The Holy Quran Text. Translation & Commentary (volume One)

Martyrs Are Alive

The argument from perseverance and prayer proceeds now to the eternal life of the martyrs, that begins with their death in the way of Allah, saying: ``And don't say of those who are slain for the cause of God `THEY ARE DEA'D (NO! IT IS NOT SO AS YOU THINK) They are indeed alive, though you perceive them not.'' Basically in every movement, there are some timids and cowards, who pull themselves back of the scene, and discourage others too, through their own lack of courage.

In the life time of the prophet, some of the swerving timids, by showing hypocritical pity for the slain in the battle, they disheartened the brave Muslims and weakened their intentions saying: ``Alas! This and that died in the battle and they exist no more.'' To these frauds and deceptive suggestions, God answered: ``You should not call those who have been slain for the cause of Allah as 'Dead' Nay! They are indeed alive - eternally alive. They are having sustenance and all necessities for living, in the presence of

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Their Lord; in contrary to you mortals, who are confined beyond the high walls of space and time.'' A detail of this matter which is about the life to come, will be given in S 3: 169.

وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُم بِشَيء مِّنَ الْخَوْفِ وَالْجُوعِ وَنَقْص مِّنَ الاَْمْوَلِ وَالاَْنفُسِ وَالَّثمَرَتِ وَبَشِّرِ الصَّـبِرِينَ(( 155 )) 155- AND WE SHALL TEST YOU WITH SOMETHING OF FEAR AND HUNGER AND LOSS IN PROPERTY AND LIVES AND FRUITS; AND GIVE GOOD NEWS TO THE PATIENTS.

الَّذِينَ إِذَآ أَصَـبَتْهُم مُّصِيبَةٌ قَالُوا إِنَّاللهِ وَإِنَّآ إِلَيْهِ رَجِعُونَ(( 156 )) 156- THOSE WHO, WHEN AFFLICTED WITH MISFORTUNE SAY: ``WE BELONG TO ALLAH, AND TO HIM WE SHALL RETURN.

أُولئِكَ عَلَيْهِمْ صَلَوَتٌ مِّن رَّبِّهِمْ وَرَحْمَةٌ وَأُوْلَـئِكَ هُمُ الْمُهْتَدُونَ(( 157 )) 157- THOSE ARE THEY ON WHOM ARE BLESSINGS AND MERCY FROM THEIR LORD, AND THOSE ARE THE RIGHTLY GUIDED ONES.

THE COMMENTARY THE WORLD IS A FIELD FOR DIVINE TRIALS (VERSE NO. 155)

Now we come to tests and trials, and their various aspects and different shades, that are discussed in these verses. The Holy Book says: ``We will test you with something of fear and hunger, loss in goods or lives, or your products and fruits, and give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere.'' Success in the examinations, may be won through hard works and perseverance. Therefore the verse ends in the good news: ``And give glad tidings to the patients.''

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VERSE NO. 156 Here in this verse the patients are introduced as: ``Those who, when afflicted with a misfortune will say: to Allah we belong, and to Him is our return.''

VERSE NO. 157 Here is mentioned the Grace of God and HIS Mercy by which the patients and the steadfasts are rewarded saying: ``Those are they on whom descends blessings from Allah, and Mercy, and they are the ones who are truly guided.''

NOTES:

1- WHY SHOULD GOD EXAMINE HIS SERVANTS?

The first question that puts its foot forth in this regard, is that an examiner wants to know something which he knows it not of the examined. He puts someone under the test, because of his lack of information. However this comes not true in the case of the All-Knowing and Omnipotent Creator of the Universe. Why should such an All-Knowing God put HIS servants under test or exams? In answer to this question we may say:

TRUE! Man's examination arises from his want of knowledge and lack of information, but God's trial is not on that account. He tests His servants in order to nurture and nourish them. To train them and bring them up. The purpose of God's examination is to increase the skill and experience, and to disclose and put to work the hidden abilities of Man. Man goes under the tests of God as a piece of steel goes to the furnace, for more and further treatments, or it could be taken as similar to maneuver practiced by the soldiers. They perform a series of various movements in their maneuver, as training and for the purpose of developing the skill and abilities of the army, and bringing them up in art and technical proficiency.

GOD'S EXAMINATION IS GENERAL

The system of life in Universe, is the system of evolution and development. All the moving creatures are traversing the road of

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evolution and development. Therefore, all the people even the apostles and prophets have to be tested in order to reach their higher destiny and position, and to exhibit their natural talents and put to function their hidden abilities. Allah's tests are of various natures and qualities, sometimes HE tests His servant through fear, hunger, loss of property and even loss of life; and sometimes HE may put HIS servants on trials on account of rank and wealth, strength and health; whatsoever it be, God's test is common and for all, and it is in fact a means for development and evolution.

