Topic: Satisfaction
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وَإِذْ قَالَ إِبْرَٰهِۦمُ رَبِّ أَرِنِى كَيْفَ تُحْىِ ٱلْمَوْتَىٰ ۖ قَالَ أَوَلَمْ تُؤْمِن ۖ قَالَ بَلَىٰ وَلَٰكِن لِّيَطْمَئِنَّ قَلْبِى ۖ قَالَ فَخُذْ أَرْبَعَةً مِّنَ ٱلطَّيْرِ فَصُرْهُنَّ إِلَيْكَ ثُمَّ ٱجْعَلْ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ جَبَلٍ مِّنْهُنَّ جُزْءًا ثُمَّ ٱدْعُهُنَّ يَأْتِينَكَ سَعْيًا ۚ وَٱعْلَمْ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ
صُرْتُ الْغُصْنَ اِلَیَّ (Surtul-Ghusna ilayya) 意思是, 我把那树枝弯向自己 (Lane)。这一介词 اِلَیْ (Ila) 决定了 صُرْهُنَّ (Surhunna) 这词的意义, 意思是弯曲或依附而不是斩断。
بعض لوگوں نے صُرْھُنَّ کے معنے قتل کرنے کے کیے ہیں۔ حالانکہ الفاظ قرآنیہ صُرْھُنَّ اِلَیْکَ کے ہیں۔ اور یہ کہنا بے معنے ہے کہ پھر ان کو اپنی طرف قتل کر۔ اصل میں اس لفظ کے معنے سدھانے کے بھی ہیں اور وہی اس جگہ درست ہیں۔ (مفردات و اقرب)
حصہ جُزْءًا کا ترجمہ ہے۔ مطلب یہ ہے کہ پہاڑ کی چار چوٹیوں پر چار پرندے بٹھا دو۔ جُزْءًا کے معنے ایک پرندے کے ٹکڑے کے نہیں بلکہ چاروں پرندوں کا جزء مراد ہے جو ایک کا عدد ہے۔ قرآن کریم میں ایک اور مقام پر اسی محاورہ میں جُزْئٌ کا لفظ استعمال ہوا ہے۔ فرماتا ہے اِنَّ جَھَنَّمَ لَمَوْعِدُھُمْ اَجْمَعِیْنَ۔ لَھَا سَبْعَۃُ اَبْوَابٍ لِکُلِّ بَابٍ مِّنْھُمْ جُزْئٌ مَّقْسُوْمٌ (الحجر: ۴۴‘۴۵) یعنی جہنم سب کفار کے لئے مقرر جگہ ہے اس کے سات دروازے ہوں گے اور ہر دروازہ کے لئے کفار کا ایک حصہ مقرر ہوگا۔ اس جگہ بھی جزء کا لفظ استعمال ہوا ہے لیکن کوئی یہ معنے ن
یَاْ تِیَنَّکَ سَعْیًا۔ سَعْیٌ کے معنے چلنے اور دوڑنے کے ہوتے ہیں۔ لیکن محاورہ میں کوشش سے کسی کام کے کرنے کے بھی ہوتے ہیں وَ یُسْتَـعْمَلُ لِلْجِدِّ فِی الْاَمْرِ خَیْرًا کَانَ اَوْ شَرًّا (مفردات) یعنی کبھی یہ لفظ خوب زور سے کام کرنے کے متعلق بھی استعمال ہوتا ہے خواہ کام اچھا ہو یا ُبرا۔ چونکہ پرندہ دوڑتا نہیں اڑتا ہے اس لئے ’’تیزی سے تیری طرف چلے آئیں گے‘‘ ترجمہ کیا گیا ہے۔ ان آیات میں حضرت ابراہیم علیہ السلام کے ایک کشف کا ذکر ہے اور چار پرندوں سے یہ مراد ہے کہ حضرت ابراہیم علیہ السلام کی اولاد چار دفعہ ترقی کرے گی اور چار دفعہ تنزل کرے گی۔
The difference between Iman (belief) and Itminan (the heart being at ease) is that in the former state one simply believes that God can do a thing, while in the latter one receives the assurance that the thing would be done in his case also. Abraham did indeed believe that God could bring the dead to life, but what he desired was his personal satisfaction of knowing that God would do so in the case of his own posterity as well. Referring to the verse under comment, the Holy Prophet is reported to have said, "We are more deserving of entertaining Shak (doubt) than Abraham" (Muslim), the word Shak signifying an intense hidden desire anxiously awaiting fulfilment; for the Holy Prophet never entertained any doubt about any of God’s promises or doings. This shows that Abraham’s question was not prompted by doubt but simply by an anxious desire.
Surtul-Ghusna Ilayya means, I inclined the branch towards myself (Lane). The preposition ila determines the significance of the word Surhunna in the sense of inclining or attaching and not cutting.
Juz’ means, a part or portion or division of a thing. Thus, if a thing consists of or comprises a group, the word "part" or "division" would signify each member of it.
This is a vision of Abraham. In "taking four birds" the implication was that his posterity would rise and fall four times, which phenomenon was to be witnessed twice among the Israelites, and to be repeated twice among the followers of the Holy Prophet of Islam who was descended from Abraham through Ishmael. The power of the Jews, the progeny of Abraham through Isaac, was crushed twice, first by Nebuchadnezzar and then by Titus (17:5-8; Enc. Brit. under Jews); and each time God raised them after their fall, the second revival having been brought about by Constantine, the Roman Emperor who accepted Christianity. Similarly, the power of Islam, was first rudely shaken when Baghdad fell to the Tartar hordes, but soon it recovered from the crushing blow. The victors became the vanquished and the grandson of Halaku, the despoiler of
Important Words:
تحی الموتی (Thou givest life to the dead). For the meaning of حیاة (life) and موت (death) and میت (dead person) see 2:20; 2:29; 2:57 and 2:74.
یطمئن (be at rest) is derived from طمئن. They say طمئن ظھرہ i.e. he bent his back low. طمئن الشیء means, he made the thing calm and set it at rest. اطمأن means, it or he was at rest; it or he became calm after being agitated; it or he became docile and submissive. المطمئن means, (1) one who is calm and tranquil or in a state of rest or ease; that which is motionless and stationary; (2) if used in connection with some piece of land, it means a low-lying, soft piece of land (Aqrab).
صرھن الیك (make them attached to thyself). صرھن is derived from صار with واو as the central root letter. They say صار الشیء الی نفسه i.e. he inclined the thing to himself. صار وجھه الی means, he inclined his face towards me. صرت الغصن لاجتنی الثمر means, I inclined the branch towards myself in order to pluck the fruit. صار with ی as the central root letter, means, he cut a thing, etc. into pieces (Aqrab). The Quran uses here صار with واو as the central root letter as the dammah in صرھن indicates. Moreover, the preposition الی (to) determines the significance of the word in the sense of inclining or attaching and not cutting.
جزء (each) is derived from جزاء. They say جزأ الشیء i.e. he divided the thing into parts. So جزء means, part or portion or division of a thing (Lane). Thus, if a thing consists of, and comprises, a group, the word part or division would signify each member of it.
Commentary:
This verse provides yet another illustration of the process of life and death arranged by God in this world. In other words, the rise of a fallen nation is further discussed. Abraham asked God to show him how He caused a people to come to life after they had become fallen and degraded.
