The Light of the Holy Qur'an — Page 27
T H e F I r S T Pr o o F T H e F I r S T Pr o o F 27 At another place He says: ْحِّبَسَف ِدْمَحِب َكِّبَر اَذِا َءٓاَج ُرْصَن ِهّٰللا َو ُحْتَفْلا۰۰َۙو َتْيَاَر َساَّنلا َنْوُلُخْدَي ْيِف ِنْيِد ِهّٰللا اًجاَوْفَا۰۰ۙ 2 , 1 ٭ َو ُهْرِفْغَتْسا١ؕ ٗهَّنِا َناَك اًباَّوَت۰۰ Meaning that, when the help and victory—that had been prom- ised—comes, and you witness people entering the religion of Islam in troops, then praise and glorify God—that is, say that this is not from me, but rather from the grace, beneficence, and assis- tance of Allah—and offer a parting istighf a r [seeking Allah’s for- giveness], for He is Oft-Returning with compassion. When Prophets are urged to do istighf a r, it is total foolishness to conclude that this means they have to seek forgiveness like ordi- nary sinful people. In their case, it is a confession of their insignif- icance, humility, and weakness and is a respectful way of seeking 1. ٭ Footnote: This verse shows that the Holy Prophet, peace and bless- ings of Allah be upon him, had an intense zeal to see Islam spread around the world during his lifetime, and it was abhorrent to him that he should leave for the Hereafter before establishing the truth upon the earth. Thus, God Almighty gives the Holy Prophet, peace and bless- ings of Allah be upon him, glad tidings in this verse that, ‘Look! I have fulfilled your desire. ’ e very Prophet had this desire, more or less, but as they did not have this degree of zeal, neither Jesus as nor Moses as re- ceived this glad tiding; rather, he alone received it in whose favour the Holy Qur’an says: َكَّلَعَل ٌعِخاَب َكَسْفَّن اَّلَا اْوُنْوُكَي َنْيِنِمْؤُم۰۰ Meaning, will you grieve yourself to death over why these people be- lieve not [ S u rah ash-Shu‘ar a ’, 26:4, Publisher]. —Author 2. S u rah an-Na s r, 110:2–4 [Publisher]