The Mirror of the Excellences of Islam — Page 149
148 Ā'ĪNA-E-KAMĀLĀT-E-ISLĀM―DĀFI‘UL-WASĀWIS the titles zalum and jahul in a commendatory sense, not in a deroga- tory one. Ibn Kathir has also given some citations in support of this view. If we carefully reflect on this entire verse— إِنَّا عَرَضْنَا الْأَمَانَةَ عَلَى السَّمواتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَالْجِبَالِ فَأَبَيْنَ أَن يَحْمِلْنَهَا وَأَشْفَقْنَ مِنْهَا وَحَمَلَهَا الْإِنْسَانُ إِنَّهُ كَانَ ظَلُومًا جَهُولًا it becomes certain that the trust was offered to the angels, the earth, the mountains, and all the heavenly bodies and yet they refused to bear it. Then it was offered to human beings—undoubtedly it must have been offered to the souls of the Prophets and Messengers in the first instance, because they were the leaders of mankind and the first to deserve the appellation of humanity in its true sense. Therefore, if the meanings of zalum and jahūl were to be taken in the sense in which they are used for a disbeliever, polytheist, or a confirmed rebel, then-God forbid—the first to deserve these epithets would be the Prophets. Hence, this point is extremely clear and self-evident that the terms zalum and jahul are used here in the sense of praise, and it is obvious that to accept the com- mand of God Almighty and to turn away from it [i. e. contrary to its literal meaning] cannot be cause for disobedience to God. It is actually a source of blessing and prosperity. How, then, can the literal meanings of zalum and jahul, which inherently imply defiance and rebellion, be appropriate in this context? Anyone well-versed in the modes of expression of the Noble Quran will not fail to recognize that, at times, the Most Gracious and Merciful, exalted be His Majesty, employs words for His chosen servants that may appear unflattering on the surface, but in meaning, they are highly 1. Verily We offered the trust to the heavens and the earth and the mountains, but they refused to bear it and were afraid of it. But the man bore it. Indeed, he was too cruel to himself, unmindful of the consequences (Sūrah al-Aḥzāb, 33:73). [Publisher]