لَّئِنۡ

10:23; 17:68; 29:66; 31:33.

Commentary:

تضرعا (in humility) is derived from ضرع which means, he was or became lowly, humble or submissive; or he lowered, humbled or abased himself and petitioned for a gift; or he was weak, slender or emaciated. ضرع also means, it (a kid, etc.) took with its mouth the teat or dug of its mother. تضرع means, he lowered, humbled or abased himself; or he addressed himself with earnest or energetic supplication. It also means, he writhed and called for aid (Lane).

خفیة (secretly) is derived from خفی which means, it was or became unperceived, concealed, hidden, low or faint. They say قتل خفیة i.e. he was slain secretly (Lane).

Commentary:

The word ظلمات (calamities), literally meaning "darkness", here signifies afflictions, calamities and misfortunes; for, with the Arabs, darkness is a symbol of misfortune. Thus, a day of great misfortune is called "a starry day", because it is considered so dark as to make even stars visible in the firmament. The reader should note that instead of saying "openly" and "secretly", the Quran here uses the words "humbly" and "secretly," substituting the word "humbly" for "openly", thus indicating that a prayer said openly is useful only when it is offered in humility. "Open" prayers may sometimes be offered from a motive of display and show. Such prayers are of no value. Prayers are efficacious only when offered with due humility.

Important Words:

مرجفون (who cause agitation) is the plural of مرجف which is active participle from أرجف which is the transitive form of رجفwhich means, it was or became in a state of commotion or agitation, or in a state of violent agitation. رجف القوم means, the people prepared themselves for war. أرجفوا فی الشیء means, they said what was false respecting the thing or they told many evil and false tales respecting the thing in order that the people might become in a state of commotion, agitation or disturbance in consequence thereof. أرجفوا alone means, they said what was false in relating tales of conflicts and factions or discords and the like. They say أرجفوا فی المدینة کذا i.e. they told in the town and country of such a matter, in order that they might cause commotion or agitation, etc. without there being anything thereof true in their estimation (Lane).

لنغرینک (We shall make thee take action against them) is formed from أغرا which is derived from غرا. They say غری به i.e. it adhered to it; he became attached to it; he loved it; he adhered, clung or clove to it. أغراہ به means, he made him to become attached to or fond of it, to adhere, cleave or cling to it; he incited, urged or instigated him to do it. أغریت الکلب بالصید means, I incited, or urged the dog against the game. أغراہ بھم means, he set him upon them or over them; or made him to have masterly dominion or authority over them. The Quranic expression أغری بینھم العداوة means, He cast enmity between them as though he made it cleave to them (Lane & Aqrab).

Commentary:

As the present Surah deals with the vicissitudes through which Islam had to pass during the first few years of its life at Medina, some reference to the Hypocrites and Jews of Medina was called for, as they formed a substantial part of the population of Medina. They sought to put all sorts of obstacles and impediments in the way of Islam, lest it should gain political power and prestige. The main weapon in their armoury against Islam was the spreading of false news. The verse under comment foretold the doom of these people at a time when they thought that their plots and conspiracies against Islam would succeed. After the Battle of the Ditch Banu Quraizah, the last Jewish tribe living in Medina, were severely punished and Medina became completely rid of the Jews. The capacity of the Hypocrites to create mischief also received a severe setback, as the defeat and dispersion of the confederated armies added vastly to the political power and prestige of Islam.