Topic: Bestowed Favours
View Aspects
وَقَالَ لَهُمْ نَبِيُّهُمْ إِنَّ ءَايَةَ مُلْكِهِۦٓ أَن يَأْتِيَكُمُ ٱلتَّابُوتُ فِيهِ سَكِينَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَبَقِيَّةٌ مِّمَّا تَرَكَ ءَالُ مُوسَىٰ وَءَالُ هَٰرُونَ تَحْمِلُهُ ٱلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةُ ۚ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَءَايَةً لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ
تَابُوْت (Tabut) 意指: (1) 箱子或盒子; (2) 胸腔、胸部、腹部或肋骨以及他们内部包含的。例如, 心脏等等的东西 (Lane); (3) 心即知识、智慧和宁静的储藏室 (مُفْرَدَات, Mufradat)。注释者们对 تَابُوْت (Tabut) 这个字的意义有不同看法。«圣经»中把它作 “方舟” 或 “约柜” 解, 但是 «古兰经» 中的描述肯定地表明, 此间这字的意义是 “心” 或 “腹”。这节经文描写 تَابُوْت 这个字说, “从养主那里来的宁静的心境; ”不能用作 “一只方舟” 解; 因为, «圣经» 中谈及的那只方舟, 非但不能给别人以和平和宁静, 而且也不能保护以色列人不遭受失败, 也不能保护它自己, 因为被敌人带走了。即使在各次战役中带着方舟走的扫罗 (Saul), 也屡受惨败, 连敌人也觉得他可怜, 最后遭遇到不光采的结局。这样的一只方舟从未能使古以色列人有什么宁静。安拉赐给他们的是充满了勇气和毅力的心, 因此, 在所述及的宁静的心境降给他们之后, 他们成功地抵御了敌人的攻击, 并使他们遭到沉重的失败。
安拉给以色列人的另一恩赐, 在传下来的 “精神遗物”一词中谈及。安拉使他们心里充满高贵品质, 这是他们的祖先穆撒 (摩西) 和哈融 (哈伦) 子孙的特点。穆撒和哈融的子孙传下来的, 不是物质的东西, 而是他们伟大的祖先作为遗产传给他们的良好道德品质。
تَابُوْت کے عام معنے تو صندوق کے اور کشتی کے ہوتے ہیں (اقرب) لیکن استعارۃ ً اسے دل کے معنٰی میں بھی استعمال کیا جاتا ہے۔ مفردات راغب میں ہے قِیْلَ عِبَارَۃٌ عَنِ الْقَلْبِ وَالسَّکِیْنَۃِ وَ عَمَّا فِیْہِ مِنَ الْعِلْمِ یعنی کبھی لفظ تابوت کو استعارۃ ًدل کے معنے میں بھی استعمال کیا جاتا ہے۔ الفاظ قرآنیہ صاف دلالت کر رہے ہیں کہ اس جگہ تابوت سے مراد دل ہے۔ کیونکہ فرماتا ہے۔ اس تابوت میں تمہارے رب کی طرف سے سکینت ہے۔ اب یہ ظاہر ہے کہ سکینت دل میں ہوتی ہے نہ کہ صندوقوں میں۔ اسی طرح اس تابوت کے متعلق فرماتا ہے تَحْمِلُہُ الْمَلٰٓئِکَۃُ فرشتے اسے اٹھائے ہ
Tabut means, (1) a chest or box; (2) chest or breast or bosom or the ribs with what they contain, as the heart, etc. (Lane); (3) the heart which is the storehouse of knowledge, wisdom and peace (Mufradat). Commentators have differed about the significance of the word Tabut and the Bible mentions it as an ark or chest, and the description given in the Qur’an definitely shows that the word has been used here in the sense of "heart" or "bosom." The description of the Tabut in the verse "wherein there will be tranquillity from your Lord" cannot apply to an ark; for, far from granting peace and tranquillity to others, the ark spoken of by the Bible could neither protect the Israelites against defeat nor could it protect itself, as it was carried away by the enemy. Even Saul who took with him the ark during his campaigns suffered crushing defeats, so much so that even the enemy pitied him and he met with an ignominious end. Such an ark could not be a source of tranquillity to the Israelite
Another favour which God conferred on the Israelites is referred to in the word "legacy." God imbued their hearts with the noble qualities, which characterised their ancestors, the descendants of Moses and Aaron. The legacy left by the descendants of Moses and Aaron did not consist in any material things but meant the good moral qualities with which they were endowed as the heritage of their great ancestors.
