Verse 2
The Emissaries • makkah
View Aspects
Important Words:
واو (by). For the philosophy and significance of Quranic oaths see 37:2 & 91:2.
عرفا (goodness) is derived from عرف (‘arafa) which means, he knew it or he knew it by means of any of the five senses, also by mental perception. عرف (‘urfun) means, acknowledgment or confession; goodness or a good action or quality; gentleness; beneficence, a benefit or bounty; common parlance or usage. They say جاء القوم عرفا عرفا i.e. the people came one after another (Lane).
Commentary:
The things, agencies or beings mentioned in this and the following four verses have been taken by various authorities to refer to winds; angels; God’s Messengers and their followers; and particularly and very appropriately, to the Companions of the Holy Prophet. As referring to the Companions of the Holy Prophet the verse would mean that in the beginning of Islam the Companions of the Prophet spread the Message of truth slowly and gently; as referring to Divine Messengers it means that they appear one after the other with the Message of truth which they spread with love.
The things, agencies or beings, mentioned in this and the following four verses, have been taken by various authorities to refer to winds; angels; God’s Messengers and their followers; and particularly and very appropriately, to the Companions of the Holy Prophet. As referring to the Companions of the Holy Prophet the verse would mean that in the beginning the Companions of the Holy Prophet would spread the Message of Islam slowly and gently.