يُدْعَوْنَ

24:49.

Commentary:

The expression, portion of the Book, may refer to (1) the prophecies contained in the Bible concerning the Holy Prophet which formed a portion of the Book; or (2) the genuine portion of the Bible, because only a part of it had remained safe from interpolation and this alone could be called a part of the true Book; or (3) the expression may also mean that as compared with the Quran, which is the Book par excellence, being the eternal and perfect Divine Book, the Bible is but a portion and a part. In view of these different explanations, the verse would give different meanings: (a) that when the attention of Jews and Christians is drawn to the prophecies embodied in their Scriptures, they refuse to be guided by them. Or (b) that if the People of the Book had adhered to the genuine portion of their own Scriptures, the criteria laid down therein for testing the truth of a claimant to prophethood would have surely led them to accept the Holy Prophet. Or (c) that if they had faithfully acted on the teachings of their own Scriptures, which was in fact a part of the perfect and eternal teachings contained in the Quran, they would have certainly recognised the truth of the new Faith.

75:25-26; 88:3-4.

Important Words:

ترھقھم (will cover them). رھقه means, it reached or overtook him or it; he followed him and was about to overtake him; it covered him or it. رھقت اثما means, I committed a sin. رھقه الدین means, debt covered him. أرھقه عسرا means, he constrained him to do a difficult thing (Lane and Aqrab).

Commentary:

When disbelievers were in full possession of all their faculties and were enjoying peace, prosperity and security, they defied and violated Divine laws, but when, on the Judgement Day, punishment will stare them in the face, they will beg to be allowed to repent and make amends, but then it will be too late.