Verse 2
The City • makkah
View Aspects
52:5; 95:4.
Commentary:
According to some authorities, the particle لا has been used here to draw pointed attention to the subject which is about to be introduced. According to them, the meaning of the verse is: "Listen! Listen! I call to witness this city." Some other scholars think that the verse signifies that the subject which is going to be introduced is so clear and obvious that it needs no swearing to support it. Yet according to another school the particle is intended to refute an understood objection and the meaning of the verse is: "Not that thou art a forger, as the disbelievers think. Thou art not a forger but a true Prophet of God and this city is called to bear witness to this fact." But more appropriately the verse would mean something like this: "You harbour evil designs about Islam, O, disbelievers! I know what is in your minds, but I tell you that it would never happen as you desire, and I cite this city as a witness to this fact."
52:5; 95:4.
The particle la is used here to draw pointed attention to the subject which is about to be introduced and to signify that it is so clear and obvious that it needs no swearing to support it. Or, it may be intended to refute an understood objection. In that case the meaning would be: 'Not that thou art not a forger, as the disbelievers think, thou art a true Prophet of God and this City is called to bear witness to this fact.' But more appropriately the verse means something like this: 'You harbour evil designs about Islam. O disbelievers, I know what is in your minds, but I tell you that it would never happen as you desire, and I cite this City as a witness to this fact.'