The Holy Quran Text. Translation & Commentary(the Example Commentary in Brief)(volume Four)

The Winds In, Charge of Solomon

VERSE NO.81ِ82

The mountains were conquered by David, and the hard iron was made soft in his hand, so as to turn it to any form and shape that he willed. Following that, in the above verses, some of the wonderful gifts of God that was bestowed on his son Solomon, has been mentioned:ِ ``And for Solomon, We subjugated the fast moving wind that ran by his command towards the land which We had blessed....'' And some of the Satans too were subdued to him who dived, and did other jobs besides. In S 38:36, we read that the winds ran by his command, not only towrds the blessed land which is supposed to be Syria, but to any place and direction that Solomon willed.

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So also, in S 34:12, we read that the fast moving winds by Solomon's command could cover a distance equal to one month a journey in a short morning or evening travel. This is a moderate measure, with the aeroplanes that we have now-a-days travelling with the speed of 600 Km. per hour.

Any how; God had granted Solomon a certain kind intelligence and power by which he could have control over the fast moving winds and over the supernatural and hidden creatures like Jinns, and other forces of nature. He had a remarkable naval power, and bold and skilled divers, who dived for him. Supernatural creatures like Jinns worked for him in various fields of land and sea:ِ

``And some of the Satans, We subdued, who dived for him, and did other works besides, and we were protectors for them.''

From S 34:13 we may understand that, by ``SATAN'' in the above verse (NO.83)Jinns are meant. JINN or GENIE, in Muslim literature, and Arabic folklore, is a supernatural creature having magical power, who can influence mortal affairs either for good or for evil. Occasionally the Jinn is depicted as a slave in temporary bondage to a human master. Jinn has wisdom and intelligence, and is an invisible being from the human eyes. Like human being they too are of two groups of believer and unbeliever. The Jinns who were engaged by Solomon, were a creature intelligent, hardy, active, and with industrial skills.

There were also some rebellious Jinns who were chained and imprisoned by Solomon, and hence the ending of the above verse (NO.82):ِ ``....And We were protectors for them.''

Many false fairy tales have been forged, relating Solomon and his wonderful kingship, that We Muslims reject them all, unless they have roots in Qura"n. [ 196 ]

وَأَيُّوبَ إِذْ نَادَى رَبَّهُ أَنِّى مَسَّنِىَ الضُّرُّ وَأَنْتَ أَرْحَمُ الرَّاحِمِينَ(( 83 ))

83- AND JOB; WHEN HE CALLED ON HIS LORD (SAYING); ``DISTRESS HAS AFFLICTED ME, AND YOU ARE THE MOST MERCIFUL OF ALL THOSE THAT SHOW MERCY.''

فَاسْتَجَبْنَا لَهُ فَكَشَفْنَا مَا بِهِ مِنْ ضُرّ وَآتَيْنَاهُ أَهْلَهُ وَمِثْلَهُمْ مَّعَهُمْ رَحْمَةً مِّنْ عِنْدِنَا وَذِكْرَى لِلْعَابِدِينَ(( 84 ))

84- THEN WE ANSWERED HIM, AND REMOVED THE DISTRESS THAT WAS UPON HIM, AND WE BROUGHT TO HIM HIS FAMILY; AND THE LIKE OF THEM WITH THEM, AS A MERCY FROM US, AND A REMINDER TO THE WORSHIPPERS.

THE COMMENTARY WE RELIEVED JOB FROM THE WHIRLPOOL OF DIFFICULTIES

VERSE NO.83ِ84 The above two verses refer to a part of the teaching story of another apostle who was indeed a pattern of patience, piety, and faith in God. AYYUB, (JOB) is the name of the apostle, who had a very sad story, and meanwhile a glorious and dignitary one. The patience that Job showed of himself in his great anguish was wonderful a thing. The above verses point to his final success over evil:

At first, Job, lived a very prosperous life with his good household. But the prophet was put to trial by our Lord, and then he suffered from a number of distressful calamities! In a short period of time, he lost his cattle, then his servants were slain, and soon after all [ 197 ] his family were crushed when the roof fell on them.

