اِنَّہُمۡ اِنۡ یَّظۡہَرُوۡا عَلَیۡکُمۡ یَرۡجُمُوۡکُمۡ اَوۡ یُعِیۡدُوۡکُمۡ فِیۡ مِلَّتِہِمۡ وَ لَنۡ تُفۡلِحُوۡۤا اِذًا اَبَدًا ﴿۲۱﴾
إِنَّهُمۡ إِن يَظۡهَرُواْ عَلَيۡكُمۡ يَرۡجُمُوكُمۡ أَوۡ يُعِيدُوكُمۡ فِي مِلَّتِهِمۡ وَلَن تُفۡلِحُوٓاْ إِذًا أَبَدٗا
English
‘For, if they should come to know of you, they would stone you or make you return to their religion and then will you never prosper.’
English Short Commentary
‘For, if they should prevail against you, they would stone you or force you return to their religion and then you will never prosper.’[1682]
1682. The words, but let him not inform anyone about you, refer to the quiet and unobtrusive penetration of the Western influence in the East. (close)
English Five Volume Commentary
‘For, if they should come to know of you, they would stone you or make you return to their religion and then will you never prosper.’[2061]
2061. Commentary:
The verse means to say that if the people to whom you are sending trade parties became acquainted with your real intentions, or before your feet became firmly established in their country some political quarrel or commercial disagreement arose and you were overpowered, then you would either have to quit their country or embrace their religion. In either ease you would fail to gain a permanent foothold and all your dreams of establishing a great empire in their country would come to naught. (close)
اُردو
یقیناً وہ ایسے لوگ ہیں کہ اگر تم پر غالب آ گئے تو تمہیں سنگسار کر دیں گے یا تمہیں اپنی ملت میں واپس لے جائیں گے اور نتیجۃً تم کبھی فلاح نہیں پاسکو گے۔
اُردو تفسیر صغیر
کیونکہ اگر وہ تم پر غلبہ پالیں تو یقیناً تمہیں سنگسار کر دیں گے یا (جبراً) تمہیں واپس اپنے مذہب میں داخل کر لیں گے اور اس صورت میں تم کبھی (بھی) کامیاب نہیں ہو سکو گے۔
Français
Car, s’ils devaient avoir le dessus sur vous, ils vous lapideraient certainement, ou ils vous feraient retourner à leur religion, et alors vous ne pourriez jamais prospérer. »
Español
“Porque si se os impusieran, os lapidarían u os harían volver a su religión, y entonces nunca prosperaríais”.
Deutsch
Denn wenn sie euch überwältigen sollten, dann würden sie euch steinigen oder euch zu ihrem Glauben zurückbringen, und ihr würdet dann nimmermehr glücklich sein."
وَ کَذٰلِکَ اَعۡثَرۡنَا عَلَیۡہِمۡ لِیَعۡلَمُوۡۤا اَنَّ وَعۡدَ اللّٰہِ حَقٌّ وَّ اَنَّ السَّاعَۃَ لَا رَیۡبَ فِیۡہَا ۚ٭ اِذۡ یَتَنَازَعُوۡنَ بَیۡنَہُمۡ اَمۡرَہُمۡ فَقَالُوا ابۡنُوۡا عَلَیۡہِمۡ بُنۡیَانًا ؕ رَبُّہُمۡ اَعۡلَمُ بِہِمۡ ؕ قَالَ الَّذِیۡنَ غَلَبُوۡا عَلٰۤی اَمۡرِہِمۡ لَنَتَّخِذَنَّ عَلَیۡہِمۡ مَّسۡجِدًا ﴿۲۲﴾
وَكَذَٰلِكَ أَعۡثَرۡنَا عَلَيۡهِمۡ لِيَعۡلَمُوٓاْ أَنَّ وَعۡدَ ٱللَّهِ حَقّٞ وَأَنَّ ٱلسَّاعَةَ لَا رَيۡبَ فِيهَآ إِذۡ يَتَنَٰزَعُونَ بَيۡنَهُمۡ أَمۡرَهُمۡۖ فَقَالُواْ ٱبۡنُواْ عَلَيۡهِم بُنۡيَٰنٗاۖ رَّبُّهُمۡ أَعۡلَمُ بِهِمۡۚ قَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ غَلَبُواْ عَلَىٰٓ أَمۡرِهِمۡ لَنَتَّخِذَنَّ عَلَيۡهِم مَّسۡجِدٗا
English
And thus did We disclose them to the people that they might know that the promise of Allah was true, and that, as to the Hour, there was no doubt about it. And remember the time when people disputed among themselves concerning them, and said, ‘Build over them a building.’ Their Lord knew them best. Those who won their point said, ‘We will, surely, build a place of worship over them.’
English Short Commentary
And thus did We disclose them to the people that they might know [a]that the promise of Allah was true, and that, [b]as to the promised Hour, there was no doubt about it. And call to mind the time when people disputed among themselves concerning them, and said to each other, ‘Build over them a building.’ Their Lord knew them best. Those who won their point said, ‘We will, surely, build a place of worship over them.’[1683]
1683. The words, We will surely build a place of worship over them, mention one of the distinctive marks of the Dwellers of the Cave which is that their successors, the Christian nations, will build churches in memory of their dead saints. It is further worthy of note that many such churches have been found in the catacombs. (close)
English Five Volume Commentary
And thus did We disclose them to the people that they might know [a]that the promise of Allah was true, and that, [b]as to the Hour, there was no doubt about it. And remember the time when people disputed among themselves concerning them, and said, ‘Build over them a building.’ Their Lord knew them best. Those who won their point said, ‘We will, surely, build a place of worship over them.’[2062]
2062. Commentary:
In this verse we are told that these people who had remained aloof from the world for a long time will become known to the ends of the earth, and thus the truth of the prophecy about the rise to great power and dominion of Christian nations in the Latter Days will become established and then the promised hour of which these people were warned will come to pass.
