CHAP. LXXXVIII.
Intitled, The Overwhelming
[a]
; revealed at Mecca.
In the name of the most merciful God.
[a] The Overwhelming;] That is a name, or epithet, of the last day; because it will suddenly overwhelm all creatures with fear and astonishment. It is also a name, or epithet, of hell-fire.
[a] Labouring and toiling;] i.e. Dragging their chains, and labouring through hell-fire, as camels labour thro’ mud, &c. Or, Employing and fatiguing themselves in what shall not avail them [1] .
[1] Idem.
[b] Dry thorns and thistles;] Such as the camels eat when green and tender. Some take the original word al Darí for the name of a thorny tree.
[c]
Do they not consider the camels, &c.;]
These animals are of such use, or rather necessity, in the east, that
the creation of a species so wonderfully adapted to those countries is a very
proper instance, to an Arabian, of the power and wisdom of God.
Some, however, think the clouds (which the original word ibl also signifies)
are here intended; the heaven being mentioned immediately after.
[d] But whoever shall turn back, &c.] Or, Except him who shall turn back, and be an infidel: and God shall also punish him, &c. By which exception some suppose that power is here given to Mohammed to chastise obstinate infidels and apostates.