THE SIGNS OF SUCCESS

The code and mark of success in the said examinations, according to the HOLY BOOK is patient perseverance, and being firm and steadfast in difficulties and misfortunes, meanwhile having reliance on God through the prayer. Another good means of help in adversity and afflictions is to know the transitory condition of this mortal life here, which passes over so quickly, and that this world is merely a passage through which we have to pass without any delay!

إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِن شَعَآئِرِ اللهِ فَمَنْ حَجَّ الْبَيْتَ أَوِ اعْتَمَرَ فَلاَ جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِ أَن يَطَّوَّفَ بِهِمَا وَمَن تَطَوَّعَ خَيْراً فَإِنَّ اللهَ شَاكِرٌ عَلِيمٌ(( 158 )) 158- SAFA AND MARWA ARE AMONG THE SIGNS APPOINTED BY ALLAH. THEREFORE WHOSOEVER MAKES THE PILGRIMAGE TO THE HOUSE, OR MAKES THE LESSER PILGRIMAGE, THERE IS NO BLAME OF SIN IF THEY COMPASS THEM ROUND. HE THAT DOES GOOD OF HIS OWN ACCORD. SHALL BE REWARDED BY ALLAH. BE SURE THAT ALLAH IS GRATEFUL, ALL-KNOWING.

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THE COMMENTARY OCCASION OF REVELATION (VERSE NO. 158)

According to the traditions narrated by sonnies as well as Shiites; ABRAHAM'S wife HAJAR - mother of the infant ISHMAEL, prayed for water in that hot and dry desert, and in her eager quest round the hills she found her prayer answered and saw the Zamzam spring. (A DETAIL OF HAJAR IN SEARCH OF WATER WILL FOLLOW) Later the pagan Arabs had placed a male and female idol, named, ASAAF and N?ELEH upon the two little mountions SAFA & MARWA, now absorbed in the city of Mecca.

Then the idolater's superstitious rites around the two idols caused some offence to the early Muslims, so that they felt some hesitation in going round these hills and to compass them in their pilgrimage. The verse came down to say that: ``The two mentioned hills are also two of the sacred monuments, and signs appointed by Allah for the pilgrims to compass and circumambulate them, and if the ignorant pagans have defiled them with idols, it won't be a reason for the Muslims to stop performing their rites.''

IGNORANT DEEDS SHOULD NOT PREVENT OTHER'S POSITIVE ACTIONS.

Due to the especial mental state which we hinted to, in the cause of the revelation above; the verse firstly confirms that; SAFAA and MARWA are also two of the signs appointed by Allah, and are among the sacred monuments for the rituals of pilgrimage. So there is no blame on the pilgrims to encompass these monuments and signs, and the superstitious rites of the polytheists should never stop Muslims to halt their religious rites. The two idols on top of the two symbols will not derogate the least from its virtue and importance.

* * *

1- As we have already mentioned above; SAFAA and MARWA are two small mountains that are nowadays absorbed in the city of Mecca. Verbally SAFFA, means a smooth and hard piece of stone, and MARWA means a rough and hard peice of stone. By SIGNS OF ALLAH, it is meant such monuments as a permanent object or a mountain that might make people to remember Allah. [ 170 ]

2- HISTORICAL RECORD OF SAFAA AND MARWA.

According to our traditions; ABRAHAM (AS) had reached his old age without having a son or a daughter. So he prayed for that, and his lord answered his prayer, and in that old age of him, his maid servant, HAJAR begot a son for him who was named ISHMAEL. His first wife SARAA did not endure seeing her husband having a son from some other woman. Allah commanded ABRAHAM (AS) to take the baby with his mother, and settle them in Mecca, which was then a barren and parched desert. ABRAHAM (AS) obeyed the commandment of his Lord, and took to Mecca and placed them there. When he proceeded to depart, his wife HAJAR, began to cry saying: ``What can a poor lonely woman, and her innocent infant, in this hot, dry and barren land do?'' ABRHAM'S heart burnt with sorrow when he heard the plea of his wife, and in a fervent prayer to God he said: ``O, My Lord! I have made some of my offspring to dwell in a valley without any cultivation by your sacred house; in order, our Lord, that they may establish regular prayer. So fill the hearts of some among men with love towards them and feed them with products so that they may give thanks.''

