كَثِيرٌ
Appears 8 times in Quran
Derived Words (3)
Words derived from the stem "كَثِيرٌ".
- many of mankind
- and many
- but many
- there are many who
- Many
- numerous
Occurrences in Quran
Found 8 verses containing "كَثِيرٌ".
وَدَّ كَثِيرٌ مِّنْ أَهْلِ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ لَوْ يَرُدُّونَكُم مِّنۢ بَعْدِ إِيمَٰنِكُمْ كُفَّارًا حَسَدًا مِّنْ عِندِ أَنفُسِهِم مِّنۢ بَعْدِ مَا تَبَيَّنَ لَهُمُ ٱلْحَقُّ ۖ فَٱعْفُوا۟ وَٱصْفَحُوا۟ حَتَّىٰ يَأْتِىَ ٱللَّهُ بِأَمْرِهِۦٓ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
3:101, 150; 4:90.
5:14.
5:53; 16:34.
3:101, 150; 4:90.
a5:14.
b5:53; 16:34.
Important Words:
فاعفوا (forgive) is derived from عفا. They say عفا عنه or عفا له or عفا ذنبه or عفا عن ذنبه meaning, he forgave and pardoned him and did not resort to punishment; he connived at his fault or offence. عفا الله عنه means, God obliterated the traces of his sin. عفا عن الشیء means, he withheld or restrained himself from it (Aqrab).
اصفحوا (turn away) is derived from صفح. They say صفح عنه meaning, he turned his face from it, he avoided it and left it alone; he pardoned him his sin. الصفح means, the side of a thing; or the side of a face, i.e. the cheek, etc. (Aqrab).
امر (decree). The verb امر means, he commanded or he enjoined or he asked. So امر means, a command; an order; a decree; a judgement; an affair; a thing; a condition or state; an event. امرالله means, the promised or the decreed punishment of God (Aqrab & Lane).
Commentary:
By manifold devices, some of which have been referred to above, the Jews wished to lead the Muslims astray, and their designs had their basis in jealousy. Muslims are exhorted not to quarrel with them but to wait patiently in a spirit of forbearance, till God Himself should finally decide the matter.
As explained under Important Words above, there is a subtle distinction between the meanings of عفو (forgive) and صفح(turn away). Whereas the former means, abstaining from punishment, the latter signifies, turning one’s face away or leaving a thing alone. By using the words together, God exhorts Muslims not only to forgive the Jews and refrain from punishing them for their overt hostile acts and covert machinations, but to leave them alone and remain aloof from them till God Himself opened out a way for them, which He eventually did, as soon afterwards the Jews themselves declared war against the Muslims.
It is wrong to think that the words, till Allah brings His decree, refer to aggressive war. It is God’s general decree or judgement that is meant here, as may be inferred from the words that follow, viz. surely, Allah has the power to do all that He wills. Some of the Jews embraced Islam and the rest perished as a result of divine punishment.
The phrase, out of envy from themselves, means that the Holy Prophet had done nothing to excite their jealousy, but that it was their own evil nature that had given rise to it. The disease of حسد (jealousy) originated in their own hearts and had no infection from outside.
a
5:53; 16:34.
b
5:14.
d
3:101, 150; 4:90.
a
3:101, 150; 4:90.
b
a5:14.
c
b5:53; 16:34.
116
Important Words:
فاعفوا (forgive) is derived from عفا. They say عفا عنه or عفا له or عفا ذنبه or عفا عن ذنبه meaning, he forgave and pardoned him and did not resort to punishment; he connived at his fault or offence. عفا الله عنه means, God obliterated the traces of his sin. عفا عن الشیء means, he withheld or restrained himself from it (Aqrab).
اصفحوا (turn away) is derived from صفح. They say صفح عنه meaning, he turned his face from it, he avoided it and left it alone; he pardoned him his sin. الصفح means, the side of a thing; or the side of a face, i.e. the cheek, etc. (Aqrab).
امر (decree). The verb امر means, he commanded or he enjoined or he asked. So امر means, a command; an order; a decree; a judgement; an affair; a thing; a condition or state; an event. امرالله means, the promised or the decreed punishment of God (Aqrab & Lane).