Important Words:
التابوت (heart) is derived from تاب i.e. he returned; he returned to God; he repented; he left off the way of sin and began to tread the path of rectitude. التابوت means: (1) a chest or box, as things are repeatedly taken out of, and returned to, it; (2) a coffin or a bier; (3) chest or breast or bosom or the ribs with what they contain, as the heart, etc. (Lane); (4) the heart which is the storehouse of knowledge, wisdom and peace (Mufradat).
سکینة (tranquillity) is derived from سکن i.e. it became calm and tranquil. سکینة means, peace, tranquillity, calmness, freedom from agitation and disturbance (Aqrab & Lane).
بقیة (legacy) is derived from بقی i.e. he or it remained behind; or he or it continued or lasted for long or forever. بقیة means, that which remains behind, i.e. legacy; remainder; remains; remnant; residue; relic; the best portion of a thing, as it is always the best part of a thing that survives. فلان بقیة القوم means, such a one is the best and the most excellent of the party (Lane).
Commentary:
Though commentators have differed about the significance of the word تابوت and the Bible mentions it as an "ark" or chest, the description of the Quran definitely shows that the word has been used here in the sense of "heart" or "bosom.'' The words of the Quran are: wherein there will be tranquillity from your Lord. Now this description cannot apply to an ark or a chest; for, far from granting peace and tranquillity to others, the ark spoken of by the Bible could neither protect the Israelites against defeat nor could it protect itself, and was carried away by the enemy. Even Saul who took with him the ark during his campaigns, suffered crushing defeats, so much so that even the enemy pitied him and he met with an ignominious end. Such an ark could not be a source of tranquillity to the Israelites. What God gave them was a heart full of tranquillity which was aided by angels who buoyed up the Israelites and filled their hearts with courage and perseverance so that, after the coming of the said tranquillity, they successfully resisted the attacks of the enemy and inflicted heavy defeats on them.
Another favour which God conferred on the Israelites has been referred to in the word بقیة or legacy. God imbued their hearts with the noble qualities which characterized their ancestors, the people or the descendants of Moses and Aaron. The legacy left by the descendants of Moses and Aaron did not consist of any material things but referred to the good qualities which they were given as the heritage of their great ancestors. This heritage was similar to the one to which reference has been made in the words, that (he) may be heir to me and to the House of Jacob (19: 7). Evidently, it is not a material heritage but a spiritual and moral heritage that is mentioned in this verse. Similarly, the followers of Gideon were imbued with a spiritual and moral بقیة i.e. such noble attributes of Moses and Aaron and their descendants as God had endowed them with. It was a sign that it was God Who had set up Gideon as king over the tribes of Israel so that he might protect them against the ravages of their enemy and breathe into them a martial spirit, a work which saw its consummation in the days of David.
