Maryam

And from his narration on the authority of Ibn 'Abbas that he said regarding the interpretation of (Kaf. Ha. Ya. Ain. Sad): '(Kaf. Ha. Ya. 'Ayn. Sad.) this is an expression of praise with which Allah praised Himself. He says: Kaf means He is Sufficient (Kafi), Ha means He is the guiding One (Hadi), 'Ayn means He is Possessor of knowledge ('Alim), and Sad means He is Possessor of Truth (Sadiq); it is also said that Kaf means He is Sufficient unto His servants, Ha means He guides His servants, Ya means His hand is above His creation, and 'Ayn means He knows the affairs of His servants, and Sad means He is true in His promise. It is also said that Kaf is from the Generous (Karim), Ha is from the One who guides (Hadi), Ya is from Clement (Halim), 'Ayn from the One who possesses knowledge ('Alim), and Sad from the Truthful (Sadiq), or from the Veracious (Sudduq). It is also said that (Kaf. Ha. Ya. Ain. Sad) is an oath by means of which Allah swore.

(A mention of the mercy of your Lord) He says: this a mention of your Lord (unto His servant Zachariah) His mercy unto him was by giving him a son.

(When he cried unto his Lord) Zachariah called his Lord in the sanctuary (a cry in secret) in secret from his people,

(Saying: My Lord!) O my Lord! (Lo! the bones of me wax feeble) my body has become weak (and my head is shining with grey hair, and I have never been unblest in prayer to You, my Lord) he said: my prayers were never rejected by You, O my Lord.

(Lo! I fear my kinsfolk) i.e. the inheritors (after me) i.e. there is no one after me to inherit my office and position, (since my wife) Hannah the sister of the mother of Mary the daughter of Amran ('Imran) the son of Matthan (Mathan) (is barren) and gives birth to no children. (Oh, give me from Thy presence) from You (a successor) a son,

(Who shall inherit of me) who shall inherit my office and position (and inherit (also) of the house of Jacob) if they have an office and kingship, for the family of Jacob were John's maternal uncles. (And make him, my Lord, acceptable (unto Thee)) make him well pleasing to you and righteous.

And so Gabriel called him, saying: (O Zachariah! Lo! We bring you tidings of a son whose name is John) Yahya in Arabic, because he has breathed life (ahya) into his mother's womb; (We have given the same name to none before (him)) We have not given before a son to Zachariah whose name is John; it is also said that this means: there was no one before him whose name was John.

(He said) Zachariah said to Gabriel: (My Lord!) my master, (How can I have a son when my wife is barren and I have reached infirm old age) how can I have a son when my wife is barren and my body has become dry?; it is also said that this means: how can I have a son when my wife is barren and I am seventy two years of age?

(He said) Gabriel said to him: (So (it will be)) just as I have told you. (Thy Lord saith: It is easy for Me) i.e. his creation is easy for Me, (even as I created thee) O Zachariah (before) before John, (when thou wast naught).

(He said: My Lord!) O my Lord! (Appoint for me some token) some sign when my wife becomes pregnant. (He said: Thy token is that thou, with no bodily defect, shall not speak unto mankind) will not be able to speak to people (three nights) without suffering dumbness or any other illness.

(Then he came forth unto his people from the sanctuary) from the prayer hall, (and signified to them) he made gestures to them; and it is also said: he wrote on the ground to them: (Glorify your Lord at break of day and fall of night) pray to Him in the morning and at night.

(O John!) Allah said to John when he reached the age of puberty and understanding: (Hold the Scripture) act according to that which is in the Torah, seriously and diligently. (And We gave him) and We gave John (wisdom) understanding and knowledge (when a child) when he was still young.

(And compassion from Our presence) and We gave him compassion from Our presence towards his parents, (and purity) as an act of charity to them; it is also said that this means: We gave righteousness with regard to his religion; (and he was devout) he was obedient to his Lord,

(And dutiful towards his parents) he was kind to his parent. (And he was not arrogant) in his practice of Religion, ready to hurt when angry, (rebellious) disobedient of his Lord.

