Verse 2
The Iron • madinah
View Aspects
17:45; 24:42; 61:2; 62:2; 64:2.
Important Words:
سبح (glorifies) is derived from (sabaha). They say سبح فی الماء i.e. he swam in the water. سبح فی الارض means, he went or travelled far in the land. سبح فی حوائجه means, he occupied himself in the accomplishment of his needs. سبح الرجل means, the man busied himself in earning his subsistence or in his affairs. سبح (sabhun) thus would signify doing one’s task or doing it with utmost effort and quickly, and سبحان اللّٰه denotes quickness in betaking oneself to God and agility in serving or obeying Him and therefore may be rendered, "I betake myself quickly to the service of God and am prompt in obeying Him." In view of the root meaning of this word, the inf. Noun تسبیح would mean, declaring God to be far removed from every imperfection, defect and impurity, or betaking oneself quickly to God’s service and to be prompt in obeying Him (Lane & Aqrab).
Commentary:
The verse purports to say that everything in the universe is doing its allotted task punctually and regularly, and by making use of the attributes and powers bestowed upon it by God is fulfilling the object of its creation in such a wonderful manner that one is irresistibly drawn to the conclusion that the Designer and Architect of the universe is indeed Mighty, and Wise, and that the whole universe collectively, and every created thing individually and in its own limited sphere, bears testimony to the undeniable fact that God’s handiwork is absolutely free from flaw, defect or imperfection in all its multifarious and multitudinous aspects. This is the meaning and significance of تسبیح. In fact, the perfection of a work presupposes two things: (a) that its doer possesses all the necessary means for accomplishing it and (b) that he possesses complete and perfect knowledge about it. God is Mighty and Wise, says the verse, i.e. His handiwork being flawless demonstrates His wisdom and might. The verse may also signify that by the revelation of the Quran such a great change will come over Arabia that this land, reeking with superstition, ignorance and idol worship, will reverberate with the glorification of the Mighty and Wise Creator and Master of the universe.
17:45; 24:42; 61:2; 62:2; 64:2.
Sabaha Fi Hawa’ijihi means, he busied himself in earning his subsistence or in his affairs. Sabh signifies doing one’s work or doing it with utmost effort and quickly, and the expression Subhanallah denotes quickness in betaking oneself to God and agility in serving or obeying Him. In view of the root-meaning of this word, the Infinitive Noun Tasbih from Sabbaha means, declaring God to be far from every imperfection or defect or betaking oneself quickly to God’s service and to be prompt in obeying Him saying Subhanallah (Lane). The verse thus means that everything in the universe is doing its allotted task punctually and regularly, and by making use of the faculties and powers bestowed upon it by God is fulfilling the object of its creation in such a wonderful manner that one is irresistibly drawn to the conclusion that the Designer and Architect of the universe is, indeed, Mighty and Wise and that the whole world collectively and every created thing individu