You used to fear that men would extirpate you

Lesson # 994 from Noble Quran

You used to fear that men would extirpate you

Surah ‘ANFAAL (SPOILS OF WAR) – Chapter – 8)

Stage – 2, Verse – 26 of 75, Section – 3 of 10 (Part - 9)

                                                                                                         

BisMIllaahir-Rahmaanir-Rahiim

In the name of God, the Beneficent, the Merciful

26.  And remember, when ye were few and reckoned feeble in the land, and were in fear lest men should extirpate you, then He gave you refuge, and strengthened you with His help, and made provision of good things for you, that haply ye might be thankful.

26.  Wazkuruuu  ‘iz  ‘antum  qaliilum-mustaz-‘afuuna  fil-‘arzi  takhaafuuna  ‘any-yatakhatta-fakumun-naasu  fa-‘aawaakum  wa  ‘ayyadakum-  binas-rihii  wa  razaqakum-minat-tayyi-baati  la-‘allakum  tashkuruun.

Lesson

Mustaz-‘afuuna – (the feeble), it is a passive from the word ‘istiz-‘aaf and plural from the word mustaz-‘afun., which has been derived from zu’f. Zu’f means weakness. ‘Istiz-‘aaf means “to weaken, to press, to overcome. Mustaz-‘afun means that individual who are weakened or considered weak.

Yatakhatta-faku – (extirpate), the origin of this word is takhtafu, which has been derived from the word khatfun. Khatfun means – to snatch, to make a rush, to swoop down, to pounce upon. Takhtafu means – to extirpate/bring away anything by pouncing as any bird of the falcon family swoops for preying.

‘Aawaa – it is past tense from the verb ‘iiwaaa’. The word maawaa is made from the same origin; which is a famous word and it means – residence, nest, abode etc. ‘Iiwaaa-‘un means – to provide staying place for someone or something, to make room for living.

It is commanded that you should remember it always that in the beginning; you were a few people, you did not have enough goods. You used to fear every time “If those people attacked suddenly on you, they will cut you in pieces and bring you flying away by pressing in their paws.

Behold the Wonder of God’s Divine Power that He arranged for you a strong and permanent living station in Madinah and put your love and friendship in the hearts of the inhabitants of that place. And they kept you like their own brothers, but more than it. Then Allah Almighty strengthened you by sending down His special help at the occasion of the Battle of Badr. He gave your enemies under your control for ever and caused to give you their wealth in the form of cash and spoils. Allah Almighty provided you lawful and clean things, and made you rich with His blessings.

The aim of recording these all things for ever in the Holy Qur’an is that the Muslims should remember them always and be the thankful servants of God Almighty and obey His Commands perpetually.  

Transliterated Holy Qur’an in Roman Script & Translated from Arabic to English by Marmaduke Pickthall, Published by Pak Company, 17-Urdu Bazaar, Lahore, Lesson collected from Dars e Qur’aan published By Idara Islaah wa Tableegh, Lahore (translated Urdu to English by Muhammad Sharif)