ROOT و ب ق

16:28; 28:63, 75; 41:48.

Important Words:

موبقا (barrier) is derived from وبق i.e. he was ruined. اوبقه means, he destroyed him; disgraced him or imprisoned him. They say فلان یرکب الموبقات او یفعل الموبقات i.e. such a one rides destruction or commits sins which ruin him. موبق means, a place of destruction; a place of danger; prison; a barrier between two things (Aqrab).

Commentary:

The word موبق as shown under Important Words means, (a) a barrier between two things; (b) destruction. According to the first meaning of the word, the Arabic expression, وجعلنا بینھم موبقا would mean that these nations will set up high tariff walls or iron curtains and impose economic boycott upon one another, and according to the second it means that they would become involved in deadly wars which would ruin them.

If the expression بینھم (between them) be taken as referring to the false-gods and their votaries, the verse would mean that a barrier would be set up between the two so that the false gods would not be able to hear the entreaties and supplications of their votaries for intercession when the latter find themselves face to face with Divine punishment.