Topic: City (Ummul-Qura)
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وَهَٰذَا كِتَٰبٌ أَنزَلْنَٰهُ مُبَارَكٌ مُّصَدِّقُ ٱلَّذِى بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ وَلِتُنذِرَ أُمَّ ٱلْقُرَىٰ وَمَنْ حَوْلَهَا ۚ وَٱلَّذِينَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱلْءَاخِرَةِ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِهِۦ ۖ وَهُمْ عَلَىٰ صَلَاتِهِمْ يُحَافِظُونَ
6:156; 21:51; 38:30.
42:8.
23:10; 70:24.
安拉所派遣的一位先知出现的地方称为 “城市之母”, 因为这是人们喝精神乳汁的所在, 正如婴孩吮吸他母亲的乳汁。“在其周围的人” 可以指全世界, 因为穆圣的使命是给全人类准备的。
这些话表明, 一个相信后世的人也一定相信 «古兰经»。因此, 相信 «古兰经» 和相信后世是不可分离地连结在一起的; 二者缺一就没有意义。
6:156; 21:51; 38:30.
42:8.
23:10; 70:24.
The place where a Prophet of God appears is called "The Mother of towns," for it is there that men drink spiritual milk, even as a child sucks milk from the breast of its mother. The words, those around her, may signify the whole world as the Message of the Holy Prophet was meant for the whole of mankind.
These words show that a believer in the life to come must believe in the Qur’an also. Thus belief in the Qur’an and belief in the Hereafter are inseparably linked together; the one is meaningless without the other.
6:156; 21:51; 38:30.
42:8.
23:10; 70:24.
Important Words:
مبارك (full of blessings) is derived from برك . They say برك الجمل i.e. the camel kneeled and lay down on his chest with his legs folded. برك also means, he or it was or became firm, steady or steadfast. برك علی فلان (barraka) means, he prayed that such a one might be blessed. بارك علیه means, he kept or applied himself constantly to it. بارك الله علیك or بارك الله فیك means, may God bless thee and make thee prosperous, or may He continue to shower blessings on thee. تبارك الله means, blessed is God; or hallowed is He; or far removed is He from every imperfection; or highly exalted is He. برکة (barakat) means, a blessing; any good bestowed by God, particularly that which continues and goes on increasing. It also means, increase, abundance or plenty. برکة (birkah) means, a tank dug in the ground; a lake or pond; a place where water remains and collects. مبارك means, blessed; gifted with blessing; abounding in good (Lane).
ام (mother), apart from its primary meaning, also signifies: source, origin, foundation or basis; support or cause of subsistence; the main or chief part of a thing; anything to which other things are collected together or joined; place of collection or comprehension or combination of a thing. The word is also applied to inanimate things, as the Arabs say ام الشجرة i.e. the mother of the tree; or ام النجوم i.e. the Milky Way, viz. the place where the stars are collected together in a great multitude. ام القری signifies, the mother of the towns; the metropolis; Mecca, because, being the Qiblah it is the gathering-place of men, or because of all towns it possesses the greatest dignity. In fact, every city is the ام of the smaller towns around it (Lane). Mecca is called ام القری also because it is the source of spiritual food for mankind.
Commentary:
This verse further explains the rational argument contained in the words, you have been taught that which neither you nor your fathers knew (see note on the preceding verse), and makes it clear that it is the Quran that the words quoted above refer to. The present verse mentions four features of the Quran: (1) it has been sent by God; (2) it is full of blessings as the word مبارك indicates, i.e. it is a Book in which, like a برکة (a place where water collects), are collected all the blessings of God; (3) it fulfils that which preceded it, i.e. it fulfils the prophecies contained in the previous Scriptures; and (4) it has been revealed so that the Holy Prophet may warn thereby the Mother of towns and those around her. The place where a Prophet of God appears is called "the mother of towns," for it is out of it that men drink spiritual milk, even as a child sucks milk from the breast of its mother. The words, those around her, are intended to include the whole earth. The earth being round, all parts of it lie around the place where the Holy Prophet made his appearance, i.e. Mecca. Thus, this verse also proves the universal mission of the Holy Prophet.
The words, those who believe in the Hereafter believe therein, signify that a true believer in the life to come cannot but believe in the Quranic teaching. In fact, he who has real faith in the life to come will always be anxious to find out the truth in order to ensure his salvation, and he who earnestly seeks after truth will necessarily be led to believe in the Quran, for as the Quran says: those who strive in Our cause—We will surely guide them in Our ways (29:70). Thus, belief in the Quran is really a criterion of true faith in the Day of Resurrection. Again, when a man comes to have faith in the Quran, he will naturally try to mould his actions according to its teachings and will be constant in his Prayers.
c
6:156; 21:51; 38:30.
d
42:8.
e
23:10; 70:24.
437
安拉所派遣的一位先知出现的地方称为 “城市之母”, 因为这是人们喝精神乳汁的所在, 正如婴孩吮吸他母亲的乳汁。“在其周围的人” 可以指全世界, 因为穆圣的使命是给全人类准备的。
438
这些话表明, 一个相信后世的人也一定相信 «古兰经»。因此, 相信 «古兰经» 和相信后世是不可分离地连结在一起的; 二者缺一就没有意义。
a
6:156; 21:51; 38:30.
b
42:8.
c
23:10; 70:24.
835
Important Words:
مبارك (full of blessings) is derived from برك . They say برك الجمل i.e. the camel kneeled and lay down on his chest with his legs folded. برك also means, he or it was or became firm, steady or steadfast. برك علی فلان (barraka) means, he prayed that such a one might be blessed. بارك علیه means, he kept or applied himself constantly to it. بارك الله علیك or بارك الله فیك means, may God bless thee and make thee prosperous, or may He continue to shower blessings on thee. تبارك الله means, blessed is God; or hallowed is He; or far removed is He from every imperfection; or highly exalted is He. برکة (barakat) means, a blessing; any good bestowed by God, particularly that which continues and goes on increasing. It also means, increase, abundance or plenty. برکة (birkah) means, a tank dug in the ground; a lake or pond; a place where water remains and collects. مبارك means, blessed; gifted with blessing; abounding in good (Lane).
