CHAP. LV.
Intitled, The Merciful; revealed at Mecca
[a]
.
In the name of the most merciful God.
[a] Most of the commentators doubt whether this chapter was revealed at Mecca or at Medina; or partly at the one place, and partly at the other.
[b] The balance;] Or justice and equity in mutual dealings.
[c] Which therefore of your Lord’s benefits will ye ungratefully deny;] The words are directed to the two species of rational creatures, men and genii; the verb and the pronoun being in the dual number. This verse is intercalated, or repeated by way of burthen, throughout the whole chapter no less than thirty-one times, which was done, as Marracci guesses, in imitation of David [1] .
[1] See Pslam. cxxxvi.
[d] The east and the west;] The original words are both in the dual number, and signify the different points of the horizon at which the sun rises and sets at the summer and winter solstice. See chap. 37. p. 366. not. c.
[a] The two seas;] Of salt water and fresh [1] ; or the Persian and Mediterranean seas [2] .
[1] See chap. 25. p. 300.
[2] Al Beidawi.
[b] Every day is he employed in some new work;] In executing those things which he hath decreed from eternity; by giving life and death, raising one and abasing another, hearing prayers and granting petitions, &c [3] .
[3] Idem, Jallal.
[c] If ye be able to pass out of the confines of heaven and earth;] To fly from the power and to avoid the decree of God.
[d] A smoke without flame;] Or, as the word also signifies, molten brass, which shall be poured on the heads of the damned.
[e] And shall melt like ointment;] Or, shall appear like red leather; according to a different signification of the original word.
[f] Neither man nor genius shall be asked concerning his sin;] For their crimes will be known by their different marks; as it follows in the text. This, says al Beidawi, is to be understood of the time when they shall be raised to life, and shall be led towards the tribunal: for when they come to trial, they will then undergo an examination, as is declared in several places of the Korân.
[g] See the Prelim. Disc. §. IV. p. 84, &c.
[h] They shall pass to and fro between the same and hot boiling water;] For the only respite they shall have from the flames of hell, will be when they are suffered to go to drink this scalding liquor. See chap. 37, p. 368.
[a] Two gardens;] i.e. One distinct paradise for men, and another for genii, or, as some imagine, two gardens for each person; one as a reward due to his works, and the other as a free and superabundant gift, &c.
[b] Two sorts of fruits;] Some being known, and like the fruits of the earth; and others of new and unknown species, or fruits both green and ripe.
[c] Near at hand together;] So that a man may reach them as he sits or lies down.
[d] Two other gardens;] For the inferior classes of the inhabitants of paradise.
[e] Of a dark green;] From hence, says al Beidawi, it may be inferred that these gardens will chiefly produce herbs or the inferior sorts of vegetables, whereas the former will be planted chiefly with fruit-trees. The following part of this description also falls short of that of the other gardens, prepared for the superior classes.