HAZRAT ABRAHAM (AS) said so to his Lord, and choked with tears, committed his wife and child to the care of Allah and went away.... Soon after; their supply of food and water was finished, and her breast stopped milking. Then the restlessness of the babe increased her anxiety. Forgetting her own thirst and hunger, she started the search for water. She at first searched among the little mountain SAFAA, but found no water. She looked towards the other opposite mountain MARWA, and was deceived by the watery appearance of a mirage there. She traversed to and for, the distance between the two hills, but no result. Abandoned to despair, she returned to pick up her poor starving baby, when Lo! At the foot of the child water had gushed out! Hence the famous fluent spring of ZAMZAM that has satisfied millions of men and animals so far! Seeing that, she prostrated herself on the ground to give her thanks to her Merciful Lord.

The lesson here is that all of us, even our children, have to commit ourselves to the care of Allah, put our trust on HIM, and then strive hard in the path of truth that God HAS revealed to us through HIS

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BOOK and prophet. And that we should know the value and importance of Monotheism for the cause of which so many Muslims have gone as far as the last beat of their hearts, in order to hand the loaded trust over to us.

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَكْتُمُونَ مَآ أَنزَلْنَا مِنَ الْبَيِّنَـتِ وَالْهُدَى مِن بَعْدِ مَابَيَّنَّـهُ لِلنَّاسِ فِى الْكِتَـبِ أُوْلَـئِكَ يَلْعَنُهُمُ اللّهُ وَيَلْعَنُهُمُ اللَّـعِنُونَ(( 159 ))

159- THOSE WHO CONCEAL WHAT WE HAVE SENT DOWN OF CLEAR SIGNS AND GUIDANCE, AFTER WE HAVE MADE IT CLEAR FOR THE PEOPLE IN THE BOOK, ON THEM SHALL BE ALLAH'S CURSE, AND THE CURSERS SHALL CURSE THEM TOO.

إِلاَّ الَّذِينَ تَابُوا وَأَصْلَحُوا وَبَيَّنُوا فَأُوْلَـئِكَ أَتُوبُ عَلَيْهِمْ وَأَنَا التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيمُ(( 160 )) 160- EXCEPT THOSE WHO REPENTED AND AMENDED (THEIR DEEDS WITH GOOD ONES) AND MADE CLEAR. (WHATEVER THEY CONCEALED OF TRUTH) THEY ARE THOSE TOWARDS WHOM I RELENT, FOR I AM OFT-RETURNING, MERCIFUL.

THE COMMENTARY OCCASION OF REVELATION (VERSE NO. 159)

It is narrated from IBN ABBASS that some of the leading Muslims like; SAAD-IBN-MOAZ - KHARIJ - IBN - ZAID and MOAZ IBN-JABAL, asked questions of the Rabbis and learned Jews about the signs and symptoms of our prophet that were revealed to them through TOWR?T (PENTATEUCH). They concealed their knowledge and refused to display it and explain to others who had no access to the book, and hence the verse:

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CONCEALMENT OF TRUTH IS FORBIDDEN

The learned jews and their rabbis are addressed here who withheld their knowledge from the others; but the verse in a general sense of meaning, directs the effort and attention of all men of knowledge, and seriously admonishes those who know something improtant and useful, and withhold it from others, through their greed, jealousy or other selfish and devilish intentions:

``Those who conceal what we have sent down of clear signs and guidance, after we have made it clear for the people in our Book, on them shall be Allah's curse, and those entitled to curse, like the angels and mankind. As a matter of fact concealing the truth, enrages all the adherents and partisans of RIGHT. On the other hand the truth is not merely confined to the signs of God or to the symptoms of HIS prophets. To conceal anything reasonable that can help people to realize prosperity and salvation, lays in the shade of this subject. Even being silent, and making no utterance when one has to talk and to display a fact or a figure is a heinous sin that deserves the curse mentioned in this verse. We also ought to know that a curse is not a matter of words. It is a terrible spiritual state with deprivation of God's grace and Mercy.'' VERSE NO. 160

As for the HOLY QUR?N, which is a book of guidance and mercy, it will never bar the gates of hope, amendment, and progress, in the people's way. Whatsoever they be, defiled by sin, and contaminated by guilt and mistakes, the book never lets them to lose hope, and abandon to despair of their Merciful Lord. Thus the verse here urges to repentance and amendment saying:

``Except those who repent and amend their evil deeds with. good ones, and those who disclosed and made clear whatever they concealed of truth; those are they to whom Allah may trun in Mercy; because Allah is Oft-Returning, Merciful.''