Commentary:
By manifold devices, some of which have been referred to above, the Jews wished to lead the Muslims astray, and their designs had their basis in jealousy. Muslims are exhorted not to quarrel with them but to wait patiently in a spirit of forbearance, till God Himself should finally decide the matter.
As explained under Important Words above, there is a subtle distinction between the meanings of عفو (forgive) and صفح(turn away). Whereas the former means, abstaining from punishment, the latter signifies, turning one’s face away or leaving a thing alone. By using the words together, God exhorts Muslims not only to forgive the Jews and refrain from punishing them for their overt hostile acts and covert machinations, but to leave them alone and remain aloof from them till God Himself opened out a way for them, which He eventually did, as soon afterwards the Jews themselves declared war against the Muslims.
It is wrong to think that the words, till Allah brings His decree, refer to aggressive war. It is God’s general decree or judgement that is meant here, as may be inferred from the words that follow, viz. surely, Allah has the power to do all that He wills. Some of the Jews embraced Islam and the rest perished as a result of divine punishment.
The phrase, out of envy from themselves, means that the Holy Prophet had done nothing to excite their jealousy, but that it was their own evil nature that had given rise to it. The disease of حسد (jealousy) originated in their own hearts and had no infection from outside.
a
3:101, 150; 4:90.
b
5:14.
c
5:53; 16:34.
وَكَأَيِّن مِّن نَّبِىٍّ قَٰتَلَ مَعَهُۥ رِبِّيُّونَ كَثِيرٌ فَمَا وَهَنُوا۟ لِمَآ أَصَابَهُمْ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَمَا ضَعُفُوا۟ وَمَا ٱسْتَكَانُوا۟ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ يُحِبُّ ٱلصَّٰبِرِينَ
4:105.
لغت میں لکھا ہے اَلرِّبِّیُّ بِالْکَسْرِ وَاحِدُ الرِّبِّیِیْنَ وَ ھُمُ الْاُلُوْفُ مِنَ النَّاسِ کہ رِبِّیْ‘ رِبِّیِّیْنَ کا مفرد ہے اور اس کے معنے ہیں بہت سے لوگ۔ (اقرب الموارد)
4:105.
Ribbiyyun is the plural of Ribbiyy which is derived from Rabba for which see 1:2. Ribbiyy means, one related to Ribbah, i.e. a company or a large company or a numerous company. Thus the word means, those forming a large company or a large body of persons. The word also signifies learned, pious and patient men (Lane).
3:146.
Important Words:
ربیون (companies of followers) is the plural of ربی (ribbi) which is derived from رب for which see 1:2. ربی means, one related to ربة i.e. company or a large company or a numerous company. Thus ربیون means, those forming a large company or a large body of persons, i.e. followers (Aqrab). It also signifies learned, pious and patient men (Lane).
استکانوا (did humiliate themselves) is derived from سکن which means, he or it became still or stationary; or the word is derived from کان which means, he or it came into existence; or he or it was in a certain condition. استکان means, he was or became lowly, humble, humiliated, or in a state of abasement (Aqrab).
Commentary:
The verse exhorts believers to profit by the good example set by their righteous predecessors. The latter were not found lacking in preparations for fighting in the cause of Allah, nor were they slack in actual fighting or wanting in steadfastness.
b
4:105.
2
لغت میں لکھا ہے اَلرِّبِّیُّ بِالْکَسْرِ وَاحِدُ الرِّبِّیِیْنَ وَ ھُمُ الْاُلُوْفُ مِنَ النَّاسِ کہ رِبِّیْ‘ رِبِّیِّیْنَ کا مفرد ہے اور اس کے معنے ہیں بہت سے لوگ۔ (اقرب الموارد)
b
3:146.
430
Important Words:
ربیون (companies of followers) is the plural of ربی (ribbi) which is derived from رب for which see 1:2. ربی means, one related to ربة i.e. company or a large company or a numerous company. Thus ربیون means, those forming a large company or a large body of persons, i.e. followers (Aqrab). It also signifies learned, pious and patient men (Lane).
