the great spiritual eminence which that Prophet was destined to attain. This belief of Moses in the Holy Prophet has also been referred to in 46:11.
The words, He broke it into pieces, should not be taken literally, for the Mount was not actually broken into pieces. The words are used figuratively to express the great severity of the earthquake.
It may be also noted here that Moses was told to look at the mountain, and he was also told that he would see God if it remained in its place. The laying down of this condition shows that Moses had not asked for an impossible thing; for the laying down of a condition for an impossible thing is evidently meaningless.
The words, look at the mountain, implied that he should look outside himself because the manifestations could not take place within him. The fact that Moses fell down in a swoon shows that he did witness some manifestation, though only partly and imperfectly. The manifestation that takes place in the heart is permanent and lasting, while that which takes place outside is only temporary and passing.
A reference to this request of Moses to see God is to be found in Exod. 33:18.
d
2:254; 4:165.
517
这节经文对最重要的宗教论题之一--------是否人可以用肉眼见到安拉--------作了解释。这节经文并不支持用肉眼可以见到安拉的这种看法 (6:104)。用肉眼非但不能见到安拉, 也不能见到天使; 我们只能看到他们所显示的形式。同样地, 只能见到安拉的一种显示形式而不能见到他自己。因此, 像穆撒那样的安拉的一个伟大的先知, 他知道安拉所有的常德, 会要做一件做不到的事情, 这是不可理解的。穆撒知道他只能看到安拉的一种显示形式, 而不是安拉的本体。但是, 在从麦德彦去埃及的旅途中, 在那 “火光” 中已见到过安拉的一种显示形式。(28:30) 那么, “我的养主啊! 求你向我显示 (你的存在), 以便我看见你。” 这句话中所包含的他请求见到安拉又意味着什么呢? 这一请求看来指的是, 在较后一些时候, 在伊斯兰教的穆圣身上要发生的安拉最完美的显示形式。穆撒得到许诺说, 从以色列人的兄弟中将出现一个先知, 安拉要那个先知讲出他的话。(«申命记» 18:18-22) 这一预言意示, 安拉将给予比过去给予穆撒的更大的显示形式。因此, 他自然极想见到那许诺的将会是怎样一种安拉光荣和伟大的显示形式。他但愿能见到安拉可能向他显示那种光荣和伟大的形式。他被告知说, 那种显示形式非他的能力可能承受, 它不能在他心上发生, 而且安拉已经选择高山作为他在物质上的显示形式。那高山剧烈地震摇, 它看来好像已经破碎, 穆撒由于震摇的冲击而跌下, 失去了知觉。这使他认识到, 他的精神还没有达到那种高超的阶段使他可以成为他请求见到的安拉显示形式的那种对象。那个唯一的特殊地位是留给比他伟大得多的人--------安拉的创造物的冠冕--------圣洁的先知, 穆罕默德。穆撒的请求也可以认为是由于以色列家族的前辈要想肉眼见到安拉的事情所引起的。(2:56) 他的这一个不寻常的感受使穆撒认识到自己的请求是不合时宜的。因此他自发地大声说道, “我归向你, 我是 (这个时代) 第一个信仰者。”这句话意味着他认识到自己没有被授予那种能力使他能够见到安拉光荣的那种完美的显示形式。而那种完美的显示形式将发生在主许的先知的心上。他第一个相信那个伟大的先知命定会达到这种伟大精神的卓越地位。穆撒对穆圣的这一信念, 在46:11节经文中也曾谈及。
518
那座高山并没有真正破碎。这是句譬喻的话, 用来表达地震的极大严重性(读《出埃及记》24:18)。
a
2:254; 4:165.
1033
Important Words:
تجلی (manifested Himself) is derived from جلا . They say جلاالامر i.e. the affair was or became clear, manifest, displayed, uncovered or laid open. تجلی الشیء i.e. the thing became manifest or apparent. تجلی الشیء used transitively means, he looked at the thing standing upon a higher position. The Quranic expression فلماتجلی ربه للجبل means, when his Lord became manifest to the mountain, i.e. when He manifested Himself on the mountain (Lane & Aqrab).