192
تَابُوْت (Tabut) 意指: (1) 箱子或盒子; (2) 胸腔、胸部、腹部或肋骨以及他们内部包含的。例如, 心脏等等的东西 (Lane); (3) 心即知识、智慧和宁静的储藏室 (مُفْرَدَات, Mufradat)。注释者们对 تَابُوْت (Tabut) 这个字的意义有不同看法。«圣经»中把它作 “方舟” 或 “约柜” 解, 但是 «古兰经» 中的描述肯定地表明, 此间这字的意义是 “心” 或 “腹”。这节经文描写 تَابُوْت 这个字说, “从养主那里来的宁静的心境; ”不能用作 “一只方舟” 解; 因为, «圣经» 中谈及的那只方舟, 非但不能给别人以和平和宁静, 而且也不能保护以色列人不遭受失败, 也不能保护它自己, 因为被敌人带走了。即使在各次战役中带着方舟走的扫罗 (Saul), 也屡受惨败, 连敌人也觉得他可怜, 最后遭遇到不光采的结局。这样的一只方舟从未能使古以色列人有什么宁静。安拉赐给他们的是充满了勇气和毅力的心, 因此, 在所述及的宁静的心境降给他们之后, 他们成功地抵御了敌人的攻击, 并使他们遭到沉重的失败。
193
安拉给以色列人的另一恩赐, 在传下来的 “精神遗物”一词中谈及。安拉使他们心里充满高贵品质, 这是他们的祖先穆撒 (摩西) 和哈融 (哈伦) 子孙的特点。穆撒和哈融的子孙传下来的, 不是物质的东西, 而是他们伟大的祖先作为遗产传给他们的良好道德品质。
1
تَابُوْت کے عام معنے تو صندوق کے اور کشتی کے ہوتے ہیں (اقرب) لیکن استعارۃ ً اسے دل کے معنٰی میں بھی استعمال کیا جاتا ہے۔ مفردات راغب میں ہے قِیْلَ عِبَارَۃٌ عَنِ الْقَلْبِ وَالسَّکِیْنَۃِ وَ عَمَّا فِیْہِ مِنَ الْعِلْمِ یعنی کبھی لفظ تابوت کو استعارۃ ًدل کے معنے میں بھی استعمال کیا جاتا ہے۔ الفاظ قرآنیہ صاف دلالت کر رہے ہیں کہ اس جگہ تابوت سے مراد دل ہے۔ کیونکہ فرماتا ہے۔ اس تابوت میں تمہارے رب کی طرف سے سکینت ہے۔ اب یہ ظاہر ہے کہ سکینت دل میں ہوتی ہے نہ کہ صندوقوں میں۔ اسی طرح اس تابوت کے متعلق فرماتا ہے تَحْمِلُہُ الْمَلٰٓئِکَۃُ فرشتے اسے اٹھائے ہ
255
Important Words:
التابوت (heart) is derived from تاب i.e. he returned; he returned to God; he repented; he left off the way of sin and began to tread the path of rectitude. التابوت means: (1) a chest or box, as things are repeatedly taken out of, and returned to, it; (2) a coffin or a bier; (3) chest or breast or bosom or the ribs with what they contain, as the heart, etc. (Lane); (4) the heart which is the storehouse of knowledge, wisdom and peace (Mufradat).
سکینة (tranquillity) is derived from سکن i.e. it became calm and tranquil. سکینة means, peace, tranquillity, calmness, freedom from agitation and disturbance (Aqrab & Lane).
بقیة (legacy) is derived from بقی i.e. he or it remained behind; or he or it continued or lasted for long or forever. بقیة means, that which remains behind, i.e. legacy; remainder; remains; remnant; residue; relic; the best portion of a thing, as it is always the best part of a thing that survives. فلان بقیة القوم means, such a one is the best and the most excellent of the party (Lane).
Commentary:
Though commentators have differed about the significance of the word تابوت and the Bible mentions it as an "ark" or chest, the description of the Quran definitely shows that the word has been used here in the sense of "heart" or "bosom.'' The words of the Quran are: wherein there will be tranquillity from your Lord. Now this description cannot apply to an ark or a chest; for, far from granting peace and tranquillity to others, the ark spoken of by the Bible could neither protect the Israelites against defeat nor could it protect itself, and was carried away by the enemy. Even Saul who took with him the ark during his campaigns, suffered crushing defeats, so much so that even the enemy pitied him and he met with an ignominious end. Such an ark could not be a source of tranquillity to the Israelites. What God gave them was a heart full of tranquillity which was aided by angels who buoyed up the Israelites and filled their hearts with courage and perseverance so that, after the coming of the said tranquillity, they successfully resisted the attacks of the enemy and inflicted heavy defeats on them.