In the words, We will surely build a place of worship over them, the Quran reverts again to the early history of the Dwellers of the Cave and mentions one of their distinctive marks which is that their successors, the Christian nations, will build churches in memory of their dead saints. Muslims or Jews have never erected mosques or synagogues to the memory of their departed saints. Christians are the only people who erect churches to perpetuate the memory of their dead saints; they even bury their dead in churchyards. It is worthy of note that many such churches have been found in the catacombs. (close)
اُردو
اور اسی طرح ہم نے ان کے حالات پر آگاہی بخشی تاکہ وہ لوگ جان لیں کہ اللہ کا وعدہ سچا ہے اور یہ کہ انقلاب کی گھڑی وہ ہے جس میں کوئی شک نہیں۔ جب وہ آپس میں بحث کر رہے تھے تو ان میں سے بعض نے کہا کہ ان پر کوئی یادگار عمارت تعمیر کرو۔ اُن کا ربّ ان کے بارہ میں سب سے زیادہ علم رکھتا ہے۔ اُن لوگوں نے جو اپنے فیصلہ میں غالب آگئے کہا کہ ہم تو یقیناً ان پر ایک مسجد تعمیر کریں گے۔
اُردو تفسیر صغیر
اور اسی طرح ہم نے (لوگوں کو) ان (کے حالات) سے آگاہ کیا ہے تا انہیں معلوم ہو کہ اللہ کا وعدہ پورا ہو کر رہنے والا ہے اور (یہ بھی) کہ اس (موعودہ) گھڑی (کے آنے )میں کچھ بھی شک نہیں (اور اس وقت کو بھی یاد کرو) جب وہ اپنے کام کے متعلق آپس میں گفتگو کرنے لگے اور انہوں نے (ایک دوسرے سے) کہا (کہ) تم ان (کے رہنے کے مقام) پر کوئی عمارت بناٶ۔ ان کا رب ان (کے حال) کو سب سے بہتر جانتا تھا (آخر) جنہوں نے اپنے قول میں غلبہ حاصل کر لیا انہوں نے کہا (کہ) ہم (تو) ان (کے رہنے کے مقام) پر مسجد (ہی) بنائیں گے۔
Français
Et ainsi les avons-Nous révélés aux gens afin qu’ils sachent que la promesse d’Allāh était vraie, et que, quant à l’Heure, il n’y a aucun doute à son sujet. Et souvenez-vous quand les gens se disputèrent entre eux à leur sujet, et certains ont dit : « Erigez un édifice sur eux ». Leur Seigneur les connaissait le mieux. Ceux qui l’emportèrent dans leur décision ont dit : « Nous construirons certainement un lieu d’adoration sur eux. »
Español
Y de este modo los descubrimos a las gentes para que conocieran que la promesa de Al-lah era verdadera y que, en cuanto a la Hora, no había duda alguna respecto a ella. Y acordaos de uando las gentes discutieron entre sí respecto a ellos y algunos dijeron: “Edificad sobre ellos un edificio”. Su Señor los conocía perfectamente. Aquellos cuya opinión prevaleció dijeron: “En verdad, edificaremos un lugar de oración sobre ellos”.
Deutsch
Und so entdeckten Wir sie (den Menschen), damit sie erkennen möchten, dass Allahs Verheißung wahr ist und dass über die "Stunde" kein Zweifel ist. (Und gedenke der Zeit) als die Leute untereinander stritten über sie und sprachen: "Bauet ein Gebäude über ihnen." Ihr Herr wusste sie am besten. Jene, deren Ansicht obsiegte, sprachen: "Wir wollen unbedingt ein Bethaus über ihnen errichten."
سَیَقُوۡلُوۡنَ ثَلٰثَۃٌ رَّابِعُہُمۡ کَلۡبُہُمۡ ۚ وَ یَقُوۡلُوۡنَ خَمۡسَۃٌ سَادِسُہُمۡ کَلۡبُہُمۡ رَجۡمًۢا بِالۡغَیۡبِ ۚ وَ یَقُوۡلُوۡنَ سَبۡعَۃٌ وَّ ثَامِنُہُمۡ کَلۡبُہُمۡ ؕ قُلۡ رَّبِّیۡۤ اَعۡلَمُ بِعِدَّتِہِمۡ مَّا یَعۡلَمُہُمۡ اِلَّا قَلِیۡلٌ ۬۟ فَلَا تُمَارِ فِیۡہِمۡ اِلَّا مِرَآءً ظَاہِرًا ۪ وَّ لَا تَسۡتَفۡتِ فِیۡہِمۡ مِّنۡہُمۡ اَحَدًا ﴿٪۲۳﴾
سَيَقُولُونَ ثَلَٰثَةٞ رَّابِعُهُمۡ كَلۡبُهُمۡ وَيَقُولُونَ خَمۡسَةٞ سَادِسُهُمۡ كَلۡبُهُمۡ رَجۡمَۢا بِٱلۡغَيۡبِۖ وَيَقُولُونَ سَبۡعَةٞ وَثَامِنُهُمۡ كَلۡبُهُمۡۚ قُل رَّبِّيٓ أَعۡلَمُ بِعِدَّتِهِم مَّا يَعۡلَمُهُمۡ إِلَّا قَلِيلٞۗ فَلَا تُمَارِ فِيهِمۡ إِلَّا مِرَآءٗ ظَٰهِرٗا وَلَا تَسۡتَفۡتِ فِيهِم مِّنۡهُمۡ أَحَدٗا
English
Some say, ‘They were three, the fourth was their dog,’ and others say, ‘They were five, the sixth was their dog,’ guessing at random. And yet others say, ‘They were seven, the eighth was their dog.’ Say, ‘My Lord knows best their number. None knows them except a few.’ So argue not concerning them except with arguing that is overpowering, nor seek information about them from any one of them.
English Short Commentary
Some say, ‘They were three, the fourth of them was their dog,’ and others say, ‘They were five, the sixth of them was their dog,’ guessing at random. And yet others say, ‘They were seven, the eighth of them was their dog.’[1684] Say, ‘My Lord knows best their correct number. None knows them except a few.’ So argue not concerning them except with unanswerable arguments, nor seek information concerning them from anyone of them.