دکا (pieces) is the noun-infinitive from دك i.e. he broke or crushed or pounded a thing. They say دك الارض i.e. he made even the elevations and depressions of the earth. دکته الحمی means, fever weakened him. دك , therefore, means, an even or level place; a land broken and made even; a crumbled mountain; a mound or hill or dust or earth such as is a sandhill. The Quranic words جعله دکا means, He made it even or level; or He made it crumbled (Lane).
Commentary:
This verse sheds light on one of the most important religious subjects—whether it is possible for one to see God with the physical eyes. The verse lends no support to the view that God is visible to the physical eyes. Let alone seeing Him, the human eye cannot even see angels. Says the Quran: If God had appointed as Messenger an angel, He would have made him appear as a man (6:10). As we cannot see angels but only a manifestation of them, similarly we can see only a manifestation of God, and not God Himself. It is, therefore, inconceivable that a great Prophet of God like Moses with all his knowledge of the attributes of God, should have desired an impossibility. Moses knew that he could see only a manifestation of God and not God Himself. But he had already seen a manifestation of God in "the fire" when travelling from Midian to Egypt (28:30). What then did Moses mean by his request to see God, contained in the words, My Lord, show Thyself to me that I may look at Thee? The request seems to refer to the Perfect manifestation of God that was not granted to Moses but was to take place at the time of the Holy Prophet of Islam who was to be a مثیل or like of Moses. Indeed, Moses had already been given the promise that there was to appear, from among the brethren of the Israelites, a Prophet in whose mouth God was to put His word (Deut. 18:18-22). The words in which the promise was given implied a greater manifestation of God than had been vouchsafed to Moses. So Moses was naturally anxious to see what sort of God’s Glory and Majesty the promised Manifestation would be. He, therefore, wished that something of that Glory and Majesty might be shown to him. But a manifestation of that Glory was beyond the capacity of Moses to bear; it could not take place in or upon his heart. He was, therefore, asked to see a manifestation of it taking place at the Mount. But this should not be understood to mean that the Mount was to serve as a receptacle for the Great Glory: for, according to the Quran (33:73), the heart of Moses was certainly more capable of enduring it than the Mount. The Mount thus served only as the site or locality where that great manifestation was to take place. But even this proved too much for the Mount which shook violently.
The effect on the Mount was similar in nature to that produced on a Companion of the Holy Prophet when the latter’s head happened to be resting on his thigh at a time when a revelation descended on the Prophet. He felt such a heavy weight on his thigh that he feared that it would be crushed under it. Moses, too, could not bear to see the manifestation of Divine Power and Majesty and fell down unconscious, in spite of the fact that he had been warned beforehand of the terrible quaking that was to overtake the Mount. Thus it was that Moses realised that he did not possess the capacity for that powerful manifestation of Divine glory which was to take place later through the Holy Prophet of Islam. This is why when he recovered his senses, Moses cried, Holy art Thou, I turn towards Thee, and I am the first to believe. These words meant that he had realized that he did not possess the capacity for that perfect manifestation of Divine glory which was to take place through the Promised Prophet and that he was the first believer in the great spiritual eminence which that Prophet was destined to attain. This belief of Moses in the Holy Prophet has also been referred to in 46:11.
The words, He broke it into pieces, should not be taken literally, for the Mount was not actually broken into pieces. The words are used figuratively to express the great severity of the earthquake.
It may be also noted here that Moses was told to look at the mountain, and he was also told that he would see God if it remained in its place. The laying down of this condition shows that Moses had not asked for an impossible thing; for the laying down of a condition for an impossible thing is evidently meaningless.
The words, look at the mountain, implied that he should look outside himself because the manifestations could not take place within him. The fact that Moses fell down in a swoon shows that he did witness some manifestation, though only partly and imperfectly. The manifestation that takes place in the heart is permanent and lasting, while that which takes place outside is only temporary and passing.
A reference to this request of Moses to see God is to be found in Exod. 33:18.
b
2:254; 4:165.