The difference between إیمان (belief) and اطمینان (heart being at rest) is that in the former state one simply believes that God can do a thing, while in the latter one receives the assurance that the thing would be done in his case also. Abraham did indeed believe that God could bring a dead people to life, but what he desired was the personal satisfaction of knowing that He would do so in the case of his own posterity as well; hence the words, so that my heart may be at rest.
The verse proceeds to describe a vision of Abraham. By asking him to take four birds, God hinted that his posterity would rise and fall four times. This rise and fall was witnessed twice among the Israelites, and the same phenomenon was to be repeated among the followers of the Holy Prophet of Islam who was descended from Abraham through Ishmael. The power of the Jews, the progeny of Abraham through Isaac, was crushed twice, first by Nebuchadnezzar and then by Titus (the Quran, 17:5-8; the Bible, II Kings ch. 25 and Enc. Brit. under Jews); and each time God raised them after their fall, the second revival having been brought about by the acceptance of Christianity by the Roman Emperors. As to the power of Islam, it was first rudely shaken when Baghdad fell to the arms of the Tartars, after which it again revived owing to the conquerors being won over to Islam. The second fall came later when there was a general and wholesale decline of Muslims both in the spiritual and the political field. The final rise is being arranged by God through the Ahmadiyya Movement founded by Ahmad, the Promised Messiah.
Referring to the verse under comment, the Holy Prophet is reported to have said, "We are more deserving of entertaining شك than Abraham" (Muslim). Here شك does not mean "doubt" but an intense hidden desire anxiously awaiting fulfilment, for the Holy Prophet never entertained any doubt. This shows that Abraham also never doubted and his question was not prompted by doubt but simply by an anxious desire. He had firm faith in the power of God and fully believed that He could restore a fallen people to prosperity; what he wanted was simply the satisfaction of his hidden desire, i.e. an assurance that God would do so in the case of his people also. The word شك therefore here only means the feeling of anxiety in the mind, or the state of commotion or disturbance of the heart and mind (Lane).
The double fall and subsequent rise of the Israelites and of the posterity of Ishmael making the total number of such phenomena four may be interpreted in another way also. The Israelites were a fallen people before Moses and God raised them through him. They fell again before the time of Jesus and were again given new life through him. Similarly, the Ishmaelites were a fallen people before the advent of the Holy Prophet who gave them new life, and they are again a fallen people now when they are being given a new life by Ahmad, the Promised Messiah.
Many commentators have translated the word صرھن as, "cut them into pieces and mince them", but this is clearly wrong; for as explained under Important Words above صار یصور (with واو as the central root letter) means "inclining" and not "cutting", particularly when it is used with the preposition الی. So the expression صرھن would mean "make them inclined towards thyself", so that they may become attached to thee. In this case the placing of a جزء of the four birds each on a hill would mean, putting each separate bird on a separate hill, and not placing portions of the minced meat thereon. The commandment to place the four birds separately on separate hills is to point to the fact that the rise and fall of the progeny of Abraham would take place at four distinct and separate times. The word جزء has been used in this sense elsewhere also (15:45).
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صُرْتُ الْغُصْنَ اِلَیَّ (Surtul-Ghusna ilayya) 意思是, 我把那树枝弯向自己 (Lane)。这一介词 اِلَیْ (Ila) 决定了 صُرْهُنَّ (Surhunna) 这词的意义, 意思是弯曲或依附而不是斩断。
1
بعض لوگوں نے صُرْھُنَّ کے معنے قتل کرنے کے کیے ہیں۔ حالانکہ الفاظ قرآنیہ صُرْھُنَّ اِلَیْکَ کے ہیں۔ اور یہ کہنا بے معنے ہے کہ پھر ان کو اپنی طرف قتل کر۔ اصل میں اس لفظ کے معنے سدھانے کے بھی ہیں اور وہی اس جگہ درست ہیں۔ (مفردات و اقرب)
2
حصہ جُزْءًا کا ترجمہ ہے۔ مطلب یہ ہے کہ پہاڑ کی چار چوٹیوں پر چار پرندے بٹھا دو۔ جُزْءًا کے معنے ایک پرندے کے ٹکڑے کے نہیں بلکہ چاروں پرندوں کا جزء مراد ہے جو ایک کا عدد ہے۔ قرآن کریم میں ایک اور مقام پر اسی محاورہ میں جُزْئٌ کا لفظ استعمال ہوا ہے۔ فرماتا ہے اِنَّ جَھَنَّمَ لَمَوْعِدُھُمْ اَجْمَعِیْنَ۔ لَھَا سَبْعَۃُ اَبْوَابٍ لِکُلِّ بَابٍ مِّنْھُمْ جُزْئٌ مَّقْسُوْمٌ (الحجر: ۴۴‘۴۵) یعنی جہنم سب کفار کے لئے مقرر جگہ ہے اس کے سات دروازے ہوں گے اور ہر دروازہ کے لئے کفار کا ایک حصہ مقرر ہوگا۔ اس جگہ بھی جزء کا لفظ استعمال ہوا ہے لیکن کوئی یہ معنے ن
3
یَاْ تِیَنَّکَ سَعْیًا۔ سَعْیٌ کے معنے چلنے اور دوڑنے کے ہوتے ہیں۔ لیکن محاورہ میں کوشش سے کسی کام کے کرنے کے بھی ہوتے ہیں وَ یُسْتَـعْمَلُ لِلْجِدِّ فِی الْاَمْرِ خَیْرًا کَانَ اَوْ شَرًّا (مفردات) یعنی کبھی یہ لفظ خوب زور سے کام کرنے کے متعلق بھی استعمال ہوتا ہے خواہ کام اچھا ہو یا ُبرا۔ چونکہ پرندہ دوڑتا نہیں اڑتا ہے اس لئے ’’تیزی سے تیری طرف چلے آئیں گے‘‘ ترجمہ کیا گیا ہے۔ ان آیات میں حضرت ابراہیم علیہ السلام کے ایک کشف کا ذکر ہے اور چار پرندوں سے یہ مراد ہے کہ حضرت ابراہیم علیہ السلام کی اولاد چار دفعہ ترقی کرے گی اور چار دفعہ تنزل کرے گی۔
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Important Words:
تحی الموتی (Thou givest life to the dead). For the meaning of حیاة (life) and موت (death) and میت (dead person) see 2:20; 2:29; 2:57 and 2:74.
یطمئن (be at rest) is derived from طمئن. They say طمئن ظھرہ i.e. he bent his back low. طمئن الشیء means, he made the thing calm and set it at rest. اطمأن means, it or he was at rest; it or he became calm after being agitated; it or he became docile and submissive. المطمئن means, (1) one who is calm and tranquil or in a state of rest or ease; that which is motionless and stationary; (2) if used in connection with some piece of land, it means a low-lying, soft piece of land (Aqrab).
صرھن الیك (make them attached to thyself). صرھن is derived from صار with واو as the central root letter. They say صار الشیء الی نفسه i.e. he inclined the thing to himself. صار وجھه الی means, he inclined his face towards me. صرت الغصن لاجتنی الثمر means, I inclined the branch towards myself in order to pluck the fruit. صار with ی as the central root letter, means, he cut a thing, etc. into pieces (Aqrab). The Quran uses here صار with واو as the central root letter as the dammah in صرھن indicates. Moreover, the preposition الی (to) determines the significance of the word in the sense of inclining or attaching and not cutting.