CONCEALING TRUTH IN ISLAMIC TRADITIONS. According to Islamic traditions, the learned men who deliberately withhold their useful knowledge from those who deserve to know and use it, are sternly condemned. The prophet has said: ``If a

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scholar is asked a question, and he denies to answer, in the Resurrection Day a bridle of fire will be attached to his mouth.'' HAZRAT ALI (AS) was also asked that: ``Among the creatures of Allah; who is worse than SATAN and PHARAOH?'' He answered: ``Corrupt and vicious scholars who display false, and conceal the facts are worse. They are the ones that on them is the curse of Allah, and that of the cursers.''

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا وَمَاتُوا وَهُمْ كُفَّارٌ أُوْلَـئِكَ عَلَيْهِمْ لَعْنَةُ اللهِ وَالْمَلَـئِكَةِ وَالنَّاسِ أَجْمَعِينَ(( 161 )) 161- SURELY THE INFIDELS WHO DIE DISBELIEVERS; UPON THEM SHALL BE CURSE OF ALLAH, AND THE ANGELS, AND PEOPLE, ALTOGETHER.

خَـلِدِينَ فِيهَا لاَيُخَفَّفُ عَنْهُمُ الْعَذَابُ وَلاَهُمْ يُنظَرُونَ(( 162 )) 162- THEY WILL ABIDE THEREIN (IN THAT CURSE AND REMOTENESS OF MERCY) FOR EVER, AND NO RESPITE SHALL BE GIVEN THEM.

وَإِلَـهُكُمْ إِلَهٌ وَاحِدٌ لاَّ إِلَـهَ إِلاَّ هُوَ الرَّحْمَـنُ الرَّحِيمُ(( 163 )) 163- YOUR GOD IS THE ONLY ONE GOD. THERE IS NO GOD BUT HIM. HE IS THE MERCIFUL, THE COMPASSIONATE.

THE COMMENTARY THOSE WHO DIE INFIDEL

In the preceding verses we saw the results of concealing the truth. Now the argument comes to those infidels who do not get a chance to repent or amend their deeds. They continue with their evil deeds until they meet their end, and die disbelievers.This group of

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people too, like those who conceal the truth, deserve the curse of Allah and are subject to it: ``- Turely those who reject faith and die rejecting and disbelievers,on them shall be the curse of Allah, and the angels, and people altogether.'' VERSE NO. 162

Then it is added that they will abide therein: that is to say, they abide in the Allah's curse and that of the angels, and people forever; and no respite or freedom shall be given them. ABIDING IN THE CURSE OF ALLAH signifies that the curse is not a matter of words; it rather must be a dreadful spiritual and physical state of torture and torment which has no end and no respite!

VERSE NO. 163

And owing to the fact that only MONOTHEISM and God's Grace and MERCY can give an end to all these misfortunes and torments, the verse implies: ``Your God is the only one God; There is no God but Him. HE is the Merciful the compassionate.'' In order to overcome the terrible consequences of evil, in this verse stress is laid on God's ONENESS, and also on HIS grace and Mercy; so that one may seek refuge in them, and through repentance and amendment of his bad works, obtain the missed comfort and salvation.

إِنَّ فِى خَلْقِ السَّمَـوَتِ وَالاَْرْضِ وَاخْتِلَـفِ الَّيْلِ وَالنَّهَارِ وَالْفُلْكِ الَّتِى تَجْرِى فِى الْبَحْرِ بِمَا يَنفَعُ النَّاسَ وَمَآ أَنزَلَ اللهُ مِنَ السَّمَآءِ مِن مَّآء فَأَحْيَا بِهِ الاَْرْضَ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهَا وَبَثَّ فِيهَا مِن كُلِّ دَآبَّة وَتَصْرِيفِ الرِّيَـحِ وَالسَّحَابِ الْمُسَخَّرِ بَيْنَ السَّمَآءِ وَالاَْرْضِ لاََيَـت لِّقَوْم يَعْقِلُونَ(( 164 ))

164-IN THE CREATION OF THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH, AND THE ALTERNATION OF NIGHT AND DAY, AND THE SHIP THAT SAILS IN THE SEA FOR WHAT PROFITS PEOPLE, AND THE

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WATER THAT ALLAH SENT DOWN FROM THE SKY THEREWITH REVIVING THE EARTH AFTER ITS DEATH, AND SCATTERED IN IT FROM ALL KINDS OF MOVING CREATURES, AND THE TURNING ABOUT OF THE WINDS, AND THE CLOUDS THAT ARE MADE SUBSERVIENT BETWEEN THE SKY AND THE EARTH - SURELY IN THESE ARE SIGNS FOR THE PEOPLE WHO USE THEIR WISDOM.