1046
This verse sheds some light on one of the most important religious subjects—whether it is possible for one to see God with the physical eyes. The verse lends no support to the view that God is visible to the physical eyes (6:104). Not to say of seeing God with the physical eyes, man cannot even see angels; we can see only a manifestation of them. Similarly, only a manifestation of God can be seen and not God Himself. It is, therefore, inconceivable that a great Prophet of God like Moses, with all his knowledge of the attributes of God, should have desired an impossibility. Moses knew that he could see only a manifestation of God and not God Himself. But he had already seen a manifestation of God in "the Fire" when travelling from Midian to Egypt (28:30). What then did Moses mean by his request to see God, contained in the words, My Lord, show Thyself to me that I may look at Thee. The request seems to refer to the perfect manifestation of God which was to take place in the person of the Holy Proph
1047
The mountain was not actually broken into pieces. The words have been used figuratively to express the great severity of the earthquake. See Exod. 24: 18.
لَا شَرِیۡکَ لَہٗ ۖ وَبِذٰلِکَ اُمِرۡتُ وَاَنَا۠ اَوَّلُ الۡمُسۡلِمِیۡنَ
6:15; 39:12, 13.
6:15; 39:12, 13.
6:15; 39:12-13.
Commentary:
Not only were all the energies of the Holy Prophet devoted to God, but he believed in no other deity, and his eyes were shut to every thing but his Lord and Maker to Whom alone he submitted. The Holy Prophet was indeed the First Muslim.
c
6:15; 39:12, 13.
a
6:15; 39:12-13.
903
Commentary:
Not only were all the energies of the Holy Prophet devoted to God, but he believed in no other deity, and his eyes were shut to every thing but his Lord and Maker to Whom alone he submitted. The Holy Prophet was indeed the First Muslim.
c
6:15; 39:12, 13.
وَالسّٰبِقُوۡنَ الۡاَوَّلُوۡنَ مِنَ الۡمُہٰجِرِیۡنَ وَالۡاَنۡصَارِ وَالَّذِیۡنَ اتَّبَعُوۡہُمۡ بِاِحۡسٰنٍ رَّضِیَ اللّٰہُ عَنۡہُمۡ وَرَضُوۡا عَنۡہُ وَاَعَدَّ لَہُمۡ جَنّٰتٍ تَجۡرِیۡ تَحۡتَہَا الۡاَنۡہٰرُ خٰلِدِیۡنَ فِیۡہَاۤ اَبَدًا ۚ ذٰلِکَ الۡفَوۡزُ الۡعَظِیۡمُ
58:23; 98:9.
58:23; 98:9.
Incidentally, the verse constitutes a forcible refutation of the Shi‘ah accusations against the first three Successors of the Holy Prophet and his other prominent Companions.
58:23; 98:9.
Important Words:
السابقون (foremost) is the plural of السابق being derived from سبق. They say سبقه i.e. he got or went or came before him or ahead of him; he outstripped him in a race, etc. So سابق is one who outstrips others in faith and actions (Lane).
الاولون (the first) is the plural of الاول which is derived from وأل being the opposite of الآخر i.e. the last. اول means, the first; one preceding all others (Lane & Aqrab).
Commentary:
The verse mentions two distinctive qualifications of prominent believers: (1) السابقون i.e. those who are foremost in spiritual rank, outstripping others in faith and actions; and (2) الاولون i.e. those who are the first to believe, others only following them.
The Companions of the Holy Prophet are thus held up here as models for others, being both foremost in rank and the first to believe. Nay, even those, who sincerely followed in their footsteps, became the favoured ones of God. Incidentally, the verse also constitutes a forcible refutation of the Shia accusations against the first three Successors of the Holy Prophet and his prominent Companions.
a
58:23; 98:9.
a
58:23; 98:9.
1249
Important Words:
السابقون (foremost) is the plural of السابق being derived from سبق. They say سبقه i.e. he got or went or came before him or ahead of him; he outstripped him in a race, etc. So سابق is one who outstrips others in faith and actions (Lane).
