The Majestic Quran

and children are a test; with God is a great reward. 16 So be mindful of God as much as you can, and listen, obey, and give in charity; that is good for you. Whoever can save themselves from greed, then those are the successful ones. 17 If you lend God a beautiful loan, He will multiply it for you, and forgive you. God is Most Appreciative, Gentle, 18 Knower of the unseen world and the seen, the Almighty, the Wise. 1 This refers to the pagan Arab custom of rejecting a wife. See, the Introduction. 2 According to Al-Qurtubi, “to believe” here means to confirm. 3 When people began to demand private audience with the Messenger r too frequently, this order was given. However, it was quickly abrogated within a short time (Al Sabuni). 4 M. Lings, Muhammad: His Life Based on the Earliest Sources. 5 This gives the beloved Messenger r the mandate to make laws and whatever he r says has Divine authority. Thus, his Sunnah, his way, is being endorsed. 6 This could refer to the Jewish tribe of Banu Qaynuqa, who were banished after the battle of Badr for their betrayal of the treaty. 7 Fitna literally means a test; here it is used metaphorically, hence my translation, “prey”, a victim. 8 The bridal gift. 9 When a woman seeks divorce, the man can demand back the bridal gift he gave at the time of marriage. 10 Literally this means, “God led their hearts astray.” 11 Literally this means, “will complete or perfect.” 12 Tijara literally means “business, commerce, bargain and transaction”. 13 “Others” refers to all non-Arabs (Ibn Kathir); the Messenger r came to unite all humanity. 14 Fadhl in Arabic means grace, undeserved, unearned and unmerited reward. 15 This verse makes Friday prayer compulsory for all believers. However, there are some exemptions to this: women, travellers and the sick. The Dhikr-God here is interpreted as the Friday sermon, not the usual remembrance. 16 The simile of ‘propped-up wooden posts’ shows hypocrites as a useless bunch. Wooden posts are useful if they are beams or joists in a roof or if they are made into doors and furniture. 17 M. A. Sabuni, Sawatut Tafsir, Dar-ul‘Ilm al Arabi.