(Peace on him) safety, forgiveness and bliss from Us to John (the day be was born, and the day he dieth and the day he shall be raised alive) from his grave!

(And make mention) O Muhammad (of Mary) of the event of Mary (in the Scripture) in the Qur'an, (when she had withdrawn from her people to a chamber looking East) east of their house,

(And had chosen seclusion from them) so that she purifies herself after the end of her menses. (Then We sent unto her Our Spirit) Our Messenger Gabriel when she had finished purifying herself (and it assumed for her the likeness of a perfect man).

(She said) Mary said: (Lo! I seek refuge in the Beneficent One from thee, if thou art God-fearing [taqiyya]) if you are obedient to the All-Merciful; it is also said that Taqiyy was the name of an evil man and she thought that he was that man, which explains why she sought refuge in Allah from him.

(He said) Gabriel said to her: (I am only a messenger of thy Lord, that I may bestow on thee) that Allah may bestow on you (a faultless son) a righteous son.

(She said) Mary said to Gabriel (pbuh): (How can I have a son when no mortal hath touched me) when no husband has come near me, (neither have I been unchaste) neither have I been an adulteress!

(He said) Gabriel said to her: (So (it will be)) just as I have told you. (Thy Lord saith: It is easy for Me) it is easy for Me to create him without a father. (And (it will be) that We may make of him a revelation) a token and admonition (for mankind) for the Children of Israel: a son without a father (and a mercy from Us) to whoever believes in him, (and it is a thing ordained) it is a thing decreed, that he shall be a son without a father.

(And she, conceived him) she bore him for nine months; and it is also said: her pregnancy lasted one day, (and she withdrew with him) i.e. to deliver him (to a place) far away from people.

(And the pangs of childbirth drove her unto the trunk of the palm-tree) a dry palm-tree. (She said: Oh, would that I had died ere this) this child; and it is said that this means: before this day (and had become a thing of naught, forgotten) an abandoned thing which is never mentioned! And it is also said that this means: a still born child.

(Then (one) cried unto her from below her) i.e. Gabriel, (saying: Grieve not) O Mary over the birth of Jesus! (Thy Lord hath placed a rivulet beneath thee) a prophet beneath you; it is also said that this means: Jesus cried unto her from beneath her: grieve not your Lord has placed a stream beneath you,

(And shake the trunk of the palm-tree towards you, thou wilt cause ripe dates to fall upon thee).

(So eat) the date (and drink) from the stream (and be consoled) by the birth of Jesus (pbuh). (And if thou meetest any mortal) and if you meet any human being, after today (say: Lo! I have vowed a fast unto the Beneficent, and may not speak this day to any mortal) and then be silent until Jesus speaks after you.

(Then she brought him) i.e. Jesus (to her own folk, carrying him) when he was forty days old. (They said: O Mary! thou hast come with an amazing thing) you have come with an abominable act.

(Oh sister of Aaron!) O you who resembles Aaron in worship-Aaron was a righteous man, one of the best among people-; and it is also said that Aaron was an evil man and so they compared her to him; and it is also said that Aaron was her half brother from her father side. (Your father was not a wicked man) your father was not an adulterer (nor was your mother a harlot) nor was your mother a whore.

(Then she pointed to him) she pointed to Jesus (pbuh) that they should speak to him. (They said: How can we tale to one who is in the cradle, a young boy) forty days old?

Jesus then spoke to them, (He spake: Lo! I am the slave of Allah. He hath given me the Scripture) He taught me the Torah and the Gospel while still in my mother's womb (and hath appointed me a Prophet) after my mother delivered me,

(And hath made me blessed) and has made me a teacher of goodness (wheresoever I may be) or stay, (and hath enjoined upon me prayer) and enjoined upon me the perfection of the prayer (and alms giving) acts of charity (so long as I remain alive) as long as I live,

(And (hath made me) dutiful towards her who bore me) and kind to my mother, (and hath not made me arrogant) in the practice of religion, ready to hurt when angry, (unblest) and has not made me disobedient to Him.

(Peace on me the day I was born) safety to me from Satan's touch when I was born, (and the day I die) and safety to me from the compression of the grave when I die, (and the day I shall be raised alive) when I am resurrected alive from the grave!