استکانوا (did humiliate themselves) is derived from سکن which means, he or it became still or stationary; or the word is derived from کان which means, he or it came into existence; or he or it was in a certain condition. استکان means, he was or became lowly, humble, humiliated, or in a state of abasement (Aqrab).
Commentary:
The verse exhorts believers to profit by the good example set by their righteous predecessors. The latter were not found lacking in preparations for fighting in the cause of Allah, nor were they slack in actual fighting or wanting in steadfastness.
b
4:105.
495
Ribbiyyun is the plural of Ribbiyy which is derived from Rabba for which see 1:2. Ribbiyy means, one related to Ribbah, i.e. a company or a large company or a numerous company. Thus the word means, those forming a large company or a large body of persons. The word also signifies learned, pious and patient men (Lane).
وَلَوْ أَنَّهُمْ أَقَامُوا۟ ٱلتَّوْرَىٰةَ وَٱلْإِنجِيلَ وَمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْهِم مِّن رَّبِّهِمْ لَأَكَلُوا۟ مِن فَوْقِهِمْ وَمِن تَحْتِ أَرْجُلِهِم ۚ مِّنْهُمْ أُمَّةٌ مُّقْتَصِدَةٌ ۖ وَكَثِيرٌ مِّنْهُمْ سَآءَ مَا يَعْمَلُونَ
قرآن مجید میں لفظ واؤ کا ہے جس کے معنے ’’اور‘‘ کے ہیں لیکن اردو محاورہ میں اس جگہ ’’اور‘‘ نہیں استعمال ہوتا بلکہ ’’لیکن‘‘ کا لفظ استعمال کرتے ہیں اس لئے ترجمہ میں وہی استعمال کیا گیا ہے۔
5:48.
(1) They would have received heavenly blessings, such as Divine revelation and communion with God, as well as worldly prosperity. (2) They would have had not only timely and abundant rains from above but the earth would also have yielded its produce for them in abundance. (3) God would have provided them with both heavenly and earthly means of progress.
5:48.
Commentary:
If Jews and Christians had given due consideration to the prophecies in their Scriptures, they would certainly have believed in the Quran, which had come in fulfilment of those prophecies.
The words, they would surely have eaten of good things from above them and from under their feet, mean: (1) they would have received both heavenly blessings, such as Divine revelation and communion with God, as well as worldly prosperity; (2) they would have had not only timely and abundant rains from above but the earth below their feet would also have yielded to them its produce in abundance; and (3) God would have provided them with both heavenly and earthly means of progress.
d
5:48.
384
(1) 他们会得到天上的赐福, 诸如安拉的启示以及与安拉的精神交流, 还有世俗的繁荣昌盛。(2) 他们不仅会有天上降下的及时和充分的雨水, 而且地上也会给他们生出丰富的产品。(3) 安拉会向他们提供天上和地上的进步方法。
1
قرآن مجید میں لفظ واؤ کا ہے جس کے معنے ’’اور‘‘ کے ہیں لیکن اردو محاورہ میں اس جگہ ’’اور‘‘ نہیں استعمال ہوتا بلکہ ’’لیکن‘‘ کا لفظ استعمال کرتے ہیں اس لئے ترجمہ میں وہی استعمال کیا گیا ہے۔
a
5:48.
697
Commentary:
If Jews and Christians had given due consideration to the prophecies in their Scriptures, they would certainly have believed in the Quran, which had come in fulfilment of those prophecies.
The words, they would surely have eaten of good things from above them and from under their feet, mean: (1) they would have received both heavenly blessings, such as Divine revelation and communion with God, as well as worldly prosperity; (2) they would have had not only timely and abundant rains from above but the earth below their feet would also have yielded to them its produce in abundance; and (3) God would have provided them with both heavenly and earthly means of progress.
a
5:48.
771
(1) They would have received heavenly blessings, such as Divine revelation and communion with God, as well as worldly prosperity. (2) They would have had not only timely and abundant rains from above but the earth would also have yielded its produce for them in abundance. (3) God would have provided them with both heavenly and earthly means of progress.