1684. These guesses seem to be based on inscriptions on the walls of some of the chambers in the catacombs; but each inscription has reference only to a particular family, party or group. The total number of those who took refuge in the catacombs at any time is not known. A dog seems, from the inscriptions, to have always accompanied a party of refugees. (close)
English Five Volume Commentary
Some say, ‘They were three, the fourth was their dog,’ and others say, ‘They were five, the sixth was their dog,’ guessing at random. And yet others say, ‘They were seven, the eighth was their dog.’ Say, ‘My Lord knows best their number. None knows them except a few.’ So argue not concerning them except with arguing that is overpowering, nor seek information about them from any one of them.[2063]
2063. Important Words:
فلا تمار (So argue not). تمار is derived from مری. They say مری حقه i.e. he disputed, doubted or questioned his right. امتری الشیء means, he elicited the thing. الریح تمری السحاب means, the wind draws forth the clouds. ماراہ means, he disputed or argued with him obstinately (Lane & Aqrab).
ظاھرا (plain) is derived from ظھر i.e. it was or became apparent, plain, manifest or obvious. ظھر البیت means, he got upon the top of the house; ظھر علیه means, he knew, became acquainted with or got knowledge of him or it; he overcame or subdued; gained the mastery or victory or prevailed over him. They say فلان لا یظھر علیه احد i.e. such a one is a person whom no one can overcome or overpower. (Lane & Aqrab).
Commentary:
This verse refers to a popular discussion about the number of the Dwellers of the Cave. The Quran regards all estimates about their number as futile surmises. The words, My Lord knows best their number, dismiss all such discussion as fruitless waste of effort because only God knows what their real number was. The Arabic expression مایعلھم الاقلیل means, (a) none knows their number; the Arabic word قلیل, being the equivalent of the English word 'few,' signifies 'none'; or (b) the expression means that a very few people have knowledge of the truth about them or are acquainted with their history. These fortunate few know that the Dwellers of the Cave were early Christians who in times of persecution under different Roman Emperors took refuge in the catacombs and that they were several thousands in number.
Towards the end of the verse Muslims are admonished not to try to know the details about the Dwellers of the Cave as any effort in this direction will lead them nowhere, rather it is likely to make confusion worse confounded. (close)
اُردو
ضرور وہ کہیں گے کہ وہ تین تھے اور چوتھا ان کا کتا تھا اور وہ بن دیکھے تخمیناً کہیں گے کہ وہ پانچ تھے اور چھٹا ان کا کتا تھا اور کہیں گے کہ وہ سات تھے اور آٹھواں ان کا کتا تھا۔ تُو کہہ دے میرا ربّ ہی ان کی گنتی کو بہتر جانتا ہے اور (اس کے سوا) کوئی ایک بھی انہیں نہیں جانتا ۔ پس تُو ان کے بارہ میں سرسری گفتگو کے سوا بحث نہ کر اور ان سے متعلق ان میں سے کسی سے بھی کوئی بات نہ پوچھ۔
اُردو تفسیر صغیر
وہ (لوگ جو حقیقت حال سے بے خبر ہیں ضرور) غیب کے متعلق اٹکل پچو باتیں کرتے ہوئے (کبھی) کہیں گے (کہ وہ صرف) تین (آدمی) تھے۔ جن کے ساتھ چوتھا ان کا کتا تھا اور (کبھی یہ) کہیں گے (کہ وہ) پانچ تھے جن کے ساتھ چھٹا ان کا کتا تھا اور (ان میں سے بعض یوں بھی) کہیں گے (کہ وہ) سات تھے اور ان کے ساتھ آٹھواں ان کا کتا تھا۔ تو (انہیں) کہہ (کہ) ان کی صحیح گنتی کو اللہ (ہی) بہتر جانتا ہے۔ (اور) تھوڑے لوگوں کے سوا انہیں کوئی نہیں جانتا۔ پس تو ان کے متعلق مضبوط بحث کے سوا کوئی بحث نہ کر۔ اور ان کے بارہ میں ان میں سے کسی سے حقیقت حال دریافت نہ کر۔
Français
Certains disent : « Ils étaient trois, le quatrième était leur chien, » et d’autres disent, devinant au hasard : «Ils étaient cinq, le sixième était leur chien ; » etcertains encore disent : « Ils étaient sept, le huitième était leur chien. » Dis : « Mon Seigneur sait le mieux quel était leur nombre réel. Peu nombreux sont ceux qui possèdent des connaissances sûres à leur sujet. Aussi, n’argumentez pas à leur propos, excepté dans une discussion informelle, et ne cherchez pas non plus des renseignements les concernant de qui que ce soit parmi eux.
Español
Algunos dicen: “Eran tres, el cuarto era su perro” y otros dicen: “Eran cinco, el sexto era su perro”, conjeturando al azar. Y algunos otros dicen: “Eran siete, el octavo era su perro”. Diles: “Mi Señor conoce perfectamente cuál era su número real. Nadie los conoce salvo unos pocos”. No discutáis, pues, respecto a ellos, salvo que se trate de una conversación casual, ni busquéis información sobre los mismos de ninguno de ellos.
Deutsch
Manche sagen: "(Sie waren ihrer) drei, ihr vierter war ihr Hund", und (andere) sagen: "(Sie waren) fünf, ihr sechster war ihr Hund", indem sie herumraten im Dunkel, und (wieder andere) sagen: "(Sie waren) sieben, ihr achter war ihr Hund." Sprich: "Mein Herr kennt am besten ihre Zahl. Niemand weiß sie, außer einigen wenigen." So streite nicht über sie, es sei denn durch zwingendes Beweisen, und suche nicht Kunde über sie bei irgendeinem von ihnen.