ام (mother), apart from its primary meaning, also signifies: source, origin, foundation or basis; support or cause of subsistence; the main or chief part of a thing; anything to which other things are collected together or joined; place of collection or comprehension or combination of a thing. The word is also applied to inanimate things, as the Arabs say ام الشجرة i.e. the mother of the tree; or ام النجوم i.e. the Milky Way, viz. the place where the stars are collected together in a great multitude. ام القری signifies, the mother of the towns; the metropolis; Mecca, because, being the Qiblah it is the gathering-place of men, or because of all towns it possesses the greatest dignity. In fact, every city is the ام of the smaller towns around it (Lane). Mecca is called ام القری also because it is the source of spiritual food for mankind.
Commentary:
This verse further explains the rational argument contained in the words, you have been taught that which neither you nor your fathers knew (see note on the preceding verse), and makes it clear that it is the Quran that the words quoted above refer to. The present verse mentions four features of the Quran: (1) it has been sent by God; (2) it is full of blessings as the word مبارك indicates, i.e. it is a Book in which, like a برکة (a place where water collects), are collected all the blessings of God; (3) it fulfils that which preceded it, i.e. it fulfils the prophecies contained in the previous Scriptures; and (4) it has been revealed so that the Holy Prophet may warn thereby the Mother of towns and those around her. The place where a Prophet of God appears is called "the mother of towns," for it is out of it that men drink spiritual milk, even as a child sucks milk from the breast of its mother. The words, those around her, are intended to include the whole earth. The earth being round, all parts of it lie around the place where the Holy Prophet made his appearance, i.e. Mecca. Thus, this verse also proves the universal mission of the Holy Prophet.
The words, those who believe in the Hereafter believe therein, signify that a true believer in the life to come cannot but believe in the Quranic teaching. In fact, he who has real faith in the life to come will always be anxious to find out the truth in order to ensure his salvation, and he who earnestly seeks after truth will necessarily be led to believe in the Quran, for as the Quran says: those who strive in Our cause—We will surely guide them in Our ways (29:70). Thus, belief in the Quran is really a criterion of true faith in the Day of Resurrection. Again, when a man comes to have faith in the Quran, he will naturally try to mould his actions according to its teachings and will be constant in his Prayers.
a
6:156; 21:51; 38:30.
b
42:8.
c
23:10; 70:24.
875
The place where a Prophet of God appears is called "The Mother of towns," for it is there that men drink spiritual milk, even as a child sucks milk from the breast of its mother. The words, those around her, may signify the whole world as the Message of the Holy Prophet was meant for the whole of mankind.
876
These words show that a believer in the life to come must believe in the Qur’an also. Thus belief in the Qur’an and belief in the Hereafter are inseparably linked together; the one is meaningless without the other.
وَكَم مِّن قَرْيَةٍ أَهْلَكْنَٰهَا فَجَآءَهَا بَأْسُنَا بَيَٰتًا أَوْ هُمْ قَآئِلُونَ
7:98; 21:12; 28:59.
7:98; 21:12; 28:59.
Latter part of the night and also midday are here mentioned as particularly the two times when Divine visitations generally come upon a people. These are the hours when they are often asleep or are in a state of negligence.
7:98; 21:12; 28:59.
Important Words:
بیاتا (by night) is the noun-infinitive from بات i.e. he passed the night. بات یفعل کذا means, he did such a thing by or at night; or he passed the night doing such a thing; or he entered upon the night doing such a thing. اتاھم الامربیاتا means, the thing or event happened to them at night, or in the latter part of the night (Aqrab). See also 4:82.
قائلون (slept at noon) is derived from قال (of which the aorist is یقیل and not یقول) i.e. he slept or rested during mid-day; or he drank water, etc. at mid-day. So قائل means, one sleeping or resting during mid-day. قیلولة means, the act of sleeping or resting during mid-day. قائلة means, mid-day (Aqrab).
Commentary:
The particle فا in فجاءھا here means "and". If, however, it be taken to mean "then" and the words that follow be translated as "then Our punishment came upon them", then the verb اھلکنا (have We destroyed) will have to be rendered as "We had decreed to destroy". Two separate and distinct hours, viz. (1) the latter part of the night and (2) mid-day are here mentioned as the two times when divine visitations generally come upon men. These are the times when people are often in a state of sleep or negligence.
e
7:98; 21:12; 28:59.
a
7:98; 21:12; 28:59.
909
Important Words:
بیاتا (by night) is the noun-infinitive from بات i.e. he passed the night. بات یفعل کذا means, he did such a thing by or at night; or he passed the night doing such a thing; or he entered upon the night doing such a thing. اتاھم الامربیاتا means, the thing or event happened to them at night, or in the latter part of the night (Aqrab). See also 4:82.
قائلون (slept at noon) is derived from قال (of which the aorist is یقیل and not یقول) i.e. he slept or rested during mid-day; or he drank water, etc. at mid-day. So قائل means, one sleeping or resting during mid-day. قیلولة means, the act of sleeping or resting during mid-day. قائلة means, mid-day (Aqrab).
Commentary:
The particle فا in فجاءھا here means "and". If, however, it be taken to mean "then" and the words that follow be translated as "then Our punishment came upon them", then the verb اھلکنا (have We destroyed) will have to be rendered as "We had decreed to destroy". Two separate and distinct hours, viz. (1) the latter part of the night and (2) mid-day are here mentioned as the two times when divine visitations generally come upon men. These are the times when people are often in a state of sleep or negligence.
e
7:98; 21:12; 28:59.
944
Latter part of the night and also midday are here mentioned as particularly the two times when Divine visitations generally come upon a people. These are the hours when they are often asleep or are in a state of negligence.
أَلَمْ يَأْتِهِمْ نَبَأُ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ قَوْمِ نُوحٍ وَعَادٍ وَثَمُودَ وَقَوْمِ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ وَأَصْحَٰبِ مَدْيَنَ وَٱلْمُؤْتَفِكَٰتِ ۚ أَتَتْهُمْ رُسُلُهُم بِٱلْبَيِّنَٰتِ ۖ فَمَا كَانَ ٱللَّهُ لِيَظْلِمَهُمْ وَلَٰكِن كَانُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَهُمْ يَظْلِمُونَ
14:10; 50:13-15.
10:45; 29:41; 30:10.
Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 19:24 & 25). The site is believed to be the Dead Sea (Jew. Enc., under Sodom). The Qur’an speaks of the place as being situated on or near a "permanent way" (15:75-77).
14:10; 50:13-15.
10:45; 29:41; 30:10.
Important Words:
المؤتفکات (cities which were over-thrown) is derived from افك. They say افکه i.e. he changed his or its manner of being or state; he turned him or it away or back. They say ائتفکت البلدة باھلھا i.e. the land or town was or became overturned or subverted with its inhabitants. مؤتفکات therefore means, ties overthrown or subverted. It also means, the winds that turn over the surface of the earth, or the winds that blow from different quarters, now from this and now from that (Lane).
Commentary:
This verse explains the words, those before you, occurring in the preceding verse. The reference in words, cities which were overthrown, is to the towns to which Prophet Lot was sent and which were turned upside down on account of their transgression and depravity. The catastrophe was caused by a violent earthquake. The overthrown habitation were according to the Bible, the two towns of Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 19:24 & 25). The site is believed to be that of the Dead Sea (Jew. Enc. under Sodom). The Quran speaks of the place as being situated on or near a "permanent way" (15:75-77).
b
14:10; 50:13-15.
c
10:45; 29:41; 30:10.
573
所多玛 (Sodom) 和娥摩拉 (Gomorrah) 城 (Gen.19:24; 25)。这一地点一般人相信是死海 (Jew. Enc., Under Sodom)。«古兰经» 谈及此处是位于一条 “永久的道路” 上或在它的附近 (15:75-77)。
a
14:10; 50:13-15.
b
10:45; 29:41; 30:10.
1224
Important Words:
المؤتفکات (cities which were over-thrown) is derived from افك. They say افکه i.e. he changed his or its manner of being or state; he turned him or it away or back. They say ائتفکت البلدة باھلھا i.e. the land or town was or became overturned or subverted with its inhabitants. مؤتفکات therefore means, ties overthrown or subverted. It also means, the winds that turn over the surface of the earth, or the winds that blow from different quarters, now from this and now from that (Lane).
Commentary:
This verse explains the words, those before you, occurring in the preceding verse. The reference in words, cities which were overthrown, is to the towns to which Prophet Lot was sent and which were turned upside down on account of their transgression and depravity. The catastrophe was caused by a violent earthquake. The overthrown habitation were according to the Bible, the two towns of Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 19:24 & 25). The site is believed to be that of the Dead Sea (Jew. Enc. under Sodom). The Quran speaks of the place as being situated on or near a "permanent way" (15:75-77).
c
14:10; 50:13-15.
d
10:45; 29:41; 30:10.
1198
Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 19:24 & 25). The site is believed to be the Dead Sea (Jew. Enc., under Sodom). The Qur’an speaks of the place as being situated on or near a "permanent way" (15:75-77).
وَكَذَٰلِكَ أَخْذُ رَبِّكَ إِذَآ أَخَذَ ٱلْقُرَىٰ وَهِىَ ظَٰلِمَةٌ ۚ إِنَّ أَخْذَهُۥٓ أَلِيمٌ شَدِيدٌ
54:43; 85:13.
54:43; 85:13.
54:43; 85:13.
Commentary:
This verse gives the reason why all the foregoing events—the destruction of the people of Noah down to Moses have been related. The reason is that when the punishment of God overtakes a people, they are simply annihilated. The enemies of the Holy Prophet are told by implication that they should take warning from the fate of the opponents of former Prophets.
The word ظالمة (doing wrong) is used here in the sense of مشرکة (those who associate gods with God). The word ظلم (wrong) has been used in the sense of شرك (idol-worship) at several places in the Quran. What is meant to be conveyed here is that the punishment which overtakes a people when they become idolaters and lose faith in the Unity of God is most destructive and generally extirpatory, while the ruin which comes upon a people from natural causes is gradual.
e
54:43; 85:13.
a
54:43; 85:13.
1483
Commentary:
This verse gives the reason why all the foregoing events—the destruction of the people of Noah down to Moses have been related. The reason is that when the punishment of God overtakes a people, they are simply annihilated. The enemies of the Holy Prophet are told by implication that they should take warning from the fate of the opponents of former Prophets.
The word ظالمة (doing wrong) is used here in the sense of مشرکة (those who associate gods with God). The word ظلم (wrong) has been used in the sense of شرك (idol-worship) at several places in the Quran. What is meant to be conveyed here is that the punishment which overtakes a people when they become idolaters and lose faith in the Unity of God is most destructive and generally extirpatory, while the ruin which comes upon a people from natural causes is gradual.
a
54:43; 85:13.
وَمَا كَانَ رَبُّكَ لِيُهْلِكَ ٱلْقُرَىٰ بِظُلْمٍ وَأَهْلُهَا مُصْلِحُونَ
6:132; 20:135; 26:209; 28:60.
6:132; 20:135; 26:209; 28:60.
6:132; 20:135; 26:209; 28:60.
Commentary:
The verse clearly shows that it is unjust to punish any people unless they make themselves deserving of it by their misdeeds. It is a pity that in spite of the fact that various kinds of afflictions and miseries have fallen upon present-day Muslims, they persist in thinking that they are following the right path. This, in other words, means that they look upon God as unjust and themselves as righteous. The important lesson that we learn from this verse is that as punishment comes only when people become corrupt, therefore when people see signs of an impending punishment they should take a warning from it and should at once set about eschewing evil practices and reforming themselves.
As the word مصلحون (righteous) also means "making peace among themselves", the verse also shows that the way to avert Divine punishment is that people should make peace among themselves and there should be unity and concord among them. In fact, decline and degradation overtake a people only when they are rent by dissensions and discord and fall victim to various kinds of moral and spiritual maladies.
d
6:132; 20:135; 26:209; 28:60.
a
6:132; 20:135; 26:209; 28:60.
1498
Commentary:
The verse clearly shows that it is unjust to punish any people unless they make themselves deserving of it by their misdeeds. It is a pity that in spite of the fact that various kinds of afflictions and miseries have fallen upon present-day Muslims, they persist in thinking that they are following the right path. This, in other words, means that they look upon God as unjust and themselves as righteous. The important lesson that we learn from this verse is that as punishment comes only when people become corrupt, therefore when people see signs of an impending punishment they should take a warning from it and should at once set about eschewing evil practices and reforming themselves.