Another favour which God conferred on the Israelites has been referred to in the word بقیة or legacy. God imbued their hearts with the noble qualities which characterized their ancestors, the people or the descendants of Moses and Aaron. The legacy left by the descendants of Moses and Aaron did not consist of any material things but referred to the good qualities which they were given as the heritage of their great ancestors. This heritage was similar to the one to which reference has been made in the words, that (he) may be heir to me and to the House of Jacob (19: 7). Evidently, it is not a material heritage but a spiritual and moral heritage that is mentioned in this verse. Similarly, the followers of Gideon were imbued with a spiritual and moral بقیة i.e. such noble attributes of Moses and Aaron and their descendants as God had endowed them with. It was a sign that it was God Who had set up Gideon as king over the tribes of Israel so that he might protect them against the ravages of their enemy and breathe into them a martial spirit, a work which saw its consummation in the days of David.
308
Tabut means, (1) a chest or box; (2) chest or breast or bosom or the ribs with what they contain, as the heart, etc. (Lane); (3) the heart which is the storehouse of knowledge, wisdom and peace (Mufradat). Commentators have differed about the significance of the word Tabut and the Bible mentions it as an ark or chest, and the description given in the Qur’an definitely shows that the word has been used here in the sense of "heart" or "bosom." The description of the Tabut in the verse "wherein there will be tranquillity from your Lord" cannot apply to an ark; for, far from granting peace and tranquillity to others, the ark spoken of by the Bible could neither protect the Israelites against defeat nor could it protect itself, as it was carried away by the enemy. Even Saul who took with him the ark during his campaigns suffered crushing defeats, so much so that even the enemy pitied him and he met with an ignominious end. Such an ark could not be a source of tranquillity to the Israelite
309
Another favour which God conferred on the Israelites is referred to in the word "legacy." God imbued their hearts with the noble qualities, which characterised their ancestors, the descendants of Moses and Aaron. The legacy left by the descendants of Moses and Aaron did not consist in any material things but meant the good moral qualities with which they were endowed as the heritage of their great ancestors.
ثُمَّ ءَاتَيْنَا مُوسَى ٱلْكِتَٰبَ تَمَامًا عَلَى ٱلَّذِىٓ أَحْسَنَ وَتَفْصِيلًا لِّكُلِّ شَىْءٍ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةً لَّعَلَّهُم بِلِقَآءِ رَبِّهِمْ يُؤْمِنُونَ
2:54; 5:45.
7:146.
The words "all things" signify all those things which satisfied the moral and spiritual needs of the Jews. The Torah fulfilled all those needs.
2:54; 5:45.
7:146.
Important Words:
تماما (completing) is the noun-infinitive from تم. They say تم الشیء i.e. the thing was or became complete or entire or full or perfect or free from deficiency. تم الی کذا means, he reached or repaired to or came to such a thing. تم علیه means, he performed or executed it; or he accomplished it. اتم from which the infinitive is اتمام means, he made (a thing) complete or entire or full, etc. (Lane). For the sake of convenience the word تماما has been rendered in the verse as "completing".
Commentary:
In some of the previous verses the Quran referred to the diverse paths which, when followed, lead away from God’s way. Here we are told that when there come into existence diverse paths, then God sends a Messenger to remove differences and appoints one way for all. Then it becomes incumbent on all to follow that path. This is what is meant by the words, We gave Moses the Book.
The expression الذی احسن (him who did good) refers to Moses. Thus, the sentence means that the Book was revealed to Moses to complete divine favours upon him. The words احسن الذی (him who did good) may also be taken in the general sense, meaning "any person who did good." In that case the sentence would mean that the Book was revealed so that those who were righteous and did good, might have divine favours completed upon them.
The words کل شیء (all things) are not absolute but refer to the things the explanation of which was needed in the days of Moses, the words meaning that the Book given to Moses fulfilled all the needs of the time.
The verse mentions four things as the objects of a revealed Book: (1) That God desires to complete His favour by means of it. (2) That it embodies all the commandments that are needed for the period of time for which it is meant, (3) That it contains the means for guiding men to the right path. (4) That it is a mercy, i.e. those who follow it receive blessings from God.
f
2:54; 5:45.
g
7:146.
b
2:54; 5:45.
c
7:146.