وَ لَا تَقُوۡلَنَّ لِشَایۡءٍ اِنِّیۡ فَاعِلٌ ذٰلِکَ غَدًا ﴿ۙ۲۴﴾
وَلَا تَقُولَنَّ لِشَاْيۡءٍ إِنِّي فَاعِلٞ ذَٰلِكَ غَدًا
English
And say not of anything, ‘I am going to do it tomorrow,’
English Short Commentary
And say not of anything, ‘I shall do that tomorrow,’[1685]
1685. The verse may mean that in the time of their decline and degradation Muslims will lose all initiative for any real and useful work and will indulge only in daydreaming and all their activities will remain confined to talking about the future, and they will do nothing to improve their lot. (close)
English Five Volume Commentary
And say not of anything, ‘I am going to do it tomorrow,’[2064]
2064. Commentary:
The verse refers to the time when Christian nations will have attained great power and predominance in the world. Muslims of that time—of the present time—are warned that it would be then suicidal on their part to try to fight Christian nations with material means, because the military might and material means of the latter would be too much for any single people or a combination of peoples to fight them successfully. It is to this all-powerfulness of Christian nations of the west in the Latter Days that the well-known hadith لایدان لاحد لقتالھم i.e. no one will have the power to fight them successfully (Muslim, vol. 4, Chap. on Dajjal) refers. Muslims are warned that in the days of their powerlessness before Christian nations they should not indulge in idle boasts of adopting one scheme or the other against them, but should respond to the call of one whom God would raise to take them out of the slough of despond into which they would have fallen. The verse may also mean that in the time of their decline and degradation Muslims will lose all initiative for any real and useful work and will indulge only in daydreaming and holding out impotent threats to their enemies. All their activities will then remain confined to talking about the future and they would do nothing to improve their miserable lot.
Some commentators of the Quran have given currency to the baseless legend that this verse admonishes the Holy Prophet that he should never fail to utter the formula انشاء اللّٰه i.e. " If God so wills it," while beginning to do any work, because on one occasion before doing a certain thing he had forgotten to utter this formula. There is no reference here to any such legend. (close)
اُردو
اور ہرگز کسی چیز سے متعلق یہ نہ کہا کر کہ میں کل اسے ضرور کروں گا۔
اُردو تفسیر صغیر
اور تو کسی بات کے متعلق (دعویٰ سے) ہرگز نہ کہہ (کہ) میں کل یہ (کام) ضرور کروں گا۔
Français
Et ne dis pas de quoi que ce soit : « Certainement je vais le faire demain, »
Español
No digas nunca de ninguna cosa: “La haré mañana”,
Deutsch
Und sprich nie von einer Sache: "Ich werde es morgen tun",
اِلَّاۤ اَنۡ یَّشَآءَ اللّٰہُ ۫ وَ اذۡکُرۡ رَّبَّکَ اِذَا نَسِیۡتَ وَ قُلۡ عَسٰۤی اَنۡ یَّہۡدِیَنِ رَبِّیۡ لِاَقۡرَبَ مِنۡ ہٰذَا رَشَدًا ﴿۲۵﴾
إِلَّآ أَن يَشَآءَ ٱللَّهُۚ وَٱذۡكُر رَّبَّكَ إِذَا نَسِيتَ وَقُلۡ عَسَىٰٓ أَن يَهۡدِيَنِ رَبِّي لِأَقۡرَبَ مِنۡ هَٰذَا رَشَدٗا
English
Unless Allah should will. And remember thy Lord when thou forgettest, and say, ‘I hope my Lord will guide me to what is even nearer than this to the right path.’
English Short Commentary
[a]Unless Allah should will.And remember thy Lord when thou forgetest and say, ‘I hope my Lord will guide me to what is even nearer than this to the right path.’
English Five Volume Commentary
[a]Unless Allah should will. And remember thy Lord when thou forgettest, and say, ‘I hope my Lord will guide me to what is even nearer than this to the right path.’[2065]
2065. Commentary:
The verse purports to say to Muslims that in their hour of despondency and helplessness before the irresistible might of Christian nations, they should not for a moment entertain the idea that they can ever successfully fight them with material means. On the contrary, they should have firm faith in God’s promises that He would never let Islam down and would Himself create circumstances that would bring about the complete downfall and destruction of these nations. (close)
اُردو
سوائے اس کے کہ اللہ چاہے۔ اور جب تُو بھول جائے تو اپنے ربّ کو یاد کیا کر اور کہہ دے کہ بعید نہیں کہ میرا ربّ اس سے زیادہ درست بات کی طرف میری راہنمائی کردے۔
اُردو تفسیر صغیر
ہاں (صرف اس طرح کروں گا) جس طرح اللہ چاہے گا۔ اور جب (کسی وقت) تو بھول جائے تو (یاد آجانے پر) اپنے رب (کے وعدوں) کو یاد (کرلیا) کر اور کہہ دیا کر (کہ مجھے کامل) امید ہے کہ میرا رب (آخر مجھے کامیاب کردے گا اور) مجھے اس راستہ پر چلائے گا جو ہدایت پانے کے لحاظ سے اس (راستہ) سے (جو میرا تجویز کردہ ہے تکمیل کے) زیادہ قریب ہوگا۔
Français
A moins qu’Allāh le veuille. Et souviens-toi de ton Seigneur quand tu oublies quelque chose, et dis : « J’espère que mon Seigneur me guidera vers ce qui est encore plus près du bon chemin que ceci. »
Español
A menos que Al-lah lo quiera. Recuerda a tu Señor cuando olvides y di: “Espero que mi Señor me guíe a lo que está aún más cerca del camino recto que esto”.
Deutsch
es sei denn: "So Allah will" Und gedenke deines Herrn, wenn du es vergessen hast, und sprich: "Ich hoffe, mein Herr wird mich noch näher als dies zum rechten Wege führen."
وَ لَبِثُوۡا فِیۡ کَہۡفِہِمۡ ثَلٰثَ مِائَۃٍ سِنِیۡنَ وَ ازۡدَادُوۡا تِسۡعًا ﴿۲۶﴾
وَلَبِثُواْ فِي كَهۡفِهِمۡ ثَلَٰثَ مِاْئَةٖ سِنِينَ وَٱزۡدَادُواْ تِسۡعٗا
English
And they stayed in their Cave three hundred years, and added nine more.
