ROOT ظ م ا

1267

Important Words:

موطأ (track) is derived from وطیء. They say وطئ الشیء he trod upon the thing with his feet or he trampled upon the thing. موطأtherefore, means, a place trod upon; a footstep or footprint (Lane).

Commentary:

The verse relates some of the great advantages which would have accrued to the laggards if they had accompanied the Holy Prophet to Tabuk.

2328

Commentary:

The reference in this and the preceding verse seems to be to the amenities and comforts which are the concomitants of civilized life. These two verses point to the fact that to provide food, clothing and housing to its people which are their primary necessities of life is the first duty of a civilized government and that a society can only be called civilized when all its members are provided with these necessities. Mankind will continue to suffer from social upheavals and the moral tone of human society will never really improve unless economic inequalities of such a serious nature that some sections of society roll in wealth and others die of starvation, are done away with. Adam is told in these verses that he will live in a place where amenities and necessities of life will be adequately available to all its inhabitants. This state of affairs has been described elsewhere in the Quran in the words, And eat therefrom plentifully wherever you will (2:36). The verse under comment also shows that with Adam began a new social order and that he laid the foundations of a kingdom which ushered in the era of social progress of man.

2621

Important Words:

سراب (mirage) is derived from سرب. They say سرب الماء i.e. the water flowed. سرب الرجل means, the man went at random. سرابmeans, anything which on account of the heat of the sun in the middle of the day appears as if it is water reflecting buildings and trees, etc. mirage. The Arabs say ھو أخدع من السراب i.e. he is more deceptive than mirage (Aqrab).

قیعة (plain) is derived from قاع which means, he desisted, etc. قیعة is syn. with قاع and means, even place, plain or level land that produces nothing, low and free from mountains and herbage (Lane & Mufradat). See 20:107.

Commentary:

See next verse.