جزء (each) is derived from جزاء. They say جزأ الشیء i.e. he divided the thing into parts. So جزء means, part or portion or division of a thing (Lane). Thus, if a thing consists of, and comprises, a group, the word part or division would signify each member of it.
Commentary:
This verse provides yet another illustration of the process of life and death arranged by God in this world. In other words, the rise of a fallen nation is further discussed. Abraham asked God to show him how He caused a people to come to life after they had become fallen and degraded.
The difference between إیمان (belief) and اطمینان (heart being at rest) is that in the former state one simply believes that God can do a thing, while in the latter one receives the assurance that the thing would be done in his case also. Abraham did indeed believe that God could bring a dead people to life, but what he desired was the personal satisfaction of knowing that He would do so in the case of his own posterity as well; hence the words, so that my heart may be at rest.
The verse proceeds to describe a vision of Abraham. By asking him to take four birds, God hinted that his posterity would rise and fall four times. This rise and fall was witnessed twice among the Israelites, and the same phenomenon was to be repeated among the followers of the Holy Prophet of Islam who was descended from Abraham through Ishmael. The power of the Jews, the progeny of Abraham through Isaac, was crushed twice, first by Nebuchadnezzar and then by Titus (the Quran, 17:5-8; the Bible, II Kings ch. 25 and Enc. Brit. under Jews); and each time God raised them after their fall, the second revival having been brought about by the acceptance of Christianity by the Roman Emperors. As to the power of Islam, it was first rudely shaken when Baghdad fell to the arms of the Tartars, after which it again revived owing to the conquerors being won over to Islam. The second fall came later when there was a general and wholesale decline of Muslims both in the spiritual and the political field. The final rise is being arranged by God through the Ahmadiyya Movement founded by Ahmad, the Promised Messiah.
Referring to the verse under comment, the Holy Prophet is reported to have said, "We are more deserving of entertaining شك than Abraham" (Muslim). Here شك does not mean "doubt" but an intense hidden desire anxiously awaiting fulfilment, for the Holy Prophet never entertained any doubt. This shows that Abraham also never doubted and his question was not prompted by doubt but simply by an anxious desire. He had firm faith in the power of God and fully believed that He could restore a fallen people to prosperity; what he wanted was simply the satisfaction of his hidden desire, i.e. an assurance that God would do so in the case of his people also. The word شك therefore here only means the feeling of anxiety in the mind, or the state of commotion or disturbance of the heart and mind (Lane).
The double fall and subsequent rise of the Israelites and of the posterity of Ishmael making the total number of such phenomena four may be interpreted in another way also. The Israelites were a fallen people before Moses and God raised them through him. They fell again before the time of Jesus and were again given new life through him. Similarly, the Ishmaelites were a fallen people before the advent of the Holy Prophet who gave them new life, and they are again a fallen people now when they are being given a new life by Ahmad, the Promised Messiah.
Many commentators have translated the word صرھن as, "cut them into pieces and mince them", but this is clearly wrong; for as explained under Important Words above صار یصور (with واو as the central root letter) means "inclining" and not "cutting", particularly when it is used with the preposition الی. So the expression صرھن would mean "make them inclined towards thyself", so that they may become attached to thee. In this case the placing of a جزء of the four birds each on a hill would mean, putting each separate bird on a separate hill, and not placing portions of the minced meat thereon. The commandment to place the four birds separately on separate hills is to point to the fact that the rise and fall of the progeny of Abraham would take place at four distinct and separate times. The word جزء has been used in this sense elsewhere also (15:45).
327
The difference between Iman (belief) and Itminan (the heart being at ease) is that in the former state one simply believes that God can do a thing, while in the latter one receives the assurance that the thing would be done in his case also. Abraham did indeed believe that God could bring the dead to life, but what he desired was his personal satisfaction of knowing that God would do so in the case of his own posterity as well. Referring to the verse under comment, the Holy Prophet is reported to have said, "We are more deserving of entertaining Shak (doubt) than Abraham" (Muslim), the word Shak signifying an intense hidden desire anxiously awaiting fulfilment; for the Holy Prophet never entertained any doubt about any of God’s promises or doings. This shows that Abraham’s question was not prompted by doubt but simply by an anxious desire.
328
Surtul-Ghusna Ilayya means, I inclined the branch towards myself (Lane). The preposition ila determines the significance of the word Surhunna in the sense of inclining or attaching and not cutting.
329
Juz’ means, a part or portion or division of a thing. Thus, if a thing consists of or comprises a group, the word "part" or "division" would signify each member of it.
This is a vision of Abraham. In "taking four birds" the implication was that his posterity would rise and fall four times, which phenomenon was to be witnessed twice among the Israelites, and to be repeated twice among the followers of the Holy Prophet of Islam who was descended from Abraham through Ishmael. The power of the Jews, the progeny of Abraham through Isaac, was crushed twice, first by Nebuchadnezzar and then by Titus (17:5-8; Enc. Brit. under Jews); and each time God raised them after their fall, the second revival having been brought about by Constantine, the Roman Emperor who accepted Christianity. Similarly, the power of Islam, was first rudely shaken when Baghdad fell to the Tartar hordes, but soon it recovered from the crushing blow. The victors became the vanquished and the grandson of Halaku, the despoiler of
وَمَا جَعَلَهُ ٱللَّهُ إِلَّا بُشْرَىٰ لَكُمْ وَلِتَطْمَئِنَّ قُلُوبُكُم بِهِۦ ۗ وَمَا ٱلنَّصْرُ إِلَّا مِنْ عِندِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلْعَزِيزِ ٱلْحَكِيمِ
اس میں بتایا ہے کہ فرشتوں کا ذکر صرف اس لئے ہے کہ خواب یا کشف میں خوش خبری ملنے سے انسان کی ہمت بڑھتی ہے ورنہ اصل مراد یہی تھی کہ خداتعالیٰ مدد کرے گا۔
یہ آیت نمبر۱۲۸ کے آخری حصہ کا ترجمہ ہے جو مضمون کی وضاحت کے لئے پہلے کر دیا گیا ہے۔
8:11.
The angels helped Muslims on the one hand, by strengthening their hearts, and, on the other, by filling the hearts of their enemies with awe and fear. If God had so willed, a single angel would have been enough to help the Muslims at Uhud, but He promised to send as many as five thousand of them. This constituted a veiled hint that a large number of the hidden forces of nature would work in their favour. It may incidentally be noted that some believers, and even some disbelievers, are reported to have actually seen angels in the Battle of Badr (Jarir, iv. 47). See also 8:10.
8:11.
Commentary:
The verse is intended to warn Muslims against treating angels as gods or even as an independent source of help. Help comes from Allah alone; angels are entirely subservient to Him and do nothing by their own will. They come only by the command of God and do only what God commands them. The way in which angels help men is that they strengthen their hearts and fill their enemies with awe and fear. If God had so willed, a single angel would have been enough to help the Muslims, but He promised to send as many as five thousand angels in order to cheer and strengthen their hearts and to hint that a very large number of the hidden forces of nature were working in their favour. For the work and duties of angels, see 2:31.
It may incidentally be noted here that some believers, and even some disbelievers, are reported to have actually seen the angels at the Battle of Badr (Jarir, iv. 47). See also 8:11.
a
8:11.