As the word مصلحون (righteous) also means "making peace among themselves", the verse also shows that the way to avert Divine punishment is that people should make peace among themselves and there should be unity and concord among them. In fact, decline and degradation overtake a people only when they are rent by dissensions and discord and fall victim to various kinds of moral and spiritual maladies.
c
6:132; 20:135; 26:209; 28:60.
وَمَآ أَهْلَكْنَا مِن قَرْيَةٍ إِلَّا وَلَهَا كِتَابٌ مَّعْلُومٌ
'Town' stands for the people to whom a Prophet is sent. The 'town' of the Holy Prophet has been called 'Mother of towns' in the Qur’an (6:93).
The words, 'known decree,' here signifies the time appointed for the destruction of the opponents of a Prophet as predicted by him.
Commentary:
In this verse the word "town" stands for the people to whom a Prophet is sent. The town of the Holy Prophet is called ام القری (the mother of towns) in the Quran. When the mother is visited by Divine punishment, the other places which are, as it were, its children must also share its fate. This is why in the present age, which has witnessed the advent of Ahmad, the Promised Messiah, calamities and disasters of diverse kinds have visited the world, because like his Master, the Holy Prophet of Islam, he too was raised for the whole of mankind.
The term "known decree" here means the time appointed for the destruction of the opponents of a Prophet and predicted by him. To the opponents of a Prophet punishment comes only after it has been foretold by him.
1712
Commentary:
In this verse the word "town" stands for the people to whom a Prophet is sent. The town of the Holy Prophet is called ام القری (the mother of towns) in the Quran. When the mother is visited by Divine punishment, the other places which are, as it were, its children must also share its fate. This is why in the present age, which has witnessed the advent of Ahmad, the Promised Messiah, calamities and disasters of diverse kinds have visited the world, because like his Master, the Holy Prophet of Islam, he too was raised for the whole of mankind.
The term "known decree" here means the time appointed for the destruction of the opponents of a Prophet and predicted by him. To the opponents of a Prophet punishment comes only after it has been foretold by him.
1479
'Town' stands for the people to whom a Prophet is sent. The 'town' of the Holy Prophet has been called 'Mother of towns' in the Qur’an (6:93).
1479A
The words, 'known decree,' here signifies the time appointed for the destruction of the opponents of a Prophet as predicted by him.
وَإِذَآ أَرَدْنَآ أَن نُّهْلِكَ قَرْيَةً أَمَرْنَا مُتْرَفِيهَا فَفَسَقُوا۟ فِيهَا فَحَقَّ عَلَيْهَا ٱلْقَوْلُ فَدَمَّرْنَٰهَا تَدْمِيرًا
اس آیت کے بہت غلط معنے کیے جاتے ہیں لیکن حضرت ابن عباسؓ نے اس کا صحیح مفہوم نکالا ہے جس سے سب اعتراض دور ہو جاتے ہیں۔ (دیکھئے بحر محیط جلد۶ ص۱۷) ہم نے اسی کے مطابق ترجمہ کیا ہے۔
22:46; 28:59.
By Qaryah (township) is here meant the Mother-town, i.e. a town which serves as a metropolis or centre of culture and politics for other towns.
22:46; 28:59.
Important Words:
مترفیھا (its rebellious people). مترفis derived from ترف which means, he led a plentiful and pleasant or an easy life; or a life of ease and plenty; it (a plant or herbage) was or became luxuriant, flourishing and fresh by reason of plentiful irrigation. اترف means, he persevered or persisted in, or resolved upon transgression, wrongdoing, or deviation from the right way. They say اترفته النعمة i.e. wealth, or what God bestowed upon him, made him excessively disobedient or rebellious; or extravagant in acts of disobedience and in wrongdoing; or made him lead a life of ease and plenty. مترفtherefore means, one left to do what he wills; one enjoying a life of ease and plenty; luxurious or indulging himself largely in the pleasures or delights of the present life; one who is not prevented from enjoying himself; one whose means of subsistence are made ample or plentiful; one whom a life of ease and plenty or wealth causes to exult, or to exult excessively, and to behave insolently and ungratefully; one who magnifies himself; or behaves proudly, haughtily or insolently. The Quranic expression مترفیھا means, the worst of its chiefs; and the leaders in evil (Lane & Aqrab). See also 11:117.
Commentary:
Some critics of Islam have first translated this verse as "We command its rebellious inhabitants and they transgress therein" and then have made it a target for objection, saying that God Himself first commands the people to transgress and then punishes them for their transgression. The words of the verse do not justify this objection. The verse clearly states that disbelievers defied the commandments of God and as a result of their defiance and transgression they were destroyed. Elsewhere the Quran expressly says that it is only good deeds that God commands men to do. See 7:29 & 16:91.
The expression, We address our commandment to its rebellious people, should not be understood to mean that the command to obey was given only to one section of the people. It was given to all the people as the word مترف (lit. one who does what he pleases and is rebellious) comprises all sorts of disobedient and rebellious people, whether rich or poor. Even if the expression may appear to refer to only one class of people, according to Quranic style and diction, it applies to all peoples. Analogous expressions have been used in the Quran where a command intended for all people seems to have been addressed to one person only. In 38:76 the command to obey Adam was given to all the angels but it seems to have been addressed to Iblis only. See also 2:35.
By قریة (a township) is here meant the mother-town, a town which serves as a metropolis or centre of culture and politics for other towns.
a
22:46; 28:59.
708
这里 قَرْيَة (Qaryah, 城市) 的意思是城市之母, 也就是一个大都市或其他城市的文化和政治中心。
2
اس آیت کے بہت غلط معنے کیے جاتے ہیں لیکن حضرت ابن عباسؓ نے اس کا صحیح مفہوم نکالا ہے جس سے سب اعتراض دور ہو جاتے ہیں۔ (دیکھئے بحر محیط جلد۶ ص۱۷) ہم نے اسی کے مطابق ترجمہ کیا ہے۔
a
22:46; 28:59.
