The Holy Quran with Five Volume Commentary (Vol 3) — Page 534
Moreover, some subjects to which only implied reference was made in the preceding Surah have been dealt with at some length in the present one. For instance in Surah An-Nahl, honey was described as a cure for many physical diseases. This description implied a beautiful hint that the Quran, being spiritual honey, contains the panacea for humanity's moral and spiritual ailments and disorders. This subject which was treated only casually in the preceding chapter has been dealt with exhaustively in the present one, as is clear from the words, And We are gradually revealing of the Quran that which is a healing and a mercy to the believers. (17:83). The Surah opens with the subject of Isrā' (Spiritual Night Journey of the Holy Prophet) in order to show that, the Holy Prophet being the successor and counterpart of Moses, his followers will conquer the lands which were promised to Moses, and that like Moses he will also have to leave his native place. But his Migration will lead to the very rapid progress and advancement of his noble cause. After this we are briefly told that the people of Moses acquired great power and prestige through him though subsequently they came to grief by defying and ignoring Divine warning. But the Quran, being a more complete code of Laws, is capable of bringing about a greater and more complete change in the lives of its followers than was the Book of Moses. This brief reference to the rise and decline of Jews is attended with a warning for Muslims that God would bestow upon them His favours and like the Jews they would also rise to great heights of material greatness and glory, but when they had acquired wealth, power and influence they should not forget God. After this we are told that there is nothing bad in seeking the good things of this life but their enjoyment should not lead us to a life of ease and forgetfulness. Then some rules of conduct are mentioned by acting upon which one can rise to a very high spiritual stature. But instead of thinking over and benefiting by these rules disbelievers arrogantly turn away from them and give no thought to the dreadful end to which their conceit and pride are likely to lead them. They are warned that rejection of truth is never productive of wholesome results and that they will be visited with severe Divine punishment, particularly in the latter days, when the world shall witness a fight to the finish between the angels of Heaven and the sons of darkness and finally the forces of satan shall suffer complete rout. The Surah proceeds to administer a severe rebuke to disbelievers that they seek to annihilate the Holy Prophet, but God has decreed a great purpose for him and a mighty destiny awaits him. His name shall be known to the remotest corners of the earth and shall be honoured to the end of time. The world shall recognize him as humanity's greatest Guide and Leader and the Quran as a storehouse of limitless, spiritual knowledge. The Surah closes with a brief description of the signs of the latter days and of the evils that will then prevail in the world and declares that it is prayer and connection with God alone that can save man from sin. 1742