277
众天使一方面通过激励穆斯林的信心来帮助他们, 另一方面使穆斯林的敌人心怀畏怯、恐惧。如果安拉决心这样做, 派遣一个天使就足以帮助吴候德的穆斯林了, 但他答应派遣多达五千名天使。这等于是一个隐约的暗示, 即许多隐藏的自然力量对他们会起着有利的作用。我们可以顺便指出, 据说有些信者, 甚至有些不信者在白德尔战役中真的看见过天使 (Jarir, iv.47)。另见 (8:10)。
1
اس میں بتایا ہے کہ فرشتوں کا ذکر صرف اس لئے ہے کہ خواب یا کشف میں خوش خبری ملنے سے انسان کی ہمت بڑھتی ہے ورنہ اصل مراد یہی تھی کہ خداتعالیٰ مدد کرے گا۔
2
یہ آیت نمبر۱۲۸ کے آخری حصہ کا ترجمہ ہے جو مضمون کی وضاحت کے لئے پہلے کر دیا گیا ہے۔
a
8:11.
411
Commentary:
The verse is intended to warn Muslims against treating angels as gods or even as an independent source of help. Help comes from Allah alone; angels are entirely subservient to Him and do nothing by their own will. They come only by the command of God and do only what God commands them. The way in which angels help men is that they strengthen their hearts and fill their enemies with awe and fear. If God had so willed, a single angel would have been enough to help the Muslims, but He promised to send as many as five thousand angels in order to cheer and strengthen their hearts and to hint that a very large number of the hidden forces of nature were working in their favour. For the work and duties of angels, see 2:31.
It may incidentally be noted here that some believers, and even some disbelievers, are reported to have actually seen the angels at the Battle of Badr (Jarir, iv. 47). See also 8:11.
a
8:11.
474
The angels helped Muslims on the one hand, by strengthening their hearts, and, on the other, by filling the hearts of their enemies with awe and fear. If God had so willed, a single angel would have been enough to help the Muslims at Uhud, but He promised to send as many as five thousand of them. This constituted a veiled hint that a large number of the hidden forces of nature would work in their favour. It may incidentally be noted that some believers, and even some disbelievers, are reported to have actually seen angels in the Battle of Badr (Jarir, iv. 47). See also 8:10.
فَإِذَا قَضَيْتُمُ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ فَٱذْكُرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ قِيَٰمًا وَقُعُودًا وَعَلَىٰ جُنُوبِكُمْ ۚ فَإِذَا ٱطْمَأْنَنتُمْ فَأَقِيمُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ ۚ إِنَّ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ كَانَتْ عَلَى ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ كِتَٰبًا مَّوْقُوتًا
یعنی جنگ اور خطرہ کی حالت کی طرح جلدی جلدی نہیں۔
3:192.
2:240.
As in the midst of a battle formal Prayers are either said in haste, or performed in the form of one Rak‘at, Muslims are enjoined in this verse, that in order to make up the deficiency, they should remember God and pray to Him in an informal manner after the obligatory service is over. This is to compensate for the shortening of Prayer.
3:192.
2:240.
Commentary:
As in the midst of a battle, formal Prayers are either said in haste, or performed in the form of one Rak‘at only. Muslims are enjoined in this verse, with a view to making up the deficiency, to continue remembering God and praying to Him in an informal manner after the obligatory service is over. This was to compensate, on the one hand, for the shortening of Prayer and, on the other, to serve as a means of drawing the special aid and help of God in a time of great danger.
The expression, And when you are secure (from danger), then observe Prayer (in the prescribed form), very clearly brings out the difference between the words صلوا or اقضوا الصلوة (pray or offer Prayer) and the words اقیموا الصلوة (observe Prayer). The latter expression signifies observing Prayer attentively with all its necessary conditions. The verse thus clearly shows that Islam does not look upon the hasty performance of Prayer as coming under the injunction, اقیموا الصلوة (observe Prayer). See also 2:4.
a
3:192.
b
2:240.
1
یعنی جنگ اور خطرہ کی حالت کی طرح جلدی جلدی نہیں۔
a
3:192.
b
2:240.
572
Commentary:
As in the midst of a battle, formal Prayers are either said in haste, or performed in the form of one Rak‘at only. Muslims are enjoined in this verse, with a view to making up the deficiency, to continue remembering God and praying to Him in an informal manner after the obligatory service is over. This was to compensate, on the one hand, for the shortening of Prayer and, on the other, to serve as a means of drawing the special aid and help of God in a time of great danger.
The expression, And when you are secure (from danger), then observe Prayer (in the prescribed form), very clearly brings out the difference between the words صلوا or اقضوا الصلوة (pray or offer Prayer) and the words اقیموا الصلوة (observe Prayer). The latter expression signifies observing Prayer attentively with all its necessary conditions. The verse thus clearly shows that Islam does not look upon the hasty performance of Prayer as coming under the injunction, اقیموا الصلوة (observe Prayer). See also 2:4.
a
3:192.
b
2:240.
662
As in the midst of a battle formal Prayers are either said in haste, or performed in the form of one Rak‘at, Muslims are enjoined in this verse, that in order to make up the deficiency, they should remember God and pray to Him in an informal manner after the obligatory service is over. This is to compensate for the shortening of Prayer.
قَالُوا۟ نُرِيدُ أَن نَّأْكُلَ مِنْهَا وَتَطْمَئِنَّ قُلُوبُنَا وَنَعْلَمَ أَن قَدْ صَدَقْتَنَا وَنَكُونَ عَلَيْهَا مِنَ ٱلشَّٰهِدِينَ
Commentary:
The disciples of Jesus have, in this verse, mentioned four objects which the fulfilment of the prayer of Jesus about the food asked for was meant to serve: (1) that they might eat thereof and their hunger might be satisfied; (2) that their minds might be at rest. This also shows that they desired a permanent provision of sustenance because a single meal could not put their minds at rest or relieve them of anxiety about their livelihood in the future so that they might be able to preach the message of God free from all care and devote themselves fully to the service of religion; (3) that the prophecy of Jesus contained in 3:50 might be fulfilled; and (4) that they might become witnesses to the fulfilment of his prayer and of the truth of their religion, and people might know that God helps and favours those who are devoted to the service of His religion. The history of the early Christian Church shows that God did actually make extraordinary provision for the sustenance of those who devoted their lives to the preaching of the message of Jesus. Nay, even now Christians, though they have drifted far away from the truth, are enjoying an extra good table spread with food.
741
Commentary:
The disciples of Jesus have, in this verse, mentioned four objects which the fulfilment of the prayer of Jesus about the food asked for was meant to serve: (1) that they might eat thereof and their hunger might be satisfied; (2) that their minds might be at rest. This also shows that they desired a permanent provision of sustenance because a single meal could not put their minds at rest or relieve them of anxiety about their livelihood in the future so that they might be able to preach the message of God free from all care and devote themselves fully to the service of religion; (3) that the prophecy of Jesus contained in 3:50 might be fulfilled; and (4) that they might become witnesses to the fulfilment of his prayer and of the truth of their religion, and people might know that God helps and favours those who are devoted to the service of His religion. The history of the early Christian Church shows that God did actually make extraordinary provision for the sustenance of those who devoted their lives to the preaching of the message of Jesus. Nay, even now Christians, though they have drifted far away from the truth, are enjoying an extra good table spread with food.