1946
Important Words:
مترفیھا (its rebellious people). مترفis derived from ترف which means, he led a plentiful and pleasant or an easy life; or a life of ease and plenty; it (a plant or herbage) was or became luxuriant, flourishing and fresh by reason of plentiful irrigation. اترف means, he persevered or persisted in, or resolved upon transgression, wrongdoing, or deviation from the right way. They say اترفته النعمة i.e. wealth, or what God bestowed upon him, made him excessively disobedient or rebellious; or extravagant in acts of disobedience and in wrongdoing; or made him lead a life of ease and plenty. مترفtherefore means, one left to do what he wills; one enjoying a life of ease and plenty; luxurious or indulging himself largely in the pleasures or delights of the present life; one who is not prevented from enjoying himself; one whose means of subsistence are made ample or plentiful; one whom a life of ease and plenty or wealth causes to exult, or to exult excessively, and to behave insolently and ungratefully; one who magnifies himself; or behaves proudly, haughtily or insolently. The Quranic expression مترفیھا means, the worst of its chiefs; and the leaders in evil (Lane & Aqrab). See also 11:117.
Commentary:
Some critics of Islam have first translated this verse as "We command its rebellious inhabitants and they transgress therein" and then have made it a target for objection, saying that God Himself first commands the people to transgress and then punishes them for their transgression. The words of the verse do not justify this objection. The verse clearly states that disbelievers defied the commandments of God and as a result of their defiance and transgression they were destroyed. Elsewhere the Quran expressly says that it is only good deeds that God commands men to do. See 7:29 & 16:91.
The expression, We address our commandment to its rebellious people, should not be understood to mean that the command to obey was given only to one section of the people. It was given to all the people as the word مترف (lit. one who does what he pleases and is rebellious) comprises all sorts of disobedient and rebellious people, whether rich or poor. Even if the expression may appear to refer to only one class of people, according to Quranic style and diction, it applies to all peoples. Analogous expressions have been used in the Quran where a command intended for all people seems to have been addressed to one person only. In 38:76 the command to obey Adam was given to all the angels but it seems to have been addressed to Iblis only. See also 2:35.
By قریة (a township) is here meant the mother-town, a town which serves as a metropolis or centre of culture and politics for other towns.
e
22:46; 28:59.
1603
By Qaryah (township) is here meant the Mother-town, i.e. a town which serves as a metropolis or centre of culture and politics for other towns.
وَتِلْكَ ٱلْقُرَىٰٓ أَهْلَكْنَٰهُمْ لَمَّا ظَلَمُوا۟ وَجَعَلْنَا لِمَهْلِكِهِم مَّوْعِدًا
11:101.
11:101.
11:101.
Commentary:
The verse means to say that it is not the nations of the west who alone have attained to great power and influence. There have been other nations in the past who also rose to great power. The Prophets of God came to them and invited them to truth and warned them against their wicked ways. But in their conceit and arrogance they refused to see reason and paid no heed to the voice of their Prophets. So Divine punishment descended upon them and destroyed them. The nations of the West are the most powerful nations in the world today. In the intoxication of their might and material resources, their wealth and prestige, they have cast the warning of nature to the winds and have given themselves up wholly to the acquisition of material wealth and the pursuit of sexual pleasures and physical comforts. The whole Surah constitutes a warning to these people to mend their ways and to desist from their present evil course for the day of their reckoning is fast approaching; and they should remember that when Divine punishment descends upon a people they are destroyed.
d
11:101.
a
11:101.
2100
Commentary:
The verse means to say that it is not the nations of the west who alone have attained to great power and influence. There have been other nations in the past who also rose to great power. The Prophets of God came to them and invited them to truth and warned them against their wicked ways. But in their conceit and arrogance they refused to see reason and paid no heed to the voice of their Prophets. So Divine punishment descended upon them and destroyed them. The nations of the West are the most powerful nations in the world today. In the intoxication of their might and material resources, their wealth and prestige, they have cast the warning of nature to the winds and have given themselves up wholly to the acquisition of material wealth and the pursuit of sexual pleasures and physical comforts. The whole Surah constitutes a warning to these people to mend their ways and to desist from their present evil course for the day of their reckoning is fast approaching; and they should remember that when Divine punishment descends upon a people they are destroyed.
e
11:101.
مَآ ءَامَنَتْ قَبْلَهُم مِّن قَرْيَةٍ أَهْلَكْنَٰهَآ ۖ أَفَهُمْ يُؤْمِنُونَ
Commentary:
The verse means to say that if disbelievers demand a "Sign of punishment," then that too is a foolish demand because when punishment overtook them and they were destroyed, how would they believe?
The verse does not mean that the Quraish of Mecca would not believe in the Holy Prophet after Divine punishment overtook them because it is a known fact of history that they did believe in him after Mecca, the centre and source of their glory and prosperity fell. What the verse signifies is that while the peoples of the former Prophets, with the solitary exception of Prophet Jonah’s people, did not believe in them after they were actually visited with punishment, the Holy Prophet’s people would have the opportunity and good luck to believe in him even after having been overtaken by Divine punishment in the Fall of Mecca, the destruction of their idols and the departure of their glory and prestige. Ordinarily, after having suffered a crushing defeat and being wholly at the mercy of the Holy Prophet, they should have received condign punishment which they amply deserved but they were forgiven with a magnanimity unparalleled in the annals of human history, and then they believed in the Prophet.
2348
Commentary:
The verse means to say that if disbelievers demand a "Sign of punishment," then that too is a foolish demand because when punishment overtook them and they were destroyed, how would they believe?
The verse does not mean that the Quraish of Mecca would not believe in the Holy Prophet after Divine punishment overtook them because it is a known fact of history that they did believe in him after Mecca, the centre and source of their glory and prosperity fell. What the verse signifies is that while the peoples of the former Prophets, with the solitary exception of Prophet Jonah’s people, did not believe in them after they were actually visited with punishment, the Holy Prophet’s people would have the opportunity and good luck to believe in him even after having been overtaken by Divine punishment in the Fall of Mecca, the destruction of their idols and the departure of their glory and prestige. Ordinarily, after having suffered a crushing defeat and being wholly at the mercy of the Holy Prophet, they should have received condign punishment which they amply deserved but they were forgiven with a magnanimity unparalleled in the annals of human history, and then they believed in the Prophet.
وَحَرَٰمٌ عَلَىٰ قَرْيَةٍ أَهْلَكْنَٰهَآ أَنَّهُمْ لَا يَرْجِعُونَ
23:100, 101; 36:32.
23:100-101; 36:32.
