The Holy Quran with Five Volume Commentary (Vol 2) — Page 486
CH. 6 AL-AN'ĀM garden is known as (jannat) because its trees cover or conceal the ground. A child in its mother's womb is known as because it lies concealed in the womb. The heart is known it lies concealed in the bosom. A grave is known as because it conceals the dead body. The piece of cloth worn by a woman is known as a (junnah) because it covers her head and because جنان as bosom. A shield is known as because it covers and protects the fighter. Madness or insanity is known as because it obscures and, as it were, veils the faculty of reason. A serpent is known as ob because it generally lies concealed in holes or dark corners. Similarly, (jinn) are so called because they are considered to be invisible bodies concealed from human sight. also means the prime or first part of a thing, probably because it covers or conceals the main body that follows (Lisān & Tāj). For a fuller discussion of the word and an explanation of the jinn see note on 15:28. See also 6:101. you) استكثر تم sought to make subservient to yourselves a great many) is derived from which means, it was or became much or abundant or many or numerous. means, he desired or wished much of the thing; or he reckoned it much, abundant or many (Lane). ofis signifies, you have misled many of them; or you have made many of them follow you; or you have made them subservient to yourselves (Kashshāf). (abode) is derived from J. They say i. e. he remained, stayed, or abode in the place; or he 926 PT. 8 stayed or dwelt long in it; he settled in the place; he alighted at the place. So means, a place where one remains, stays, dwells or abides; an abode or a dwelling; a place of alighting (Lane). Commentary: The verse definitely proves that at least here the Quran does not use the word jinn to signify a species other than mankind. The very words and the only possible signification of the verse contradict that sense. The word as used in this verse, which thus holds a sort of key position, cannot but mean great and powerful men as opposed to the weak and poor classes. The word جن as shown under Important Words is derived from a root which means to hide or conceal. As the beings properly known as jinn are hidden from the eyes of men, therefore, they have been called. The great men have also been called jinn because they very rarely mix with the general public and remain, as it were, hidden from them. you) قد استكثر تم من الانس The sentence have sought to make subservient to yourselves a great many from among men) has two meanings: (1) you have taken to yourselves many from among the masses, i. e. you have won them over to your side and made them follow you and have thus misled them; (2) you have reckoned the masses to be many (as against God), i. e. you have attached more importance to the masses than to God; you did not accept the truth out of fear of the masses, lest they should desert you and cease to hold you in honour. It is indeed strange that just