In spite of all that, Job held fast to his faith in God. Further, he became sick, and was covered with disgusting sores, all over his body. Some of the monks who came to comfort him, claimed that suffering is the result of sins. Such ironies increased his mental pain; but Job maintained his blamelessness. Then God recalled to him His Mercy and Grace, and emphasized His majesty and sovereignty over nature, and the inability of mortal man to fully understand the mysteries of the Divine Government of the world.

Job became the pattern of patience and faith in God and by that he vanquished evil. When his anguish and distress became unbearable, he called unto our Lord, and said:ِ ``O, My Lord! Distress has afflicted me, and You are the Most Merciful of all those who show Mercy.'' Allah answered his prayer, and restored him to prosperity with twice as much as he had before.

وَإِسْمَاعِيلَ وَإِدْرِيسَ وَذَا الْكِفْلِ كُلٌّ مِّنَ الصَّابِرِينَ(( 85 ))

85- AND ISHMAEL, AND IDRIS, AND DHOL KAFL, WERE ALL OF THE PATIENTS.

وَأَدْخَلْنَاهُمْ فِى رَحْمَتِنَا إِنَّهُمْ مِنَ الصَّالِحِينَ(( 86 ))

86- AND WE ADMITTED THEM TO OUR MERCY, THAT THEY WERE OF THE RIGHTEOUS.

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THE COMMENTARY ISHMAEL, IDRIS, AND ZUL-KIFL

VERSE NO.85ِ86 Another three of the long line of apostles have been named and reminded here, who were of the righteous and very patient apostles. Their main characteristic is said to have been constancy and patience. Their names are Ishmael, Idris, and Zul-Kifl.

Ishmael was the son of Abraham, and he is the founder of a great Ummat, consisting od Arabs and Muslims. This is because Mohammad (SA) the founder of Islam is an offspring of Ishmael. He is famed for his submission to the will of God, particularly for the patience that he showed when his father decided that he had to sacrifice him to the Lord.

Commentators have known IDRIS to have been the grand, grand father of Noah, and in the Bible his name is, ``OKHNUKH''. He was the first man who wrote with pen, and was also the first man who taught Man to sew his clothing. He was in a high position in life, but high rank did not deceive him. He was sincere in faith, true with God and with all, and was a pattern in constancy and patience. Zul-Kifl is not well known to the commentators, and they differ in opinion as to who is meant, and, why has he the title of ``Zul-Kifl'' which literally means, the owner of a double requital, or portion.

Some commentators have said that, he had made a covenant with Allah to pray all nights and to fast all the days, and not to get angry in judgements. He fulfilled his promise and hence the title Zul-Kifl. Some others have said that, Kefil is the Arabic for Ezekiel.

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وَذَا النُّونِ إِذْ ذَهَبَ مُغَاضِباً فَظَنَّ أَنْ لَّنْ نَّقْدِرَ عَلَيْهِ فَنَادَى فِى الظُّلُمَاتِ أَنْ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ أَنْتَ سُبْحَانَكَ إِنِّى كُنتُ مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ(( 87 ))

87- AND ZOL-NOON (JONAH), WHEN HE WENT IN ANGER, AND DEEMED THAT WE WOULD NOT TAKE IT HARD OVER HIM. THEN (WHEN HE WAS SWALLOWED BY A WHALE) HE CRIED OUT IN THE DARKNESSES THAT:ِ ``THERE IS NO GOD EXCEPT YOU. GLORY BE TO YOU. I WAS OF THE OPPRESSORS.''

فَاسْتَجَبْنَا لَهُ وَنَجَّيْنَاهُ مِنْ الْغَمِّ وَكَذَلِكَ نُنْجِى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ(( 88 ))

88- SO WE ANSWERED HIM, AND DELIVERED HIM FROM GRIEF, AND THUS DO WE DELIVER THE BELIEVERS.

