The Holy Quran with Five Volume Commentary (Vol 3) — Page 656
CH. 18 AL-KAHF therein upon raised couches. How good the reward and how excellent the place of rest! 2072 & 2072. Important Words: (bracelets) is the plural of ✓ which is derived from w. They say bölkl vom³‚l vlw i. e. he climbed or scaled the wall. also means, he put on or decked himself with bracelets. ✓✓_w means, a man's or woman's bracelet of silver or of gold (Lane & Aqrab). (fine silk) means, thin or fine (silk). It is opposed to (Lane). PT. 15 الْأَرَابِكِ نِعْمَ الثَّوَابُ ، وَحَسُنَتْ مُرْتَفَقًان bracelets of gold, mean that gold bracelets being symbols of royalty, Muslims will become rulers of vast حرير silk brocade) or thin or fine) دیباج heavy brocade is derived) استبرق from which means, it shone, gleamed or glistened. means, and mighty empires. But taken as referring to the next life they connote a spiritual sense, meaning that good works of Muslims in this life would assume an embodied form in the next. Or "bracelets of gold" may signify special marks of honour, i. e. the Faithful will enjoy great power, honour and dignity and their womenfolk will wear garments of fine silk and heavy brocade interwoven with gold. This prophecy was fulfilled when the treasures of Persia and Rome were laid at the feet of so-called illiterate and half- civilized Arabs who wore clothes made of coarse skins and the hair of دیباج silk brocade) or) دیباج thick interwoven with gold; thick silk (Lane & Aqrab). (raised couches) is the plural of which is derived from 5 which means, he persisted or persevered. They say of i. e. he remained in the house, not quitting it. The Arabs say dëic ¿ | Svi. e. he compelled him to do the thing; he made him cleave to it. a means, a raised couch in a tent or chamber decorated and adorned with cloth and curtains for a bride; a bed spread upon the ground to sit upon; anything upon which one reclines; a raised couch (Lane & Aqrab). Commentary: The wearing of bracelets of gold may refer either to this life or the next. In the former case, the words, They will be adorned therein with animals. The words, how good the reward, imply that these things will not make Muslims lovers of ease and luxury and will not lead to their moral or spiritual death. On the contrary they will prove "a good reward" for them, that is, these things will give them peace and contentment of mind. The words, and how excellent the place of rest, signify that contacts and friendships formed in accordance with Quranic teaching, being based on sincere and honest motives, will not lead to war and mutual hatred but will bring about real peace and concord in the world. 1864