الاولون (the first) is the plural of الاول which is derived from وأل being the opposite of الآخر i.e. the last. اول means, the first; one preceding all others (Lane & Aqrab).
Commentary:
The verse mentions two distinctive qualifications of prominent believers: (1) السابقون i.e. those who are foremost in spiritual rank, outstripping others in faith and actions; and (2) الاولون i.e. those who are the first to believe, others only following them.
The Companions of the Holy Prophet are thus held up here as models for others, being both foremost in rank and the first to believe. Nay, even those, who sincerely followed in their footsteps, became the favoured ones of God. Incidentally, the verse also constitutes a forcible refutation of the Shia accusations against the first three Successors of the Holy Prophet and his prominent Companions.
a
58:23; 98:9.
1212
Incidentally, the verse constitutes a forcible refutation of the Shi‘ah accusations against the first three Successors of the Holy Prophet and his other prominent Companions.
وَمَا مَنَعَنَاۤ اَنۡ نُّرۡسِلَ بِالۡاٰیٰتِ اِلَّاۤ اَنۡ کَذَّبَ بِہَا الۡاَوَّلُوۡنَ ۚ وَاٰتَیۡنَا ثَمُوۡدَ النَّاقَۃَ مُبۡصِرَۃً فَظَلَمُوۡا بِہَا ۚ وَمَا نُرۡسِلُ بِالۡاٰیٰتِ اِلَّا تَخۡوِیۡفًا
17:95; 18:56.
17:95; 18:56.
Or, the meaning may be: Could the fact that former people rejected the Prophets be the reason that further Signs should not be sent, i.e. it could not be the reason for the withholding of heavenly Signs.
17:95; 18:56.
Important Words:
ظلموا بھا (unjustly rejected it). The word ظلم means, (1) he did wrong; or acted wrongfully, unjustly or tyrannically, (2) he put a thing in a wrong place or in a place not its own. They say من اشبه اباہ فما ظلم i.e. whoso resembles his father, he has not put the likeness in a wrong place; (3) he made him suffer loss as in وما ظلمونا ولکن کانوا انفسھم یظلمون i.e. and they made not Us to suffer loss or detriment but it was themselves they made to suffer loss or detriment. ظلم الارض means, he dug the ground in what was not the place of digging. ظلمه also means, he imposed upon him a thing that was above his power or ability. The word is also used transitively by means of ب as in the Quranic words فظلموا بھا i.e. and they disbelieved in them (the Signs) or unjustly rejected them (Lane & Aqrab). See also 2:36, 52.
Commentary:
The verse beautifully states that heavenly signs will never cease to appear. It warns Muslims not to entertain such a foolish belief and proceeds to refute and demolish the only possible objection against the appearance of heavenly signs. The objection is: When the people to whom the signs were first shown did not profit by them, where was the warrant that their successors would do so? The arguments given in refutation of this objection are: (a) If the rejection of heavenly signs had been a reasonable ground, no Prophet after the very first Prophet—Adam––would have appeared. But this did not happen and fresh Prophets continued to appear in all ages and fresh signs continued to be shown at their hands, which showed that the rejection of signs never proved a barrier in the way of the appearance of new signs. (b) Prophets are sent in the world in order to warn wrongdoers of their transgressions and iniquities and of the impending Divine punishment in consequence of those iniquities. Any such punishment without a previous warning and without showing signs would be contrary to Divine mercy.
As an illustration of the claim that wrongdoers never go unpunished if they do not repent, special mention has been made of the tribe of Thamud because the Thamud were an Arab tribe and their history was a matter of common knowledge with pagan Arabs as well as with the Jews of Arabia.
a
17:95; 18:56.
a
17:95; 18:56.