THE COMMENTARY JONAH'S RESCUE FROM THAT DREADFUL PRISON VERSE NO.87ِ88

We shall narrate the story of JONAH with more detail in the chapter of SA"FA"T, an abstract of which will follow here:ِ ZUN-NUN is the title of JONAH (YUNUS) for being swallowed by a whale. The Arabic, ``NUN'' means large fish or a whale. He was a prophet sent to the people of Nineveh. His people paid no heed to the prophet's warning. Jonah threatened them with God's wrath, and proclaimed Allah's punishment on them, but with no result. So he left his people in anger due to his failure:ِ ``And Zun-nun, when he went in anger, and deemed that We would not take it hard over him.''

Instead of being steadfast and patient in conveying his message; he left his people in the field of combat with evil. He went in a voyage by sea, and the sailors threw him in the water as a man of bad omen in storm. Soon after, a whale appeared and swallowed Jonah. There in the darknesses of the sea, and that of the whale's stomach, he cried out unto our Lord that:ِ [ 200 ]

There is no God except You. Glory be to You. I was of the oppressors.''

That is to say; I did oppress myself, as well as my people, whom I left them behind.

God, the Merciful, and Forgiving, answered his prayer and forgave him, and delivered him from his dreadful grief:ِ

``So We answered him, and delivered him from Grief, and thus do We deliver the believers.''

He was cast out on the sea shore, and was restored to life once again. When he returned to fulfil his mission, he found his people repented and converted by the advices of two learned men of the towns-folk.

This sort of forgiveness and rescue was not exceptionally designed for Jonah. This is God's Methodical way that any believer who does something wrong, and then repents and returns to God to beg His pardon like Jonah, Allah the Compassionate will answer him of surety:ِ

``And thus do We deliver the believers.''

وَزَكَرِيَّا إِذْ نَادَى رَبَّهُ رَبِّ لاَ تَذَرْنِى فَرْداً وَأَنْتَ خَيْرُ الْوَارِثِينَ(( 89 ))

89- AND ZACHARIA"H, WHEN HE CALLED UNTO HIS LORD, (SAYING):ِ ``O, MY LORD! LEAVE ME NOT ALONE, AND YOU ARE THE BEST OF INHERITORS.

فَاسْتَجَبْنَا لَهُ وَوَهَبْنَا لَهُ يَحْيَى وَأَصْلَحْنَا لَهُ زَوْجَهُ إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوا يُسَارِعُونَ فِى الْخَيْرَاتِ وَيَدْعُونَنَا رَغَباً وَرَهَباً وَكَانُوا لَنَا خَاشِعِينَ(( 90 ))

90- SO WE ANSWERED HIM, AND GRANTED HIM JOHN, AND AMENDED FOR HIM HIS (BARREN) WIFE; THAT THEY WERE VYING WITH EACH OTHER IN GOOD WORKS, AND CALLED US WITH DESIRE AND WITH AWE; AND THEY WERE HUMBLE TO US.

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THE COMMENTARY ZACHARIA WAS DELIVERED FROM LONELINESS

VERSE NO.89ِ90 Here two more of the apostles of great personality have been referred to; namely ZACHARIA"H and YAHYA". (JOHN THE BAPTIST) ZACHARIA"H and his wife were a true believer couple, who lived in faithful performance of their religious duties. The wife was barren, and they had reached the old age, without having a child. He desired to have a son, so as to train him to continue with his religious works to be done after him; and also to carry on his linage. This was so because he could see no one around him, from among the priests, sincere enough to carry on his religious works as his successor.

So in a fervent prayer Zacharia"h, sincerely, and in a polite manner said to our Lord:ِ

``O, My Lord! Leave me not alone and You are the best of inheritors.''

Allah answered his prayer, and granted him a righteous son an apostle, whom the Christians know as; JOHN THE BAPTIST:ِ

``So We answered him, and granted him YAHYA", and amended his(BARREN) wife.'' The Arabic, ``ASLAHA'' translated, ``AMENDED'' means to improve, amend, reform, develop, cure, or made better. Here with the reference to Zacharia"h's wife who was barren, we have chosen the word, ``AMENDED'' which may imply that she was cured and prepared for being pregnant.

