The Holy Quran with Five Volume Commentary (Vol 2) — Page 457
PT. 7 AL-AN'ĀM CH. 6 believe therein and "they strictly observe their Prayer. 835 835. Important Words: "23:10; 70:24. (full of blessings) is derived يُحَافِظُونَ i. e. the mother of the tree; or d i. e. the Milky Way, viz. the place where the stars are collected together ,signifies ام القرى the in a great multitude. . . برك الجمل They says. برك from camel kneeled and lay down on his chest with his legs folded. also means, he or it was or became firm, steady or (barraka) means, he prayed that such a one might be blessed. means, برك على فلان. steadfast he kept or applied himself constantly ,means بارك الله فيك or بارك الله عليك. to it may God bless thee and make thee prosperous, or may He continue to shower blessings on thee. means, blessed is God; or hallowed is He; or far removed is He from every imperfection; or highly exalted is He. (barakat) means, a blessing; any good bestowed by God, particularly that which continues and goes on increasing. It also means, increase, abundance or plenty. * (birkah) means, a tank dug in the ground; a lake or pond; a place where water remains and collects. means, blessed; gifted with blessing; abounding in good (Lane). (mother), apart from its primary meaning, also signifies: source, origin, foundation or basis; support or cause of subsistence; the main or chief part of a thing; anything to which other things are collected together or joined; place of collection or comprehension or combination of a thing. The word is also applied to inanimate things, as the Arabs say 897 the mother of the towns; the metropolis; Mecca, because, being the Qiblah it is the gathering-place of men, or because of all towns it possesses the greatest dignity. In fact, every city is the of the smaller towns around it (Lane). Mecca is called also because it is the source of spiritual food for mankind. Commentary: (a This verse further explains the rational argument contained in the words, you have been taught that which neither you nor your fathers knew (see note on the preceding verse), and makes it clear that it is the Quran that the words quoted above refer to. The present verse mentions four features of the Quran: (1) it has been sent by God; (2) it is full of blessings as the word indicates, i. e. it is a Book in which, like a place where water collects), are collected all the blessings of God; (3) it fulfils that which preceded it, i. e. it fulfils the prophecies contained in the previous Scriptures; and (4) it has been revealed SO that the Holy Prophet may warn thereby the Mother of towns and those around her. The place where a Prophet of God appears is called "the mother of towns," for it is out of it that men drink spiritual