1989
Important Words:
ظلموا بھا (unjustly rejected it). The word ظلم means, (1) he did wrong; or acted wrongfully, unjustly or tyrannically, (2) he put a thing in a wrong place or in a place not its own. They say من اشبه اباہ فما ظلم i.e. whoso resembles his father, he has not put the likeness in a wrong place; (3) he made him suffer loss as in وما ظلمونا ولکن کانوا انفسھم یظلمون i.e. and they made not Us to suffer loss or detriment but it was themselves they made to suffer loss or detriment. ظلم الارض means, he dug the ground in what was not the place of digging. ظلمه also means, he imposed upon him a thing that was above his power or ability. The word is also used transitively by means of ب as in the Quranic words فظلموا بھا i.e. and they disbelieved in them (the Signs) or unjustly rejected them (Lane & Aqrab). See also 2:36, 52.
Commentary:
The verse beautifully states that heavenly signs will never cease to appear. It warns Muslims not to entertain such a foolish belief and proceeds to refute and demolish the only possible objection against the appearance of heavenly signs. The objection is: When the people to whom the signs were first shown did not profit by them, where was the warrant that their successors would do so? The arguments given in refutation of this objection are: (a) If the rejection of heavenly signs had been a reasonable ground, no Prophet after the very first Prophet—Adam––would have appeared. But this did not happen and fresh Prophets continued to appear in all ages and fresh signs continued to be shown at their hands, which showed that the rejection of signs never proved a barrier in the way of the appearance of new signs. (b) Prophets are sent in the world in order to warn wrongdoers of their transgressions and iniquities and of the impending Divine punishment in consequence of those iniquities. Any such punishment without a previous warning and without showing signs would be contrary to Divine mercy.
As an illustration of the claim that wrongdoers never go unpunished if they do not repent, special mention has been made of the tribe of Thamud because the Thamud were an Arab tribe and their history was a matter of common knowledge with pagan Arabs as well as with the Jews of Arabia.
b
17:95; 18:56.
1627
Or, the meaning may be: Could the fact that former people rejected the Prophets be the reason that further Signs should not be sent, i.e. it could not be the reason for the withholding of heavenly Signs.
بَلۡ قَالُوۡۤا اَضۡغٰثُ اَحۡلٰمٍۭ بَلِ افۡتَرٰٮہُ بَلۡ ہُوَ شَاعِرٌ فَلۡیَاۡتِنَا بِاٰیَۃٍ کَمَاۤ اُرۡسِلَ الۡاَوَّلُوۡنَ
52:31.
کفار ِمکہ رسولوں کی بعثت کے قائل ہی نہ تھے۔ یہ اعتراض ان کا طنز کے طور پر ہے‘ مراد یہ ہے کہ تُو خود کہتا ہے کہ پہلے رسول قسم قسم کے نشان لائے تھے‘ پھر تُو کیوں نشان نہیں لاتا۔
52:31.
In this verse three different objections of disbelievers with regard to the Qur’an have been mentioned. The first is that the Qur’an is a mixture of confused dreams. But realizing the untenability of their position, since there exists a beautiful arrangement and order in it and since it forms a connected whole and contains excellent teachings, the disbelievers shift their ground and say that the Holy Prophet has forged it himself. But again realizing that throughout his life he was, by common consent, known and looked upon as 'the Trusty' and 'the Truthful,' they give up this objection also and proceed to accuse him of being a poet and a sorcerer. These objections have been mentioned in an ascending order and the continuous shifting of the ground by disbelievers implies an admission on their part that the objections cannot stand examination or scrutiny and are foolish and self-contradictory. The Qur’an, therefore, has refused to entertain them here.
52:31.
Important Words:
آیة may here mean a Sign of punishment; or a Sign of the disbelievers’ own choice. See also 19:11.
اضغاث احلام (confused dreams). See 12:45.
Commentary:
In this verse three different objections of disbelievers with regard to the Quran have been mentioned. The first is that the Quran is a mixture of confused dreams. But realizing the untenability of their position, as there exists a beautiful arrangement and order in it and that it forms a connected whole and contains excellent teachings, the disbelievers shift their ground and say that the Holy Prophet has forged it himself. But again realizing that throughout his life the Prophet was by common consent known and looked upon as "the trusty" and "the truthful," they give up this objection also and proceed to accuse him of being a poet and a magician. These objections have been mentioned in an ascending order and the continuous shifting of the ground by disbelievers implies an admission on their part that their objections can stand no examination or scrutiny. The Quran has therefore refused to entertain them here because they carry their own refutation and are self-contradictory and foolish. Further on, however, it has answered these objections in another context.
