The Holy Quran with Five Volume Commentary (Vol 4) — Page 49
PT. 16 MARYAM CH. 19 إِنَّا نَحْنُ نَرِثُ الْأَرْضَ وَمَنْ عَلَيْهَا وَ إِلَيْنَا It is We Who will inherit. 41 يُرْجَعُونَ the earth and all who are thereon; and to Us will they all be returned. 2184 R. 3. وَاذْكُرْ فِي الْكِتَبِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ إِنَّهُ كَانَ And relate the story of. 42 Abraham as mentioned in the Book. He was a truthful man and a Prophet. 2185 صِدِّيقًا نَّبِيَّان a15:24; 28:59. 38:46; 53:38. 2184. Commentary: As the Surah deals with the false Christian beliefs and the rise, progress and prosperity of Christian nations, and with the ultimate destruction of their material might and power the word (the earth) here signifies the vast parts of the world over which they will hold sway; and the expression (who are thereon) points to the large numbers of Christian people who at that time will be inhabiting the earth and dominating it. The verse embodies two prophecies: (a) the Christians will first come to rule over almost the whole earth, and will be dominating it by their large numbers, and (b) then as a result of their disbelief they will be deprived of their world dominion which will ultimately be given to the followers of Islam. It points to the present great material power and grandeur of Christian nations and their subsequent destruction and to the ultimate spread and triumph of Islam. The words, And to Us will they all be returned, signify that Western Christian nations will ultimately 1963 accept Islam. 2185. Commentary: (Abraham) means the father of nations. Originally Abraham's name was (Abram) which may have been derived from. They say i. e. he twisted it (the rope) well. He made it firm, strong, solid (Lane). Abraham might have been so called because he was endowed to an unusual degree with conversational ability of a high mark. He was an irresistible debater. His talk was very effective and his arguments strong. A reference to this quality of Abraham is to be found in 2:259 and 6:76-81. Or Abram may have come to be called Abraham after God had made His covenant with him and had promised to multiply him exceedingly. God said: "As for Me, behold, My covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations. Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for father of many nations have I made thee" (Gen. 17:4-5). In the Quran also Abraham has been called ad which means, "a nation", "a people", "a race" (16:121).