The above verses allude to three characteristics for distinguishing the three religious personalities (FATHER, MOTHER & SON) from others:ِ

  1. That they were vying with one another in doing good work.
  2. That they always called Allah with desire and awe.
  3. That they were very humble before Allah. [ 202 ]

وَالَّتِى أَحْصَنَتْ فَرْجَهَا فَنَفَخْنَا فِيهَا مِنْ رُّوحِنَا وَجَعَلْنَاهَا وَابْنَهَا آيَةً لِّلْعَالَمِينَ(( 91 )) 91- AND (REMEMBER) THE WOMAN WHO GUARDED HER CHASTITY. SO WE BREATHED IN HER OF OUR SPIRIT, AND MADE HER, AND HER SON, A SIGN FOR ALL THE WORLDS.

THE COMMENTARY MARY, THE CHASTE GIRL VERSE NO.91

Here, the mention of Mary in the line of the great prophets of God, might either be for her son, Jesus Christ, who is a great Arch prophet; or that, her childbirth was somehow similar to that of John. It might also want to show us that in the history of Mankind, there have been women with a virtue and dignity no less than the great men; an example of whom is, ``Mary who guarded her chastity''.

Here, by, ``the women who guarded her chastity'' Mary, the mother of Jesus is meant whose special virtue was chastity. She gave birth to Jesus as a virgin, and was untouched by any man. Therefore, she and her son were both a miracle from God, and a sign for all people.

As to the ending of the verse:ِ ``We made her, and her son one sign for all the worlds.'' Here two personalities are cited as one singular sign! This may imply that the existence of Mary and Jesus, are so mingled and mixed, that they are not separable. In other word; the birth of a son without a father, is as miraculous and wonderful, as the pregnancy of a woman without a husband.

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إِنَّ هَذِهِ أُمَّتُكُمْ أُمَّةً وَاحِدَةً وَأَنَا رَبُّكُمْ فَاعْبُدُونِ(( 92 ))

92- VERILY THESE (SAID PROPHETS AND THEIR TRUE FOLLOWERS) ARE YOUR COMMUNITY, A ONE COMMUNITY; AND I AM YOUR LORD, SO WORSHIP ME (ALONE).

وَتَقَطَّعُوا أَمْرَهُمْ بَيْنَهُمْ كُلٌّ إِلَيْنَا رَاجِعُونَ(( 93 ))

93- AND (EVENTUALLY) THEY DIVIDED THEIR AFFAIR AMONG THEMSELVES (INTO SCHISM). ALL OF THEM WILL RETURN TO US.

فَمَنْ يَعْمَلْ مِنَ الصَّالِحَاتِ وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ فَلاَ كُفْرَانَ لِسَعْيِهِ وَإِنَّا لَهُ كَاتِبُونَ(( 94 ))

94- THEN HE WHO DOES OF THE RIGHTEOUS WORKS, BEING A BELIEVER, THERE IS NO INGRATITUDE TO HIS ENDEAVOUR, AND WE WILL WRITE IT DOWN FOR HIM.

THE COMMENTARY THE SINGLE RELIGIOUS COMMUNITY VERSE NO.92ِ94

Following the mention of several great prophets; the above verses conclude that all of them had one creed and belonged to a single religious community (UMMAT). That is to say; God is One, and God's Message has always been one, and therefore, all His Messengers have treated it as one too. They all had one message, one program, and one main object; but according to the exigencies of time and space, and specialities of the occasions, they used different tactics, and procedures for accomplishing an end. The Arabic, ``UMMAT'' means community, nation, group of people, religion and etc. Technically, we may translate it here to a Religious [ 204 ] Community made of a people with different race, language, history, who are united in a brotherhood in which man and woman are engaged in the service of God. The next verse (NO.93) points out the perversion of a great many people of the single Godly Ummat; who deviated from the right and true course that was laid before them:ِ

``And eventually they divided their affairs among themselves.'' In other word; people of different views, and with various material interests have explained the Message of God to satisfy their selfish gains, and social advantages, and so have they divided their affairs among themselves, by breaking the Message of God. And thus have they divided the single and united Ummat, into jarring camps and hostile sects.