The demand, let him then bring us a Sign just as the former Prophets were sent with Signs, is clearly foolish and insolent. There has never appeared a Prophet in the world who was not confronted with a similar demand. Jesus was so infuriated with the Scribes and the Pharisees when they said: "Master, we should see a sign from thee" (Matt. 12:38), that he exclaimed in extreme anger: "An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the Prophet Jonas" (Matt. 12:39). The refusal on the part of the Quran to entertain the disbelievers’ demand in the manner they expected it, does not imply that no sign had been or was to be shown to them. It only means to demonstrate that the demand is foolish and insolent and that heavenly Signs differ from age to age and therefore the signs that would be shown by the Holy Prophet would be different from those that were shown by Moses or Jesus and for that matter by any other Prophet.
The word شاعر (poet) while meaning one who composes verses also signifies a person who plays with the sentiments and susceptibilities of men. Here the word has been used preferably in the latter sense.
d
52:31.
1
کفار ِمکہ رسولوں کی بعثت کے قائل ہی نہ تھے۔ یہ اعتراض ان کا طنز کے طور پر ہے‘ مراد یہ ہے کہ تُو خود کہتا ہے کہ پہلے رسول قسم قسم کے نشان لائے تھے‘ پھر تُو کیوں نشان نہیں لاتا۔
a
52:31.
2347
Important Words:
آیة may here mean a Sign of punishment; or a Sign of the disbelievers’ own choice. See also 19:11.
اضغاث احلام (confused dreams). See 12:45.
Commentary:
In this verse three different objections of disbelievers with regard to the Quran have been mentioned. The first is that the Quran is a mixture of confused dreams. But realizing the untenability of their position, as there exists a beautiful arrangement and order in it and that it forms a connected whole and contains excellent teachings, the disbelievers shift their ground and say that the Holy Prophet has forged it himself. But again realizing that throughout his life the Prophet was by common consent known and looked upon as "the trusty" and "the truthful," they give up this objection also and proceed to accuse him of being a poet and a magician. These objections have been mentioned in an ascending order and the continuous shifting of the ground by disbelievers implies an admission on their part that their objections can stand no examination or scrutiny. The Quran has therefore refused to entertain them here because they carry their own refutation and are self-contradictory and foolish. Further on, however, it has answered these objections in another context.
The demand, let him then bring us a Sign just as the former Prophets were sent with Signs, is clearly foolish and insolent. There has never appeared a Prophet in the world who was not confronted with a similar demand. Jesus was so infuriated with the Scribes and the Pharisees when they said: "Master, we should see a sign from thee" (Matt. 12:38), that he exclaimed in extreme anger: "An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the Prophet Jonas" (Matt. 12:39). The refusal on the part of the Quran to entertain the disbelievers’ demand in the manner they expected it, does not imply that no sign had been or was to be shown to them. It only means to demonstrate that the demand is foolish and insolent and that heavenly Signs differ from age to age and therefore the signs that would be shown by the Holy Prophet would be different from those that were shown by Moses or Jesus and for that matter by any other Prophet.
The word شاعر (poet) while meaning one who composes verses also signifies a person who plays with the sentiments and susceptibilities of men. Here the word has been used preferably in the latter sense.
a
52:31.
1872
In this verse three different objections of disbelievers with regard to the Qur’an have been mentioned. The first is that the Qur’an is a mixture of confused dreams. But realizing the untenability of their position, since there exists a beautiful arrangement and order in it and since it forms a connected whole and contains excellent teachings, the disbelievers shift their ground and say that the Holy Prophet has forged it himself. But again realizing that throughout his life he was, by common consent, known and looked upon as 'the Trusty' and 'the Truthful,' they give up this objection also and proceed to accuse him of being a poet and a sorcerer. These objections have been mentioned in an ascending order and the continuous shifting of the ground by disbelievers implies an admission on their part that the objections cannot stand examination or scrutiny and are foolish and self-contradictory. The Qur’an, therefore, has refused to entertain them here.