وَمَا جَعَلَهُ ٱللَّهُ إِلَّا بُشْرَىٰ وَلِتَطْمَئِنَّ بِهِۦ قُلُوبُكُمْ ۚ وَمَا ٱلنَّصْرُ إِلَّا مِنْ عِندِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ
3:127.
یعنی یہ مرادنہ تھی کہ سچ مچ فرشتے ان کفار سے جنگ کریں گے۔ بلکہ فرشتوں کی مدد اگر کشف میں دیکھی جائے تو اس کا مطلب یہ ہوتا ہے کہ خداتعالیٰ مدد کرے گا اور اس طرح مومن کو بشارت مل جاتی ہے۔
3:127.
Commentary:
See note on 3:127. As an intermediary means is sometimes likely to be confused with the real source of help which is God Almighty, the Quran takes particular care to remind Muslims that the real source of all help and all power is God alone.
d
3:127.
3
یعنی یہ مرادنہ تھی کہ سچ مچ فرشتے ان کفار سے جنگ کریں گے۔ بلکہ فرشتوں کی مدد اگر کشف میں دیکھی جائے تو اس کا مطلب یہ ہوتا ہے کہ خداتعالیٰ مدد کرے گا اور اس طرح مومن کو بشارت مل جاتی ہے۔
a
3:127.
1101
Commentary:
See note on 3:127. As an intermediary means is sometimes likely to be confused with the real source of help which is God Almighty, the Quran takes particular care to remind Muslims that the real source of all help and all power is God alone.
d
3:127.
1100
See {474}.
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَرْجُونَ لِقَآءَنَا وَرَضُوا۟ بِٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَٱطْمَأَنُّوا۟ بِهَا وَٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ عَنْ ءَايَٰتِنَا غَٰفِلُونَ
10:12, 46; 25:22.
The study of human nature reveals the important fact that all human progress is bound up with the instincts of hope and fear. Our best efforts are inspired by one or other of these two instincts. Some persons labour and sweat, actuated by hope of acquisition and aggrandizement; others work out of fear. The present verse makes an appeal to both these classes of men by using the word Raja which means, he hoped; he feared (Lane).
10:12, 46; 25:22.
Important Words:
یرجون (look for) is derived from رجا which has two contrary meanings i.e. (1) he hoped, and (2) he feared. They say رجوته I hoped for him or it; and مارجوتك i.e. I feared not thee (Lane & Aqrab).
Commentary:
It is a characteristic of the style of the Quran that it uses words and expressions that are apparently simple but embody a vast variety of meanings. As the Arabic language is most adapted to serve this purpose, God has bestowed upon it the honour of being the language of the Quran. رجا (looking for) is one such word and means both hope and fear. The use of this word in the present verse has therefore made it rich with deep meaning.
The study of human nature reveals the important fact that all human progress is bound up with the instincts of hope and fear. Our best efforts are inspired by one or other of these two instincts. Some persons labour and sweat, actuated by hopes of acquisition and aggrandizement; others work out of fear lest they should come to grief. The present verse contains an appeal to both classes. To those for whom the incentive to work is hope, the verse says, "Why don’t you hope to meet God and shape your conduct according to, and in anticipation of, that meeting; because on the hope of that meeting depends all your material prosperity as well as your moral and spiritual advancement." To those whom fear alone can incite to action, it says, "Why don’t you fear and try to escape God’s punishment which, if it overtakes you, will destroy you outright." Thus in one single word the Quran has exhorted to action both and, for that matter, all classes of men.
In the words, are content with the life of this world and feel at rest therewith, is beautifully given the Islamic point of view with regard to material progress. Islam is not opposed to the search for, or attainment of, material prosperity. What it disapproves is that one should make the acquisition of the things of this world the aim and end of one’s existence and should have no thought for the Hereafter. Secondly, Islam disapproves the idea that after one has attained prosperity, one should give up all further effort at making still more progress. As a matter of fact, the good of the Hereafter, coupled with material prosperity, is spoken of in the Quran as one of the favours of God and every Muslim is exhorted to pray for it (2:202).
The words, those who are heedless of Our Signs, throw further light on the subject, viz. that God is displeased with only those who are wholly engrossed in the pursuit of material things and consign all spiritual things to oblivion.
d
10:12, 46; 25:22.
583
研究人类的天性, 揭露了人类所有进步都是与希望和畏惧的本能相连系的 (这一事实)。我们的最大努力都是由这两种本能的这一种或那一种所激发的。有些人劳动和流汗, 是希望得到和提高他们的权力、地位和财富(所促使的); 而其他一些人却是由于害怕而工作。这节经文用 رَجَا (Raja) 这个单词, 意即: 他希望; 他畏惧 (Lane), 向这两种人呼吁。
a
10:12, 46; 25:22.
1283
Important Words:
یرجون (look for) is derived from رجا which has two contrary meanings i.e. (1) he hoped, and (2) he feared. They say رجوته I hoped for him or it; and مارجوتك i.e. I feared not thee (Lane & Aqrab).
Commentary:
It is a characteristic of the style of the Quran that it uses words and expressions that are apparently simple but embody a vast variety of meanings. As the Arabic language is most adapted to serve this purpose, God has bestowed upon it the honour of being the language of the Quran. رجا (looking for) is one such word and means both hope and fear. The use of this word in the present verse has therefore made it rich with deep meaning.
The study of human nature reveals the important fact that all human progress is bound up with the instincts of hope and fear. Our best efforts are inspired by one or other of these two instincts. Some persons labour and sweat, actuated by hopes of acquisition and aggrandizement; others work out of fear lest they should come to grief. The present verse contains an appeal to both classes. To those for whom the incentive to work is hope, the verse says, "Why don’t you hope to meet God and shape your conduct according to, and in anticipation of, that meeting; because on the hope of that meeting depends all your material prosperity as well as your moral and spiritual advancement." To those whom fear alone can incite to action, it says, "Why don’t you fear and try to escape God’s punishment which, if it overtakes you, will destroy you outright." Thus in one single word the Quran has exhorted to action both and, for that matter, all classes of men.
In the words, are content with the life of this world and feel at rest therewith, is beautifully given the Islamic point of view with regard to material progress. Islam is not opposed to the search for, or attainment of, material prosperity. What it disapproves is that one should make the acquisition of the things of this world the aim and end of one’s existence and should have no thought for the Hereafter. Secondly, Islam disapproves the idea that after one has attained prosperity, one should give up all further effort at making still more progress. As a matter of fact, the good of the Hereafter, coupled with material prosperity, is spoken of in the Quran as one of the favours of God and every Muslim is exhorted to pray for it (2:202).
The words, those who are heedless of Our Signs, throw further light on the subject, viz. that God is displeased with only those who are wholly engrossed in the pursuit of material things and consign all spiritual things to oblivion.
a
10:12, 46; 25:22.
1239
The study of human nature reveals the important fact that all human progress is bound up with the instincts of hope and fear. Our best efforts are inspired by one or other of these two instincts. Some persons labour and sweat, actuated by hope of acquisition and aggrandizement; others work out of fear. The present verse makes an appeal to both these classes of men by using the word Raja which means, he hoped; he feared (Lane).
ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَتَطْمَئِنُّ قُلُوبُهُم بِذِكْرِ ٱللَّهِ ۗ أَلَا بِذِكْرِ ٱللَّهِ تَطْمَئِنُّ ٱلْقُلُوبُ
Search after God is the innermost yearning of the human soul and is the real object and goal of man’s life, and when that goal is attained man enjoys perfect peace of mind, for then he rests, as it were, in the very lap of God.
Commentary:
This beautiful verse embodies a great and extremely natural truth. The more the people of the world gain the paltry goods of this life, the greater becomes the hunger and the consequent burning of their heart. But as for those who seek God, the more they turn to Him, the greater is their peace of mind. This shows that search after God is the innermost yearning of human nature and the real goal of man’s life, and that when that goal is attained man begins to enjoy perfect peace of mind, for then he rests, as it were, in the very lap of the All-Knowing and All-Powerful God, Maker and Controller of the universe. Would the people of the world had realized this great secret of happiness!
1640
Commentary:
This beautiful verse embodies a great and extremely natural truth. The more the people of the world gain the paltry goods of this life, the greater becomes the hunger and the consequent burning of their heart. But as for those who seek God, the more they turn to Him, the greater is their peace of mind. This shows that search after God is the innermost yearning of human nature and the real goal of man’s life, and that when that goal is attained man begins to enjoy perfect peace of mind, for then he rests, as it were, in the very lap of the All-Knowing and All-Powerful God, Maker and Controller of the universe. Would the people of the world had realized this great secret of happiness!
1440
Search after God is the innermost yearning of the human soul and is the real object and goal of man’s life, and when that goal is attained man enjoys perfect peace of mind, for then he rests, as it were, in the very lap of God.
مَن كَفَرَ بِٱللَّهِ مِنۢ بَعْدِ إِيمَٰنِهِۦٓ إِلَّا مَنْ أُكْرِهَ وَقَلْبُهُۥ مُطْمَئِنٌّۢ بِٱلْإِيمَٰنِ وَلَٰكِن مَّن شَرَحَ بِٱلْكُفْرِ صَدْرًا فَعَلَيْهِمْ غَضَبٌ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ
3:91; 4:138; 63:4.
3:91; 4:138; 63:4.
The verse is silent about the treatment which a person who, under the severest trial, utters words that may appear to express disbelief though inwardly he may be satisfied with Islam, will receive from God. It implies that final judgment in the case of such persons has been reserved and that their future behaviour will determine the nature of the treatment they will receive from God.
3:91; 4:138; 63:4.
Commentary:
With this verse the Quran reverts to the main theme of the Surah, viz. that the day of the glory of Islam is about to dawn but Muslims will have to suffer great trials and tribulations to deserve it. They are warned that if anyone of them recanted under these trials, he would draw upon himself the wrath of God. But a person who is inwardly satisfied with Islam and only under very severe compulsion is constrained to utter words which may appear to express disbelief, may not be punished for such an expression of disbelief. But this does not mean that cowardice is condoned or that such a person will be altogether pardoned. Cowardice and true belief cannot go together. The verse holds out no Divine pardon to a coward. It is indeed silent about him which implies that final judgement in the case of such persons has been reserved and that their future behaviour will determine the nature of the treatment they will receive from God.
The words, who is forced thereto, may refer to Jabr or ‘Ammar bin Yasir but preferably to the former.
a
3:91; 4:138; 63:4.
a
3:91; 4:138; 63:4.
1907
Commentary:
With this verse the Quran reverts to the main theme of the Surah, viz. that the day of the glory of Islam is about to dawn but Muslims will have to suffer great trials and tribulations to deserve it. They are warned that if anyone of them recanted under these trials, he would draw upon himself the wrath of God. But a person who is inwardly satisfied with Islam and only under very severe compulsion is constrained to utter words which may appear to express disbelief, may not be punished for such an expression of disbelief. But this does not mean that cowardice is condoned or that such a person will be altogether pardoned. Cowardice and true belief cannot go together. The verse holds out no Divine pardon to a coward. It is indeed silent about him which implies that final judgement in the case of such persons has been reserved and that their future behaviour will determine the nature of the treatment they will receive from God.
The words, who is forced thereto, may refer to Jabr or ‘Ammar bin Yasir but preferably to the former.
a
3:91; 4:138; 63:4.
1579
The verse is silent about the treatment which a person who, under the severest trial, utters words that may appear to express disbelief though inwardly he may be satisfied with Islam, will receive from God. It implies that final judgment in the case of such persons has been reserved and that their future behaviour will determine the nature of the treatment they will receive from God.
وَضَرَبَ ٱللَّهُ مَثَلًا قَرْيَةً كَانَتْ ءَامِنَةً مُّطْمَئِنَّةً يَأْتِيهَا رِزْقُهَا رَغَدًا مِّن كُلِّ مَكَانٍ فَكَفَرَتْ بِأَنْعُمِ ٱللَّهِ فَأَذَٰقَهَا ٱللَّهُ لِبَاسَ ٱلْجُوعِ وَٱلْخَوْفِ بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَصْنَعُونَ
34:16, 17.
اس جگہ بستی سے مراد مکہ مکرمہ ہے۔ قرآن کریم میں ماضی کا لفظ ہے۔ مگر بعض دفعہ یقین پر دلالت کرنے کے لئے ماضی کا لفظ حال کی جگہ استعمال کر دیا جاتا ہے۔ اسی طرح یہاں ہوا ہے۔
قرآن مجید میں لفظ اَذَاقَ کا ہے جس کے معنے چکھانے کے ہیں۔ مگر عربی کے محاورہ میں لباس کے لئے بھی بعض دفعہ کھانے کا لفظ آجاتا ہے چنانچہ مشہور شعر ہے۔قَالُوا اقْتَرِحْ شَیْئًا نجِدْ لَـکَ طَبْخَہٗ۔ قُلْتُ اطْبَخُوْا لِیْ جُبَّۃً وَّ قَمِیْصًاانہوں نے کہا کہ کسی چیز کی خواہش کرو جس کو ہم پکار کر پیش کریں۔ میں نے کہا کہ ُجبّہ اور قمیص مجھے پکا کر دو۔ اِسی محاورہ کے مطابق ہم نے ترجمہ کیا ہے تا چکھانے کا مفہوم بھی نکل آئے اور لباس کا لفظ بھی قائم رہے۔ (تفصیل کے لئے دیکھئے تفسیر کبیر جلد۴ صفحہ ۲۵۸)
34:16, 17.
The "city" referred to in this verse is Mecca.
The dreadful famine which held Mecca in its grip for seven long years. See {2694}.
Fear of war in which the Meccans were involved with Muslims and were defeated. They lived in a state of extreme fear as if fear of war had quite covered them. In Arabic idiom the word Dhaqa (tasting) sometimes is used for Libas (dress). There is a well-known Arabic verse:—Qalu Iqtarih Shai’an Najid Laka Tabkha-hu. Qulto Itbakhu Li Jubbatan wa Qamisa, i.e. they said what would you desire us to cook for you. I said, 'Cook for me a long coat and a shirt.'
34:16-17.