English Short Commentary
And they stayed in their Cave three hundred years and to that they added nine.[1686]
1686. The period in which early Christians were subjected to persecution and had frequently to take refuge in caves and other places of hiding extends approximately over 309 years, and historical data have corroborated this calculation. As popularly believed the persecution of Christians began with Jesus’s Crucifixion in 28 A.D., and ended with Emperor Constantine’s conversion to Christianity in 337 A.D. (Enc. Brit.), a period of about 309 years. And Constantine was not converted in 337 A.D., but in 309 A.D. The tragedy of the Crucifixion took place 28 years later than is generally believed (Chronology by Archbishop Ushers & Daily Bible Illustrations by Dr. Kitto). (close)
English Five Volume Commentary
And they stayed in their Cave three hundred years, and added nine more.[2066]
2066. Commentary:
This verse sheds some light on the duration of the period in which early Christians were subjected to persecution and had frequently to take refuge in caves and other places of concealment. This period extends over 309 years and historical data have corroborated this calculation. As popularly believed the persecution of Christians began with Jesus’ Crucifixion in 28 A.D. and ended with the Emperor Constantine’s conversion to Christianity in 337 A.D. (Enc. Brit., 14th edition, vol. 5), a period of about 309 years. These dates, however, are not correct. If we delve a little more deeply into the history of early Christianity the fact is disclosed to us that Emperor Constantine did not become a Christian in 337 A.D. as is the popular belief but in 309 A.D., as history shows. The astonishing fact that the Christian Calendar now in use is not free from chronological anachronisms has been admitted by Christian scholars themselves. Archbishop Ushers and Dr. Kitto in their well-known books, "Chronology" and "Daily Bible Illustrations," after elaborate research into the chronology of early Christianity, have been compelled to admit that chronological data show that Jesus was five and not thirty-three years old at the time when the Crucifixion is supposed to have taken place i.e. the tragedy of the Crucifixion took place 28 years later than is generally believed. Thus subtracting 28 from 337 it becomes established that the year of Constantine’s conversion was 309 A.D., when with Christianity becoming the State religion of the Roman Empire persecution of Christians completely ceased. So even Christian historical records support the Quran in stating that early Christians continued to be persecuted, off and on, for 309 years.
The verse incidentally impresses upon Muslims who, like اصحاب کھف now are and may, also in future, be the victims of similar persecution, the desirability of bearing with patience and fortitude their trials and tribulations so that they may become entitled to Divinefavours. (close)
اُردو
اور وہ اپنی غار میں تین سو سال کے دوران گنتی کے چند سال رہے اور اس پر انہوں نے مزید نو کا اضافہ کیا۔
اُردو تفسیر صغیر
اور (بعض لوگ یہ بھی کہتے ہیں کہ) وہ اپنی وسیع پناہ گاہ میں تین سو سال تک رہے تھے اور (اس عرصہ پر) نو (سال) انہوں نے اور بڑھائے تھے۔
Français
Et ils restèrent trois cents ans dans leur Caverne, et y ajoutèrent neuf de plus.
Español
Mas permanecieron en su Caverna trescientos años, y a eso añadieron nueve.
Deutsch
Und sie blieben dreihundert Jahre lang in ihrer Höhle, noch neun hinzugefügt.
قُلِ اللّٰہُ اَعۡلَمُ بِمَا لَبِثُوۡا ۚ لَہٗ غَیۡبُ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَ الۡاَرۡضِ ؕ اَبۡصِرۡ بِہٖ وَ اَسۡمِعۡ ؕ مَا لَہُمۡ مِّنۡ دُوۡنِہٖ مِنۡ وَّلِیٍّ ۫ وَّ لَا یُشۡرِکُ فِیۡ حُکۡمِہٖۤ اَحَدًا ﴿۲۷﴾
قُلِ ٱللَّهُ أَعۡلَمُ بِمَا لَبِثُواْۖ لَهُۥ غَيۡبُ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِۖ أَبۡصِرۡ بِهِۦ وَأَسۡمِعۡۚ مَا لَهُم مِّن دُونِهِۦ مِن وَلِيّٖ وَلَا يُشۡرِكُ فِي حُكۡمِهِۦٓ أَحَدٗا
English
Say, ‘Allah knows best how long they tarried.’ To Him belong the secrets of the heavens and the earth. How Seeing is He! and how Hearing! They have no helper beside Him, and He does not let anyone share in His government.
English Short Commentary
Say, ‘Allah knows best how long they tarried.’[1687] [a]To Him belong the secrets of the heavens and the earth. [b]How Seeing is He, and how Hearing![1687A] They have no helper beside Him, and He does not let anyone share in His judgment.
1687. The early Christians were persecuted in many lands and at different times, e.g. in Rome, Alexandria, etc. They were compelled to seek refuge in caves and catacombs at different times and for different periods. Their stay in the catacombs was not a single, uninterrupted episode. The exact length of the total period of such stay is known only to Allah. (close)
1687A. The words also mean: 'Clear is His Sight and keen His Hearing' or 'He sees all and hears all.' (close)
English Five Volume Commentary
Say, ‘Allah knows best how long they tarried.’ [a]To Him belong the secrets of the heavens and the earth. [b]How Seeing is He! and how Hearing! They have no helper beside Him, and He does not let any one share in His government.[2067]
2067. Commentary:
The words, Say, Allah knows best how long they tarried, purport to say that histories written by Christian writers assign 337 years as the period of the persecution of early Christians and therefore seem to contradict the Quranic statement that this period was 309 years. But this calculation as shown in the previous verse is at fault because the Quran is the revealed word of God and God cannot err in His calculations. Later research into old historical records as explained elsewhere has also supported the Quran. The present verse does not contradict the words, And they stayed in their Cave three hundred years and added nine more (v. 26). These words do not refer to the popular view about the period for which early Christians took refuge in caves but are God’s own words. So the expression, Allah knows best how long they tarried, not only does not contradict but actually supports and corroborates these words.