وَحَسِبُوٓا۟ أَلَّا تَكُونَ فِتْنَةٌ فَعَمُوا۟ وَصَمُّوا۟ ثُمَّ تَابَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْهِمْ ثُمَّ عَمُوا۟ وَصَمُّوا۟ كَثِيرٌ مِّنْهُمْ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ بَصِيرٌۢ بِمَا يَعْمَلُونَ
Important Words:
فتنه (punishment) is the noun-infinitive from فتن and means a sin; an act of disobedience for which one deserves punishment; punishment itself; disgrace, shame or ignominy, etc. (Lane & Aqrab). See also 2:192 & 4:92.
Commentary:
The Jews thought that their rejection of, and opposition to, the Prophets would bring no punishment upon them. But they were mistaken. Misery and affliction continued to dog their footsteps till God turned to them in mercy by raising the Holy Prophet that they might believe in him and escape Divine punishment; but they also rejected him and thus lost their spiritual sight and hearing.
702
Important Words:
فتنه (punishment) is the noun-infinitive from فتن and means a sin; an act of disobedience for which one deserves punishment; punishment itself; disgrace, shame or ignominy, etc. (Lane & Aqrab). See also 2:192 & 4:92.
Commentary:
The Jews thought that their rejection of, and opposition to, the Prophets would bring no punishment upon them. But they were mistaken. Misery and affliction continued to dog their footsteps till God turned to them in mercy by raising the Holy Prophet that they might believe in him and escape Divine punishment; but they also rejected him and thus lost their spiritual sight and hearing.
أَلَمْ تَرَ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَسْجُدُ لَهُۥ مَن فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَمَن فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَٱلشَّمْسُ وَٱلْقَمَرُ وَٱلنُّجُومُ وَٱلْجِبَالُ وَٱلشَّجَرُ وَٱلدَّوَآبُّ وَكَثِيرٌ مِّنَ ٱلنَّاسِ ۖ وَكَثِيرٌ حَقَّ عَلَيْهِ ٱلْعَذَابُ ۗ وَمَن يُهِنِ ٱللَّهُ فَمَا لَهُۥ مِن مُّكْرِمٍ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَفْعَلُ مَا يَشَآءُ ۩
13:16; 16:49, 50; 55:7.
安拉已确定了一种规律--------一切被创造的事物, 生物或非生物都得服从的自然规律。服从这些规律是绝对的, 然而还存在某些其他规律--------宗教规律。安拉已赐示指引人们的规律。人们服从或不服从, 乃至反抗这些规律, 都要承受自己违抗所造成的后果。这节经文使除了安拉以外, 以自然界物体作为崇拜对象的多神教徒更清楚地认识到自己是多么愚蠢与无益。这节经文说明世上万物存在都取决于安拉。万物都得服从安拉所制定的规律, 生活中无时无刻都不能没有安拉。因此, 敬慕与崇拜那些本身就该服从安拉所制定规律的事物与生灵, 是十分愚蠢的。
13:16; 16:49, 50; 55:7.
God has fixed certain laws—natural laws, which all created things, animate or inanimate, have to obey. There is no escape from submission to these laws. There are, however, certain other laws—the laws of the Shari‘ah which God has revealed for the guidance of man. Man may obey or disobey and defy these laws and may suffer the consequences of his defiance. The verse further brings home to idolaters the folly and futility of their taking the objects of nature for worship beside Allah. It says that all these things depend upon Him for their very existence. They submit to the laws He has fixed for them and cannot live independently of God for a moment. It is sheer folly, therefore, to adore and worship things and beings which are themselves subject to God-made laws.
13:16; 16:49-50; 55:7.
Commentary:
God has fixed certain laws—natural laws, which all created things, animate or inanimate, have to obey. There is no escape from submission to these laws. There are, however, certain other laws—the laws of the Shari‘ah—which God has made for the guidance of man. These laws man may obey or disobey and defy and thus may suffer the consequences of his defiance.
The verse further brings home to idolaters the folly and futility of their taking the objects of nature for worship besides Allah. It says that all these things depend upon Him for their very existence. They all submit to the laws He has fixed for them and cannot live independently of God for a moment. It is sheer folly, therefore, to adore and worship things and beings which are themselves subject to God-made laws. The expression یسجد له کثیر من الناس و کثیر حق علیه العذاب besides the meaning given in the text, may also mean that many from among men submit to Allah and many others incur His displeasure and punishment because they do not submit to laws made by Him.
a
13:16; 16:49, 50; 55:7.
