The Holy Quran with Five Volume Commentary (Vol 4)

The Holy Quran with Five Volume Commentary (Vol 4) — Page 203

PT. 17 AL-ANBIYA' sayi. e. the fire burned or burned fiercely. (ajja) means, he hastened or was quick in his pace; he or it became the flaming fire (Lane & Aqrab). The words: et andet are both derived from this root. They refer to the Scythians of the furthest East. . . or as some say, all nations inhabiting the north of Asia and of Europe (see Enc. Brit. and Jewish Encyclopaedia under "Gog" and "Magog", and " Historians' History of the World" vol. 2, p. 582 and Ezekiel 38:2-6 & 39:6). The words may also apply to the Christian nations of the West as they have made much use of the burning fire and boiling water and because all their material progress and great discoveries and inventions are due to the proper use of these things. Or the words may imply the restlessness of these nations as they are always on the lookout restlessly and impatiently to make new conquests. See also 16:18. CH. 21 (let loose) signifies that the Christian nations of the West will spread all over the world and dominate it. Commentary: The description of Gog and Magog as given in the Bible leaves no doubt about the fact that it applies to some Christian powers of the west: Firstly, because they are represented as very numerous and powerful and mighty and their numbers as further swelling by their allies. Says the Bible: Thou shalt ascend, and come like a storm, Thou shalt be like a cloud to cover the land, thou, and all thy bands and many people with thee (Ezek. 38:9). Gog and Magog. . . the number of whom is as the sand of the sea (Rev. 20:8). Every feathered fowl, and every beast of the field is thus addressed, ye shall eat the flesh of the mighty, and drink the blood of the princes of the earth (Ezek. 39:18,19). حدب height) is inf. noun from حدب (hadiba) which means, it rose high or grew up high. (hadabun) means, high or elevated ground. means, rugged or high ground. The word also means a wave; a slope in a declivity. means, the elevated waves of water or the rolling water in waves. The Quranic expression means, they will occupy every vantage point and will dominate the whole world and excel all nations (Lane & Aqrab). (shall hasten forth) is formed i. e. he begot means, his progeny ¿means, he hastened from. They say a son. multiplied. in his walk (Aqrab & Mufradat). 2117 Secondly, they are shown coming forth from the northern parts of the earth, and from the isles: "And thou (0 Gog) shalt come from thy place out of the north, thou, and many people with thee" (Ezek. 38:15). Thirdly, they will spread all over the world: "They went up on the breadth of the earth" (Rev. 20:9). Fourthly, from their home in the north, they will migrate to other lands and settle in all the four corners of the earth and in time of war they will gather together from their distant colonies: "Satan. . . . shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle" (Rev.