ENTITLED, MAN; REVEALED AT MECCA.r
IN THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL GOD.
DID there not pass over man a long space of time; during which he was a
thing not worthy of remembrance?s
Verily we have created man of the mingled seed of both sexes, that we
might prove him: and we have made him to hear and to see.t
We have surely directed him in the way; whether he be grateful, or
ungrateful.
Verily we have prepared for the unbelievers chains, and collars, and
burning fire.
But the just shall drink of a cup of wine, mixed with the water of
Cafur,u
a fountain whereof the servants of GOD shall drink; they shall convey the
same by channels whithersoever they please.
These fulfil their vow, and dread the day, the evil whereof will disperse
itself far abroad;
and give food unto the poor, and the orphan, and the bondman, for his
sake,
saying, We feed you for GOD'S sake only: we desire no recompense from
you, nor any thanks:
p i.e., And when he shall stretch forth his legs together, as is usual
with dying persons. The words may also be translated, And when one affliction
shall be joined with another affliction.
q Or, He did not give alms; or, He was not a man of veracity. Some
suppose Abu Jahl, and others one Adi Ebn Rabîa, to be particularly inveighed
against in this chapter.
r It is somewhat doubtful whether this chapter was revealed at Mecca or
Medina.
s Some take these words to be spoken of Adam, whose body, according to
Mohammedan tradition, was at first a figure of clay, and was left forty years
to dry before GOD breathed life into it;1 others understand them of man in
general and of the time he lies in the womb.
t That he might be capable of receiving the rules and directions given
by GOD for his guidance;2 and of meriting reward or punishment for his
observance or neglect of them.
u Is the name of a fountain in paradise, so called from its resembling
camphire (which the word signifies) in odour and whiteness. Some take the
word for an appellative, and think the wine of paradise will be mixed with
camphire, because of its agreeable coolness and smell.3
1 See the notes to cap. 2, p. 4. 2 Al Beidâwi. 3
Idem.
10 verily we dread, from our LORD, a dismal and calamitous day.x
Wherefore GOD shall deliver them from the evil of that day, and shall
cast on them brightness of countenance, and joy;
and shall reward them, for their patient persevering, with a garden and
silk garments:
therein shall they repose themselves on couches; they shall see therein
neither sun nor moon;y
and the shades thereof shall be near spreading above them, and the fruits
thereof shall hang low, so as to be easily gathered.
And their attendants shall go round about unto them, with vessels of
silver, and goblets:
the bottles shall be bottles of silver shining like glass; they shall
determine the measure thereof by their wish.
And therein shall they be given to drink of a cup of wine, mixed with the
water of Zenjebil,z
a fountain in paradise named Salsabil:a
and youths, which shall continue forever in their bloom, shall go round
to attend them; when thou seest them, thou shalt think them to be scattered
pearls:
20 and when thou lookest, there shalt thou behold delights, and a great
kingdom.
Upon them shall be garments of fine green silk, and of brocades, and they
shall be adorned with bracelets of silver: and their LORD shall give them to
drink of a most pure liquor;
and shall say unto them, Verily this is your reward: and your endeavor is
gratefully accepted.
Verily we have sent down unto thee the Koran, by a gradual revelation.
Wherefore patiently wait the judgment of thy LORD; and obey not any
wicked person or unbeliever among them.
And commemorate the name of thy LORD, in the morning, and in the evening:
and during some part of the night worship him, and praise him a long part
of the night.
Verily these men love the transitory life, and leave behind them the
heavy day of judgment.
We have created them, and have strengthened their joints; and when we
please, we will substitute others like unto them, in their stead.
Verily this is an admonition: and whoso willeth, taketh the way unto his
LORD:
30 but ye shall not will, unless GOD willeth; for GOD is knowing and wise.
He leadeth whom he pleaseth into his mercy; but for the unjust hath he
prepared a grievous punishment.
x It is related that Hasan and Hosein, Mohammed's grandchildren, on a
certain time being both sick, the prophet, among others, visited them, and
they wished Ali to make some vow to GOD for the recovery of his sons:
whereupon Ali, and Fâtema, and Fidda, their maid-servant, vowed a fast of
three days in case they did well; as it happened they did. This vow was
performed with so great strictness, that the first day, having no provisions
in the house, Ali was obliged to borrow three measures of barley of one
Simeon, a Jew, of Khaibar, one measure of which Fâtema ground the same day,
and baked five cakes of the meal, and they were set before them to break their
fast with after sunset: but a poor man coming to them, they gave all their
bread to him, and passed the night without tasting anything except water. The
next day Fâtema made another measure into bread, for the same purpose; but an
orphan begging some food, they chose to let him have it, and passed that night
as the first; and the third day they likewise gave their whole provision to a
famished captive. Upon this occasion Gabriel descended with the chapter,
before us, and told Mohammed that GOD congratulated him on the virtues of his
family.1
y Because they shall not need the light of either.2 The word Zamharîr,
here translated moon, properly signifies extreme cold: for which reason some
understand the meaning of the passage to be, that in paradise there shall be
felt no excess either of heat or of cold.
z The word signifies ginger, which the Arabs delight to mix with the
water they drink; and therefore the water of this fountain is supposed to have
the taste of that spice.3
a Signifies water which flows gently and pleasantly down the throat.
1 Idem. 2 See Revel. xxi. 23. 3 Al Beidâwi,
Jallal.