Al-Insan

And from his narration on the authority of Ibn 'Abbas that he said regarding the interpretation of Allah's saying (Hath there come upon man (ever)): '(Hath there come upon man (ever)) there has come upon Adam (any period of time) a period of 40 years when he was created and fashioned (in which he was a thing unremembered?) not knowing who he was, what his name was or what Allah wanted from him.

(Lo! We create man) i.e. the progeny of Adam (from a drop of thickened fluid) from Adam and Eve's drops of two different kinds of fluid: that of man being white and thick and that of the woman being yellow and thin; thus progeny comes from both of them (to test him) with hardship and comfort; it is also said this means: to test him with good and evil; (so We make him hearing, knowing) We gave him the faculty of hearing so that he could hear the Truth and guidance and the faculty of sight so that he could see the Truth and guidance. It is also said that We make him hearing, knowing in order to test him with good and evil, faith and disbelief.

(Lo! We have shown him the way) of faith and disbelief, good and evil, (whether he be grateful) accepting faith (or disbelieving) it is also said this means: We have shown him the way to be either grateful or ungrateful.

(Lo! We have prepared for disbelievers) Abu Jahl and his followers (manacles and carcans) in the Fire (and a raging fire.

Lo! the righteous) who are true in their faith and obey Allah (shall drink of a cup) shall drink wine in Paradise (whereof the mixture is of water of Kafur,

A spring wherefrom the slaves of Allah) the friends of Allah (drink, making it gush forth abundantly) whenever they wish, from the Garden into their own habitations and palaces; it is also said that this means: they make it into a mixture;

Allah then described their traits when they were in the life of the world, saying: (Because they perform the vow) because they fulfil their pledges and oath by Allah; it is also said this means: they perform the obligations (and fear a day) and fear the torment of a day (whereof the evil) the torment (is wide spreading,

And feed with food the needy wretch, the orphan) among the Muslims (and the prisoner) and the Muslim prisoner in the captivity of the idolaters; and it is also said: any kind of prisoner, (for love of Him) despite their desire for food and its scarcity,

((Saying)) that is inwardly, because they did not utter this openly but Allah informed us about the genuineness of their hearts: (We feed you, for the sake of Allah only) we feed you for the sake of Allah's reward and beneficence only. (We wish for no reward) with which to pay us back (nor thanks from you) nor gratitude from you;

(Lo! we fear from our Lord) from the punishment of our Lord (a day of frowning) when faces are frowning (and of fate) a hard day whose torment and horrors are severe.

(Therefore Allah hath warded from them the evil of that day) the torment of that day, (and hath made them find) and has given them (brightness) bright and beautiful faces (and joy) in their hearts;

(And hath awarded them for all that they endured) in the life of the world of poverty and misfortunes, (a Garden and silk attire;

(Reclining therein) sitting comfortably in the Garden (upon couches) in curtained canopies, (they will find there neither (heat of) a sun nor bitter cold) He says: they are touched neither by the heat of the sun nor by cold.

(The shade) of trees (thereof is close upon them and the clustered fruits thereof bow down) are made close and available to them.

(Goblets of silver are brought round for them) by servants, (and beakers (as) of glass) without handles or covers

((Bright as) glass but (made) of silver, which they (themselves) have measured) in the hands of slave youths (to the measure (of their deeds)) it is also said that the drink is so measured that it is neither more nor less than what is required.

(There) in the Garden (are they watered with a cup) of wine (whereof the mixture is of Zanjabil,

The water of a spring therein) in the Garden, (named Salsabil.

There wait on them youths of immortal youths) in Paradise who never die or are taken out of it; it is also said this means: youths wearing beautiful garments, (whom, when you see) O Muhammad, (thou wouldst take for scattered pearls) because of their brightness; and it is also said this means: because of their scatteredness.

(When thou seest) O Muhammad, (thou wilt see there) in the Garden (bliss) lasting bliss for its dwellers (and high estate) none enters in on them except with greetings of peace and permission.

(Their raiment will be fine green silk and gold embroidery. Bracelets of silver will they wear. Their Lord will slake their thirst with a pure drink) pure from filth; it is also said this means: Allah purifies them from hatred, cheating and enmity.

(Lo! This) which I have described to you of food, drink and raiment (is a reward for you) is a reward from Allah. (Your endeavour (upon earth) hath found acceptance) your works were accepted and made to grow.

(Lo! We, even We, have revealed unto thee the Qur'an) We have sent you Gabriel with the Qur'an, (a revelation) in instalments: one, two and three verses at a time;

(So submit patiently to thy Lord's command) to your Lord's decree; and it is also said this means: be patient in conveying the message of your Lord, (and obey not of them) of the disbelievers of Quraysh (any guilty one) any lewd and liar one, i.e. al-Walid Ibn al-Mughirah (or disbeliever) in Allah, i.e. 'Utbah Ibn Rabi'ah.

(Remember the name of thy Lord) pray by the command of your Lord (at morn and evening) i.e. the prayers of Fajr, Zuhr and 'Asr.

(And worship Him (a portion) of the night) pray the prayer of Maghrib and 'Isha'. (And glorify Him through the livelong night) pray to Him at night, this refers to supererogatory prayers; it is also said that the night prayer was made compulsory on him but not on his Companions.

(Lo! These) the people of Mecca (love fleeting life) love striving for the life of the world, (and put behind them (the remembrance of)) and refrain from striving for the day which is ahead of them (a grievous day) whose torment and horrors are severe.

(We, even We, created them) i.e. the people of Mecca, (and strengthened their frame) and made their constitution strong. (And when We will, We can replace them, bringing others like them) i.e. We destroy them (in their stead) He says: if We had willed, We would have destroyed these sinful and disbelieving people and brought instead of them people who are better and more obedient.

(Lo! this is an Admonishment) from Allah, (that whosoever will may choose a way unto his Lord) that whoever will may believe in Allah's divine Oneness and return to his Lord.

(Yet ye will not) good or evil, faith or disbelief, (unless Allah willeth) that you will it. (Lo! Allah is Knower) of what you will whether it is good or evil, (Wise) He decreed that you do not will anything of good or evil except that which He wills.

(He maketh whom He will to enter His mercy) He honours whoever deserves it with the religion of Islam, (and for evil-doers) the disbelieving idolaters (hath prepared) soon in the Hereafter (a painful doom) whose pain extends to their hearts'.