The Holy Quran with Five Volume Commentary (Vol 4) — Page 11
PT. 16 MARYAM no imitation in all eastern countries. ه CH. 19 ص the) صادق for ص ی الملک form and to fulfil a new need and serve a new purpose, and, therefore, According to Ummi Hānī, a cousin this chapter again has the Muqatta'at of the Holy Prophet, he (the Holy (Alif Lam Mim) in its beginning. Prophet) is reported to have said that The next three chapters (30, 31 & 32) in the combined letters the letter follow suit and the five chapters 5 stands for (the All-Sufficient), following these Surahs have for (the Guide), & for (the All- Muqatta'āt. Chapter (Sad) begins Knowing), and with the abbreviated letter (Sad) Truthful). According to Ibn 'Abbās, and the next chapter (39) has no however, the letters 5 stands for ✗ Muqatta'āt. (the Great), for (the Guide), for The following seven Surahs open (Who gives peace and protection), with the abbreviated letters (Hafor (the Mighty) and for Mim), only chapter 42 having the (the Truthful). Ibn Mas'ud and letters ('Ain Sin Qaf) added to some other Companions interpreted (Ḥā Mīm). They are known as Surahs these combined letters as of group. The next three Surahs, (theKing), (God), (the Mighty) viz. 47, 48 & 49 again have no and (the Fashioner). ‘Alī Muqatta'āt in their beginning. The sometimes would preface his prayer 50th chapter is the last chapter which with the words (Fath). has an abbreviated letter i. e. 3 (Qāƒ). This somewhat detailed examination shows that three main categories of Muqaṭṭa'at have been used in the Quran and that the Surahs having the same category of Muqatta'at have been placed together which is a further indication of the fact that the subjects dealt with in such Surahs bear a close resemblance to each other and that the Muqaṭṭa 'at placed in their beginning serve as a key to their subject matter. It is also pertinent to note that there is one thing which is common to all those Surahs that have Muqatta'āt. They open with the subject of the revelation of the Quran and this is no mere chance. The system of using abbreviations (Muqaṭṭa 'āt) was in vogue among the Arabs and at present is very popular in western countries and in its Different combinations of abbreviated letters signify different subjects and the subject matter of a particular Surah at the beginning of which a particular combination is placed is governed by it. It has been explained above that the abbreviated letters stand for Divine attributes, but which particular letter stands for which particular Divine attribute becomes clear only by a deep study of the subject matter of the Surah at the beginning of which those letters are placed. The explanation of as given by the Holy Prophet in the ḥadīth narrated by Ummi Hānī must necessarily be accepted as the best and should be preferred to all other explanations. But in this explanation the letter has been left out which shows that it does not signify any Divine attribute but has been used only as a letter of 1925