The Holy Quran with Five Volume Commentary (Vol 3) — Page 459
PT. 14 AN-NAHL CH. 16 فَلَبِئْسَ مَثْوَى الْمُتَكَثِرِيْنَ b the abode of the proud. 1831 وَقِيْلَ لِلَّذِينَ اتَّقَوْا مَاذَا أَنْزَلَ رَبُّكُمْ And when it is said to the. 31 righteous, 'What think ye of قَالُوا خَيْرًا لِلَّذِينَ أَحْسَنُوا فِي هَذِهِ الدُّنْيَا that which your Lord has حَسَنَةٌ وَلَدَارُ الْآخِرَةِ خَيْرٌ ۖ وَلَنِعْمَ دَارُ الْمُتَّقِينَ revealed?' They say, 'The best. ' "For those who do good there is good in this world. And the home of the Hereafter is even better. Excellent indeed is the abode of the righteous, 1832 32. Gardens of Eternity, which they will enter; through them flow جَثْتُ عَدْنٍ يَدْخُلُونَهَا تَجْرِى مِنْ تَحْتِهَا a39:11. 6:33; 12:110. 9:72; 13:24; 35:34; 61:13; 98:9. 1831. Commentary: The verse means to say that those proud people who know and understand truth but who on account of perverseness or pride do not submit to Divine Messengers and accept their message will receive a heavier punishment than those who err through carelessness or ignorance. 1832. Commentary: what V. 25 above stated disbelievers thought of the revelation sent down to the Holy Prophet. The present verse gives the opinion of the Faithful regarding the Quran in the words, They say, 'The best'. It must be remembered that the Faithful gave this testimony in favour of the Quran at Mecca where they were being bitterly persecuted for believing in it. A testimony given under such circumstances entitled to the greatest possible respect. The Faithful were asked what they had found in the Book worth believing for which much they were undergoing so persecution, and the reply they invariably gave was that they had found it to be the Ideal Book, i. e. all that was essential for a perfect code of laws to contain was found in it or that this Book exceeded all their expectations. The words, For those who do good, signify that a change in one's attitude and outlook brings about a corresponding change in one's deeds and actions. Disbelievers looked upon the Quran as a mere collection of tales, therefore they disregarded its warnings and consequently became deprived of all good. But believers looked upon it as viz. the Ideal Book, so they acted upon it and thus reaped a good reward in this world and ✗i. e. the ideal reward, in the life to come. 1667