The Holy Quran with Five Volume Commentary (Vol 4) — Page 322
CH. 23 AL-MU'MINÜN the 98. And say, 'My Lord, I seek refuge in Thee from incitements of the evil ones. 2 2577 the time of that punishment the Holy Prophet would be far away from the scene of punishment. In the present verse, however, the Prophet is enjoined that as long as he is with disbelievers he should patiently bear up with all the abuse and persecution to which he is subjected and should return good for evil. among Incidentally, the verse points to a very noble principle inculcated by Islam for the moral progress of a Muslim and also for the establishment and preservation of peace and harmony individuals and nations. The subject has been dealt with at some length in 16:91 and 42:41 where light is shed on all the different stages of the moral development of man. Briefly, there are three stages of man's moral development, viz. of Juc i. e. doing good to others to the extent or measure of the good received from them; of which means the doing of more good than the good received or doing good without receiving any good; and of which consists in doing good not in return of any good received, but as prompted by natural impulse. This is one aspect of moral development of man which the Quran has dealt with in 16:91. But there is another equally important aspect and the Quran has not omitted to deal with it also. Compared to the above-mentioned three different ways in which a Muslim is enjoined to conduct himself when he does good to other people, the Quran enjoins PT. 18 وَقُل رَّبِّ اَعُوْذُبِكَ مِنْ هَمَزَتِ الشَّيْطِينِ upon him a parallel conduct when he receives an injury. He may return evil to the extent and measure of the injury he has received or he may punish the evil-doer if he is in a position to do so but the punishment should, under no circumstances, exceed legitimate bounds. Moreover, the punishment is to be resorted to only if this course is calculated to produce wholesome effect upon the aggressor party. This is the significance of the words, the recompense of evil is evil like it (42:41). The Quran, however, prefers and recommends that forgiveness should be shown to the evil-doer. This is the meaning of the words, but whoever forgives and amends, his reward is with Allah (42:41). But a Muslim who has attained to a very high moral standard is enjoined not only to forgive the person who has done him some wrong but also to do him a good turn in addition. This is the significance of the verse under comment and this is the high moral standard of conduct expected of a Muslim by Islam. Islam enjoins the repelling of evil with evil or with forgiveness or with a kind return, which of the three calculated to conduce to the moral good of the wrong-doer, or the good of the injured person or to the good of human society at large. 2236 courses is 2577. Important Words: (incitements) is the plural of which is derived from. They