The Holy Quran with Five Volume Commentary (Vol 2) — Page 120
PT. 4 CH. 3 135. Those ĀL-E-‘IMRĀN prosperity and adversity, and الَّذِينَ يُنْفِقُونَ فِي السَّرَّاءِ وَالضَّرَّاء who spend in وَالْكُظِمِينَ الْغَيْظَ وَالْعَافِينَ عَنِ those who suppress anger and النَّاسِ وَاللهُ يُحِبُّ الْمُحْسِنِينَ pardon men; and Allah loves those who do good;418 vastness; (4) goods; (5) a valley; (6) Paradise both on this earth and in the side of a mountain (Aqrab). life to come. Commentary: This verse is an answer to those who, obsessed by their present environments, think that commerce and other affairs of the world cannot be carried on without interest. God says that by following the teachings of Islam, Muslims can and will enjoy all sorts of benefits. The verse is an invitation to follow the commandments of Islam, which has been spoken of as leading to "forgiveness" and "Paradise". The former word implies freedom from pain and afflictions; the latter stands for bliss. The word rendered as "price" gives, as shown above, a number of meanings. The idea is that the blessings of Paradise will not be limited. While in Paradise, a man will feel happy wherever he may be. On the contrary in this world, we find that a man often possesses the necessary means of enjoyment while at home, but when he is on a journey, he is often put to inconvenience. Such will not be the case in Paradise. that The clause also means believers will be granted a Paradise which will comprise both heaven and earth, i. e. the believers will be in 560 There is a tradition to the effect that once certain Companions asked the Holy Prophet, "If Paradise encom- passes the heavens and the earth. where is Hell?" To this the Prophet replied: "Where is the night when the day comes?" (Kathīr). This reply throws very interesting light on the nature of Heaven and Hell. The Holy Prophet has also said that the smallest reward of the inmates of Paradise will be as immense as the space between heaven and earth. 418. Important Words: (those who pardon) is derived from which means, to obliterate or remove traces of a thing (Aqrab). See also 2:188. A man is said to exercise the quality of when he obliterates from his mind, or totally forgets, the sins or mistakes committed against him by others. When used with reference to God, the word signifies not only obliteration of sins but also obliteration of all traces thereof. Commentary: The verse describes three stages of dealing with other people. In the first stage, a spiritual wayfarer, when offended against, restrains or suppresses his anger. In the second stage, he goes a step further and