Important Words:
حرام (inviolable law) is inf. noun fromحرم . They say حرم علیه i.e. it was or became forbidden or unlawful to him. It (a place or a right or a function) or he was or became sacred or inviolable or entitled to respect or honour. حرام means, forbidden or prohibited or unlawful; sacred or inviolable (Lane & Aqrab). See also 2:145.
Commentary:
The verse means to say that it is an inviolable divine law that the dead are never sent back to this world. Those who pass away from this world pass away forever (23:100, 101; 39:43). This meaning of the verse is supported by a well-known saying of the Holy Prophet according to which a companion of his named ‘Abdullah was slain in a battle. The Prophet told ‘Abdullah’s son, Jabir, that he had seen in a dream that God was so pleased with his father that He had asked ‘Abdullah what thing he would love to have so that the same might be given to him, and ‘Abdullah replied that he wished to be sent back to the world so that he might fight and be slain again in the cause of truth, to which God the Almighty said: "This cannot be because the word has gone forth from Me that the dead shall not return to the world" (Majah & Nasa’i).
e
23:100, 101; 36:32.
c
23:100-101; 36:32.
2422
Important Words:
حرام (inviolable law) is inf. noun fromحرم . They say حرم علیه i.e. it was or became forbidden or unlawful to him. It (a place or a right or a function) or he was or became sacred or inviolable or entitled to respect or honour. حرام means, forbidden or prohibited or unlawful; sacred or inviolable (Lane & Aqrab). See also 2:145.
Commentary:
The verse means to say that it is an inviolable divine law that the dead are never sent back to this world. Those who pass away from this world pass away forever (23:100, 101; 39:43). This meaning of the verse is supported by a well-known saying of the Holy Prophet according to which a companion of his named ‘Abdullah was slain in a battle. The Prophet told ‘Abdullah’s son, Jabir, that he had seen in a dream that God was so pleased with his father that He had asked ‘Abdullah what thing he would love to have so that the same might be given to him, and ‘Abdullah replied that he wished to be sent back to the world so that he might fight and be slain again in the cause of truth, to which God the Almighty said: "This cannot be because the word has gone forth from Me that the dead shall not return to the world" (Majah & Nasa’i).
b
23:100, 101; 36:32.
1917
It is an inviolable Divine law that the dead are never sent back to this world. Those, who pass away from this world, pass away for ever (23:100, 101).
فَكَأَيِّن مِّن قَرْيَةٍ أَهْلَكْنَٰهَا وَهِىَ ظَالِمَةٌ فَهِىَ خَاوِيَةٌ عَلَىٰ عُرُوشِهَا وَبِئْرٍ مُّعَطَّلَةٍ وَقَصْرٍ مَّشِيدٍ
7:5; 21:12; 28:59; 65:9, 10.
7:5; 21:12; 28:59; 65:9, 10.
7:5; 21:12; 28:59; 65:9-10.
Important Words:
خاویة (fallen) is derived from خوی. They say خوی البیت i.e. (1) the house fell down in ruins; (2) it became empty and untenanted (Aqrab). See also 2:260.
معطلة (deserted) is derived from عطل. They say عطل الشیء (attala) i.e. he rendered the thing untended or neglected. عطل البئرmeans, he gave up going to the well to drink from it. عطل الابل means, the camels went away without a pastor to look after them (Aqrab). واذا العشار عطلت means, and when the she-camels ten-months pregnant are abandoned or are left without a pastor to look after them (81:5).
مشید (lofty) means, lofty, strongly or firmly built. See also 4:79.
b
7:5; 21:12; 28:59; 65:9, 10.
a
7:5; 21:12; 28:59; 65:9-10.
2475
Important Words:
خاویة (fallen) is derived from خوی. They say خوی البیت i.e. (1) the house fell down in ruins; (2) it became empty and untenanted (Aqrab). See also 2:260.
معطلة (deserted) is derived from عطل. They say عطل الشیء (attala) i.e. he rendered the thing untended or neglected. عطل البئرmeans, he gave up going to the well to drink from it. عطل الابل means, the camels went away without a pastor to look after them (Aqrab). واذا العشار عطلت means, and when the she-camels ten-months pregnant are abandoned or are left without a pastor to look after them (81:5).
مشید (lofty) means, lofty, strongly or firmly built. See also 4:79.
a
7:5; 21:12; 28:59; 65:9, 10.
وَمَآ أَهْلَكْنَا مِن قَرْيَةٍ إِلَّا لَهَا مُنذِرُونَ
6:132; 11:118; 20:135; 28:60.
The verse refers to a Divine law that punishment does not overtake a people unless a Prophet is first sent to them and by rejecting and opposing him they render themselves deserving of it. See also 17:16; 28:60; 35:38.
6:132; 11:118; 20:135; 28:60.
Commentary:
The verse refers to a divine law that punishment does not overtake a people unless a Prophet is first sent to them and by rejecting and opposing him they render themselves deserving of it. See also 17:16; 28:60; 35:38.
c
6:132; 11:118; 20:135; 28:60.
934
这节经文指出安拉的一种法则: 一个民族不会遭受惩罚, 除非他先派一位先知去他们那里, 如果他们拒绝和反对他, 他们就是咎由自取。也可见17:16; 28:60; 35:38。
a
6:132; 11:118; 20:135; 28:60.
2803
Commentary:
The verse refers to a divine law that punishment does not overtake a people unless a Prophet is first sent to them and by rejecting and opposing him they render themselves deserving of it. See also 17:16; 28:60; 35:38.
a
6:132; 11:118; 20:135; 28:60.
2137
The verse refers to a Divine law that punishment does not overtake a people unless a Prophet is first sent to them and by rejecting and opposing him they render themselves deserving of it. See also 17:16; 28:60; 35:38.
وَكَمْ أَهْلَكْنَا مِن قَرْيَةٍۭ بَطِرَتْ مَعِيشَتَهَا ۖ فَتِلْكَ مَسَٰكِنُهُمْ لَمْ تُسْكَن مِّنۢ بَعْدِهِمْ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا ۖ وَكُنَّا نَحْنُ ٱلْوَٰرِثِينَ
7:5; 21:12; 22:46; 65:9.
