Essence of the Holy Qur’an — Page 84
84 Chapter 39 Az-Zumar 4$ > (Revealed before Hijrah) Date of Revelation and Context Like the preceding five Chapters with which it has great resemblance in style and subject-matter, this S u rah was revealed early in the Holy Prophet’s ministry. Some writers like Rodwell and Muir assign it to the late Meccan period. Predominance of scholarly opinion, however, is in favour of the S u rah having been revealed early in the Holy Prophet’s life at Mecca. The principal theme of the six Chapters, which begin with Saba’ , is Divine revelation with special reference to the revelation of the Qur’ a n and the doctrine of the Unity of God. The fact that there is one Designer and One Controller and Creator of the whole universe is inescapably inferable from the order, adaptation, proportion and coordination which pervade the whole universe and to which all the sciences bear undeniable testimony. The success of Divine Messengers with their extremely meagre resources against very heavy odds constitutes another argument to prove God’s Existence and His Unity. Subject-Matter The S u rah opens with the subject of Qur’ a nic revelation and proceeds to deal with the need, purpose and the supreme object of all revealed Books and Divine Prophets which is the establishment of Unity of God on earth. The greatest impediment that bars the way to the achievement of this great and noble object lies in the fact that man is prone to worship false gods—the idols of his own creation. Of all forms of idolatry, perhaps the most hideous and most prevalent, and which has done the greatest injury to the spiritual development of whole communities, is the belief that Jesus is son of God. The S u rah cites the most beautiful and consummate design and order in the universe as an argument in support of the belief that there is only one Designing Mind behind all creation. The three stages, through which the embryo passes before it develops into a full-fledged human being, are adduced as an additional argument. After having briefly discussed the need and purpose of Divine revelation, the S u rah gives two very strong and sound arguments in its support, viz. (1) those who invent lies against God, and those who reject truth, never succeed in life. Failure and ignominy dog their footsteps. (2) The Prophets of God and those who accept them and follow their lead always meet with success and their cause prospers. These two arguments constitute an infallible criterion to judge the truth of a claimant to Divine revelation. Judged by these standards, the claim of the Holy Prophet as a Divine Messenger, and of the Qur’ a n as Heavenly revelation, stands unchallenged and proved beyond doubt. Next, the S u rah