The words, How Seeing is He! and how Hearing, lend further support to the view that Christian chronologists have erred in fixing the present date of Jesus’ birth and his Crucifixion and that the Quranic statement with regard to the period for which اصحاب الکھف (Dwellers of the Cave) remained hidden in caves is correct. (close)
اُردو
تُو کہہ دے کہ اللہ ہی بہتر جانتا ہے کہ وہ کتنی مدت رہے۔ آسمانوں اور زمین کا غیب اسی کا ہے۔ کیا ہی خوب دیکھنے والا اور کیا ہی خوب سننے والاہے۔ اس کے سوا ان کا کوئی دوست نہیں اور وہ اپنی حکومت میں کسی کو شریک نہیں بناتا۔
اُردو تفسیر صغیر
تو (انہیں) کہہ (کہ) جتنا (عرصہ غار میں) وہ ٹھہرے رہے اسے اللہ (ہی) بہتر جانتا ہے۔ آسمانوں اور زمین کا غیب اسی کے لئے ہے وہ خوب ہی دیکھنے والا اور خوب ہی سننے والا ہے۔ ان (لوگوں) کا اس کے سوا کوئی بھی مددگار نہیں ہے اور وہ اپنے حکم (اور فیصلوں) میں کسی کو (اپنا) شریک نہیں بناتا۔
Français
Dis : « Allāh sait le mieux combien de temps ils y sont restés. » C’est à Lui qu’appartient l’invisible dans les cieux et sur la terre. Quelle vue qu'est la Sienne et quelle ouïe ! Il n’existe aucun ami pour eux à part Lui, et Il ne permet à personne d’avoir une part dans Son autorité.
Español
Diles: “Al-lah sabe perfectamente cuánto tiempo permanecieron allí”. A Él pertenecen lo invisible de los cielos y la tierra. ¡Qué Vista y qué Oído tiene! No tienen amigos aparte de Él, y Él no permite que nadie comparta Su autoridad.
Deutsch
Sprich: "Allah weiß am besten, wie lange sie darin verweilten. Sein sind die Geheimnisse der Himmel und der Erde. Wie sehend ist Er und wie hörend! Sie haben keinen Helfer außer Ihm, und Er teilt Seine Befehlsgewalt mit keinem."
وَ اتۡلُ مَاۤ اُوۡحِیَ اِلَیۡکَ مِنۡ کِتَابِ رَبِّکَ ۚؕ لَا مُبَدِّلَ لِکَلِمٰتِہٖ ۚ۟ وَ لَنۡ تَجِدَ مِنۡ دُوۡنِہٖ مُلۡتَحَدًا ﴿۲۸﴾
وَٱتۡلُ مَآ أُوحِيَ إِلَيۡكَ مِن كِتَابِ رَبِّكَۖ لَا مُبَدِّلَ لِكَلِمَٰتِهِۦ وَلَن تَجِدَ مِن دُونِهِۦ مُلۡتَحَدٗا
English
And recite what has been revealed to thee of the Book of thy Lord. There is none who can change His words, and thou wilt find no refuge beside Him.
English Short Commentary
‘And recite what has been revealed to thee of the Book of thy Lord. [c]There is none who can change His words, and thou wilt find no refuge beside Him.
English Five Volume Commentary
[a]And recite what has been revealed to thee of the Book of thy Lord. [b]There is none who can change His words, and thou wilt find no refuge beside Him.[2068]
2068. Commentary:
The verse makes it clear that the above account of the Dwellers of the Cave is not meant merely as an interesting narrative but refers to events of the past of great spiritual significance, at the same time constituting a forewarning to Muslims to be always prepared for hardships like those that the Dwellers of the Cave had to suffer. In fact according to Ibn ‘Abbas the Holy Prophet is reported to have said that اصحاب الکھف (Dwellers of the Cave) are the companions of the Imam Mahdi (Manthur). The words, there is none who can change His words, also support the assumption that the account of the Dwellers of the Cave contains mighty prophecies, otherwise there was no sense in using such challenging words as these. See the following verses. (close)
اُردو
اور تلاوت کر اُس کی جو تیرے ربّ کی کتاب میں سے تیری طرف وحی کیا جاتا ہے۔ اس کے کلمات کو کوئی تبدیل نہیں کر سکتا اور تُو اس کے سوا ہرگز کوئی پناہ گاہ نہ پائے گا۔
اُردو تفسیر صغیر
اور تیرے رب کی کتاب میں سے جو (حصہ) تجھ پر وحی (کے ذریعہ سے نازل) ہوتا ہے اسے پڑھ (کر لوگوں کو سنا) اس کی باتوں کو کوئی بھی تبدیل کر سکنے والا نہیں ہے اور اسے چھوڑ کر تو کوئی پناہ کی جگہ نہیں پائے گا۔
Français
Et récite ce qui t’a été révélé du Livre de ton Seigneur. Personne ne peut changer Ses paroles, et tu ne trouveras aucun refuge en dehors de Lui.
Español
“Recita lo que te ha sido revelado del Libro de tu Señor. No hay nadie que pueda cambiar Sus palabras, y no hallarás refugio fuera de Él”.
Deutsch
Und verlies, was dir von dem Buche deines Herrn offenbart ward. Da ist keiner, der Seine Worte verändern könnte, und du wirst außer Ihm keine Zuflucht finden.
وَ اصۡبِرۡ نَفۡسَکَ مَعَ الَّذِیۡنَ یَدۡعُوۡنَ رَبَّہُمۡ بِالۡغَدٰوۃِ وَ الۡعَشِیِّ یُرِیۡدُوۡنَ وَجۡہَہٗ وَ لَا تَعۡدُ عَیۡنٰکَ عَنۡہُمۡ ۚ تُرِیۡدُ زِیۡنَۃَ الۡحَیٰوۃِ الدُّنۡیَا ۚ وَ لَا تُطِعۡ مَنۡ اَغۡفَلۡنَا قَلۡبَہٗ عَنۡ ذِکۡرِنَا وَ اتَّبَعَ ہَوٰٮہُ وَ کَانَ اَمۡرُہٗ فُرُطًا ﴿۲۹﴾
وَٱصۡبِرۡ نَفۡسَكَ مَعَ ٱلَّذِينَ يَدۡعُونَ رَبَّهُم بِٱلۡغَدَوٰةِ وَٱلۡعَشِيِّ يُرِيدُونَ وَجۡهَهُۥۖ وَلَا تَعۡدُ عَيۡنَاكَ عَنۡهُمۡ تُرِيدُ زِينَةَ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَاۖ وَلَا تُطِعۡ مَنۡ أَغۡفَلۡنَا قَلۡبَهُۥ عَن ذِكۡرِنَا وَٱتَّبَعَ هَوَىٰهُ وَكَانَ أَمۡرُهُۥ فُرُطٗا
English
And keep thyself attached to those who call on their Lord, morning and evening, seeking His pleasure; and let not thy eyes pass beyond them, seeking the adornment of the life of the world; and obey not him whose heart We have made heedless of Our remembrance and who follows his evil inclinations, and his case exceeds all bounds.