یہاں قرآن مجید میں اِلَّا قَلِیْلًا کے لفظ ہیں مگر بتایا جا چکا ہے کہ لَا قَلِیْلًا وَّ لَا کَثِیْرًا کے معنے ہیں ’’بالکل نہیں۔‘‘
7:5; 21:12; 22:46; 65:9.
There had lived in the past peoples who were more powerful and wealthier and possessed superior civilizations than the people of whom the Meccans are afraid, and yet when they rejected the truth and behaved proudly they were so completely wiped out from the face of the earth as if they had never lived on it, and those who were considered weak were made to take their place.
7:5; 21:12; 22:46; 65:9.
15:24; 19:41.
Important Words:
بطرت (exulted) is feminine gender from بطر which means, he exulted; or exulted greatly or excessively and behaved insolently, or he exulted by reason of wealth and behaved with pride. بطرت عیشک means, thou exultest excessively and behavest insolently in thy manner of life. بطرت معیشتھا in reality is بطرت فی معیشتھا which means, it exulted in its manner or means of life. بطر النعمة means, he held the favour in light estimation and was ungrateful for it. بطر الحق means, he disdainfully rejected the truth (Lane & Aqrab). See also 8:48.
Commentary:
The verse means to say that the Meccans fear that if they accepted the new message, they will be deprived of their property and possessions by more wealthy and powerful peoples. But they seem to ignore the fact that there had lived in the past peoples who were more powerful and wealthier and possessed superior civilizations than the people of whom the Meccans are afraid and yet when those people rejected the truth and behaved proudly they were so completely wiped out from the face of the earth as if they had never lived on it, and those who were considered weak were made to take their place.
f
7:5; 21:12; 22:46; 65:9.
2
یہاں قرآن مجید میں اِلَّا قَلِیْلًا کے لفظ ہیں مگر بتایا جا چکا ہے کہ لَا قَلِیْلًا وَّ لَا کَثِیْرًا کے معنے ہیں ’’بالکل نہیں۔‘‘
a
7:5; 21:12; 22:46; 65:9.
b
15:24; 19:41.
2919
Important Words:
بطرت (exulted) is feminine gender from بطر which means, he exulted; or exulted greatly or excessively and behaved insolently, or he exulted by reason of wealth and behaved with pride. بطرت عیشک means, thou exultest excessively and behavest insolently in thy manner of life. بطرت معیشتھا in reality is بطرت فی معیشتھا which means, it exulted in its manner or means of life. بطر النعمة means, he held the favour in light estimation and was ungrateful for it. بطر الحق means, he disdainfully rejected the truth (Lane & Aqrab). See also 8:48.
Commentary:
The verse means to say that the Meccans fear that if they accepted the new message, they will be deprived of their property and possessions by more wealthy and powerful peoples. But they seem to ignore the fact that there had lived in the past peoples who were more powerful and wealthier and possessed superior civilizations than the people of whom the Meccans are afraid and yet when those people rejected the truth and behaved proudly they were so completely wiped out from the face of the earth as if they had never lived on it, and those who were considered weak were made to take their place.
d
7:5; 21:12; 22:46; 65:9.
2225
There had lived in the past peoples who were more powerful and wealthier and possessed superior civilizations than the people of whom the Meccans are afraid, and yet when they rejected the truth and behaved proudly they were so completely wiped out from the face of the earth as if they had never lived on it, and those who were considered weak were made to take their place.
وَمَا كَانَ رَبُّكَ مُهْلِكَ ٱلْقُرَىٰ حَتَّىٰ يَبْعَثَ فِىٓ أُمِّهَا رَسُولًا يَتْلُوا۟ عَلَيْهِمْ ءَايَٰتِنَا ۚ وَمَا كُنَّا مُهْلِكِى ٱلْقُرَىٰٓ إِلَّا وَأَهْلُهَا ظَٰلِمُونَ
اردو میں بستی کی جمع بستیاں بغیر خاص ضرورت کے نہیں آتی اور عربی میں بستیوں سے مراد ملک ہوتا ہے۔
6:132; 11:118; 20:135; 26:209.
The unusual frequency and universality of natural calamities in the form of famines, wars, earthquakes and epidemics during the last five or six decades call for the appearance of a Divine Reformer in the present time.
6:132; 11:118; 20:135; 26:209.
Commentary:
Two laws have been enunciated in this verse: (1) No people are punished until God has first raised among them a Messenger who warns them of the impending punishment and exhorts them to repent and give up their evil ways. (2) No people are punished unless they have given themselves up to sin and iniquity and have completely closed the doors of repentance upon themselves.
The unusual frequency and universality of natural calamities in the form of famines, wars, earthquakes and epidemics during the last five or six decades call for the appearance of a Divine Messenger in the present time. That Divine Messenger appeared in the fullness of time in the person of Ahmad, the Promised Messiah and Holy Founder of the Ahmadiyya Movement.
a
6:132; 11:118; 20:135; 26:209.
965
最近五六十年中, 饥馑、战争、地震和瘟疫等天然灾难异乎寻常地频繁和普遍发生, 正呼求着一个现代宗教复兴者的出现。
3
اردو میں بستی کی جمع بستیاں بغیر خاص ضرورت کے نہیں آتی اور عربی میں بستیوں سے مراد ملک ہوتا ہے۔
c
6:132; 11:118; 20:135; 26:209.
2920
Commentary:
Two laws have been enunciated in this verse: (1) No people are punished until God has first raised among them a Messenger who warns them of the impending punishment and exhorts them to repent and give up their evil ways. (2) No people are punished unless they have given themselves up to sin and iniquity and have completely closed the doors of repentance upon themselves.
The unusual frequency and universality of natural calamities in the form of famines, wars, earthquakes and epidemics during the last five or six decades call for the appearance of a Divine Messenger in the present time. That Divine Messenger appeared in the fullness of time in the person of Ahmad, the Promised Messiah and Holy Founder of the Ahmadiyya Movement.
a
6:132; 11:118; 20:135; 26:209.
2226
The unusual frequency and universality of natural calamities in the form of famines, wars, earthquakes and epidemics during the last five or six decades call for the appearance of a Divine Reformer in the present time.
وَلَمَّا جَآءَتْ رُسُلُنَآ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ بِٱلْبُشْرَىٰ قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّا مُهْلِكُوٓا۟ أَهْلِ هَٰذِهِ ٱلْقَرْيَةِ ۖ إِنَّ أَهْلَهَا كَانُوا۟ ظَٰلِمِينَ
11:70, 71.
