The Holy Quran with Five Volume Commentary (Vol 2) — Page 2
that the former Surah had concluded with some prayers in which prayer for national reformation and for the triumph of Islam over its enemies formed the main subject; and by placing the Divine attributes of "Living" and "Self- Subsisting and All-Sustaining" in the beginning of Al-e-‘Imrān, Muslims have been assured that God will certainly come to their aid and that by His help alone can success be achieved, because He being "Living" and "Self- Subsisting and All-Sustaining", His power knows no weakening. Similarly, verse 5 of the present chapter, which purports to say that a grievous punishment is in store for those who have rejected the signs of God and that God possesses the power to take revenge, points to the acceptance of the prayer embodied in the concluding words of the last chapter, i. e. So help us against the disbelieving people. Title and Date of Revelation This Surah is known by several names in the Ḥadīth. Like Al-Baqarah, it is also known by the name Az-Zahrā' (the Bright One) which is indicative of the strong similarity existing between the themes of the two Surahs and their subject matter. The chapter is also known by the names Al-Amān (Peace), Al-Kanz (the Treasure), Al-Mu'ina (the Helper), Al-Mujādalah (the Pleading), Al-Istighfar (the Seeking of Forgiveness), and Tayyiba (the Pure). The Surah was revealed at Medina. Subject Matter This chapter, like its predecessor, opens with the abbreviated letters Alif Lam Mim (I am Allah, the All-Knowing) which is intended to draw our attention to the Divine attribute of knowledge; and mention of the attributes "Living" and "Self-Subsisting and All Sustaining" is meant to point out that in this Surah the Divine attribute of knowledge has been substantiated by God's attributes of "Living" and "Self-Subsisting and All-Sustaining", i. e. the fact that God is "Living" and "Self-Subsisting and All-Sustaining" constitutes proof of His being "All-Knowing", because death and decay are born of lack of knowledge. He Who is "Living" and "Self-Subsisting and All-Sustaining" will necessarily be "All-Knowing" because if there had been another "All- Knowing" being like Him, he too would have possessed the power to provide means for his everlasting subsistence (2:3). Then the chapter goes on to say (a) that whereas the Torah and the Gospels have proceeded from a true source, the followers of these Books, Jews and Christians, have strayed away from the right path as regards their doctrines and deeds; (b) that consequently Divine punishment would overtake them, and (c) that the belief that connection with these Books will save them from God's punishment is a vain hope, because 442