(Such was Jesus, son of Mary) such was the event of Jesus, son of Mary: ((this is) a statement of the Truth concerning which they doubt) i.e. the Christians, for some of them said he is Allah, and some said he was the son of Allah and some of them claimed he was Allah's partner.

(It befitteth not (the Majesty of) Allah that He should take unto Himself a son Glory be to Him!) Allah absolves Himself from taking a son or partner. (When He decreeth a thing) when He wants to create a son without a father, (He saith unto it only: Be! and it is) a son without a father, just like Jesus.

When Jesus brought the Message to his people, he said: I am the servant of Allah and His messiah, (And lo! Allah is my Lord) my Creator and Provider (and your Lord) your Creator and Provider. (So serve Him) profess His divine Oneness. (That) the monotheism with which I am enjoining you (is the right path) an established religion with which Allah is pleased, i.e. Islam.

(The sects) the disbelievers (among them differ) some saying He is Allah, some he is the son of Allah and some Allah's partner: (but woe) a river in Gehenna containing puss and blood; it is also said that this means: severe chastisement (unto the disbelievers) who became different sects regarding Jesus (from the meeting of an awful Day) from the chastisement of the Day of Judgement.

(See and hear them) how well they will see and hear (on the Day they come unto Us) this is the Day of Judgement, that Jesus is not Allah, His son or partner! (Yet the evil-doers) the idolaters (are today) in this worldly life (in error manifest) in manifest disbelief because of saying that Jesus is Allah, His son or His partner.

(And warn them) O Muhammad (of the Day of anguish) of the Day of regret (when the case hath been decided) when the reckoning is over and the people of Paradise enter Paradise and the people of hell enter hell and Death is slain. (Now they are in a state of carelessness) in a state of ignorance and blindness concerning it, (and they believe not) in Muhammad (pbuh) in the Qur'an or in resurrection after death.

(Lo! We inherit the earth and all who are thereon,) We possess the earth; it is also said that this means: We cause to die whoever is in the earth and give them life again (and unto Us they are returned) on the Day of Judgement such that I reward them for their deeds: a good deed for a good deed and an evil deed for an evil deed.

(And make mention (O Muhammad) in the Scripture of Abraham) the event of Abraham. (Lo! he was a saint) he believed in faith, (a prophet) sent to people, informing them on behalf of his Lord.

(When he said unto his father) Azar: (O my father! Why worshippest thou) beside Allah (that which heareth not) when called upon (nor seeth) when you worship it, (nor can in aught avail thee) from Allah's chastisement?

(O my father! Lo! there hath come unto me) from Allah (of knowledge) of exposition (that which came not unto thee) that whoever worships other than Allah will torment him with the Fire. (So follow me) regarding Allah's religion, (and I will lead thee on a right path) I will guide you to a just path and erect path that Allah is pleased with which is Islam.

(O my father! Serve not the devil) do not obey the devil concerning the worship of idols. (Lo! the devil is a rebel unto the Beneficent) the devil is a disbeliever in Allah.

(O my father! Lo! I fear) I know (lest a punishment from the Beneficent overtake thee) if you do not believe in Him (so that thou become a comrade of the devil) a companion of the devil in hell.

(He said) Azar said: (Rejectest thou my gods) do you reject the worship of my deities, (O Abraham? If thou cease not) from what you say, (I shall surely stone thee) I will kill you. (Depart from me a long while!) stay away from me as long as you live; it is also said that this means: leave me and do not speak with me for a long time.

(He said) Abraham said: (Peace be unto thee! I shall ask forgiveness of my Lord for thee) I will pray to Allah for you. (Lo! He was ever gracious unto me) He knows, if He wants to answer my prayer.

(I shall withdraw from you) I will leave you (and that unto which ye pray beside Allah) of idols, (and I shall pray unto my Lord) I shall worship my Lord. (It may be that) 'may be' in connection with Allah denotes a requisite, (in prayer unto my Lord) in worship of my Lord, (I shall not be unblest) I shall not be rejected.

