ROOT ن ز غ

41:37.

Important Words:

نزغ (evil suggestion). They say نزغه نزغا i.e. he found fault with, and spoke evil of, him. نزغ بین القوم means, he incited or excited the people one against another and thus created disorder. نزغه الشیطان الی المعاصی means, Satan incited him to commit sins. النزغ means, an evil speech or evil suggestion meant to incite people against one another (Aqrab).

Commentary:

The address in this verse is to the readers in general and to the Holy Prophet in particular. The first clause of the verse may mean (1) if Satan incites you to anger or makes an evil suggestion to you; or (2) if some wicked person incites you against your enemies or stirs up mischief.

The words, then seek refuge in Allah, mean that in such a case you should control yourselves and pray to God for help.

16:126; 23:97; 41:35.

7:201; 12:101; 41:37.

Commentary:

In v. 16:126 which was actually revealed after the Surah under comment in order of revelation, we have, call unto the way of thy Lord with wisdom and goodly exhortation, and reason with them in a way that is best. The order in which the three precepts to be followed in preaching have been mentioned in these words has been closely observed in the teaching given in the present Surah. This constitutes a strong argument in favour of the contention that the chapters and verses of the Quran have been arranged in an intelligent order and not placed haphazard. Verses 24-40 of the present Surah embody some of the excellent teachings of the Quran and end with the words, this is part of that wisdom which thy Lord has revealed to thee (v. 40). These words correspond to the first injunction contained in 16:126, viz. call unto the way of thy Lord with wisdom. Verses 40-53 begin with the theme "set not up with Allah any other god" and proceed to give teachings concerning the Unity of God. This corresponds to the second precept contained in 16:126 and is expressed by the words "goodly exhortation." A discourse on the Unity of God makes a natural appeal to the sentiments of man. The third principle mentioned in 16:126 was, reason with them in a way that is best. This corresponds to the third injunction, beginning with the verse under comment, viz. say to My servants that they should speak that which is best.

The verse also contains the hint that if Muslims desire to hasten the day of the spiritual resurrection referred to in the previous verse when the whole of Arabia would become Muslim, they should adopt a manner of discourse best calculated to help disbelievers accept Islam.

12:101; 17:54.

Commentary:

نزع meaning, an evil suggestion or mischief, the verse purports to say that evil-minded people always try to put obstacles in the way of truth and incite men of satanic nature against one who preaches the truth to them. It enjoins all preachers of truth to seek God’s protection and pray to Him for help and succour when such an ugly situation faces them. See also 7:201 and 22:53.