The Holy Quran with Five Volume Commentary (Vol 2) — Page 25
PT. 3 ĀL-E-‘IMRĀN CH. 3 الصّبِرِينَ وَالصُّدِقِينَ وَالْقَنِتِينَ The steadfast, and the. 18 truthful, and the humble, and those who spend in the way of God, and those b who seek the night. 309 forgiveness in the latter part of a33:36. b51:18, 19. وَالمُنْفِقِينَ وَالْمُسْتَغْفِرِيْنَ بِالْأَسْحَارِ through inadvertence, is peculiarly teachings which he was unable fully intentional (Lane). According to Ar-Raghib, means, such errors and mistakes as bring about a harmful result or make one liable to be called to account (Mufradāt). Really (dhanb) signifies such failings or shortcomings as adhere to human nature, just as dhanab (tail, or in man, the corresponding part of the body) adheres to the body, i. e. natural failings and shortcomings in man. 309. Important Words: (latter part of the night) is the plural of i. e. the time before dawn. is in the plural number but has been translated as singular for the sake of convenience. also means, the side or end of a thing (Aqrab). Commentary: to act upon before. Thus the second stage relates to "living truthfully", i. e. living up to one's conviction. (3) When, as a result of faithfully carrying out the commandments of their Faith, true believers attain to power, even then humility does not take leave of them. They remain as "humble" in spirit as ever. (4) Nay, their sense of service still increases. They "spend" whatever Allah has given them for the welfare of humanity. But, as the concluding words of the verse point out, all this time they continue praying to God in the stillness of the night to forgive any falling short, on their part, of the high ideal of the service of humanity. A true Muslim is expected to display all these qualities. He must show an unflinching patience and The qualities or attributes of a true steadfastness under the severest trials believer mentioned in this verse represent four stages of spiritual progress: (1) When a man embraces true Faith, he is very often subjected to persecution; therefore, the first stage through which he has to pass is that of patience and steadfastness; (2) When persecution comes to an end and a believer is free to act as he pleases, he carries into practice the 465 and must live up to his conviction and carry into actual practice the noble ideals of his religion. Again, he must spend what God has given him of wealth, knowledge, influence, etc. , in the service of humanity and must at the same time never be remiss in the discharge of the duties he owes to God. He should not only pray during the fixed hours of the day but should