آیت کے الفاظ یہ ہیں کہ ابراہیمؑ کے پاس ہمارے رسول بُشْرٰی لائے۔ اور اردو میں بُشْرٰی کا لفظ بشارت یعنی خوشخبری کے معنوں میں استعمال ہوتا ہے۔ حالانکہ آگے چل کر انہوں نے خبر یہ دی ہے کہ ہم اس بستی کے لوگوں کو ہلاک کرنے والے ہیں۔ جو بظاہر ایک ُبری خبر ہے۔ اس کی وجہ یہ ہے کہ عربی زبان میں بُشْرٰی کے معنے ایک بڑی اور اہم خبر کے ہوتے ہیں۔ جس کا اثر چہرہ پر ظاہر ہو جائے۔ لازمی طور پر اچھی خبر کے لئے یہ لفظ استعمال نہیں ہوتا۔ پس چونکہ نبی نرم دل ہوتا ہے اور ابراہیم علیہ السلام کے لئے قرآن کریم میں خاص طور پر ذکر ہے کہ وہ بڑے نرم دل تھے۔ جب انہوں نے یہ سنا کہ لوطؑ کی
11:70, 71.
11:70-71.
Commentary:
The verse speaks of two things: (1) the glad tidings that the messengers brought to Abraham and (2) the warning that the people of the city of Lot were about to be destroyed. The glad tidings conveyed to Abraham were about the birth of a son and the cities to be destroyed were Sodom and Gomorrah. They were situated in the neighbourhood of the Dead Sea on the road from Arabia to Syria. The road has been called سبیل مقیم (a road that still exists) in the Quran (15:77). The Dead Sea is also called the Bahr Lut.
g
11:70, 71.
2
آیت کے الفاظ یہ ہیں کہ ابراہیمؑ کے پاس ہمارے رسول بُشْرٰی لائے۔ اور اردو میں بُشْرٰی کا لفظ بشارت یعنی خوشخبری کے معنوں میں استعمال ہوتا ہے۔ حالانکہ آگے چل کر انہوں نے خبر یہ دی ہے کہ ہم اس بستی کے لوگوں کو ہلاک کرنے والے ہیں۔ جو بظاہر ایک ُبری خبر ہے۔ اس کی وجہ یہ ہے کہ عربی زبان میں بُشْرٰی کے معنے ایک بڑی اور اہم خبر کے ہوتے ہیں۔ جس کا اثر چہرہ پر ظاہر ہو جائے۔ لازمی طور پر اچھی خبر کے لئے یہ لفظ استعمال نہیں ہوتا۔ پس چونکہ نبی نرم دل ہوتا ہے اور ابراہیم علیہ السلام کے لئے قرآن کریم میں خاص طور پر ذکر ہے کہ وہ بڑے نرم دل تھے۔ جب انہوں نے یہ سنا کہ لوطؑ کی
c
11:70-71.
2961
Commentary:
The verse speaks of two things: (1) the glad tidings that the messengers brought to Abraham and (2) the warning that the people of the city of Lot were about to be destroyed. The glad tidings conveyed to Abraham were about the birth of a son and the cities to be destroyed were Sodom and Gomorrah. They were situated in the neighbourhood of the Dead Sea on the road from Arabia to Syria. The road has been called سبیل مقیم (a road that still exists) in the Quran (15:77). The Dead Sea is also called the Bahr Lut.
a
11:70, 71.
إِنَّا مُنزِلُونَ عَلَىٰٓ أَهْلِ هَٰذِهِ ٱلْقَرْيَةِ رِجْزًا مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَفْسُقُونَ
27:59.
27:59.
27:59.
Important Words:
رجزا (punishment) is infinitive-noun from رجز (rajaza) and means, punishment; dirt or filth; iniquity or sin; idol worship, etc. (Aqrab). See also 2:60.
e
27:59.
a
27:59.
2963
Important Words:
رجزا (punishment) is infinitive-noun from رجز (rajaza) and means, punishment; dirt or filth; iniquity or sin; idol worship, etc. (Aqrab). See also 2:60.
f
27:59.
وَكَأَيِّن مِّن قَرْيَةٍ عَتَتْ عَنْ أَمْرِ رَبِّهَا وَرُسُلِهِۦ فَحَاسَبْنَٰهَا حِسَابًا شَدِيدًا وَعَذَّبْنَٰهَا عَذَابًا نُّكْرًا
7:5, 6; 17:18; 21:12; 22:46.
From the subject of divorce dealt with in the preceding verses, the present verse passes on to the defiance of Divine commandments because those who defy Divine commandments, in fact, divorce themselves from God’s grace.
7:5-6; 17:18; 21:12; 22:46.
Commentary:
From the subject of divorce the verse makes a subtle diversion to the subject of defiance of God and His Messengers. In fact, in religious phraseology a woman is described as standing in the same relation to her husband as do the followers of a Prophet in relation to the Prophet. This comparison between the two relationships has been made quite clear in the last verse of Surah At-Tahrim, where disbelievers have been compared to the wife of Noah and the wife of Lot, and believers of different grades of righteousness and spirituality to the wife of Pharaoh, and to Mary, mother of Jesus.
c
7:5, 6; 17:18; 21:12; 22:46.
1442
以上几节谈了离婚的题目, 这一节经文进而谈蔑视天命, 因为那些蔑视天命的人事实上失去安拉的恩宠。
b
7:5-6; 17:18; 21:12; 22:46.
4274
Commentary:
From the subject of divorce the verse makes a subtle diversion to the subject of defiance of God and His Messengers. In fact, in religious phraseology a woman is described as standing in the same relation to her husband as do the followers of a Prophet in relation to the Prophet. This comparison between the two relationships has been made quite clear in the last verse of Surah At-Tahrim, where disbelievers have been compared to the wife of Noah and the wife of Lot, and believers of different grades of righteousness and spirituality to the wife of Pharaoh, and to Mary, mother of Jesus.
b
7:5, 6; 17:18; 21:12; 22:46.
3069
From the subject of divorce dealt with in the preceding verses, the present verse passes on to the defiance of Divine commandments because those who defy Divine commandments, in fact, divorce themselves from God’s grace.