بَلۡ قَالُوۡا مِثۡلَ مَا قَالَ الۡاَوَّلُوۡنَ
Commentary:
The verse purports to say that disbelievers continue to harp on the old tune that after they are reduced to dust, their coming to life again was an impossible thing and that it was an old story which they and their forebears had been hearing from very old times.
2567
Commentary:
The verse purports to say that disbelievers continue to harp on the old tune that after they are reduced to dust, their coming to life again was an impossible thing and that it was an old story which they and their forebears had been hearing from very old times.
اَوَاٰبَآؤُنَا الۡاَوَّلُوۡنَ
13:6; 27:68; 50:4.
b
13:6; 27:68; 50:4.
قُلۡ اِنۡ کَانَ لِلرَّحۡمٰنِ وَلَدٌ فَاَنَا۠ اَوَّلُ الۡعٰبِدِیۡنَ
کیونکہ مَیں خداتعالیٰ سے پیار کرنے والا ہوں‘ اور اس کا فرمانبردار ہوں۔ مگر نہ آسمانی دلیل اس کے حق میں ہے نہ عقلی۔ اس لئے میں مجبوراً بیٹے کے خیال کی تردید کرتا ہوں۔
‘Abid is active participle from ‘Abada which means, he worshipped; and from ‘Abida which means, he was angry; he denied; he was sorrowful for having been remiss; he was disdainful (Lane). The verse thus means: (a) If the Gracious God had a son, I would have been the first to worship him (the son) because, being God’s most obedient and faithful servant, I would not have been remiss in my duty to him (the son). (b) If it could be possible that the Gracious God should have a son, I am most entitled to this position because I have worshipped God most and have served Him most. (c) The Gracious God, certainly, has no son (in meaning 'not') and I am the first to bear witness to this fact, the word ‘Abidin signifying Shahidin, i.e. witnesses. (d) The Gracious God has no son, and I am the first disdainful denier of the assertion that He has one.
2:117; 10:69; 17:112; 18:5; 19:89.
Important Words:
عابدین is the plural of عابد which is active participle from عبد (‘abada) which means, he worshipped. It is also derived from عبد (‘abida). They say عبد علیه i.e. he was angry with him. عبد (‘abida) also means, he disdained or scorned, he denied, dis-acknowledged or disallowed; he repented and blamed himself for having been remiss; he mourned, grieved or was sorrowful; he was covetous (Lane, Aqrab & Mufradat).
Commentary:
In view of the different meanings of the word عبد given above, the verse may have one of the following interpretations:
(a) If the Gracious God had a son, I would have been the first to worship him (the son) because, being God’s most obedient and faithful servant, I would not have been remiss in my duty to him (the son).
(b) If it could be possible that the Gracious God should have a son, I am most entitled to this position because I have worshipped God most and have served Him most.
(c) The Gracious God certainly has no son (إن meaning "not") and I am the first to bear witness to this fact (the word العابدین signifying الشاھدین i.e. witnesses).
(d) The Gracious God has no son and I am the first disdainful denier of the assertion that He has one.
3
کیونکہ مَیں خداتعالیٰ سے پیار کرنے والا ہوں‘ اور اس کا فرمانبردار ہوں۔ مگر نہ آسمانی دلیل اس کے حق میں ہے نہ عقلی۔ اس لئے میں مجبوراً بیٹے کے خیال کی تردید کرتا ہوں۔
b
2:117; 10:69; 17:112; 18:5; 19:89.
3692
Important Words:
عابدین is the plural of عابد which is active participle from عبد (‘abada) which means, he worshipped. It is also derived from عبد (‘abida). They say عبد علیه i.e. he was angry with him. عبد (‘abida) also means, he disdained or scorned, he denied, dis-acknowledged or disallowed; he repented and blamed himself for having been remiss; he mourned, grieved or was sorrowful; he was covetous (Lane, Aqrab & Mufradat).
