The Holy Quran with Five Volume Commentary (Vol 1) — Page 327
CH. 2 أوليك لَهُمْ نَصِيبٌ مِّمَّا كَسَبُوا وَاللَّهُ سَرِيعُ الْحِسَابِ PT. 2 AL-BAQARAH 203. For these there shall be a goodly share because of what they have earned. And Allah is swift at reckoning. 209 204. And "remember during the appointed number of وَاذْكُرُوا اللهَ فِي أَيَّامٍ مَّعْدُودَةٍ فَمَنْ Allah تَعَجَّلَ فِي يَوْمَيْنِ فَلَا إِثْمَ عَلَيْهِ وَمَنْ days; but whoso hastens to تَأَخَّرَ فَلَا إِثْمَ عَلَيْهِ لِمَنِ اتَّقَى وَاتَّقُوا leave in two days, it shall be no sin for him; and whoso stays "See 2:153. things of this world standing for such spiritual blessings as a righteous man gets in this world and the good things of the next world standing for those which he will get in the Hereafter. In fact, the very words used in the verse point to that signification, for the Quranic words do not mean "good things of this world" but simply "good in this world". In this case or "the Fire" would stand not for Hell, protection against which is, in fact, included in the good things of the next world, but for such trials and hardships as one may come across in this world in the struggle for spiritual advancement or in the effort to benefit others. It was in this sense that the Holy Prophet used this prayer with regard to himself; for personally he never sought even the good things of this world, though he always sought "good in this world". 209. Important Words: Commentary: Such men as seek the good things of this world as well as the good things of the Hereafter (2:202) will or have their reward from God according to their deserts. The clause, Allah is swift at reckoning, however, contains a warning to such men, hinting that as some of their efforts are being spent in pursuit of the things of this world, they should be careful lest any stumbling weakness on their part should bring on them God's displeasure. The clause also points to the important fact that God has so ordained that in nature every action is immediately followed by its consequences, inasmuch as it leaves an impression on man, and thus all actions are preserved. The Holy Prophet is reported to have said that when a man commits an evil deed, a black spot is formed in his heart and if he repeats the sin, the spot grows bigger and so on (Musnad). This, indeed, is the result which quickly follows the actions of man. In fact it is a reckoning which accompanies all actions of man. . نصب share is derived from) نصيب They say i. e. he set it up. Therefore means, a set share or portion (Lane). 327