The Holy Quran with Five Volume Commentary (Vol 5) — Page 472
CH. 88 AL-GHASHIYAH 21. "And at the earth, how it is spread out?4703 22. Admonish, therefore, for thou art but an admonisher; 23. "Thou art not appointed a warden over them. 4704 24. But whoever turns away and disbelieves, 25. Allah will punish him with the greatest punishment. 26. Unto Us surely is their return, 4705 27. Then, surely, it is for Us to call them to account. -05 PT. 30 وَإِلَى الْأَرْضِ كَيْفَ سُطِحَتْ فَذَكِّرُ إِنَّمَا أَنْتَ مُذَكِّرَة لَسْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ بِمُصَّيْم إِلَّا مَنْ تَوَلَّى وَكَفَرَةٌ فَيُعَذِّبُهُ اللهُ الْعَذَابَ الْأَكْبَرَة إِنَّ إِلَيْنَا ايَا بَهُمْ ثُمَّ إِنَّ عَلَيْنَا حِسَابَهُمْن a50:8; 79:31. 6:108; 39:42; 42:7. their faith, or like mountains which secure the earth against earthquakes and violent commotions and render it stable, the righteous servants of God are the cause of the stability of the spiritual world. But for them the violent earthquakes of disbelief and sin should shake the spiritual earth to its foundations and cause great havoc in it. 4703. Commentary: The verse purports to say that the earth has been spread out for the Companions of the Holy Prophet that they might carry the Message of Islam far and wide. The four verses (vv. 18-21) teach a Muslim the supreme moral lesson that he should be generous like the clouds, exalted like the heaven, of fixed resolve like the mountains, and soft and humble like the earth. 4704. Commentary: The verse constitutes a wonderful commentary on the Divine origin of the Quran. The Surah was revealed at Mecca in the early years of the Call when only a handful of weak and poor persons had accepted Islam and yet the verse hints that a time would come when the Holy Prophet would be given power and authority, and he is enjoined in advance that when he should have power he should not use it for imposing his opinions on others. 4705. Commentary: These last two verses show that the subject which had commenced in Surah Al-A'la has come to an end here and disbelievers are told that they shall return to God to render account of their deeds and actions. 3368