Verse 5
The Resurrection • makkah
View Aspects
17:100; 36:78-80.
Important Words:
بنان (fingertips) is the plural of بنانة which is derived from بن which means, he remained or stayed in a place. بنان means, fingers; ends or extremities thereof; fingertips; toes; all the limbs or members of the body; any part or all the limbs; arms or hands or legs or feet (Lane & Aqrab).
Commentary:
At another place in the Quran (36:78-80), the objection of disbelievers about life after death has been answered by stating that the Almighty Creator Who has created man from a mere sperm drop has the power to restore him to life after he is dead, but in the present verse the restoration of his fingertips has been adduced as an argument to refute the same objection. In fact, the word بنان represents man’s power and strength, as by means of his hand he grasps an object and defends himself. In fact man’s hands, i.e. his fingers, are the most important members of his body. The word بنان as given under Important Words may stand for the whole human body. Thus the verse signifies that God has the power to restore all the powers of man, or even of a whole people when, to all intents and purposes, they are dead and defunct.
Banan represents man’s power and strength, as by means of his fingers he grasps an object and defends himself. The word may stand also for the whole human body as part of a thing sometimes represents the whole. The verse signifies that God has the power to restore all the powers of man, or even of a whole people when, to all intents and purposes, they are dead and defunct.