The Holy Quran with Five Volume Commentary (Vol 3) — Page 467
PT. 14 AN-NAHL CH. 16 بِالْبَيِّنَتِ وَالزِّبُرِ وَاَنْزَلْنَا إِلَيْكَ الذِّكْرَ We sent Our Messengers. 45 with clear Signs and Scriptures. لِتُبَيِّنَ لِلنَّاسِ مَا نُزِّلَ إِلَيْهِمْ وَلَعَلَّهُمْ And We have sent down to يَتَفَكَّرُونَ thee the Reminder that thou mayest explain to mankind that which has been sent down to them, and that they may reflect. 1846 "35:26. 3:59; 15:7, 10; 20:100. it is not safe to defy God's Prophets. Taking in the sense to remember, the words would mean, those who remember, and the expression, ask those who possess the Reminder, would mean that if the disbelievers of Mecca have forgotten the history of their forefathers they should learn it from Muslims who are 5 Jo, i. e. who possess and remember that history. The taunt must have cut to the quick the Meccan idolaters who were so proud of their ancestry. The words, (to whom We sent revelation), point out that the honour and greatness which the Prophets had acquired had their basis not in material resources or numbers, but were due to the revelations they received from God. The verse also suggests an answer to the misgivings of disbelievers who asked how the Holy Prophet, a helpless man, could bring political power and glory to his followers. They are told that all the previous Prophets were as helpless as he, yet they were successful in their mission and gained power and greatness. 1846. Important Words: The word الذكر translated as Reminder among other things means: (1) remembrance, the presence of a thing in the mind so that it is never forgotten; (2) the praise or glorification of God; (3) eminence, honour: (4) a book containing an exposition of religion and institution an of religious laws; (5) strong and firm saying (Lane). See also 2:41, 153, 201; 6:69; 12:105 & 15:7. Commentary: The word applies to the Quran in all these different senses: (a) The Quran is a book which helps man to remember God; (b) it praises and glorifies God; (c) those who act upon its teachings get honour and eminence; (d) it contains an exposition of the religion of Islam; and (e) it is strong and firm in the sense that its teachings and the truths it inculcates admit of no doubt or objection. The verse develops the theme of the previous verse and says that the Prophets come with clear proofs and Divine Scriptures, that is to say they come with heavenly signs and Divine commands. In this lies the secret of their success. 1675 The verse further points to a