Al-Furqan 25:60
The Criterion · Meccan · Juz 19 · Page 365
What Is the Merciful?
وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمُ ٱسۡجُدُواْۤ لِلرَّحۡمَٰنِ قَالُواْ وَمَا ٱلرَّحۡمَٰنُ أَنَسۡجُدُ لِمَا تَأۡمُرُنَا وَزَادَهُمۡ نُفُورࣰا۩ ٦٠
And when it is said unto them: Prostrate to the Beneficent! they say: And what is the Beneficent? Are we to prostrate to whatever thou (Muhammad) biddest us? And it increaseth aversion in them.
Translation: Marmaduke Pickthall
Meaning
When told “Prostrate to the Most Merciful,” they say: “And what is the Most Merciful?”
Insight
According to Elmalılı, the question may ask the name’s meaning or may be denial; this is a verse of prostration.
Reflect
Prostrate to the Most Merciful.
This short note is based on Elmalılı Hamdi Yazır’s Turkish commentary and has not yet been reviewed by a scholar.
Elmalılı’s commentary
An English translation of Elmalılı’s full commentary is coming soon. Read the original Turkish ›