(So, when he had withdrawn from them) when he left them (and that which they were worshipping beside Allah) of idols. (We gave him Isaac) the cheerful (and Jacob) the son of his son. (Each of them) Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (We made a prophet) We favoured them with prophethood and Islam.

(And We gave them of Our mercy) We gave him of Our bounty a righteous son and a lawful property, (and assigned to them a high and true renown) We favoured them with being praised by others.

(And make mention in the Scripture of Moses) the event of Moses. (Lo! he was chosen) he was protected from disbelief, idolatry and indecency; it is also said that this means according to a different variant: he was chosen for worship and for the proclamation of Allah's divine Oneness, (and he was a messenger (of Allah)) to the Children of Israel, (a prophet) informing on behalf of Allah, Exalted is He.

(We called him from the right slope of the Mount) We called him from his right side at the mountain, (and brought him nigh in communion) and brought him very close to the extent that he heard the screeching of the pen; it is also said that this means: We spoke to him from a near distance.

(And We bestowed upon him of Our mercy) from Our blessing (his brother Aaron, a prophet (likewise)) a helping assistant.

(And make mention in the Scripture of Ishmael) of the event of Ishmael. (Lo! he was a keeper of his promise) whenever he promised he kept his promise, (and he was a messenger (of Allah)) to his people (a prophet) informing on behalf of Allah.

(He enjoined upon his people worship) he enjoined upon his people perfection of the prayer (and alms giving) by giving the poor-due and alms, (and was acceptable in the sight of his Lord) he was righteous.

(And make mention in the Scripture of Idris) of the event of Idris. (Lo! he was a saint) he believed in his faith, (a prophet) informing on behalf of Allah;

(And We raised him to high station) in Paradise.

(These are they) those whom I mentioned: Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Aaron, Jesus, Idris and all the prophets (unto whom Allah showed favour from among the prophets) Allah favoured them with prophethood, the message and Islam, (of the seed of Adam and of those whom We carried (in the ship) with Noah) the offspring of Noah, (and of the seed of Abraham) Ishmael and Isaac (and Israel) and of the offspring of Jacob: Joseph and his brothers, (and from among those whom We guided) those whom We favoured with faith (and chose) for Islam and the emulation of the Prophet (pbuh) i.e. 'Abdullah Ibn Salam and his followers. (When the revelations of the Beneficent) expositing the commands and prohibitions (were recited unto them, they fell down, adoring and weeping) they prostrate themselves and weep out of fear of Allah.

(Now there hath succeeded them a later) evil (generation who have ruined worship) they abstained from the performance of the prayer (and have followed lusts) they occupied themselves with the pleasures of this worldly life and indulged in marrying half sisters from their fathers' side. The reference here is to the Jews. (But they will meet deception) a valley in Gehenna.

(Save him who shall repent) of the Jews (and believe) in Muhammad (pbuh) and in the Qur'an (and do right) sincerely in secret between themselves and their Lord. (Such will enter the Garden and they will not be wronged in aught) their good works will not be diminished and their evil works will not be increased.

Allah then explained that Paradise will be theirs, saying: (Gardens of Eden, which the Beneficent hath, promised to His slaves in the Unseen) unseen to them. (Lo! His promise is ever sure of fulfilment) it will surely take place.

(They hear therein) in Paradise (no idle talk) false oath, (but only Peace) but they greet one another to honour each other; (and therein they have food) their food in Paradise (for morn and evening) in the measure of the morning and evening of this worldly life.

(Such is the Garden which We cause the devout among Our bondmen) those who ward off disbelief and idolatry; and it is also said that this means: the one who obeys his Lord (to inherit) to dwell in.

(We (angels) come not down) from heaven (save by commandment of thy Lord) O Muhammad. Gabriel said this when Allah withheld the revelation from him for a while after being asked by the Quraysh about the spirit, the two-horned (Dhu'l-Qarnayn) and the people of the Cave. (Unto Him belongeth all that is before us) of the matter of the Hereafter (and all that is behind us) of the matter of this worldly life (and all that is between those two) between the two blowings of the Trumpet, (and thy Lord was never forgetful) your Lord has not forgotten you since He first sent you the Revelation.