856
安拉已确定了一种规律--------一切被创造的事物, 生物或非生物都得服从的自然规律。服从这些规律是绝对的, 然而还存在某些其他规律--------宗教规律。安拉已赐示指引人们的规律。人们服从或不服从, 乃至反抗这些规律, 都要承受自己违抗所造成的后果。这节经文使除了安拉以外, 以自然界物体作为崇拜对象的多神教徒更清楚地认识到自己是多么愚蠢与无益。这节经文说明世上万物存在都取决于安拉。万物都得服从安拉所制定的规律, 生活中无时无刻都不能没有安拉。因此, 敬慕与崇拜那些本身就该服从安拉所制定规律的事物与生灵, 是十分愚蠢的。
a
13:16; 16:49-50; 55:7.
2451
Commentary:
God has fixed certain laws—natural laws, which all created things, animate or inanimate, have to obey. There is no escape from submission to these laws. There are, however, certain other laws—the laws of the Shari‘ah—which God has made for the guidance of man. These laws man may obey or disobey and defy and thus may suffer the consequences of his defiance.
The verse further brings home to idolaters the folly and futility of their taking the objects of nature for worship besides Allah. It says that all these things depend upon Him for their very existence. They all submit to the laws He has fixed for them and cannot live independently of God for a moment. It is sheer folly, therefore, to adore and worship things and beings which are themselves subject to God-made laws. The expression یسجد له کثیر من الناس و کثیر حق علیه العذاب besides the meaning given in the text, may also mean that many from among men submit to Allah and many others incur His displeasure and punishment because they do not submit to laws made by Him.
a
13:16; 16:49, 50; 55:7.
1940
God has fixed certain laws—natural laws, which all created things, animate or inanimate, have to obey. There is no escape from submission to these laws. There are, however, certain other laws—the laws of the Shari‘ah which God has revealed for the guidance of man. Man may obey or disobey and defy these laws and may suffer the consequences of his defiance. The verse further brings home to idolaters the folly and futility of their taking the objects of nature for worship beside Allah. It says that all these things depend upon Him for their very existence. They submit to the laws He has fixed for them and cannot live independently of God for a moment. It is sheer folly, therefore, to adore and worship things and beings which are themselves subject to God-made laws.
۞ أَلَمْ يَأْنِ لِلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ أَن تَخْشَعَ قُلُوبُهُمْ لِذِكْرِ ٱللَّهِ وَمَا نَزَلَ مِنَ ٱلْحَقِّ وَلَا يَكُونُوا۟ كَٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْكِتَٰبَ مِن قَبْلُ فَطَالَ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلْأَمَدُ فَقَسَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ ۖ وَكَثِيرٌ مِّنْهُمْ فَٰسِقُونَ
2:75; 6:44
21:45.
2:75; 6:44.
Commentary:
The verse seems to refer to the latter-day Muslims when as a result of neglecting the teachings of Islam they will have become spiritually corrupt, morally depraved and politically impotent. The verse means to bring home to them the realization of their all-round degradation and makes to them a pathetic appeal. "Has not the time arrived yet," it seems to say to them, "now that they have sunk to the lowest depths of degradation, they should turn to God and act upon the teachings of their religion which once raised them to the highest peaks of greatness, grandeur and glory."
a
21:45.
b
2:75; 6:44.
b
21:45.
c
2:75; 6:44.
4159
Commentary:
The verse seems to refer to the latter-day Muslims when as a result of neglecting the teachings of Islam they will have become spiritually corrupt, morally depraved and politically impotent. The verse means to bring home to them the realization of their all-round degradation and makes to them a pathetic appeal. "Has not the time arrived yet," it seems to say to them, "now that they have sunk to the lowest depths of degradation, they should turn to God and act upon the teachings of their religion which once raised them to the highest peaks of greatness, grandeur and glory."
a
21:45.b
2:75; 6:44
وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا نُوحًا وَإِبْرَٰهِيمَ وَجَعَلْنَا فِى ذُرِّيَّتِهِمَا ٱلنُّبُوَّةَ وَٱلْكِتَٰبَ ۖ فَمِنْهُم مُّهْتَدٍ ۖ وَكَثِيرٌ مِّنْهُمْ فَٰسِقُونَ
29:28.
