The Holy Quran with Five Volume Commentary (Vol 2) — Page 323
PT. 6 AL-MĀ'IDAH CH. 5 يَهْدِى بِهِ اللهُ مَنِ اتَّبَعَ رِضْوَانَ سُبُلَ Thereby does Allah guide. 17 those who seek His pleasure on السَّلامِ وَيُخْرِجُهُم مِّنَ الظُّلُمتِ إِلَى النُّورِ the paths of peace, and leads بِإِذْنِهِ وَيَهْدِيهِمْ إِلَى صِرَاطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ them out of darkness into light by His will, and guides them to the right path. 654 "2:258; 14:2; 33:44; 57:10; 65:12. for which see 2:110. Among others the word means, it became effaced or obliterated; or He (God) effaced or obliterated (a sin, etc. ), i. e. forgave and pardoned. means, I have relinquished or given up my right or what was due to me. The word is also used in the sense of i. e. the act of giving up or abandoning or leaving off or passing over (Tāj). Commentary: The verse refers to the suppression of many noble teachings and great truths by the People of the Book and draws their attention to the fact that not only are many of the truths contained in the older Books being re-taught by the Holy Prophet of Islam but also many more are being revealed and new and wider avenues of guidance have been opened, though at the same time some laws and ordinances which proved burdensome to the previous peoples or were meant only for a specific period have not been embodied in the teachings of the new Faith. The word "Light" at the end of the verse refers to the Holy Prophet, who elsewhere in the Quran has been called "a Bright Lamp" (33:47), because from him later Reformers 763 were to receive the light of divine knowledge. It may also contain a reference to the fact that the Holy Prophet was the "Seal of the Prophets" (33:41) in the sense that he who followed him in the most perfect manner could receive even the gift of prophethood from God-a great truth laid bare by the Holy Founder of the Ahmadiyya Movement. The Holy Prophet was, thus, a great spiritual light that could kindle other similar lights. But it must be clearly understood that since the Law of Islam is perfect in all respects and is meant for all ages to come, no other Book of Law can come after the Quran. 654. Commentary: The pronoun in a sus (thereby does Allah guide) may refer either to the "Book" or the "Light" spoken of in the previous verse. The use of the word (paths) in the plural number indicates that just as there are diverse kinds of difficulties and obstacles that beset the path of a spiritual wayfarer, so God has also provided for him many means of deliverance and safe arrival at his destination. (peace) being also one of the names of God (see 50:24),