(Lord) Creator (of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them) of created beings and marvels, i.e. Allah. (Therefore, worship thou Him) obey Him (and be thou steadfast in His service) be patient in His worship. (Knowest thou one that can be named along with Him) do you know anyone else whose name is Allah?

(And man) i.e. Ubayy Ibn Khalaf al-Jumahi, in denial of the resurrection, (saith: When I am dead, shall I forsooth be brought forth alive) from the grave after I die? This will never be.

(Doth not man remember) does not Ubayy Ibn Khalaf take admonition (that We created him before) this from a stinking sperm drop, (when he was naught?) Likewise, I am able to bring him back to life again.

(And, by your Lord) Allah swore by Himself, (verily We shall assemble them and the devils, then We shall bring them, crouching, around hell) in the middle of hell.

(Then We shall pluck out) We shall bring out (from every sect) from the adherents of each religion (whichever of them was most stern in rebellion to the Beneficent) which of them was most daring vis-�-vis the Qur'an.

(And surely We are best aware of those most worthy) of those most deserving (to be burned therein) to enter hell.

(There is not one of you but shall approach it) there is not a single one of you, to the exclusion of prophets and messengers, save that he will enter it, i.e. hell. (That is a fixed ordinance of your Lord) it is a decree that must necessarily take place.

(Then We shall rescue those who kept from evil) those who ward off disbelief, idolatry and indecency, (and leave the evil-doers) the idolaters (crouching) all gathered for eternity (there) in hell.

(And when Our clear revelations) expositing the commands and prohibitions (are recited unto them) are recited to al-Nadr and his host (those who disbelieve) in Muhammad (pbuh) in the Qur'an and the resurrection; the reference here is to al-Nadr and his host, (say Unto those who believe) in Muhammad (pbuh) and in the Qur'an, i.e. Abu Bakr and his fellow believers: (Which of the two parties) the adherents of which religion, among us and you, (is better in position, and more imposing as an army?)

(How many a generation) how many past nations (have We destroyed before them) before Quraysh, (who were more imposing about gear) are better looking in outward form (and outward seeming) and have more wealth and offspring!

(Say) to them, O Muhammad: (As for him who is in error) in disbelief and idolatry, (the Beneficent will verily prolong) will increase (his span of life) his wealth and offspring. So observe them, O Muhammad, (until, when they behold that which they were promised) of chastisement, (whether it be punishment (in the world)) on the Day of Badr, by the sword, (or Hour (of Doom)) or the chastisement of the Day of Judgement in hell, (they will know) this is a threat to them (who is worse in position) in the Hereafter and tightness in this worldly life (and who is weaker as, an army) who is weaker in receiving help.

(Allah increaseth in right guidance) by faith (those who walk aright) upon the legal prescriptions; it is also said that this means: Allah increases in right guidance through the abrogating verses those who walk aright by the abrogated verses, (and the good deeds) the five daily prayers (which endure are better in your Lord's sight for reward) the best things for which Allah gives reward are the five daily prayers, (and better for resort) the best return in the Hereafter.

(Hast thou seen him who disbelieveth in Our revelations) in Muhammad (pbuh) and in the Qur'an, i.e. al-'As Ibn Wa'il al-Sahmi (and saith: Assuredly I shall be given wealth and children) if what Muhammad (pbuh) say about the Hereafter is true, then I shall be given wealth and children!

But Allah answered him, saying: (Hath he perused the Unseen) did he have a look at the Guarded Tablet for him to claim what he claimed, (or hath he made a pact with the Beneficent) by means of 'there is no deity except Allah' such that he can claim this claim?

(Nay) he will not have what he said, (but We shall record) We shall preserve (that which he saith) of lies (and prolong) and increase (for him a span of torment) an increase of chastisement.

(And We shall inherit from him that whereof he spake) in Paradise and give it to the believers, (and he will come unto Us) on the Day of Judgement, (alone) without wealth, children or any goodness. This verse was revealed about Khabbab Ibn al-Aratt and another man with whom he had a quarrel.

(And they have chosen (other)) the people of Mecca worshipped (gods beside Allah) i.e. idols (that they may be a power for them) that they be a protection for them from Allah's chastisement.