78. The highway which goes from Hijaz to Syria and Palestine had the ruins of the colonies of the people of Aika and the nation of Loot. Their ruins provide a lesson to the people passing over this highway.

So far as the nation of Shuaib is concerned, their ruins still exist, but the townships of the nation of Loot-Sodom and Gomorrah-are now converted into sea, which is known as the Dead Sea. This region is four hundred meters below sea level, which seems to be the result of an earthquake. A few years ago on the shores some ruins were discovered (See Qasasul Ambiya- Abdul Wahab Najar; page 113).

79. Hijr is the name of a valley, which lies in the north of Madina on the way going to Tabuk. Here the nation Thamud lived, and its central place was Madain Salih. The ruins of its destruction still exist. On the occasion of the Battle of Tabuk the Prophet and his army passed from here. On this occasion he had directed his companions to pass from here crying. -(Bukhari-Kitabut Tafseer).

80. The dawah (message) of Prophet Salih was the same as that of the other prophets, therefore, denying them was denying other prophets.

81. The chronicle of Thamud is narrated in Surah A’raf and Surah Hood. For explanation, please see Surah A’raf, Note No. 115 to 126, and Surah Hood, Notes Nos. 86 to 95.

82. That is: They used to pass away precious moments of their lives in building magnificent dwelling places and enjoying worldly pleasures. They had made world as their goal and had no thought for being answerable to God.

83. Explained in Surah A’raf Note No. 123.

84. That is: The strong houses that they had built for their security could not help them, and their entire wealth, all achievements and their complete civilization was totally destroyed.

85. This has been explained in Surah An’am, Note No. 124.

86. That is: When the Doomsday is sure to come, then O Prophet! you need not worry about the irresponsible and insulting talk of your opponents as they, along with the entire mankind will have to answer for all their misdeeds. They will see what fate awaits them. You should forgive them graciously, that is with gentleness.

87. By the mention of these two attributes of Allah, the purpose is to refute the objection of the deniers and to prove that the occurrence of Doomsday is not impossible. This universe is the manifestation of the attribute of Allah’s creativity. Therefore, it is not at all difficult for him to recreate the world and revive mankind and cause the Hereafter to occur. Then how can the Creator be unaware of the doings of His creatures? Therefore, the fact that Allah is the Creator and All- Wise is an undeniable reality. And when He is All-Knowing, it is not at all difficult for Him to take the account of the billions and trillions of humans on the Day of Judgment.

88. The Arabic words used here mean seven oft-repeated verses. In the old and reliable Arabic dictionary, ‘Sihah Jauhari’ the word ‘mathani’ used here is shown to mean that which is repeated:

“The opening surah of the Quran is called ‘Mathani’, because it is repeated in every rak’at of the prayer.” -(As-Sihah, p. 2296).

And it is proved by a sahih hadith that it refers to Surah Fatiha:

“Abu Hurairah (R.) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (Sallal Lahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) said that ‘Ummul Qur’an’ is the seven oft-repeated ayat and also the Great Qur’an. “- (Bukhari, Kitabut Tafseer).

Surah Fatiha is composed of seven ayat and is the most important part of the salat. Accordingly in every rak’at Surah Fatiha is recited essentially. ‘Sab’an min-al-mathani’ is that introduction of Surah Fatiha in a few words which, besides presenting its oft-repeated aspect also points to the fact that in it are hidden seven seas of meaning and spiritual wealth. With this opening surah of wealth like pearls and diamonds is given the priceless treasure of Qur’an.

Compared to the spiritual wealth, what is the value of the material wealth, which has come to the lot of the atheists’ people, and when there are so many tests attached to it?

89. Although in the ayah the address is to the Prophet who has been directed that when Allah has blessed him with the wealth of Qur’an, he should not cast even a casual glance toward the worldly wealth which has been given to the worldly people, there is a roundabout for every man who has been blessed with the wealth of Qur’an.

90. That is: When these worshippers of mammon want to be happy with their wealth and are not prepared to appreciate this blessing which Allah has sent down in the form of Qur’an, there is no use in feeling sorry for them. They deserve to be deprived of this great blessing.

91. That is: Appreciate those people, who though deprived of the worldly wealth, have been blessed with the wealth of faith. Only such people deserve your favours and mercy.

92. Points towards the Jews, who had effected divisions in Divine Scriptures. The verse means that Qur’an is not the first book which has been sent down to you, but before this also, divine scriptures were being sent. As Allah had sent down a divine book to a branch of the descendents of Ibrahim, Bani Israil, similarly He had sent down a Book on the other branch of the descendents of Ibrahim, Bani Ismail, and since Bani Israil did not keep and follow the religion in its original form, the revelation of Qur’an became necessary, so that the real religion of Allah may be conveyed to the people and its teachings may come out in their true and original form.

93. By their Qur’an is meant the divine scriptures of the Jews, the Torah, and by dividing this book into parts means effecting changes in it, changing its order, its misinterpretation, mixing their own explanation in it, concealing its one part in such a way that it totally disappeared, and some commands of the part which they displayed they followed and others they rejected openly.

94. The oath here expresses greatness and sanctity and adds emphasis to the statement.

95. The treatment that they have meted out to Allah’s Book and His religion is such that about it they will essentially have to give an answer on the Day of Judgment. Let nobody think that since they claim to believe in God and His Book, they will be let off without being tested, nay, their claim will be tested on the touchstone of action.

96. It was not an easy job to present the dawah of monotheism in the polytheistic environment of Makkah. In this connection the Prophet (Sallal Lahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) had to pass through a storm of oppositions, and this opposition had taken the shape of scoffing and mocking. But the Prophet was asked not to pay any heed to this scoffing and to go on with presenting openly the teaching which Allah had commanded him to present. This gives us a guidance that however polytheistic and idolatrous the environment may be, the men of faith should not hesitate in presenting the dawah of religion and its teachings, and they should not at all pay any heed to them, however distasteful it would be to the polytheists and the infidels.

97. That is: Soon the result of their misdeeds will come before them. At that time they will realize how they themselves have been responsible for bringing their own destruction by mocking at the Prophet and his teachings.

98. That is: O Prophet! Their scoffing and making fun of you is very hurtful and cause of anguish to you, but you should keep patience.

99. This is a direction to continue to believe in monotheism firmly and to be active in worshipping Allah.