29:28.
29:28; 5:47.
Commentary:
In the preceding verse it was mentioned that in order to make men lead useful and righteous lives and realize the object for which God has brought this universe into existence, He sent His Messengers and revealed to them guidance from Himself and supported the claims of Divine Messengers with clear and sound arguments; and He also sent down iron which is of immense value and utility to mankind. The present verse gives the names of some of those Divine Messengers. Noah is probably the first law-bearing Prophet and Abraham the progenitor of the three great peoples—Jews, Christians and Muslims. After these two Prophets, the system of prophethood continued till it found its final exponent in the Mosaic Dispensation in the person of Jesus to whom the next verse makes a pointed reference.
a
29:28.
c
29:28; 5:47.
4167
Commentary:
In the preceding verse it was mentioned that in order to make men lead useful and righteous lives and realize the object for which God has brought this universe into existence, He sent His Messengers and revealed to them guidance from Himself and supported the claims of Divine Messengers with clear and sound arguments; and He also sent down iron which is of immense value and utility to mankind. The present verse gives the names of some of those Divine Messengers. Noah is probably the first law-bearing Prophet and Abraham the progenitor of the three great peoples—Jews, Christians and Muslims. After these two Prophets, the system of prophethood continued till it found its final exponent in the Mosaic Dispensation in the person of Jesus to whom the next verse makes a pointed reference.
a
29:28.
ثُمَّ قَفَّيْنَا عَلَىٰٓ ءَاثَٰرِهِم بِرُسُلِنَا وَقَفَّيْنَا بِعِيسَى ٱبْنِ مَرْيَمَ وَءَاتَيْنَٰهُ ٱلْإِنجِيلَ وَجَعَلْنَا فِى قُلُوبِ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّبَعُوهُ رَأْفَةً وَرَحْمَةً وَرَهْبَانِيَّةً ٱبْتَدَعُوهَا مَا كَتَبْنَٰهَا عَلَيْهِمْ إِلَّا ٱبْتِغَآءَ رِضْوَٰنِ ٱللَّهِ فَمَا رَعَوْهَا حَقَّ رِعَايَتِهَا ۖ فَـَٔاتَيْنَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ مِنْهُمْ أَجْرَهُمْ ۖ وَكَثِيرٌ مِّنْهُمْ فَٰسِقُونَ
2:88; 5:47.
5:83.
The verse may mean that the followers of Jesus invented monasticism in order to seek Allah’s pleasure but Allah had not prescribed it for them; or the meaning is that they invented monasticism which God had not prescribed for them—He had only prescribed for them the seeking of His pleasure. In v. 26 it was stated that God had sent down al-Mizan in order that by avoiding extremes people should adopt the golden mean in all their affairs and actions. In the present verse the example of a people—the Christians—has been cited to show that the adoption of an extreme course by them, with howsoever good intentions, led them away from the goal they had sought to attain. They invented the institution of monkery in order, as they mistakenly thought, to seek the pleasure of God, and in conformity with, according to them, Jesus’s own teaching and practice, but it proved to be a source of many social evils. They started with adopting monasticism and ended by giving themselves up to the worship of Mammon
2:88; 5:47.
5:83.
Commentary:
The verse may mean that the followers of Jesus invented monasticism in order to seek Allah’s pleasure but Allah had not prescribed it for them; or they invented monasticism which God had not prescribed for them—He had only prescribed for them the seeking of His pleasure.
