The Holy Quran with Five Volume Commentary (Vol 5) — Page 17
PT. 26 AL-AḤQĀF His nearness through them? Nay, they were lost to them. That was the result of their lie, and of what they fabricated. 3782 CH. 46 وَذَلِكَ اِفْكُهُمْ وَ مَا كَانُوا يَفْتَرُوْنَ وَإِذْ صَرَفْنَا إِلَيْكَ نَفَرًا مِنَ الْجِنَّ And remember when We. 30 turned towards thee a party of يَسْتَمِعُونَ الْقُرْآنَ ۚ فَلَمَّا حَضَرُوهُ the jinn who wished to hear the قَالُوا انْصِتُوا فَلَمَّا قُضِيَ وَلَّوْا إِلَى قَوْمِهِم مُّنْذِرِينَ Quran and, when they were present at its recitation, they said to one another, 'Be silent and listen,' and, when it was finished, they went back to their people, warning them. 3783 972:2. 3782. Important Words: (seeking nearness) is infinitive (nafara) which means, he ran away at random; he broke loose and went and thither; he became separated and returned to a distance. i. e. hither قرب اليه ومنه They say. قرب noun from qarraba): he made an) قرب الله قرباناً he was or became near to him or it. a an offering to God. means, offering or oblation; sacrifice; anything by means of which one seeks nearness to God; a near or favourite associate or companion (Lane & Aqrab). The word has been used in the latter sense in 39:4. Commentary: very The verse contains a challenging argument against idolatry and drives home to polytheists the futility of their idolatrous beliefs and practices, saying that their false gods can never help them in time of need while the True Almighty God comes to the rescue of His servants when they are in distress and call for His help. 3783. Important Words: (nafarun) means, a number of men from three to ten or less than ten; a man's people or tribe consisting of his near relations (Lane). Commentary: The party of men referred to in the verse were the Jews of Nusaybin or, as some say, from Mosul or Nineveh in Iraq. Being apprehensive of the Meccans' opposition, they met the Holy Prophet at night and after listening to the Quran and to the Holy Prophet's discourse, they converted to Islam and carried the new Message to their people who also readily accepted it. The next verse leaves no doubt that they were Jews and seemed to be the leaders of their people (Bayān, vol. 8). See also 72:2. نفر a party is derived from) نفراً 2913