وَحَرَامٌ عَلَى قَرْيَة أَهْلَكْنَاهَا أَنَّهُمْ لاَ يَرْجِعُونَ(( 95 ))

95- AND IT IS FORBIDDEN FOR ANY (SINFUL) TOWN THAT WE HAVE DESTROYED IT, TO RETURN;

حَتَّى إِذَا فُتِحَتْ يَأْجُوجُ وَمَأْجُوجُ وَهُمْ مِّنْ كُلِّ حَدَب يَنسِلُونَ(( 96 ))

96- UNTIL THE GOG AND MAGOG ARE LET LOOSE, AND THEY PASS OVER EVERY HEIGHT SWIFTLY.

وَاقْتَرَبَ الْوَعْدُ الْحَقُّ فَإِذَا هِىَ شَاخِصَةٌ أَبْصَارُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا يَا وَيْلَنَا قَدْ كُنَّا فِى غَفْلَة مِنْ هَذَا بَلْ كُنَّا ظَالِمِينَ(( 97 ))

97- AND THE TRUE PROMISE (OF RESURRECTION) IS DROWN NEAR. THEN THE EYES OF THE UNBELIEVERS WILL STARE IN AWE! (THEY WILL CRY OUT:ِ) WOE TO US! THAT WE WERE NEGLIGENT OF THIS. NAY! WE WERE RATHER OPPRESSORS.

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THE COMMENTARY UNBELIEVERS AT THE THRESHOLD OF RESURRECTION VERSE NO.95ِ97

When the unbelievers die to live in the Intermediate world, they will get a keen sense of sight, and in seeing the symptoms of God's punishment, their pride and vanity vanishes, and they become aware of their great loss. In such that condition their only desire is to return back to this material world to do some good works to compensate for their loss, but it is too late now:ِ ``It is forbidden for any sinful town or townsfolk, that We have destroyed; to return.''

When a town is drowned in its sinful acts and wickedness, and the punishment of God, which is the result of their own evil deeds afflicts them, and the decree of God, has been issued to destroy them; return shall be forbidden for them. They will have no more chance to return to God and repent, and will have no more time to amend their deeds, because they have already rejected and wasted all their previous chances. Here the Gog and Magog may stand for their connotation as a wild and lawless tribe who break their barrier and swarm up and down any steep or slope. This is a sign of the approach of Resurrection Day.

إِنَّكُمْ وَمَا تَعْبُدُونَ مِنْ دُونِ اللهِ حَصَبُ جَهَنَّمَ أَنْتُمْ لَهَا وَارِدُونَ(( 98 ))

98- YOU AND WHATEVER YOU WORSHIP APART FROM ALLAH, ARE FUEL OF THE HELL, THAT YOU ENTER IT.

لَوْ كَانَ هَؤُلاَءِ آلِهَةً مَّا وَرَدُوهَا وَكُلٌّ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ(( 99 ))

99- HAD THESE BEEN GODS, THEY WOULD NOT ENTER IT, AND ALL OF THEM ABIDE THEREIN FOR EVER.

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لَهُمْ فِيهَا زَفِيرٌ وَهُمْ فِيهَا لاَ يَسْمَعُونَ(( 100 ))

100- FOR THEM IS THEREIN GROANING, AND IN THERE THEY HEAR NOT.

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ سَبَقَتْ لَهُمْ مِنَّا الْحُسْنَى أُوْلَئِكَ عَنْهَا مُبْعَدُونَ(( 101 ))

101- BUT AS TO THOSE, TO WHOM OUR GOODNESS HAS ALREADY BEEN FORWARDED, THEY ARE KEPT FAR FROM IT.

لاَ يَسْمَعُونَ حَسِيسَهَا وَهُمْ فِى مَا اشْتَهَتْ أَنفُسُهُمْ خَالِدُونَ(( 102 ))

102- THEY HEAR NOT ITS NOISE, AND DWELL FOREVER IN WHAT THEY DESIRE.

لاَ يَحْزُنُهُمْ الْفَزَعُ الاَْكْبَرُ وَتَتَلَقّاهُمُ الْمَلاَئِكَةُ هَذَا يَوْمُكُمُ الَّذِى كُنْتُمْ تُوعَدُونَ (( 103 ))103- THE GREAT DREAD GRIEVES THEM NOT, AND THE ANGELS WILL WELCOME THEM; SAYING:ِ ``THIS IS YOUR DAY THAT YOU WERE PROMISED.''

