المعارج

See 1:1.

52:8; 56:2.

Commentary:

"The inquirer" in the verse is taken by some commentators to refer to Nadr bin Al-Harith, or Abu Jahl. But it need not refer to any particular person. The disbelievers had repeatedly challenged the Holy Prophet to bring down upon them the threatened punishment (10:49; 21:39; 27:72; 32:29; 34:30; 36:49; 67:26). The demand was made in doubt and mockery. They had gone so far as to challenge the Prophet with the words, "O Allah, if this be indeed the truth from Thee, then rain down upon us stones from heaven or bring down upon us a grievous punishment" (8:33). The word "inquirer" may refer to all such questioners.

52:9; 56:3.

Commentary:

The verse may mean that instead of demanding punishment the disbelievers should have accepted the Message of Islam and thus should have won the pleasure of God. Or it may mean that while the punishment that will overtake disbelievers will be highly destructive, the ascent of the believers to heights of spiritual perfection will also be without end. Or the verse may signify that as the attributes of God are manifested in stages, the punishment of disbelievers will also come in stages. The verse may also signify that the day when disbelievers will receive the most humiliating punishment in the form of the Fall of Mecca will be the most auspicious day in the Holy Prophet’s life—the day of his معراج (Ascension), when he will be at the height of his power.

Important Words:

الروح (Spirit) means, the human soul; spirit; the vital principle; inspiration; revelation; Word of God; the Quran; angel Gabriel; joy; happiness; mercy of God, etc. (Lane & Aqrab).

Commentary:

الروح meaning human soul, the word may signify that development and progress of the human soul will know no end. Or the verse may mean that Divine plans and programmes take thousands of years to mature. Or, the words "fifty thousand years" may have reference to the age of the world as estimated by some geologists from a study of the layers of earth. Or the reference may be to a specific cycle of fifty thousand years in which a great change was decreed to take place, because Divine prophecies have their fixed periods, epochs and cycles in which they are fulfilled.

15:86.

Commentary:

Divine prophecies sometimes take thousands of years for their fulfilment. The Holy Prophetsa is enjoined to bear with patience the mockery and jibes of disbelievers because the hour of their punishment is delayed in order that they may have time to take heed, repent or make amends.

17:52; 78:41.

20:106; 70:10; 101:6.

Commentary:

In this age of atom and hydrogen bombs, the flying of mountains like flakes of wool, is not an impossible occurrence.

These verses may also have metaphorical reference to the Fall of Mecca.

44:42; 69:36; 37:35.

5:37; 13:19; 39:48.

Commentary:

What an awe-inspiring picture of the Day of Judgement is given in these verses! Face to face with a calamity man is prepared to part with everything, even to sacrifice his dearest and nearest ones if only by doing so he can save his own skin.

31:34; 80:37.

74:30.

Important Words:

الشویٰ (extremities) is derived from شوی. (shawa). They say شوی اللحم i.e. he roasted meat. شوی means, the arms or hands and the legs or feet, or the fore and hind legs and the extremities collectively; (2) the head of a human being or the bone above the brain. It is also the plural of شواة, which means, the skin of the head in which grow the hair (Lane & Aqrab).

9:34; 53:35; 104:3.

Commentary:

The hoarding of wealth, and not spending it in the service or promotion of good causes is very strongly condemned in these verses.