CHAP. XLIV.
Intitled, Smoke
[a]
; revealed at Mecca
[b]
.
In the name of the most merciful God.
[a] This word occurs within a few lines from the beginning of the chapter.
[b] Some except the verse beginning, We will take the plague off you a little, &c.
[c] See the Prelim. Disc. §. III. p. 59, &c.
[d] A blessed night;] Generally supposed to be that between the 23rd and 24th of Ramadân. See ibid. p. 64, and chap. 97, and the notes there.
[e] The night wherein is distinctly sent down the decree of every determined thing, &c.] For annually on this night, as the Mohammedans are taught, all the events of the ensuing year, with respect to life and death and the other affairs of this world, are disposed and settled [1] . Some, however, suppose that these words refer only to that particular night on which the Korân, wherein are completely contained the divine determinations in respect to religion and morality, was sent down [2] ; and, according to this exposition, the passage may be rendered, The night whereon every determined or adjudged matter was sent down.
[1] Jallalo’ddin, Al Beidawi.
[2] Idem.
[f] When he heaven shall produce a visible smoke, &c.] The commentators differ in their expositions of this passage. Some think it spoke of a smoke which seemed to fill the air during the famine which was inflicted on the Meccans in Mohammed’s time [3] , and was so thick that, tho’ they could hear, yet they could not see one another [4] . But, according to a tradition of Ali, the smoke here meant is that which is to be one of the previous signs of the day of judgment [5] , and will fill the whole space from east to west, and last for forty days. This smoke, they say, will intoxicate the infidels, and issue at their nose, ears and posteriors, but will very little inconvenience the true believers [6] .
[4] Al Zamakh. Al Beidawi, Yahya, Jallal.
[5] See the Prel. Disc. §. IV. p. 81.
[6] Al Zamakh. Al Beidawi.
[a] See chap. 16. p. 223.
[b] We will take the plague from off you, a little; but ye will certainly return to your infidelity.] If we follow the former exposition, the words are to be understood, of the ceasing of the famine upon the intercession of Mohammed, at the desire of the Koreish, and on their promise of believing on him; notwithstanding which, they fell back to their old incredulity; but if we follow the latter exposition, they are to be understood of God’s taking away the plague of the smoke, after the expiration of the forty days, at the prayer of the infidels, and on their promise of receiving the true faith, which being done, they will immediately return to their wonted obstinacy.
[c] On the day whereon we shall fiercely assault them with great power;] Some expound this of the slaughter at Bedr, and others of the day of judgment.
[d] Send unto me the servants of God;] i.e. Let the Israelites go with me to worship their God.
[e] That ye stone me not;] Or that ye injure me not, either by word or deed. [1]
[1] Al Beidawi.
[f] Depart from me;] Without opposing me or offering me any injury, which I have not deserved from you.
[g] See chap. 26. p. 204.
[h] Neither heaven nor earth wept for them;] That is, none pitied their destruction.
[i] Knowingly;] i.e. Knowing that they were worthy of our choice; or, notwithstanding we knew they would, in time to come, fall into idolatry, &c.
[k] Several signs;] As the dividing of the Red Sea, the cloud which shaded them, the raining on them manna and quails, &c. [2]
[2] Idem.
[k]
The people of Tobba;] viz. The Hamyarites, whose kings had the title of Tobba
[3]
.
The
commentators tell us that the Tobba here meant was very potent, and built
Samarcand, or, as others say, demolished it; and that he was a true believer,
but his subjects were infidels
[1]
.
This prince seems to have been Abu Carb Asaad, who flourished about
seven hundred years before Mohammed, and embraced Judaism, which religion he
first introduced into Yaman (being the true religion at that time, inasmuch as
Christianity was not then promulgated), and was, for that cause probably,
slain by his own people
[2]
.
[3] See the Prelim. Disc. §. I. p. 9.
[1] Al Beidawi, Jallalo’ddin.
[2] Al Jannabi. V. Poc. spec. p. 60.
[a] See chap. 21. p. 266, and chap. 38. p. 374.
[b] The day of separation;] i.e. The day of judgment; when the wicked shall be separated from the righteous, &c.
[c] The impious;] Jallalo’ddin supposes this passage to have been particularly levelled against Abu Jahl.