The Holy Quran with Five Volume Commentary (Vol 2) — Page 490
PT. 8 AL-AN'ĀM قُلْ يُقَوْمِ اعْمَلُوْا عَلَى مَكَانَتِكُمْ إِنِّي CH. 6 136. Say, "O my people, act as best you can. I, too, am acting. عَامِلٌ فَسَوْفَ تَعْلَمُونَ مَنْ تَكُونُ لَهُ Soon will you know whose will عَاقِبَةُ الدَّارِ إِنَّهُ لَا يُفْلِحُ الظَّلِمُونَ ) be the ultimate reward of the abode. ' Surely, the wrongdoers shall not prosper. 875 Commentary: a11:94,122; 39:40-41. The words, that which you are promised, refer to the promise of destruction contained in the previous verse. The chapter was revealed at Mecca, when Muslims were few and weak while their enemies were strong and numerous and were subjecting them to bitter persecution with a view to annihilating Islam. In these circumstances, the prophecy relating to the destruction of the enemy in such forceful words and in such tones of certainty could not be made by the helpless man that the Holy Prophet at that time was. It could proceed from none but God the Almighty, Who alone could bring about its fulfilment; and it is writ large on the pages of history how the prophecy was fulfilled. The same prophecy or challenge is continued in the next verse in equally forceful words. 875. Important Words: (Lane & Aqrab). The expression kmeans, do what you can; or act as best you can; or remain where you are and do your worst (Kashshāf). Some authorities, however, consider the word to have been derived from in which case it signifies greatness; or high rank or standing; or honourable a place or position, especially with a king or potentate (Aqrab & Lane). In this sense the expression would mean, "You look upon yourselves to be great or high in rank. Now come and exert your full power against Islam and then see what the result will be. " Commentary: As explained under Important اعملوا على مكانتكم Words, the expression means, you may do your worst and exert yourselves to the utmost of your power and resources to extirpate Islam and destroy the small Muslim community but you will never succeed. (as best you can). The word k is considered by some to have The words, Soon will you know been derived from 6 which means, whose will be the ultimate reward, he or it was, or he or it came into signify, "you will soon see which of existence. . means, place of being the two parties will succeed in the or existence. a means, place of end. " The word (abode) may refer being or existence; state or condition. either to this world or to the next. In The Arabs say lys,. i. e. keep both cases the ultimate reward is where thou art and approach not Zaid | reserved for the truthful. 930