THE COMMENTARY THE MANIFESTATION OF GOD'S SACRED ESSENCE THROUGHOUT THE EXISTENCE. (VERSE NO. 164)

In the previous verse, the word ended in the oneness and unity of God. Here it begins a reasoning and mention of the unity of purpose and design throughout the nature which may lead to the knowledge of HIS existence and manifestation of HIS attributes, through their effects. Let us notify first that, always and everywhere, an arrangement, and a good order, is the evidence of knowledge and wisdom, and everywhere and all the time co-operation, and collective action, is a proof of unity of purpose and oneness of design and designer. Through the verse under discussion, in the following six parts, effects of the good order and unity of purpose and design that dominates over the universe, are put to light:

1- It begins with the glory of the heavens and earth and the wonderful extensive space around us saying :``In the creation of the heavens and the earth there are signs for people who use their wisdom.''

scientists have revealed that millions of galaxies like this milky way of ours, are seen overhead in the spacious space with aided or unaided eyes, so much so that our own solar system among them seems to be like a droplet in an ocean! Only in our milky way there moves on their own orbit hundreds of millions of suns and bright stars!

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According to recent theories and views of scientific researchers many thousands of these planets, like our own globe are inhabited and occupied by living creatures in the widest diversity of nature! Lo! What a grandeur and greatness, and what a power and ability of creator and creation! 2- The verse then points at the most striking everyday phenomenon, that results from interrelations of heaven and the earth; such as the alternation of day and night, changing regularly in duration and bringing forth various seasons and the warm and cold latitudes of our globe - the night for rest and the day for work. In this relation the verse implies: ``And in the alternation of night and day, there are signs for those people who use their wisdom.''

3- And the stately and huge ships that sail across the oceans for merchandise and other benefits of man. Thus the sea serves us no less than the land, hence the verse: ``And the ship that sails across the sea for what profits people.''

4- God's Grace and Favour to man and all the living creatures on the earth are further exempilfied by the rain which leads to the fertility of land, and by the verse, Allah calls to our mind the winter's death of nature, as well as the revivification of the spring, which is a sample and sign of nature's resurrection and raise of the dead bodies. In this case the HOLY BOOK says: ``And (THINK OF)the water that Allah sent down from the sky therewith reviving the earth after its death.''

5- The verse also makes a mention of the wonderful winds; driving the clouds in the skies. It also drives the ships across the seas. The wind also impregnates and fertilizes the trees, to make them fruitful by scattering the seeds here and there and this way and that. The wind also serves to move the polluted air which is rendered unclean, replacing it with pure air for breathing, which is vital for the life.

6- Once again the clouds are called to mind, that are made as subservient as slaves, between the sky amd the earth. At mid-day they temper the glare of the sun, and all the time they affect and control the

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dangerous radiations, such as that of the ultraviolate an infrared rays. Surely in all these signs that were mentioned here, the greatness and infinite knowledge and extensive mercy of God can be seen.

وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَن يَتَّخِذُ مِن دُونِ اللهِ أَندَادَاً يُحِبُّونَهُمْ كَحُبِّ اللهِ وَالَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا أَشَدُّ حُبّاً للهِ وَلَوْ يَرَى الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا إِذْ يَرَوْنَ الْعَذَابَ أَنَّ الْقُوَّةَ للهِ جَمِيعاً وَأَنَّ الله شَدِيدُ الْعَذَابِ(( 165 ))

165- AND THERE ARE SOME AMONG MEN WHO TAKE TO THEMSELVES COMPEERS APART FROM GOD, THEY LOVE THEM AS ALLAH IS LOVED. BUT THOSE WHO BELIEVE, LOVE ALLAH MORE ARDENTLY. O, IF THE OPPRESSORS MIGHT SEE, WHEN THEY SEE THE CHASTISEMENT, AND THAT THE POWER ALTOGETHER BELONGS TO ALLAH, AND THAT ALLAH IS STERN IN PUNISHMENT.

إِذْ تَبَرَّأَ الَّذِينَ اتُّبِعُوا مِنَ الَّذِينَ اتَّبَعُوا وَرَأَوُا الْعَذَابَ وَتَقَطَّعَتْ بِهِمُ الاَْسْبَابُ(( 166 )) 166- WHEN THOSE WHO WERE FOLLOWED (THE ASTRAYING LEADERS) SHALL DISOWN THEIR FOLLOWERS, AND THEY SEE THE CHASTISEMENT AND THEIR TIES ARE CUT ASUNDER.