Commentary:
The "city" referred to in this verse is Mecca. It warns Meccans of the great punishment which will befall them if they do not accept the Holy Prophet and do not give up their iniquitous ways. The sanctity of Mecca would not save them from the impending punishment. They are also told that they are leading a life of plenty and security, but the time is fast approaching when they will be visited with a terrible famine or, to quote a prayer of the Holy Prophet, with "years of famine like the famine of the days of Joseph", and instead of security they will taste the horrors of war. Both these calamities befell the Meccans after the Hijrah. They were smitten with constant fear. Fear is the inevitable result of war and they became involved in continuous fighting. And such a dreadful famine overtook Mecca that Abu Sufyan, the archenemy of Islam, came to Medina to beg the Prophet to pray to God that He might have mercy on them and save them from the famine. The words, which clothed it like a garment, mean that God afflicted Mecca with fear and hunger to such an extent that these calamities altogether covered it and stuck to it like a garment. Marks of fear and hunger became clearly visible on the faces of Meccans. Famine made them lean and thin and continuous fear overwhelmed them and completely unnerved them.
b
34:16, 17.
1
اس جگہ بستی سے مراد مکہ مکرمہ ہے۔ قرآن کریم میں ماضی کا لفظ ہے۔ مگر بعض دفعہ یقین پر دلالت کرنے کے لئے ماضی کا لفظ حال کی جگہ استعمال کر دیا جاتا ہے۔ اسی طرح یہاں ہوا ہے۔
2
قرآن مجید میں لفظ اَذَاقَ کا ہے جس کے معنے چکھانے کے ہیں۔ مگر عربی کے محاورہ میں لباس کے لئے بھی بعض دفعہ کھانے کا لفظ آجاتا ہے چنانچہ مشہور شعر ہے۔قَالُوا اقْتَرِحْ شَیْئًا نجِدْ لَـکَ طَبْخَہٗ۔ قُلْتُ اطْبَخُوْا لِیْ جُبَّۃً وَّ قَمِیْصًاانہوں نے کہا کہ کسی چیز کی خواہش کرو جس کو ہم پکار کر پیش کریں۔ میں نے کہا کہ ُجبّہ اور قمیص مجھے پکا کر دو۔ اِسی محاورہ کے مطابق ہم نے ترجمہ کیا ہے تا چکھانے کا مفہوم بھی نکل آئے اور لباس کا لفظ بھی قائم رہے۔ (تفصیل کے لئے دیکھئے تفسیر کبیر جلد۴ صفحہ ۲۵۸)
b
34:16-17.
1913
Commentary:
The "city" referred to in this verse is Mecca. It warns Meccans of the great punishment which will befall them if they do not accept the Holy Prophet and do not give up their iniquitous ways. The sanctity of Mecca would not save them from the impending punishment. They are also told that they are leading a life of plenty and security, but the time is fast approaching when they will be visited with a terrible famine or, to quote a prayer of the Holy Prophet, with "years of famine like the famine of the days of Joseph", and instead of security they will taste the horrors of war. Both these calamities befell the Meccans after the Hijrah. They were smitten with constant fear. Fear is the inevitable result of war and they became involved in continuous fighting. And such a dreadful famine overtook Mecca that Abu Sufyan, the archenemy of Islam, came to Medina to beg the Prophet to pray to God that He might have mercy on them and save them from the famine. The words, which clothed it like a garment, mean that God afflicted Mecca with fear and hunger to such an extent that these calamities altogether covered it and stuck to it like a garment. Marks of fear and hunger became clearly visible on the faces of Meccans. Famine made them lean and thin and continuous fear overwhelmed them and completely unnerved them.
a
34:16, 17.
1581
The "city" referred to in this verse is Mecca.
1582
The dreadful famine which held Mecca in its grip for seven long years. See {2694}.
1583
Fear of war in which the Meccans were involved with Muslims and were defeated. They lived in a state of extreme fear as if fear of war had quite covered them. In Arabic idiom the word Dhaqa (tasting) sometimes is used for Libas (dress). There is a well-known Arabic verse:—Qalu Iqtarih Shai’an Najid Laka Tabkha-hu. Qulto Itbakhu Li Jubbatan wa Qamisa, i.e. they said what would you desire us to cook for you. I said, 'Cook for me a long coat and a shirt.'
قُل لَّوْ كَانَ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ مَلَٰٓئِكَةٌ يَمْشُونَ مُطْمَئِنِّينَ لَنَزَّلْنَا عَلَيْهِم مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَلَكًا رَّسُولًا
23:25; 25:22; 43:61.
23:25; 25:22; 43:61.
The verse may have two meanings: (a) Angels descend upon angel- like men, and not upon their opposites, and if the disbelievers should also bring about an angelic change in their lives, angels would descend upon them. (b) Beings of the same species only can serve as exemplars or models for one another. Thus only a man could be the bearer of Divine Message for mankind, because only he alone could serve as a model for other men.
23:25; 25:22; 43:61.
Commentary:
It is clear from this verse that what is here meant by "angels" are not real angels but angel-like men, because real angels certainly would not need other angels to come as Warners to them.
The verse constitutes an effective answer to those people who in their arrogance say that, being superior to their Prophet, they should have received revelation direct from God. They are told that angels descend upon angel-like men, and not upon their opposites and that if they bring about an angelic change in their lives, angels would begin to descend upon them.
But as they have allied themselves with Satan they could not expect visits from angels. The verse also provides an answer to another class of men who believe that man is too puny and inconsequential a being to be the recipient of Divine revelation and that higher beings are required for this purpose. The answer given is that only beings of the same species can help their prototypes achieve their salvation, because only they can serve as exemplars or models for them. Thus none but a man could be the bearer of a Divine Message for mankind, because only a man could serve as a model for other men. The word رسول (Messenger) here does not mean simply the bearer of Divinerevelation, but the possessor of all the attributes and qualifications of a Divine Messenger.
b
23:25; 25:22; 43:61.
a
23:25; 25:22; 43:61.
2024
Commentary:
It is clear from this verse that what is here meant by "angels" are not real angels but angel-like men, because real angels certainly would not need other angels to come as Warners to them.
The verse constitutes an effective answer to those people who in their arrogance say that, being superior to their Prophet, they should have received revelation direct from God. They are told that angels descend upon angel-like men, and not upon their opposites and that if they bring about an angelic change in their lives, angels would begin to descend upon them.
But as they have allied themselves with Satan they could not expect visits from angels. The verse also provides an answer to another class of men who believe that man is too puny and inconsequential a being to be the recipient of Divine revelation and that higher beings are required for this purpose. The answer given is that only beings of the same species can help their prototypes achieve their salvation, because only they can serve as exemplars or models for them. Thus none but a man could be the bearer of a Divine Message for mankind, because only a man could serve as a model for other men. The word رسول (Messenger) here does not mean simply the bearer of Divinerevelation, but the possessor of all the attributes and qualifications of a Divine Messenger.
a
23:25; 25:22; 43:61.
1653
The verse may have two meanings: (a) Angels descend upon angel- like men, and not upon their opposites, and if the disbelievers should also bring about an angelic change in their lives, angels would descend upon them. (b) Beings of the same species only can serve as exemplars or models for one another. Thus only a man could be the bearer of Divine Message for mankind, because only he alone could serve as a model for other men.
وَمِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ مَن يَعْبُدُ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ حَرْفٍ ۖ فَإِنْ أَصَابَهُۥ خَيْرٌ ٱطْمَأَنَّ بِهِۦ ۖ وَإِنْ أَصَابَتْهُ فِتْنَةٌ ٱنقَلَبَ عَلَىٰ وَجْهِهِۦ خَسِرَ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَٱلْءَاخِرَةَ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ هُوَ ٱلْخُسْرَانُ ٱلْمُبِينُ
70:21, 22.
آیت میں مَنْ کا لفظ ہے جس کے معنے جمع کے بھی ہو سکتے ہیں اور مفرد کے بھی۔
70:21, 22.
The Arabs say, Fulanun ‘Ala Harfin min Amrihi, i.e. such a one is in a vacillating condition, looking to the result of an affair he turns to it if he sees what he likes and turns away from it if he sees what does not please him (Lane). The Quranic expression means, one who serves Allah standing aloof with respect to religion, in a fluctuating state, like the person who is in the outskirts of the army, so that if he is sure of victory and spoil, he stands firm, otherwise he flees away. The sense of the expression 'on the verge' is explained in the very next sentence, viz. "if good befalls him, he is content therewith; and if there befalls him a trial, he returns to his former way." Or, the expression may signify that people of weak faith are always in a state of doubt and suspense. If, by accepting the truth, they hope to get some material benefit they remain and behave as believers, but if belief is attended with trials and tribulations, they turn back on their heels.
33:20; 70:21-22.
Important Words:
حرف (verge) is infinitive noun from حرف (harafa). They say حرف الشیء عن وجھه i.e. he turned the thing from its proper way or manner or altered it therefrom. حرف means, the extremity, verge, border, margin, brink, side or edge of anything, as for instance the side of a river, the edge of a sword or the ridge of a mountain. علی حرف من امرہ means, such a one is in a vacillating condition, looking to the result of an affair, he turns to it if he sees what he likes, and turns away from it if he sees what does not please him. من یعبد اللّٰه علی حرف means, one who serves Allah standing aloof with respect to religion, in a fluctuating state, like the person who is in the outskirts of the army, so that if he is sure of victory and spoil, he stands firm, otherwise he flees away; or the meaning is, he who serves God in doubt or suspense being unsteady like him who is on the ridge of a mountain; or the meaning is, one who serves God in one mode of circumstances i.e. when in ample circumstances and not when in straitened circumstances (Lane).
Commentary:
The sense of the expression علی حرف (on the verge) is explained in the very next sentence, viz. if good befall him, he is content therewith; and if there befall him a trial, he returns to his former way. Taking the word حرف in the sense of suspense, the expression would signify that people of weak faith are always in a state of doubt and suspense. If by accepting the message of truth they hope to get some material benefit, they remain and act as believers but if belief is attended with trials and tribulations then they turn back on their heels. Taking this word in the sense of edge or brink, the expression would mean that such people have only a superficial knowledge of religion. They do not enter into its spirit and have no insight into it. Such waverers and doubters are always deprived of the very benefits they hope to get by their insincere faith.
c
70:21, 22.
1
آیت میں مَنْ کا لفظ ہے جس کے معنے جمع کے بھی ہو سکتے ہیں اور مفرد کے بھی۔
b
33:20; 70:21-22.
2446
Important Words:
حرف (verge) is infinitive noun from حرف (harafa). They say حرف الشیء عن وجھه i.e. he turned the thing from its proper way or manner or altered it therefrom. حرف means, the extremity, verge, border, margin, brink, side or edge of anything, as for instance the side of a river, the edge of a sword or the ridge of a mountain. علی حرف من امرہ means, such a one is in a vacillating condition, looking to the result of an affair, he turns to it if he sees what he likes, and turns away from it if he sees what does not please him. من یعبد اللّٰه علی حرف means, one who serves Allah standing aloof with respect to religion, in a fluctuating state, like the person who is in the outskirts of the army, so that if he is sure of victory and spoil, he stands firm, otherwise he flees away; or the meaning is, he who serves God in doubt or suspense being unsteady like him who is on the ridge of a mountain; or the meaning is, one who serves God in one mode of circumstances i.e. when in ample circumstances and not when in straitened circumstances (Lane).
Commentary:
The sense of the expression علی حرف (on the verge) is explained in the very next sentence, viz. if good befall him, he is content therewith; and if there befall him a trial, he returns to his former way. Taking the word حرف in the sense of suspense, the expression would signify that people of weak faith are always in a state of doubt and suspense. If by accepting the message of truth they hope to get some material benefit, they remain and act as believers but if belief is attended with trials and tribulations then they turn back on their heels. Taking this word in the sense of edge or brink, the expression would mean that such people have only a superficial knowledge of religion. They do not enter into its spirit and have no insight into it. Such waverers and doubters are always deprived of the very benefits they hope to get by their insincere faith.
a
70:21, 22.
1935
The Arabs say, Fulanun ‘Ala Harfin min Amrihi, i.e. such a one is in a vacillating condition, looking to the result of an affair he turns to it if he sees what he likes and turns away from it if he sees what does not please him (Lane). The Quranic expression means, one who serves Allah standing aloof with respect to religion, in a fluctuating state, like the person who is in the outskirts of the army, so that if he is sure of victory and spoil, he stands firm, otherwise he flees away. The sense of the expression 'on the verge' is explained in the very next sentence, viz. "if good befalls him, he is content therewith; and if there befalls him a trial, he returns to his former way." Or, the expression may signify that people of weak faith are always in a state of doubt and suspense. If, by accepting the truth, they hope to get some material benefit they remain and behave as believers, but if belief is attended with trials and tribulations, they turn back on their heels.
يَٰٓأَيَّتُهَا ٱلنَّفْسُ ٱلْمُطْمَئِنَّةُ
Commentary:
The last four verses of the Surah constitute a befitting climax. They purport to say that he who acquires the prerequisites for full moral development, mentioned in the foregoing verses, becomes immune to all possibility of faltering or falling. He attains the highest stage of spiritual development; "he is well pleased with his Lord and his Lord is well pleased with him." At this stage, called the heavenly stage, man is freed from all weakness and frailty and is braced with a peculiar spiritual strength. He becomes "united" with God and cannot exist without Him. As water flows with great force down a slope and, on account of its great mass and the total absence of all obstacles, dashes down with irresistible force, so the God-intoxicated man, at this stage, casting off all trammels, becomes attracted unrestrainedly towards his Maker. It is in this life and not after death that this great transformation takes place in him and it is in this world and not elsewhere that access to Paradise is granted to him. He finds his support only in God; He drinks deep at this fountain of spiritual life and is delivered from death.
4722
Commentary:
The last four verses of the Surah constitute a befitting climax. They purport to say that he who acquires the prerequisites for full moral development, mentioned in the foregoing verses, becomes immune to all possibility of faltering or falling. He attains the highest stage of spiritual development; "he is well pleased with his Lord and his Lord is well pleased with him." At this stage, called the heavenly stage, man is freed from all weakness and frailty and is braced with a peculiar spiritual strength. He becomes "united" with God and cannot exist without Him. As water flows with great force down a slope and, on account of its great mass and the total absence of all obstacles, dashes down with irresistible force, so the God-intoxicated man, at this stage, casting off all trammels, becomes attracted unrestrainedly towards his Maker. It is in this life and not after death that this great transformation takes place in him and it is in this world and not elsewhere that access to Paradise is granted to him. He finds his support only in God; He drinks deep at this fountain of spiritual life and is delivered from death.