894
Important Words:
تماما (completing) is the noun-infinitive from تم. They say تم الشیء i.e. the thing was or became complete or entire or full or perfect or free from deficiency. تم الی کذا means, he reached or repaired to or came to such a thing. تم علیه means, he performed or executed it; or he accomplished it. اتم from which the infinitive is اتمام means, he made (a thing) complete or entire or full, etc. (Lane). For the sake of convenience the word تماما has been rendered in the verse as "completing".
Commentary:
In some of the previous verses the Quran referred to the diverse paths which, when followed, lead away from God’s way. Here we are told that when there come into existence diverse paths, then God sends a Messenger to remove differences and appoints one way for all. Then it becomes incumbent on all to follow that path. This is what is meant by the words, We gave Moses the Book.
The expression الذی احسن (him who did good) refers to Moses. Thus, the sentence means that the Book was revealed to Moses to complete divine favours upon him. The words احسن الذی (him who did good) may also be taken in the general sense, meaning "any person who did good." In that case the sentence would mean that the Book was revealed so that those who were righteous and did good, might have divine favours completed upon them.
The words کل شیء (all things) are not absolute but refer to the things the explanation of which was needed in the days of Moses, the words meaning that the Book given to Moses fulfilled all the needs of the time.
The verse mentions four things as the objects of a revealed Book: (1) That God desires to complete His favour by means of it. (2) That it embodies all the commandments that are needed for the period of time for which it is meant, (3) That it contains the means for guiding men to the right path. (4) That it is a mercy, i.e. those who follow it receive blessings from God.
a
2:54; 5:45.
b
7:146.
931
The words "all things" signify all those things which satisfied the moral and spiritual needs of the Jews. The Torah fulfilled all those needs.
وَلَقَدْ مَنَنَّا عَلَىٰ مُوسَىٰ وَهَٰرُونَ
20:31; 28:35.
20:31; 28:35.
c
20:31; 28:35.
c
20:31-37; 26:16-17; 28:35.
3343
Commentary:
The greatest Prophet after Abraham, among his descendants through Isaac, was Moses, counterpart of the Holy Prophet who was a descendant of Ishmael.
c
20:31; 28:35.
وَنَجَّيْنَٰهُمَا وَقَوْمَهُمَا مِنَ ٱلْكَرْبِ ٱلْعَظِيمِ
20:81; 26:66.
20:81; 26:66.
20:81; 26:66.
Commentary:
The reference to "great distress" may be found elsewhere in the Quran (2:50) in the words: And remember the time when we delivered you from Pharaoh’s people who afflicted you with grievous torment, slaying your sons and sparing your women and in that there was a great trial for you from your Lord.
d
20:81; 26:66.
a
20:81; 26:66.
3344
Commentary:
The reference to "great distress" may be found elsewhere in the Quran (2:50) in the words: And remember the time when we delivered you from Pharaoh’s people who afflicted you with grievous torment, slaying your sons and sparing your women and in that there was a great trial for you from your Lord.
d
20:81; 26:66.
وَنَصَرْنَٰهُمْ فَكَانُوا۟ هُمُ ٱلْغَٰلِبِينَ
وَءَاتَيْنَٰهُمَا ٱلْكِتَٰبَ ٱلْمُسْتَبِينَ
وَهَدَيْنَٰهُمَا ٱلصِّرَٰطَ ٱلْمُسْتَقِيمَ
وَتَرَكْنَا عَلَيْهِمَا فِى ٱلْءَاخِرِينَ
Commentary:
Moses and Aaron are remembered with great respect and affection by Muslims, Christians and Jews alike.
3345
Commentary:
Moses and Aaron are remembered with great respect and affection by Muslims, Christians and Jews alike.
سَلَٰمٌ عَلَىٰ مُوسَىٰ وَهَٰرُونَ
إِنَّا كَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِى ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ
إِنَّهُمَا مِنْ عِبَادِنَا ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