CHAP. LXXXV.
Intitled, The Celestial signs; revealed at Mecca.
In the name of the most merciful God.
[a] Signs;] The original word properly signifies towers, which some interpret of real towers [1] , wherein it is supposed the angels keep guard [2] ; and others, of the stars of the first magnitude: but the generality of expositors understand thereby the twelve signs of the zodiac, wherein the planets make their several stations [3]
[1] Yahya.
[2] See chap. 15. p. 24.
[3] Jallal. Al Beidawi, Yahya.
[b] By the witness, and the witnessed.] The meaning of these words is very uncertain, and the explications of the commentators consequently vary. One thinks the witness to be Mohammed, and that which is borne witness of, to be the resurrection, or the professors of the Mohammedan faith; or else that these latter are the witness, and the professors of every other religion, those who will be witnessed against by them. Another supposes the witness to be the guardian angel, and his charge the person witnessed against. Another expounds the words of the day of Arafat, the 9th of Dhu’lhajja, and of the day of slaying the victims, which is the day following, or else of Friday, the day of the weekly assembling of the Mohammedans at their mosques, and of the people who are assembled on those days, &c. [4]
[4] Iidem.
[c] The contrivers of the pit;] Literally, the lords of the pit. These were the ministers of the persecution raised by Dhu Nowâs, king of Yaman, who was of the Jewish religion, against the inhabitants of Najrân ; for they having embraced Christianity (at that time the true religion, by the confession of Mohammed himself), the bigoted tyrant commanded all those who would not renounce their faith to be cast into a pit, or trench, filled with fire, and there burnt to ashes [5] . Others, however, tell the story with different circumstances [6] .
[5] Iidem. V. Poc. spec. p. 62. Ecchelens. Hist. Arab. part i. c. 10. and Prid. Life of Moh. p. 61
[6] V. D’Herbel. Bibl. Orient. Art. Abou Nawas.
[d] And were witnesses of what they did against the true believers;] Or, as some choose to understand the words, And shall be witnesses against themselves, at the day of judgment, of their unjust treatment of the true believers.
[e] They shall suffer the pain of burning;] Which pain, it is said, the persecutors of the Christian martyrs above mentioned felt in this life; the fire bursting forth upon them from the pit, and consuming them [7] .
[7] Al Beidawi, Yahya.
[a] See chap. 7. p. 128, &c.
[b] See ibid. p. 124, &c.
[c] Kept in heaven;] And preserved from the least change or corruption. See the Prelim. Disc. §. III. p. 64, and §. IV. p. 75.