The Holy Quran with Five Volume Commentary (Vol 5) — Page 501
PT. 30 8. And He found AD-DUḤĀ thee wandering in search of Him and guided thee unto Himself. 4767 9. And He found thee in want and enriched thee. 4768 his grandfather ‘Abdul-Muttalib, who took charge of him after his mother's death, died two years later, leaving him under the care of his uncle, a man of scanty means. Thus the Prophet was deprived of parental care and love in his early childhood. Yet he received love and affection from his juniors and seniors, his Companions and compatriots in a large measure such that no woman- born had ever received the like of it before or after him or is likely to receive in future. 4767. Important Words: J (wandering) is derived from which means, he erred or went astray; he was perplexed and was unable to see the right course; he was entirely engrossed or was lost in the love of a thing; he wandered in search of a thing and persevered in the search. means, the water became ضل الماء في اللبن hidden in the milk, etc. (Lane, Aqrab & Mufradāt). Commentary: In view of different meanings of the word given above under Important Words, the verse may be interpreted thus: (1) The Holy Prophet wandered in search of the ways and means to attain to God, and God revealed to him the law which guided him to the desired goal. (2) He was perplexed and did not know how to find the CH. 93 وَوَجَدَكَ ضَالَّا فَهَدُيةٌ وَوَجَدَكَ عَابِلًا فَاغْنى في path that led to the attainment of his quest and God guided him to it (42:53). (3) He was entirely lost in the love of God and did not know how to find Him but God led him to Himself (12:9). (4) He was hidden from the eyes of the world. God discovered him and chose him for the task of leading people to Him. Thus the word has not been used in disapprobation but in praise of the Holy Prophet. The word in the sense of 'gone astray' does not and cannot apply to the Holy Prophet since according to another Quranic verse (53:3) he was immune to error or going astray. Moreover, the six concluding verses of the Surah reveal a certain sequence- -vv. 7, 8 & 9 standing in close relationship and corresponding to vv. 10, 11 & 12 respectively; the Jus of verse 8 being substituted by J of verse 11, former word which is, "one who explains the significance of the sought God's help to be guided to Him. " The verse may also be interpreted as: And He found thee lost in thy love for thy people, and provided thee with guidance for them. 3397 4768. Important Words: J (one in want) is derived from JC. They say i. e. the man had a large family to support; he became poor. means, he fed,