At-Tin 95:1
The Fig · Juz 30 · Page 597
وَٱلتِّينِ وَٱلزَّيۡتُونِ ١
By the fig and the olive1
1 translator’s note
- Referring to the places known for their production, i.e., Damascus and Jerusalem, respectively. It could also refer to the fig and olive trees or to the fruits themselves. ↩
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Ma'arif al-Qur'an
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Commentary on 95:1–3
Commentary
وَالتِّينِ وَالزَّيْتُونِ (I swear by the Fig and the Olive...95:1). This verse takes an oath by four objects. Two of them are trees, the fig tree and the olive tree. [ The third object ] is Tur, the mount of Sinai, and the fourth object is the City of Makkah. The two trees have been specified because they possess abundant blessings and advantages in the same way as Tur and the City of Makkah possess abundant blessings. Some authorities say that the 'fig' and the 'olive' symbolise, in this context, the lands in which these trees predominate: that is, the countries bordering on the eastern part of the Mediterranean, especially Palestine and Syria. Most of the Prophets (علیہم السلام) lived and preached in these lands, including Holy Prophet Ibrahim (علیہ السلام) . The latter Prophet was made to migrate from here to Makkah. The oaths, in this way, comprehend all the holy places where Allah-inspired men were born and raised as Prophets t. Syria was the land and home of all the Prophets (علیہم السلام) . Mount Sinai stresses specifically the messenger-ship of Musa (علیہ السلام) where Allah spoke to him. 'Peaceful City' refers to Makkah, the birthplace and residence of the Final Messenger of Allah ﷺ .
Page 597
سورة التين
At-Tin
The Fig · Meccan · 8 ayahs
بِسۡمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
95:1
وَٱلتِّينِ وَٱلزَّيۡتُونِ ١
By the fig and the olive1
1 translator’s note
- Referring to the places known for their production, i.e., Damascus and Jerusalem, respectively. It could also refer to the fig and olive trees or to the fruits themselves. ↩
95:2
وَطُورِ سِينِينَ ٢
And [by] Mount Sinai
95:3
وَهَٰذَا ٱلۡبَلَدِ ٱلۡأَمِينِ ٣
And [by] this secure city [i.e., Makkah],
95:4
لَقَدۡ خَلَقۡنَا ٱلۡإِنسَٰنَ فِيٓ أَحۡسَنِ تَقۡوِيمٖ ٤
We have certainly created man in the best of stature;1
1 translator’s note
- i.e., upright, symmetrical, and balanced in form and nature. ↩
95:5
ثُمَّ رَدَدۡنَٰهُ أَسۡفَلَ سَٰفِلِينَ ٥
Then We return him to the lowest of the low,1
1 translator’s note
- This can refer to the depths of Hell, to decrepit old age or to immorality. ↩
95:6
إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ فَلَهُمۡ أَجۡرٌ غَيۡرُ مَمۡنُونٖ ٦
Except for those who believe and do righteous deeds, for they will have a reward uninterrupted.
95:7
فَمَا يُكَذِّبُكَ بَعۡدُ بِٱلدِّينِ ٧
So what yet causes you to deny the Recompense?1
1 translator’s note
- More literally, "What makes you lie concerning it?" ↩
95:8
أَلَيۡسَ ٱللَّهُ بِأَحۡكَمِ ٱلۡحَٰكِمِينَ ٨
Is not Allāh the most just of judges?
سورة العلق
Al-'Alaq
The Clot · Meccan · 19 ayahs
بِسۡمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
96:1
ٱقۡرَأۡ بِٱسۡمِ رَبِّكَ ٱلَّذِي خَلَقَ ١
Recite in the name of your Lord who created –
96:2
خَلَقَ ٱلۡإِنسَٰنَ مِنۡ عَلَقٍ ٢
Created man from a clinging substance.
96:3
ٱقۡرَأۡ وَرَبُّكَ ٱلۡأَكۡرَمُ ٣
Recite, and your Lord is the most Generous -
96:4
ٱلَّذِي عَلَّمَ بِٱلۡقَلَمِ ٤
Who taught by the pen –
96:5
عَلَّمَ ٱلۡإِنسَٰنَ مَا لَمۡ يَعۡلَمۡ ٥
Taught man that which he knew not.
96:6
كـَلَّآ إِنَّ ٱلۡإِنسَٰنَ لَيَطۡغَىٰٓ ٦
No! [But] indeed, man transgresses
96:7
أَن رَّءَاهُ ٱسۡتَغۡنَىٰٓ ٧
Because he sees himself self-sufficient.
96:8
إِنَّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكَ ٱلرُّجۡعَىٰٓ ٨
Indeed, to your Lord is the return.
96:9
أَرَءَيۡتَ ٱلَّذِي يَنۡهَىٰ ٩
Have you seen the one who forbids
96:10
عَبۡدًا إِذَا صَلَّىٰٓ ١٠
A servant when he prays?
96:11
أَرَءَيۡتَ إِن كَانَ عَلَى ٱلۡهُدَىٰٓ ١١
Have you seen if he is upon guidance
96:12
أَوۡ أَمَرَ بِٱلتَّقۡوَىٰٓ ١٢
Or enjoins righteousness?
96:13
أَرَءَيۡتَ إِن كَذَّبَ وَتَوَلَّىٰٓ ١٣
Have you seen if he denies and turns away -
96:14
أَلَمۡ يَعۡلَم بِأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَرَىٰ ١٤
Does he not know that Allāh sees?
96:15
كـَلَّا لَئِن لَّمۡ يَنتَهِ لَنَسۡفَعَۢا بِٱلنَّاصِيَةِ ١٥
No! If he does not desist, We will surely drag him by the forelock1 –
1 translator’s note
- It may also mean "slap him" or "blacken his face at the forelock." ↩
96:16
نَاصِيَةٖ كَٰذِبَةٍ خَاطِئَةٖ ١٦
A lying, sinning forelock.
96:17
فَلۡيَدۡعُ نَادِيَهُۥ ١٧
Then let him call his associates;
96:18
سَنَدۡعُ ٱلزَّبَانِيَةَ ١٨
We will call the angels of Hell.1
1 translator’s note
- Those who push the wicked into the Fire. ↩
96:19
كـَلَّا لَا تُطِعۡهُ وَٱسۡجُدۡۤ وَٱقۡتَرِب۩ ١٩
No! Do not obey him. But prostrate and draw near [to Allāh].