Al Islam

2934. The verse has been variously interpreted. According to one interpretation the scientists and philosophers, who are proud of the great advance they have made in the material sciences, have been told that they cannot, however great advance they might make in knowledge and science, so completely comprehend all the laws of nature governing the universe as to acquire their complete mastery. Try as they might, they will fail in their quest. According to another interpretation, the verse warns sinners: 'Let them dare break through the confines of the heavens and earth, they shall not be able to defy Divine laws with impunity and escape Divine punishment.' The verse may also point to the making of rockets, sputniks, etc. by means of which the Russians and the Americans are seeking to reach heavenly bodies. They are told that at best they may reach only some of the planets which are nearest to the earth, but God’s universe is unfathomable. (close)

4068. Important Words:

معشر (company) is derived from عاشر and عاشر ھم means, he mixed with them; consorted with them; held social and familiar intercourse with them. معشر among other things means, any company of men whose state of circumstances is one (Lane & Aqrab). This meaning of the word shows that معشر الجن و الانس are the two classes of men and signify the same as الثقلان mentioned in v. 32 above.

Commentary:

The verse has been variously interpreted: According to one interpretation the scientists and philosophers who are proud of the great advance they have made in material sciences have been warned that they cannot however high they might rise in knowledge and science, so completely comprehend the laws of nature governing the universe as to overpower and master them. Try as they might, they will fail in their quest. This interpretation is in accordance with the context. According to another interpretation which also agrees with the context, the verse warns sinners: let them dare to break through the confines of the heavens and earth, they shall not be able to defy divine laws with impunity and escape Divine punishment. It may also point to the making of rockets, sputniks. etc., by means of which the Russians and the Americans seek to reach heavenly bodies. They are told that at best they can reach only those planets which are visible to human eye. Beyond that their efforts shall fail. God’s universe is unfathomable. (close)

2935. The verse points to the most destructive and dreadful punishment which might overtake the two hostile camps. The world seems to stand on the brink of a terrible conflagration which threatens to consume in its flames the entire human civilization. (close)

4069. Important Words:

شواظ (flame) is derived from شاظ. They say شاظ بفلان i.e. he abused such a one and accused him. شاظ الغضب means, he became excited; his anger became enkindled. شواظ means, flame or fire without smoke; heat of fire or sun; flame of fire; thirst or vehement thirst (Lane & Aqrab).

نحاس (smoke) is derived from نحس. They say أنحست النار i.e. the fire had much smoke. نحاس means, molten copper; fire; sparks that fall from brass or iron when it is beaten with the hammer; smoke; smoke in which there is no flame. (Lane, Aqrab & Mufradat).

Commentary:

The verse points to the most destructive and dreadful punishment that might overtake the two hostile camps, if they did not desist from defying Divine commandments. God’s wrath has become excited for "what man has wrought with his hands" (30:42), and the world seems to stand on the brink of a terrible conflagration which threatens to consume in its flames the entire human civilization and to make life extinct. Man had a foretaste of Divine punishment in the last two World Wars but what is yet in store for him staggers imagination. The verse gives a clear picture of the coming catastrophe in the form of nuclear and cosmic horrors. The words فلا تنتصران signify that the two hostile camps will not be able to escape God’s punishment, try as they might. (close)

a. 69:17; 84:2. (close)

2936. What a graphic picture of the threatened punishment! (close)

a. 69:17; 84:2. (close)

4070. Commentary:

What a graphic picture of the threatened punishment! (close)

2937. The misdeeds of the guilty will be writ large on their faces so that they will not be asked whether or not they had committed them. As mentioned elsewhere in the Qur’an (41:21), the very organs of the bodies of disbelievers will bear witness against them. (close)

4071. Commentary:

The verse means that the misdeeds of the guilty will be writ large on their faces so that they will not be asked whether or not they had committed those crimes. As mentioned elsewhere in the Quran (41:21), the very organs of the bodies of disbelievers will bear witness against them. The next verse further explains this point. (close)

4072. Important Words:

النواصی (forelocks) is the plural of ناصیة. The expression أخذ بناصیته is used to denote one’s extreme disgrace and humiliation (Lane & Aqrab). (close)