The Holy Quran with Five Volume Commentary (Vol 3) — Page 15
PT. 11 YŪNUS CH. 10 أو ليك ماونهُمُ النَّارُ بِمَا كَانُوا It is these whose abode is. 9 يَكْسِبُونَ Fire, because of what they earned. 1284 (1) he hoped, and (2) he feared. They say I hoped for him or it; and i. e. I feared not thee (Lane & Aqrab). Commentary: It is a characteristic of the style of the Quran that it uses words and expressions that are apparently simple but embody a vast variety of meanings. As the Arabic language is most adapted to serve this purpose, God has bestowed upon it the honour of being the language of the Quran. (looking for) is one such word and means both hope and fear. The use of this word in the present verse has therefore made it rich with deep meaning. The study of human nature reveals the important fact that all human progress is bound up with the instincts of hope and fear. Our best efforts are inspired by one or other of these two instincts. Some persons labour and sweat, actuated by hopes of acquisition and aggrandizement; others work out of fear lest they should come to grief. The present verse contains an appeal to both classes. To those for whom the incentive to work is hope, the verse says, "Why don't you hope to meet God and shape your conduct according to, and in anticipation of, that meeting; because on the hope of that meeting depends all your material prosperity as well as your moral and spiritual advancement. " To those whom fear alone can incite to action, it says, "Why don't you fear and try to escape God's punishment which, if it overtakes you, will destroy you outright. " Thus in one single word the Quran has exhorted to action both and, for that matter, all classes of men. In the words, are content with the not life of this world and feel at rest therewith, is beautifully given the Islamic point of view with regard to material is progress. Islam opposed to the search for, or attainment of, material prosperity. What it disapproves is that one should make the acquisition of the things of this world the aim and end of one's existence and should have no thought for the Hereafter. Secondly, Islam disapproves the idea that after one has attained prosperity, one should give up all further effort at making still more progress. As a Hereafter, coupled with material matter of fact, the good of the prosperity, is spoken of in the Quran as one of the favours of God and every Muslim is exhorted to pray for it (2:202). The words, those who are heedless of Our Signs, throw further light on the subject, viz. that God is displeased with only those who are wholly engrossed in the pursuit of material things and consign all spiritual things to oblivion. 1284. Commentary: (they do) to The verse uses the words (they earn) and not 1223