Al Islam

b. 13:32. (close)

4820A. Important Words:

القارعة (the Great Calamity) is derived from قرع. They say قرع الباب i.e. he knocked at the door. قرعه أمر means, the affair came on him all of a sudden. قارعة means, a great and sudden calamity; the Day of Resurrection; an army marching forth and striking the enemy suddenly (Aqrab & Taj). See also 13:32.

Commentary:

The particle ال particularizes قارعة (calamity) and imparts to it a special significance. القارعة thus means, a great calamity; the Promised Calamity or the Day of Judgement. (close)

3418. Whereas the particle al added to Qari‘ah has particularized the calamity and heightened its dreadfulness, the addition of the particle ma (what) makes it all the more severe and destructive. (close)

4821. Commentary:

Whereas the particle ال added to قارعة has particularized the calamity and heightened its dreadfulness, the addition of the particle ما (what) makes it still more severe and destructive. (close)

3419. The calamity would be so catastrophic that it is impossible to conceive of its dreadfulness, much less to describe it in words. See also 69:2-5 where an identical expression to produce an analogous effect has been used. Qari‘ah, besides a great calamity, signifies punishment that comes suddenly. (close)

4822. Commentary:

The verse signifies that the calamity would be so catastrophic that it is impossible to conceive of its dreadfulness, much less to describe it in words. See also 69:2-5 where an identical expression to produce an analogous effect has been used. القارعة besides a great calamity, signifies punishment that suddenly comes upon disbelievers. (close)

4823. Commentary:

Because it is beyond human mind to conceive of the dreadfulness of the calamity, a few of its horrible effects have been pointed out. This and the next verse give some idea of the confusion and distress it will cause.

The terrific and cataclysmic happening will scatter the people like flakes of carded wool, not finding refuge anywhere. (close)

3420. Because it is beyond human mind to conceive of the dreadfulness of that calamity, a few only of its horrible effects have been pointed out. This and the next verse give some idea of the confusion and distress it will cause. The terrific and cataclysmic happening will scatter the people like flakes of carded wool and they will find refuge nowhere. (close)

b. 7:9; 23:103. (close)

3421. When used in relation to an individual, Mawazin means his works; but when used in relation to a nation it signifies, its material means and resources. According to the present-day terminology of war, 'tonnage' seems to be an appropriate rendering of the word. In the latter sense the verse would mean that a nation, whose material resources are great or whose tonnage of steamships or aeroplanes is heavy, will predominate over its adversaries, and this fact will add to its prestige and power and consequently to its happiness. (close)

a. 7:9; 23:103. (close)

4824. Commentary:

When used in relation to an individual موازین means, his works, but when used in relation to a nation, it means, its material means and resources; and according to the present-day terminology of war, 'tonnage' seems to be an exact rendering of the word. In the latter sense of the word the verse would mean that a nation whose material resources or tonnage of steamships or aeroplanes is heavy will predominate over its adversaries and this fact will add to its prestige and power and consequently to its happiness. (close)

a. 7:10; 23:104. (close)

b. 7:10; 23:104. (close)

3422. The connection of the sinful people with Hell will be like that of a baby with its mother. Just as the embryo goes through various stages of development in the womb till it is born in the form of a full-fledged human being, so will the guilty people pass through different stages of spiritual torture, till their souls are completely cleansed of the taint of sin and they receive a new birth. Thus, the punishment of Hell is intended to make the wicked repent of their sins and to reform themselves. According to Islamic concept Hell is a penitentiary. (close)

4825. Commentary:

أم primarily meaning, 'mother' has a variety of secondary significations such as source, origin; support; an abode, etc. (Lane & Aqrab).

The verse signifies that the connection of the sinful people with Hell will be like that of a baby with its mother. Just as the embryo goes through various stages of development in the womb till it is born as a full-fledged human being, so will the guilty people pass through different stages of spiritual torture, till their souls are completely cleansed of the taint of sin and they will thus receive a new birth. Thus the punishments of Hell are intended to make the wicked repent of their sins and so reform themselves. According to Islamic concept Hell is a penitentiary. (close)