ENTITLED, THE SLANDERER; REVEALED AT MECCA.
IN THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL GOD.
WOE unto every slanderer, and backbiter:l
who heapeth up riches, and prepareth the same for the time to come!
i i.e., Until ye die. According to the exposition of some
commentators, the words should be rendered thus: The contending or vieing in
numbers wholly employeth you, so that ye visit even the graves, to number the
dead: to explain which, they relate that there was a great dispute and
contention between the descendants of Abd Menâf and the descendants of Sahm,
which of the two families were the more numerous; and it being found, on
calculation, that the children of Abd Menâf exceeded those of Sahm, the
Sahmites said that their numbers had been much diminished by wars in the time
of ignorance, and insisted that the dead, as well as the living, should be
taken into the account; and by this way of reckoning they were found to be
more than the descendants of Abd Menâf.1
k Or the time from the sun's declination to his setting, which is one
of the five appointed times of prayer. The original word also signifies, The
age, or time in general.
This passage is said to have been revealed against al Akhnas Ebn
Shoreik, or al Walîd Ebn al Mogheira, or Omeyya Ebn Khalf, who were all guilty
of slandering others, and especially the prophet.1
1 Al Zamakh., al Beidâwi, Jallal. 1 Idem.
He thinketh that his riches will render him immortal.
By no means. He shall surely be cast into Al Hotama.m
And who shall cause thee to understand what Al Hotama is?
It is the kindled fire of GOD;n
which shall mount above the hearts of those who shall be cast therein.
Verily it shall be as an arched vault above them
on columns of vast extent.
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