The Holy Quran with Five Volume Commentary (Vol 1) — Page 297
PT. 2 AL-BAQARAH CH. 2 (Muḥit & Mawardī, as quoted by all but, like a pregnant woman big Fathul-Qadir). with child, it contains truths that lie (the Quran) is the name given by God Himself to the Book revealed to the Holy Prophet of Islam, containing the final Law for mankind. The word is derived from 13. They say meaning: (1) he read the book, i. e. he read it to himself; or (2) he recited the book, i. e. he read it aloud so that others might hear it; also means, he conveyed or delivered a message, etc. , as they say meaning, convey or deliver my salām to him; (3) means, he collected or drew together the thing; (4) means, the woman became pregnant and brought forth a child (Aqrab & Lane). Thus (Quran) means: (1) a book which is meant to be read. The Quran is indeed the most widely read book in the world (Enc. Brit. 11th edition, article on Koran by Nöldeke); (2) a book or message which is meant to be conveyed and delivered to other peoples. The Quran is indeed the only revealed Book whose delivery or message is absolutely unrestricted; for whereas all other Books are meant for specific times and specific peoples, the Quran is meant for all times and all peoples (34:29; also Bukhārī); (3) a Book which comprises and has collected in itself all truth; the Quran is indeed a storehouse of knowledge which not only comprises all eternal truths revealed in previous Books (98:4) but also all such truths as mankind may stand in need of at any time and in any circumstances (18:50); (4) a Book which contains not only visible truth which may be seen and felt by 297 hidden from the eyes of most men and, like a newborn child, come to light only as and when time ripens (15:22). All these meanings are not only expressive of an existing state of serve as mighty affairs but also prophecies, the truth of which has been established in all ages. Commentary: The ground having been suitably prepared in the preceding two verses, this verse gives the awaited commandment about fasting. But even here the actual commandment is preceded by a suitable description of the month of Ramadan in which fasts were to be observed. The month was not chosen arbitrarily but was selected for the purpose of fasting because it was a sacred month in which the Quran was revealed. And the Quran is not an ordinary book. It is a Book full of right guidance and of bright Signs and of things that help to differentiate between truth and falsehood. This sublime foreword placed before the commandment about fasting contains an implied question to the effect: Will you not now fast when fasting is a tried thing, when it is so useful, when it is to be observed only for a few days, when even in these few days suitable facilities have been provided, and lastly when these few days correspond with a month which is full of blessings? As hinted above, this verse mentions the reason for which the month of Ramadan was selected for the purpose of fasting. It was in this