Verse 34
The Beneficent • madinah
View Aspects
يَٰمَعْشَرَ ٱلْجِنِّ وَٱلْإِنسِ إِنِ ٱسْتَطَعْتُمْ أَن تَنفُذُوا۟ مِنْ أَقْطَارِ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ فَٱنفُذُوا۟ ۚ لَا تَنفُذُونَ إِلَّا بِسُلْطَٰنٍ
Important Words:
معشر (company) is derived from عاشر and عاشر ھم means, he mixed with them; consorted with them; held social and familiar intercourse with them. معشر among other things means, any company of men whose state of circumstances is one (Lane & Aqrab). This meaning of the word shows that معشر الجن و الانس are the two classes of men and signify the same as الثقلان mentioned in v. 32 above.
Commentary:
The verse has been variously interpreted: According to one interpretation the scientists and philosophers who are proud of the great advance they have made in material sciences have been warned that they cannot however high they might rise in knowledge and science, so completely comprehend the laws of nature governing the universe as to overpower and master them. Try as they might, they will fail in their quest. This interpretation is in accordance with the context. According to another interpretation which also agrees with the context, the verse warns sinners: let them dare to break through the confines of the heavens and earth, they shall not be able to defy divine laws with impunity and escape Divine punishment. It may also point to the making of rockets, sputniks. etc., by means of which the Russians and the Americans seek to reach heavenly bodies. They are told that at best they can reach only those planets which are visible to human eye. Beyond that their efforts shall fail. God’s universe is unfathomable.
The verse has been variously interpreted. According to one interpretation the scientists and philosophers, who are proud of the great advance they have made in the material sciences, have been told that they cannot, however great advance they might make in knowledge and science, so completely comprehend all the laws of nature governing the universe as to acquire their complete mastery. Try as they might, they will fail in their quest. According to another interpretation, the verse warns sinners: 'Let them dare break through the confines of the heavens and earth, they shall not be able to defy Divine laws with impunity and escape Divine punishment.' The verse may also point to the making of rockets, sputniks, etc. by means of which the Russians and the Americans are seeking to reach heavenly bodies. They are told that at best they may reach only some of the planets which are nearest to the earth, but God’s universe is unfathomable.