English Short Commentary
[a]And keep thyself attached to those who call on their Lord morning and evening, seeking His pleasure; and let not thine eyes pass beyond them, seeking the adornment of the life of the world; and obey not him whose heart We have made heedless of Our remembrance and who follows his low desires, and his case exceeds all legitimate bounds.
English Five Volume Commentary
[c]And keep thyself attached to those who call on their Lord, morning and evening, seeking His pleasure; and let not thy eyes pass beyond them, seeking the adornment of the life of the world; and obey not him whose heart We have made heedless of Our remembrance and who follows his evil inclinations and his case exceeds all bounds.[2069]
2069. Commentary:
This verse lends further support to the fact that the preceding verses embody some very important prophecies. In fact, we are here told that at the time of the predominance and ascendancy of Christian nations there will be living in the world a people who, as true representatives of Islam, will be engaged night and day in prayer and Divine worship. The so-called Muslims will, at that time—the time of Imam Mahdi—pin all their hopes about the future political glory and greatness of Islam on the employment of material means and will look down upon the poor and politically unimportant followers of the Imam Mahdi for concentrating on prayer and worship. The verse warns Muslims that on prayer and Divine worship alone will depend the eventual salvation and success of Islam.
The verse further mentions the following three main causes of the misfortunes and miseries of Muslims at that time: (a) they will be neglectful of prayer and Divine worship; (b) love of the world will be their overpowering passion; and (c) they will be wholly lost in the pursuit of material comforts and a life of luxury. But their deliverance will lie in a complete change of their outlook and the programme of their life. (close)
اُردو
اور تُو خود بھی صبر کر اُن لوگوں کے ساتھ جو صبح بھی اور شام کو بھی اپنے ربّ کو، اس کی رضا چاہتے ہوئے، پکارتے ہیں۔ اور تیری نگاہیں اُن سے تجاوز نہ کریں اس حال میں کہ تو دنیا کی زندگی کی زینت چاہتا ہو۔ اور اس کی پیروی نہ کر جس کے دل کو ہم نے اپنی یاد سے غافل کر رکھا ہے اور وہ اپنی ہوس کے پیچھے لگ گیا ہے اور اس کا معاملہ حد سے بڑھا ہوا ہے۔
اُردو تفسیر صغیر
اور اپنے آپ کو ان لوگوں کے ساتھ رکھ جو اپنے رب کو اس کی خوشنودی چاہتے ہوئے صبح و شام پکارتے ہیں اور تیری نظریں ان کو پیچھے چھوڑ کر آگے نہ نکل جائیں (اور اگر تو ایسا کرے گا تو) تو ورلی زندگی کی زینت چاہے گا اور جس کے دل کو ہم نے اپنی یاد سے غافل کر دیا ہو اور اس نے اپنی گری ہوئی خواہش کی پیروی اختیار کی ہو اور اس کا معاملہ حد سے بڑھا ہوا ہو اس کی فرمانبرداری مت کر۔
Français
Et toi-même fais preuve de patience en compagnie de ceux qui invoquent leur Seigneur, matin et soir, tout en recherchant Son plaisir ; et ne laisse pas tes yeux aller au-delà d’eux, en quête de l’ornement de la vie de ce monde ; et n’obéis pas à celui dont Nous avons rendu le cœur indifférent à Notre souvenir, et qui suit ses mauvais penchants, et dont le cas dépasse toutes les limites.
Español
Mantente unido a quienes invocan a su Señor, mañana y tarde, buscando Su agrado; no permitas que tus ojos se aparten de ellos, buscando las galas de la vida del mundo; y no obedezcas a aquel cuyo corazón lo hemos hecho distraído de Nuestro recuerdo ni a quien sigue sus inclinaciones malvadas, superando en su conducta todos los límites.
Deutsch
Halte dich zu denen, die ihren Herrn anrufen des Morgens und des Abends, im Trachten nach Seinem Wohlgefallen; und lass deine Blicke nicht über sie hinauswandern, indem du nach dem Gepränge des irdischen Lebens begehrst; und gehorche nicht dem, dessen Herz Wir achtlos machten der Erinnerung an Uns, der seinen bösen Gelüsten folgt und dessen Fall ein äußerster ist.
وَ قُلِ الۡحَقُّ مِنۡ رَّبِّکُمۡ ۟ فَمَنۡ شَآءَ فَلۡیُؤۡمِنۡ وَّ مَنۡ شَآءَ فَلۡیَکۡفُرۡ ۙ اِنَّاۤ اَعۡتَدۡنَا لِلظّٰلِمِیۡنَ نَارًا ۙ اَحَاطَ بِہِمۡ سُرَادِقُہَا ؕ وَ اِنۡ یَّسۡتَغِیۡثُوۡا یُغَاثُوۡا بِمَآءٍ کَالۡمُہۡلِ یَشۡوِی الۡوُجُوۡہَ ؕ بِئۡسَ الشَّرَابُ ؕ وَ سَآءَتۡ مُرۡتَفَقًا ﴿۳۰﴾
وَقُلِ ٱلۡحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّكُمۡۖ فَمَن شَآءَ فَلۡيُؤۡمِن وَمَن شَآءَ فَلۡيَكۡفُرۡۚ إِنَّآ أَعۡتَدۡنَا لِلظَّـٰلِمِينَ نَارًا أَحَاطَ بِهِمۡ سُرَادِقُهَاۚ وَإِن يَسۡتَغِيثُواْ يُغَاثُواْ بِمَآءٖ كَٱلۡمُهۡلِ يَشۡوِي ٱلۡوُجُوهَۚ بِئۡسَ ٱلشَّرَابُ وَسَآءَتۡ مُرۡتَفَقًا
English
And say, ‘It is the truth from your Lord; wherefore let him who will, believe, and let him who will, disbelieve.’ Verily, We have prepared for the wrongdoers a fire whose flaming canopy shall enclose them. And if they cry for help, they will be helped with water like molten lead which will burn the faces. How dreadful the drink, and how evil is the Fire as a resting place!