وَقَالَ الَّذِينَ اتَّبَعُوا لَوْ أَنَّ لَنَا كَرَّةً فَنَتَبَرَّأَ مِنْهُمْ كَمَا تَبَرَّءُوَا مِنَّا كَذَلِكَ يُرِيهِمُ اللهُ أَعْمَـلَهُمْ حَسَرَت عَلَيْهِمْ وَمَا هُم بِخَرجِينَ مِنَ النَّارِ(( 167 )) 167- AND THOSE WHO FOLLOWED SHALL SAY: IF ONLY WE HAD ONE MORE CHANCE, WE WOULD DISOWN THEM AS THEY HAVE NOW DISOWNED US. THUS ALLAH SHOWS THEM (THE FRUITS OF) THEIR DEEDS AS (NOTHING BUT) REGRETS; AND THEY SHALL NOT COME OUT OF THE FIRE.

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THE COMMENTARY

ESTRANGEMENT OF THE LEADERS OF BLASPHEMY FROM THEIR FOLLOWERS. (VERSE NO. 165)

The verse addresses those foolish persons who overlook and ignore everything around us that points to God, and they think that something else may be equal to HIM! They tread the way of their fancies and fetishes, and their heart and love is given to their false gods; while unlike them the heart of the righteous are wholly devoted, and absorbed in the love of God. the verse begins with: ``And there are some among men who take to themselves compeers apart from Allah, and love them as Allah is loved! But those who believe, love Allah more ardently.'' The love of the righteous is rooted by the spring of knowledge wisdom, and gnostics; while that of the unrighteous, springs out of the, ignorances, superstitions, and fancies, and this is why the love of the unbeliever is not durable. So says the verse: ``O, if the oppressors could see the consequences of their deeds, they would see the terrible penalty that awaits them, and that all power is in Allah's hands, and not in that of any one else.

VERSE NO. 166

Then the cover of ignorance and of negligence will be removed from their eyes, and they come to know how far, they are gone astray! In their terrible misfortune and adversity, they entreat their fetishes and leaders to give them a hand in salvation, but the leaders deny their followers and disown them! hence the verse: ``When those who were followed clear themselves from those who followed them, and disowned their adherents, and they see the penalty, and all relations between them would be cut off.''

VERSE NO. 167

But to give a useless comfort to their burning heart, and to console themselves for that dreadful loss to which they are encountered; they say:

``O! If only we could have one more chance, we would diswon them, as they have now cleared themselves of us.''

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They say so but no use! everything is now out of their control. Now the inevitable consequences of blasphemy and rejection of God has appeared to them, in its real form, their eyes has been cleared of cover, and their false and artificial relations with their fetishes have dissolved. What they see as a result of what they have done is nothing but sorrow and regret. They have to live in a fire kindled by their own deeds from which they can never come out.

يَـأَيُّهَا النَّاسُ كُلُوا مِمَّا فِى الاَْرْضِ حَلَـلا طَيِّباً وَلاَتَتَّبِعُوا خُطُوَتِ الشَّيْطَـنِ إنَّهُ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ مُّبِينٌ(( 168 )) 168- O, YOU PEOPLE! EAT OF WHAT IS IN THE EARTH LAWFUL AND GOOD, AND DO NOT FOLLOW THE FOOTSTEPS OF SATAN, FOR, TO YOU HE IS MANIFEST ENEMY.

إِنَّمَا يَأمُرُكُم بِالسُّوء وَالْفَحْشَآءِ وَأَن تَقُولُوا عَلَى اللّهِ مَا لاَ تَعْلَمُونَ(( 169 )) 169- HE COMMANDS YOU TO EVIL AND INDECENCY, AND TO SAY ABOUT ALLAH WHAT YOU DO NOT KNOW.

THE COMMENTARY

OCCASION OF REVELATION (VERSE NO. 168) IBN-ABBASS has said: ``Some of the tribes among the Arabs; such as the tribe of SAGHIF and KHAZAEH, had declared some kinds of farming and animals unlawful without a reason. They even foisted the prohibition on, by false ascription to divine injunctions. (An example of this was taking congealed blood and eating it fried- (TR. NOTE)

So the verse was sent down to stop them from legislating through self-interests and fancies.

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FOOTSTEPS OF SATAN

In the preceding verse, polytheism was sternly attacked and admonished. One of the various kinds of polytheism is the acceptance of legislation of anyone other than God; hence the verse: ``O, People! Eat of what is in the earth and wholesome, and do not follow the foodsteps of Satan.

