The Holy Quran with Five Volume Commentary (Vol 2) — Page 536
CH. 7 AL-A'RĀF PT. 8 يبَنِي آدَمَ خُذُوا زِيْنَتَكُمْ عِنْدَ كُلِّ مَسْجِدٍ 32. O children of Adam, look to your adornment at every time وَكُلُوا وَاشْرَبُوا وَلَا تُسْرِفُوا إِنَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ and place of worship, and eat الْمُسْرِفِينَ bounds; surely, He does not and drink but "exceed not the love those who exceed the bounds. 932 R. 4. قُلْ مَنْ حَرَّمَ زِيْنَةَ اللهِ الَّتِي اَخْرَجَ لِعِبَادِهِ Say, “Who has forbidden the. 33 adornment of Allah which He وَالطَّيِّبَتِ مِنَ الرِّزْقِ قُلْ هِيَ لِلَّذِينَ ,has produced for His servants "17:28; 25:68. are being, so shall you return, important because they point to the great truth that just as our bodies gradually develop in the wombs of our mothers, so will our souls pass through a similar process of develop- ment after our death. We should, therefore, be very careful about our souls. 932. Commentary: Taken in the spiritual sense, the verse would mean that Prayers should be offered with a pure and sincere heart free from distracting thoughts. The latter part of the verse embodies a basic commandment about eating and drinking. It has been joined to the commandment relating to "adornment at a place of worship", firstly because clothing and eating are allied subjects, and secondly to indicate that while issuing a commandment about Prayers, which is a spiritual matter, Islam does not overlook man's physical requirements. The words, exceed not the bounds, The adornment mentioned in the verse may either be physical or spiritual. Taking it in the physical sense, the verse enjoins believers to go to a place of worship, as far as possible, in a clean and decent dress, free from physical impurities and evil signify: (1) that one should not over- smell. The Holy Prophet is reported eat oneself and (2) that one should to have forbidden Muslims to go to a not always use the same kind of food, mosque after having eaten onions, but should vary it from time to time. garlic, etc. , as the bad smell of these Animal foods, vegetables, fruits, etc. things causes discomfort to others. should all be eaten in proper quantity He is also reported to have enjoined and proper proportion. In this the Faithful to take frequent baths, connection see The Teachings of especially before the great Islam by Ahmad, the Promised congregational Prayer on Friday. Messiah. 976