Page 266
lā tamuddanna ʿaynayka ʾilā mā mattaʿnā bihī ʾazwājan minhum wa-lā taḥzan ʿalayhim wa-khfiḍ janāḥaka li-l-muʾminīna
Do not extend your glance toward what We have provided to certain groups of them, and do not grieve for them, and lower your wing to the faithful,
— Ali Quli Qarai
Surah Al-Hijr – Verse 88
88. “(O’ prophet!) Do not strain your eyes after what we have given certain classes of them to enjoy, and do not grieve for them, and lower your wing (of affection) unto the believers.”
Warnings always do not follow the course of action. Rather, they sometimes precede and form as warning and preventive measures. The blissful Prophet (S) was never interested in the world of the unbelievers. Hence, Allah’s dissuasion signifies warnings and serves as such, which causes dissuasion among other believers so as not to focus their eyes on the world of the pagans. The blissful Prophet (S) has stated:
“He who focuses on what others hold or possess, his troubles increase and his distress will not be treated.” 4
One of the strict recommendations of the Qur’an to the Prophet (S) and the believers consists of recommendation as to leniency, mercifulness, and patience towards the faithful believers, among which one may name the instance when they should be patience with those who always call on their Lord and be modest and affectionate unto the believers. Incidentally, the Arabic word /’azwaj/ includes both men and women. Some claim that this word means /’asn af/ (classes). That is, do not focus on the blessings which we have provided the classes of pagans with and do not consider them great while thinking about them.
For, the blessings which We have bestowed upon you and your followers, namely, your prophetic mission, the Qur’an, Islam, the conquest etc, are so far more in quantity and worth that they exceed all their blessings. The verse says:
“(O’ prophet!) Do not strain your eyes after what we have given certain classes of them to enjoy…”
And if the Quraysh pagans do not become believers and, as a consequence, will receive chastisement, do not grieve for them. The verse continues saying:
“…and do not grieve for them…”
At the end of the verse, He issues His third command to the prophet about modesty, humbleness, and leniency towards those who are believers, when He says:
“…and lower your wing (of affection) unto the believers.”
This sense is a beautiful ambiguous metaphorical allusion to modesty, affection, and friendliness as in the case of birds when they want to show their affection towards their chickens they cover them under their wings, where they provide us with the most existing emotional scene as they try to protect them against all sorts of accidents and enemies. Therefore, all these are intended to show that leaders and prophets must be modest and humble with regard to the believers so that they follow him.
Footnotes