In v. 26, it was stated that God had sent down المیزان (Balance) in order that people may act with equity and justice, i.e. by avoiding extremes they should adopt the golden mean or the middle course in all their affairs and actions because that was the best and the safest course. In the present verse the example of a people—the Christians—has been cited to show that the adoption of an extreme course by them, with howsoever good intentions, led them away from the goal they had sought to attain. They invented the institution of monkery in order, as they thought, to seek the pleasure of God, and in conformity with, according to them, Jesus’s own teaching and practice. The adage that the road to Heaven is paved with good intentions was never better illustrated than in the case of Christians for whom monkery proved a source of many evils. They started with monasticism and ended with giving themselves up to the worship of Mammon. By implication the Muslims were told that because a great Prophet had been raised for them, by following whom they would be given great worldly power and wealth, they should not go to the other extreme and give themselves up to the pursuit of material gains and physical pleasures. While monasticism has been decried and deplored as repugnant to human nature, the Holy Prophet also is reported to have said: لارھبانیة فی الاسلام i.e. there is no monasticism in Islam (Ibn Athir). Islam is not a religion for dreamers and visionaries who live in a world of their own conception, entirely divorced from the hard realities of life, but it is a practical system which gives effective and full guidance in mundane as well as spiritual affairs. It has not left any aspect of crowded human life for which it has not laid down practical guidance. There is no place in Islam for such an impracticable teaching as "take no thought for the morrow" (Matt. 6:34). It emphatically enjoins a Muslim "to look to what he sends forth for the morrow" (59:19). According to Islam a true Muslim is one who discharges fully and completely the obligations he owes to his fellow beings (حقوق العباد) as he discharges those he owes to his Creator (حقوق اللّٰه).
b
2:88; 5:47.
c
5:83.
a
2:88; 5:47.
b
5:83.
4168
Commentary:
The verse may mean that the followers of Jesus invented monasticism in order to seek Allah’s pleasure but Allah had not prescribed it for them; or they invented monasticism which God had not prescribed for them—He had only prescribed for them the seeking of His pleasure.
In v. 26, it was stated that God had sent down المیزان (Balance) in order that people may act with equity and justice, i.e. by avoiding extremes they should adopt the golden mean or the middle course in all their affairs and actions because that was the best and the safest course. In the present verse the example of a people—the Christians—has been cited to show that the adoption of an extreme course by them, with howsoever good intentions, led them away from the goal they had sought to attain. They invented the institution of monkery in order, as they thought, to seek the pleasure of God, and in conformity with, according to them, Jesus’s own teaching and practice. The adage that the road to Heaven is paved with good intentions was never better illustrated than in the case of Christians for whom monkery proved a source of many evils. They started with monasticism and ended with giving themselves up to the worship of Mammon. By implication the Muslims were told that because a great Prophet had been raised for them, by following whom they would be given great worldly power and wealth, they should not go to the other extreme and give themselves up to the pursuit of material gains and physical pleasures. While monasticism has been decried and deplored as repugnant to human nature, the Holy Prophet also is reported to have said: لارھبانیة فی الاسلام i.e. there is no monasticism in Islam (Ibn Athir). Islam is not a religion for dreamers and visionaries who live in a world of their own conception, entirely divorced from the hard realities of life, but it is a practical system which gives effective and full guidance in mundane as well as spiritual affairs. It has not left any aspect of crowded human life for which it has not laid down practical guidance. There is no place in Islam for such an impracticable teaching as "take no thought for the morrow" (Matt. 6:34). It emphatically enjoins a Muslim "to look to what he sends forth for the morrow" (59:19). According to Islam a true Muslim is one who discharges fully and completely the obligations he owes to his fellow beings (حقوق العباد) as he discharges those he owes to his Creator (حقوق اللّٰه).
b
2:88; 5:47.
c
5:83.
2999
The verse may mean that the followers of Jesus invented monasticism in order to seek Allah’s pleasure but Allah had not prescribed it for them; or the meaning is that they invented monasticism which God had not prescribed for them—He had only prescribed for them the seeking of His pleasure. In v. 26 it was stated that God had sent down al-Mizan in order that by avoiding extremes people should adopt the golden mean in all their affairs and actions. In the present verse the example of a people—the Christians—has been cited to show that the adoption of an extreme course by them, with howsoever good intentions, led them away from the goal they had sought to attain. They invented the institution of monkery in order, as they mistakenly thought, to seek the pleasure of God, and in conformity with, according to them, Jesus’s own teaching and practice, but it proved to be a source of many social evils. They started with adopting monasticism and ended by giving themselves up to the worship of Mammon