The Majestic Quran

20 Daluq ashams also means sunset. Here it means midday, so from midday to darkness of night includes Zuhr, Asr, Maghrib and Isha prayers. 21 Tahajjud , or night prayer, is a voluntary prayer, but compulsory for the Messenger r . 22 Maqaman Mahmoodan literally means a glorious station of praise. The Prophet r explained it to be “the place from where I will intercede for my people.” 23 Shakilat means disposition, temperament and character. 24 For their guidance. Since humans live on Earth, We sent human messengers. 25 Lafeefan refers to a human crowd that is made up of all kinds of people from different races, groups, cultures and civilisations, and economic backgrounds: a reflection of human diversity. The Quran is making it clear that the Israelites will be part of this mixed crowd; they will have no special privilege on Judgement Day. 26 Qayyiman literally means “straight”, and implies the Quran is factual, as it presents reality. 27 Literally a son, since the people of Makkah believed in angels as daughters of God. Therefore, I have adopted this context-sensitive meaning. 28 Al-Raqim refers to either the name of the town, or the valley where the cave was located. Others think it means “the written”, referring to the brass tablet with the names inscribed (Zia-ul-Quran). 29 Walyathalatuf means to be subtle, hidden, yet exert an influence. The middle letter ‘Ta’ of this word is exactly the middle letter of the Quran. 30 The digression from the story is an explanation of the reason for the revelation of this story. When Makkans asked the Messenger r about the People of the Cave, he said, “I will tell you tomorrow,” but forgot to say, “God Willing.” 31 The wealthy Makkans told the Messenger r that they were embarrassed to sit with him, alongside the slaves and poor Muslim. This section was revealed to reject their reservations. 32 Personal record in the Book of Deeds. 33 Muabiqan , according to Ibn Abbas, is a valley in Hell. 34 The background to this story is given in Bukhari: Moses was asked a question; who is the most knowledgeable person? Moses replied ‘I am’. God rebuked him of Khidr being wiser than him. 35 Sabab here means to achieve something i.e. a resource. 36 This is a figurative phrase, illustrating how the sun appears to the observer. It is not a scientific fact that the sun sets in murky water. 37 These are names of the enemies of God’s people, as mentioned in the Bible (Ezkel: 38). Or two nations that plunder other people’s lands. 38 But a virgin. 39 Here, classical commentators take “father” to mean “uncle”. 40 This is Angel Gabriel speaking. 41 Affluent disbelievers boasting about their wealth and material prowess. 42 Literally: “inherit from him”. This is “a metaphor based on the concept of one person’s taking over what once belonged to another” (Asad). 43 Ahsa is literally “bookkeeping” 44 In the hadith, the Messenger r said: “When God loves his servant, He tells Gabriel to love him, so Gabriel loves him, and makes the announcement in Heaven that so and so is God’s beloved, therefore you should all love him” (Bukhari). 45 Qauman Luddan: obstinate, stubborn and contentious people. Luddites were people who disliked and rebelled against new forms of technology, a parallel with disbelievers who disliked the new message of the Prophet r .