بِسۡمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
بِسۡمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
Al-'Alaq 96:6
The Clot · Juz 30 · Page 597
كـَلَّآ إِنَّ ٱلۡإِنسَٰنَ لَيَطۡغَىٰٓ ٦
No! [But] indeed, man transgresses
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Ma'arif al-Qur'an
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Commentary on 96:6–7
Verses [ 6-7] كَلَّا إِنَّ الْإِنسَانَ لَيَطْغَىٰ أَن رَّآهُ اسْتَغْنَىٰ (The fact is that man crosses the limits, because he deems himself to be free of need.) Although the verse immediately refers to a particular person, namely, Abu Jahl who insulted the Holy Prophet ﷺ ، the statement is general which draws man's attention to one of his weaknesses. So long as man is in need of others, he walks straight; but when he thinks that he does not need anyone, he tends towards transgression, and develops the tendency to wrong-doing, tyranny and oppression. This is generally the behavior of the affluent people, government officials, and people with abundant children and friends or servants. They become purse-proud and intoxicated with the leadership power they exercise on their groups. Abu Jahl was a typical example of this. He was one of the well-to-do and prosperous people of Makkah. All the members of his tribe and inhabitants of the city respected and obeyed him. He became arrogant and insulted the leader of all the Prophets - the noblest of creation. The next verse warns such arrogant people about the evil consequences of their behavior.
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].