Surah 76: Al-Insan
The Holy Qur’an with English Translation and Commentary (Five Volume Commentary)
[a]In the name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful.
[a] See 1:1.
Has there not come upon man a period of time when he was not a thing spoken of [b],[4479]
[b] 19:68.
[4479] Important Words:
حین (period) is derived from حان. They say حان الشیء i.e. the time of the thing came near, it happened. حین means, time or a space or period of time, any time; a continuous time; an appointed time; time absolutely; the time when an event takes place; time without end (Lane & Aqrab).
الدھر (time) is infinitive noun from دھر. They say دھر القوم أمر مکروہ i.e. an evil event befell the people. دھر means, time from the beginning of the world to the end; any long or unlimited period of time; a period of time whether long or short; time without end, differing from زمان which means, time having end. دھر also means, an age; fate or fortune; an evil event or accident; a misfortune; a calamity, a purpose; a desire; the end that one has in view; a custom or habit (Lane & Aqrab).
Commentary:
الانسان (man) in this and the next verse does not mean human species as such, but every man. The verse means that before man is born, he is not mentioned, spoken of, or referred to; the reference being to his insignificant and unmentionable beginning.
[c]We have created man from a mingled sperm drop that We might try him; so We made him hearing, seeing.[4480]
[c] 18:38; 35:12; 36:78; 40:68; 80:20.
[4480] Commentary:
أمشاج is the plural of مشیج which means, a mixture. Man is created from a sperm drop which itself is a mixture of several things, the implication being that he has been endowed with various natural powers, faculties and attributes meant for his moral and spiritual advance. This process of the creation of man points only to a general rule of creation; not that in no case could it be otherwise. The fact that man is gifted with insight and understanding signifies that he is a free agent, enjoying discretion and volition; therefore he is responsible for his actions. The belief in man’s freedom of action and responsibility leads inevitably to the belief in the Hereafter.
We have shown him the way,[a] whether he be grateful or ungrateful.[4481]
[a] 90:11.
[4481] Commentary:
God has given man reason and understanding. He has made him responsible for his actions, and through His Messengers and Prophets has shown him the way that leads to God-realization. But it is for man to make right use of God-given faculties and opportunities (this being the meaning of شکر), and by submitting to Divine laws to achieve the object of his creation or by flouting them to bring about his spiritual death.
[b]Verily, We have prepared for the disbelievers chains and iron-collars and a blazing Fire.[4482]
[b] 18:103; 29:69; 33:9; 48:14.
[4482] Commentary:
For a detailed explanation of the nature and significance of the punishments of Hell, see 69:30-33. Briefly, the verse alludes to the fact that every deed which a man does is followed by a corresponding act of God. The entanglements of disbelievers in worldly affairs will take the form of chains in the next world, cares of the world will take the form of iron-collars, and greed and carnal desires that of Hellfire.
But the virtuous drink of a cup, tempered with camphor—[4483]
[4483] Important Words:
کافورا (camphor) is derived from کفر i.e. to cover or to suppress. The meaning is that the quaffing of camphor-drink will have the effect of cooling down animal passions. The heart of righteous believers will be cleansed of every impure thought and they will be refrigerated with the coolness of deep divine knowledge.
A spring wherefrom the servants of Allah drink, making it gush forth abundantly.[4484]
[4484] Commentary:
Righteous believers will drink of cups which will be filled from springs which they have dug with great labour, i.e. the deeds which they had done in the earthly life would appear in the next world in the form of springs. This is the first stage of spiritual evolution which requires hard and continuous striving on the part of believers, because unless man brings under control, and suppresses, his evil propensities, he cannot make any spiritual progress. The "spring" mentioned in the verse is the spring of God’s love and Divine realization.
They fulfil their vow, and fear a day the evil of which is widespread.[4484A]
[4484A] Commentary:
Fulfilling "the vow" signifies the discharging of man’s duties to God. Man’s obligations to his fellow-beings are mentioned in the next verse.
[a]And they feed, for love of Him, the poor, the orphan, and the prisoner,[4485]
[a] 2:178; 90:15-17.
[4485] Important Words:
طعام (food) is inf. noun from طعم i.e. he tasted or ate. طعام means, food; wholesome and agreeable food which satisfies the eater. They say ما یطعم آکل ھذا الطعام i.e. the eater of this food does not become satisfied (Lane).
Commentary:
The verse may mean: (1) Because they love God, so, in order to win His pleasure, they feed the poor and the captives. (2) They feed the poor for the sake of feeding them, i.e. they do the good act of feeding for the sake of doing good, seeking no reward, appreciation or approbation for what they do. (3) They feed the poor while they themselves need the money which they spend on others. The verse also signifies that the righteous believers give the poor wholesome and agreeable food, طعام meaning agreeable and wholesome food (Lane). This implies that the believers are expected to give in charity the things they love most. Elsewhere the Holy Qur’an says: "You cannot attain to righteousness unless you spend in the way of Allah out of that which you love best" (3:93).
Saying, ‘We feed you for Allah’s pleasure only. We desire no reward nor thanks from you.[4485A]
[4485A] Commentary:
In everything that a believer does his whole attention is directed towards winning the pleasure of God—his highest ambition. He wants no return, reward or appreciation. His reward is with his Lord and Master.
Verily, we fear from our Lord a frowning, distressful day.’[4486]
[4486] Important Words:
عبوساً (frowning) is derived from عبس. They say عبس وجھه i.e. he frowned; he grinned, frowning or looking sternly or austerely. یوم عبوس means, a distressful or calamitous day, or a day that makes one distressful (Lane).
قمطریر (calamitous) is derived from اقمطر which means, it was or became distressful or calamitous. یوم قمطریر means, a distressful or calamitous day, or a day that makes one knit the brow or contract the skin between the eyes. شر قمطریر means, an intense evil (Lane).
So Allah will save them from the evil of that day, and will grant them cheerfulness and happiness.