THE COMMENTARY THE FUEL OF HELL VERSE NO.98ِ103

Here the future of the heathens and polytheists have been discussed, that they themselves and their idols are all fuel for the fire of Hell:ِ ``Their idols will be cast into Hell to serve as fuel of the Fire and then they will enter it.''

The Arabic, ``MA"'' in the verse (NO.98), translated to, ``WHATEVER'' implies inanimate things like idols, that are not endowed with life and spirit, or understanding: [ 207 ] ``Had these been gods, they would not enter the Hell, and so they will abide therein for ever.'' In other word, falsehood will vanish, and truth will abide. Those who worship false gods, will expect nothing but regret, groaning, and everlasting anguish. The truthful believers will remain for ever in what they desire of happiness and prosperity. Their good deeds will go before them so as to illuminate their way up to salvation.

In the next verses, four great blessings of God have been named which are bestowed on the righteous people:ِ

1- They do not hear any sound or noise or groaning of the Fire of Punishment, for being far from the Hell. 2- They live for ever, and will always have whatever they desire it. 3- The great dread of God's punishment grieves them not. 4- And they are welcomed by the angels who congratulate them for their good end, and express their sympathetic pleasures at their salvation.

If according to the above verses, the great dread of Dooms Day will not grieve them and they hear not the noises of the Fire of Punishment, it is because, they knew from before, that, the balancing of account would at last be a great terror for the evil doers. يَوْمَ نَطْوِى السَّمَآءَ كَطَىِّ اسِّجِلِّ لِلْكُتُبِ كَمَا بَدَأْنَآ أَوَّلَ خَلْق نُّعِيدُهُ وَعدًا عَلَيْنَآ إِنَّا كُنَّا فَاعِلِينَ(( 104 )) 104- THE DAY IN WHICH WE ROLL UP THE HEAVENS LIKE THE ROLLING OF A SCROLL FOR WRITING. AS WE ORIGINATED THE FIRST CREATION (OF MAN) SO SHALL WE BRING HIM BACK (TO LIFE) AGAIN. (THIS IS) A PROMISE BINDING ON US THAT WE WILL FULFIL IT.

[ 208 ]

THE COMMENTARY THE DAY IN WHICH HEAVENS ARE FOLDED UP VERSE NO.104

The last argument still continues that the Resurrection Day with its great dread, will come to pass but the truthful believers will have no fear in that. In that dreadful day, the heavens shall be folded up like a roll of paper, or scroll which the ancient people used for their writing.

Folding of solar system does not mean that they will become non-existent. It rather means the constituent materials of the heavens will exist, while the form and shape of them will change. In other word; our solar system will be folded up like a roll of paper or parchment, for having done its work. God created them at first, out of nothing, and now it is far easier to renew an existing entity, and making a new heaven and earth out of their present material. Allah has promised to that, and he will definitely fulfil the promise which is binding on Him.

وَ لَقَد كَتَبْنَا فِى الزَّبُورِ مِن بَعْدِالذِّكْرِ أَنَّ الاَْرْضَ يَرِثُهَا عِبَادِىَ الصَّالِحُونَ(( 105 ))

105- AND VERILY WE HAVE WRITTEN IN THE PSALMS, AFTER THE REMINDER, THAT THE EARTH SHALL BE INHERITED BY MY RIGHTEOUS SERVANTS.

إِنَّ فِى هَذَا لَبَلاَغاً لِّقَوْم عَابِدِينَ(( 106 ))

106- VERILY IN THIS THERE IS A MESSAGE FOR A PEOPLE WHO ARE (MY) WORSHIPPER. [ 209 ]

THE COMMENTARY THE RIGHTEOUS WILL INHERIT THE LAND VERSE NO.105ِ106

A good and clear reward for the righteous servants of God has been promised here, that:ِ ``We wrote in ZOBUR, after ZIKR, that the earth shall be inherited by My righteous servants.''

Here, apparently ZOBUR is the PSALMS, and by ZIKR, the BIBLE is meant.