VERSE NO. 169 This verse certifies that Satan is a manifest and sworn enemy of man, who always commands us to do evil and indecency. The Arabic FAHSHAA translated to INDECENCY, implies evil deeds and deviation from the straight path of Monotheism. Its shades of meanings are anything excessive, immoderate, inordinate or extravagant. Anything that goes beyond limits, is said to be FAHISH. Therefore it means all sorts of evil deeds and indecency, covered and uncovered.

GRADUAL DEVIATION

The word `FOOTSTEP OF SATAN' implies that the evil deeds and deviations from the straight path is not a sudden happening. It rather, occurs gradually and step by step, until its results penetrate deeply in the hearts and minds of people. In other word Satanic Temptations by and by inspire evil suggestions in man, and attract his attention step by step, and therefore the HOLY QUR?N, calls man to be careful and from the first step follow him not.

وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمُ اتَّبِعُوا مَآ أَنزَلَ اللهُ قَالُوا بَلْ نَتَّبِعُ مَآ أَلْفَيْنَا عَلَيْهِ ءَابَاءَنَآ أَوَلَوْ كَانَ ءَابَآؤُهُمْ لاَ يَعْقِلُونَ شَيْئاً وَلاَ يَهْتَدُونَ(( 170 ))

170- AND WHEN IT IS SAID TO THEM: FOLLOW WHAT ALLAH HAS SENT DOWN, THEY SAY: NOT THAT! BUT WE WILL FOLLOW WHAT WE FOUND OUR FATHERS UPON. WHAT? EVEN THOUGH THEIR FATHERS WERE VOID OF WISDOM AND GUIDANCE?

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مَثَلُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا كَمَثَلِ الَّذِى يَنْعِقُ بِمَا لاَ يَسْمَعُ إِلاَّ دُعَآءً وَنِدَآءً صُمٌّ بُكْمٌ عُمْىٌ فَهُمْ لاَ يَعْقِلُونَ(( 171 )) 171- THE LIKENESS OF THOSE WHO DISBELIEVE IS AS THE LIKENESS OF ONE (i.e. the prophet's likness in calling disbelievers, is like the one who calls the sheep, goats and animals in order to rescue them from danger) WHO CALLS; BUT THEY HEAR NOTHING SAVE A CALL, AND A CRY! (IN FACT THESE INFIDELS ARE) DEAF, DUMB, BLIND, AND THEY UNDERSTAND NOT BLINDLY.

THE COMMENTARY BLINDLY IMITATING THE FOREFATHERS (VERSE NO. 170)

The verse implies the irrational logic of the pagans in prohibiting the lawful foods, or keeping on with idolatery and fetishes, saying: ``When it is said to them follow the truth that Allah has sent down, they say: we will follow the ways of our fathers, and what we found them upon!''

The Holy BOOK, at once condemns such irrational logic and says: ``What? Even though your fathers were void of wisdom and guidance, you will insist to follow and imitate them?! Had their forefathers been man of knowledge and understandings they could be used as example for imitation, but as far as evidences show, they were void of the least stage of knowledge and wisdom, and even of a common sense. So how should they want to be as imitative as a monkey from another monkey and not even a man! This is therefore that sort of cursed imitation that has always ruined the people, giving them to the wind of destruction.

[ 182 ] VERSE NO. 171

``The parable of those who reject faith is as if one goatherd or shepherd who calls the sheep and goats, in order to rescue them from a serious danger. But they hear nothing save a call or a cry. In fact the infidels and rejector of faith are deaf, dumb, blind, and understand nothing, and they will not return to the path of truth and salvation.

يَـأَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا كُلُوا مِن طَيِّبَـتِ مَارَزَقْنَـكُمْ وَاشْكُرُوا للهِ إِن كُنتُمْ إِيَّاهُ تَعْبُدُونَ(( 172 )) 172- O, BELIEVERS! EAT OF THE GOOD THINGS THAT WE HAVE PROVIDED FOR YOU! (AS SUSTENANCE) AND GIVE THANKS TO ALLAH, IF IT IS HE WHOM YOU WORSHIP.