Commentary:
In view of the different meanings of the word عبد given above, the verse may have one of the following interpretations:
(a) If the Gracious God had a son, I would have been the first to worship him (the son) because, being God’s most obedient and faithful servant, I would not have been remiss in my duty to him (the son).
(b) If it could be possible that the Gracious God should have a son, I am most entitled to this position because I have worshipped God most and have served Him most.
(c) The Gracious God certainly has no son (إن meaning "not") and I am the first to bear witness to this fact (the word العابدین signifying الشاھدین i.e. witnesses).
(d) The Gracious God has no son and I am the first disdainful denier of the assertion that He has one.
2688
‘Abid is active participle from ‘Abada which means, he worshipped; and from ‘Abida which means, he was angry; he denied; he was sorrowful for having been remiss; he was disdainful (Lane). The verse thus means: (a) If the Gracious God had a son, I would have been the first to worship him (the son) because, being God’s most obedient and faithful servant, I would not have been remiss in my duty to him (the son). (b) If it could be possible that the Gracious God should have a son, I am most entitled to this position because I have worshipped God most and have served Him most. (c) The Gracious God, certainly, has no son (in meaning 'not') and I am the first to bear witness to this fact, the word ‘Abidin signifying Shahidin, i.e. witnesses. (d) The Gracious God has no son, and I am the first disdainful denier of the assertion that He has one.
اَوَاٰبَآؤُنَا الۡاَوَّلُوۡنَ
17:50; 23:83; 37:17; 56:48.
37:18.
37:18.
b
17:50; 23:83; 37:17; 56:48.
b
37:18.
a
37:18.
ہُوَ الۡاَوَّلُ وَالۡاٰخِرُ وَالظّٰہِرُ وَالۡبَاطِنُ ۖ وَہُوَ بِکُلِّ شَیۡءٍ عَلِیۡمٌ
God is the First Cause of all things.
He is the Last and Final Cause.
He is manifest in His works; or is more manifest than anything else.
There is nothing hidden from God; or whereas He comprehends everything He Himself is Incomprehensible.
Commentary:
الاول (the First) meaning that there was nothing before God, signifies that He created everything and He is the First Cause of all things. الاخر (the Last) means that there is and there will be nothing after Him, i.e. He is the Last and Final Cause of all things or that whereas everything is subject to death and destruction, He alone will remain after all things had ceased to exist. الظاھر (the Manifest) may signify that all things are subject to divine laws and God has power over all things and is subordinate to no one and is subject to no laws, or that He is manifest in His works, or is more manifest than anything else, or that He comprehends everything. الباطن (the Hidden) may signify that God is the Knower of all things, so that there is nothing hidden from Him, or that whereas He comprehends everything He Himself is Incomprehensible. The expression may also signify that there is nothing nearer than God or that there is no refuge besides Him.
These four Divine attributes show that God is above the limitations of space and time.
4148
Commentary:
الاول (the First) meaning that there was nothing before God, signifies that He created everything and He is the First Cause of all things. الاخر (the Last) means that there is and there will be nothing after Him, i.e. He is the Last and Final Cause of all things or that whereas everything is subject to death and destruction, He alone will remain after all things had ceased to exist. الظاھر (the Manifest) may signify that all things are subject to divine laws and God has power over all things and is subordinate to no one and is subject to no laws, or that He is manifest in His works, or is more manifest than anything else, or that He comprehends everything. الباطن (the Hidden) may signify that God is the Knower of all things, so that there is nothing hidden from Him, or that whereas He comprehends everything He Himself is Incomprehensible. The expression may also signify that there is nothing nearer than God or that there is no refuge besides Him.
These four Divine attributes show that God is above the limitations of space and time.
2983
God is the First Cause of all things.
2984
He is the Last and Final Cause.
2985
He is manifest in His works; or is more manifest than anything else.
2986
There is nothing hidden from God; or whereas He comprehends everything He Himself is Incomprehensible.