English Short Commentary
And say, [b]‘It is the truth from your Lord; wherefore let him who will, believe, and let him, who will, disbelieve.’ [c]Verily, We have prepared for the wrongdoers a fire whose flaming canopy shall enclose them. And if they cry for help, they will be helped with water like molten lead which would scald their faces. How dreadful the drink and how evil the resting place!
English Five Volume Commentary
And say, [a]‘It is the truth from your Lord; wherefore let him who will, believe, and let him who will, disbelieve.’ [b]Verily, We have prepared for the wrongdoers a fire whose flaming canopy shall enclose them. And if they cry for help, they will be helped with water like molten lead which would burn the faces. How dreadful the drink, and how evil is the Fire as a resting place![2070]
2070. Important Words:
سرادقھا (whose tent). سرادق is derived from سردق. They say سردق البیت i.e. he covered the house with an awning over its interior court. سرادق means, an awning extended over the interior court of a house; a tent of cotton or hair-cloth; a tent; smoke rising high and surrounding a thing; dust rising or spreading itself. They say سرادق المجد علیک ممدود i.e. the canopy of glory is extended over thee (Lane & Aqrab).
مرتفقا (resting place) is derived from رفق i.e. he was or became gentle or he acted or behaved gently ارتفق means, he bought or demanded aid or help or he profited by him or it (a thing) or he made use of it; he leaned upon his elbow; and, it was or became full. مرتفقا means, a place or thing upon which one leans, hence a place of rest (Lane & Aqrab).
Commentary:
The words, It is the truth from your Lord, signify that the prophecy, implied in the foregoing verses, that the great material might and glory of Western Christian nations will be reduced to dust and that Islam will emerge triumphant and full of new life shall most surely come to pass.
The words, let him who will, believe, and let him who will, disbelieve, hint that the time of the Imam Mahdi will not be the time for waging jihad by the sword, but for the peaceful preaching of Islam.
The last part of the verse answers a natural question that arises from the first part, viz. if there was to be no jihad by the sword how was Islam to come into its own? To this question the last part of the verse returns the answer that God Himself will see to it that the seemingly irresistible might of western Christian nations is completely broken. Divine punish-ment will overtake these nations in the form of wars which will not end until their power is completely shattered and is reduced to ashes and dust. Molten lead and iron will scorch their faces. They will cry for peace and will get bombs and gun-shots instead. Their beautiful residences will become unfit for human habitation and life will become a veritable hell for them. All their efforts to bring about peace in the world, being insincere and dishonest, will come to nothing. (close)
اُردو
اور کہہ دے کہ حق وہی ہے جو تمہارے ربّ کی طرف سے ہو۔ پس جو چاہے وہ ایمان لے آئے اور جو چاہے سو انکار کر دے۔ یقیناً ہم نے ظالموں کے لئے ایسی آگ تیار کر رکھی ہے جس کی دیواریں انہیں گھیرے میں لے لیں گی اور اگر وہ پانی مانگیں گے تو اُنہیں ایسا پانی دیا جائے گا جو پگھلے ہوئے تانبے کی طرح ہوگا جو اُن کے چہروں کو جھلسا دے گا۔ بہت ہی بُرا مشروب ہے اور بہت ہی بُری آرام گاہ ہے۔
اُردو تفسیر صغیر
اور (لوگوں کو) کہہ دے (کہ) یہ سچائی تمہارے رب کی طرف سے ہی (نازل ہوئی) پس جو چاہے (اس پر) ایمان لائے اور جو چاہے (اس کا) انکار کر دے (مگر یہ یاد رکھے کہ) ہم نے ظالموں کے لئے یقیناً ایک آگ تیار کی ہے جس کی چار دیواری نے (اب بھی) انہیں گھیرا ہوا ہے اور اگر وہ فریاد کریں گے تو ایسے پانی سے ان کی فریاد رسی کی جائے گی جو پگھلے ہوئے تانبے کی طرح ہوگا (اور) چہروں کو جھلس دے گا۔ وہ بہت بری پینے کی چیز ہوگی۔ اور وہ (آگ) برا ٹھکانا ہے۔
Français
Et dis : « C’est la vérité de la part de votre Seigneur ; ainsi, que croie celui qui le veut, et que ne croie pas celui qui ne le veut pas. » En vérité, Nous avons préparé pour les injustes un feu dont les murs les entoureront. Et s’ils demandent à boire, ils seront abreuvés d’une eau tel le cuivre fondu qui leur brûlera le visage. Quel breuvage redoutable ! Et quel mauvais lieu de repos que le Feu !
Español
Diles: “Es la verdad de vuestro Señor; por tanto, el que quiera creer, que crea, y el que no quiera creer, no crea”. En verdad, ara los malvados hemos preparado un fuego cuyo dosel llameante los rodeará. Y si gritan pidiendo ayuda, recibirán agua como plomo fundido que les quemará los rostros. ¡Qué horrible bebida y qué espantoso es el Fuego como lugar de reposo!
Deutsch
Und sprich: "Die Wahrheit ist es von eurem Herrn: darum lass den gläubig sein, der will, und den ungläubig sein, der will." Siehe, Wir haben für die Frevler ein Feuer bereitet, dessen Zelt sie umschließen wird. Wenn sie dann um Hilfe schreien, so wird ihnen geholfen werden mit Wasser gleich geschmolzenem Blei, das die Gesichter verbrennt. Wie schrecklich ist der Trank, und wie schlimm ist das (Feuer) als Lagerstatt!