إِنَّمَا حَرَّمَ عَلَيْكُمُ الْمَيْتَةَ وَالدَّمَ وَلَحْمَ الْخِنزِيرِ وَمَآ أُهِلَّ بِهِ لِغَيْرِ اللهِ فَمَنِ اضْطُرَّ غَيْرَ بَاغ وَلاَعَاد فَلاَ إِثْمَ عَلَيْهِ إِنَّ اللهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ(( 173 ))

173- HE HAS FORBIDDEN YOU CARRION, BLOOD, THE FLESH OF SWINE; AND ANY FLESH THAT IS SLAUGHTERED IN THE NAME OF ANY OTHER THAN ALLAH. BUT WHOEVER IS CONSTRAINED (TO EAT ANY OF THESE) WITHOUT WILLFUL DISOBEDIENCE, NOT TRANSGRESSING DUE LIMITS; NO SIN SHALL BE ON HIM; FOR ALLAH IS OFT-FORGIVING MOST MERCIFUL.

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THE COMMENTARY CLEAN AND UNCLEAN (VERSE NO. 172)

In this verse and the next one, once again we turn to the proclaiming of some lawful and wholesome foods as unlawful by the pagan Arabs; but this time and in this case the believers are addressed: ``O, you who believe! Eat of the good clean foods that Allah has provided for you as sustenance, and give thanks to Allah, if you indeed worship HIM alone.''

VERSE NO. 173

Through this verse the foods that are unlawful are mentioned, in order to close the door of excuses: ``He has forbidden you carrion, blood, the flesh of swine, and any flesh that is slaughtered in the name of any other than Allah.'' By carrion or dead meat, is meant the animal that dies of itself and is not expressly slaughtered for food - Then comes the BLOOD that the Pagan Arabs used to take it congealed and eat it fried. - The third prohibited is the swine flesh. Naturally the pig is a filthy animal, and filthy animals taken as food effects the eater. On the other had swine flesh has more fat than muscle-building materials and it also is more liable to diseases like TRICHINOSIS than other kinds of meat. Pig meat is the first food of the Christians while it is as prohibited to them as it is to Muslims, if they only could believe in their scriptures. They read in LEVITICUS 11: 7-8 :

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``Do not eat pigs, they are unclean. They do not chew the cud, but they have divided hoofs. So do not eat these animals and even do not touch their dead bodies. The pigs are unclean animals.''

TRANSLATOR'S NOTE

The fourth prohibited food is any flesh that is slaughtered in the name of any other than Allah, like the idols and fetishes.

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إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَكْتُمُونَ مَآ أَنْزَلَ اللهُ مِنَ الْكِتَـبِ وَيَشْتَرُونَ بِهِ ثَمَناً قَلِيلا أُوْلَـئِكَ مَايَأكُلُونَ فِى بُطُونِهِمْ إِلاَّ النَّارَ وَلاَ يُكَلِّمُهُمُ اللهُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَـمَةِ وَلاَ يُزَكِّيهِمْ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ(( 174 )) 174- THOSE WHO CONCEAL ANY PART OF THE BOOK THAT ALLAH HAS SENT DOWN, AND SELL IT FOR A LITTLE PRICE, THEY EAT NOTHING BUT FIRE IN THEIR BELLIES.

ALLAH WILL NOT SPEAK TO THEM ON THE DAY OF RESURRECTION, NOR WILL HE PURIFY THEM, AND THEIRS SHALL BE A GRIEVOUS PENALTY أُوْلَـئِكَ الَّذِينَ اشْتَرَوُا الضَّلَـلَةَ بِالْهُدَى وَالْعَذَابَ بِالْمَغْفِرَةِ فَمَآ أَصْبَرَهُمْ عَلَى النَّارِ(( 175 )) 175- THEY ARE THOSE WHO BOUGHT ERROR AT THE PRICE OF GUIDANCE, AND TORMENT IN PLACE OF PARDON. WHAT HAS MADE THEM SO PATIENT TO ENDURE THE FIRE?

ذَلِكَ بِأَنَّ اللهَ نَزَّلَ الْكِتَـبَ بِالْحَقِّ وَإِنَّ الَّذِينَ اخْتَلَفُوا فِى الْكِتَـبِ لَفِى شِقَاق بَعِيد(( 176 )) 176- THAT IS BECAUSE ALLAH HAS SENT DOWN THE BOOK WITH TRUTH, AND THOSE WHO ARE IN VARIANCE REGARDING THE BOOK ARE IN WIDE SCHISM.

THE COMMENTARY OCCASION OF REVELATION (VERSE NO. 176)

All the commentators believe that in the above three verses the people of the Book, and in particular the learned Jews are addressed. Before the advent of our prophet, they used to inform the people, of the signs and symptoms of the prophet who was foretold and predicted in their scriptures; but when he appeared and preached his doctrine, they

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denied him, and concealed their knowledge of him! They did so, because they were afraid of losing their social religious influences and advantages through which they piled wealth and were on the carpet for consultation and judgements, being invited in parties, or leading social and religious ceremonies.