Transliteration:( Wa anta hillum bihaazal balad )
2. The word HIL is derived either from HULOOL or HALAAL ie. O My Beloved! Your stay in the sacred city is a temporary one; otherwise you would not have been kept here, so that you may not be visited because of the Holy Ka'bah. Or, in future, you would be coming back here in regal splendour. Or, that after dwelling you would be returning back to Makkah, on the day of the Conquest of Makkah. It should be remembered that at that point in time an oath was taken on the sacred city of Makkah because it is the place of residence of the Holy Prophet . Now, because Madina Munawwarah is the permanent place of residence of the Holy Prophet صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم it is a place of great honour. The great Sufi sages say that the heart and soul of the devotees of the Holy Prophet صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم is that place in which he is residing. In it is the vision of the beloved on display where one can purchase the love of the Holy Prophet.
Thus, an oath is taken on him. It should be remembered, just as different markets are found in different places, likewise in some hearts there is a market of infidelity and transgression. in some there is a market of faith and mystical knowledge of Allah Almighty, in some is a market of the love of the Holy Prophet Here, there is an oath . about these hearts wherein there is the market of love. Also remember that just as the light of the sun can pour into millions of bottles at one time, likewise the light of the Holy Prophet too is found in many hearts at the same time. Furthermore, just as the light of the lamp shines in every corner of the house accompanied by the colour of the chimney. e likewise, wherever there is light of Allah, there is light of the Holy Prophet . Where there is no light of the Holy Prophet that place is bereft of the light of Allah Almighty. Thus, it is said: "And O beloved! You are dwelling in this city" i.e. you are manifested in these hearts. From this we learn that the Holy Prophet is the greatest Beloved of Allah Almighty. Anything that becomes connected with the Holy Prophet becomes the Beloved of Allah Almighty as well. Thus, the hearts of the Saints are beloved to Allah Almighty as an oath is taken on them.
The tafsir of Surah Balad verse 2 by Ibn Kathir is unavailable here.
Please refer to Surah Balad ayat 1 which provides the complete commentary from verse 1 through 10.
(90:2) – this city wherein you have been rendered violable–[3]
3. Three meanings of the words in the text have been given by the commentators:
(1) That you are a resident of this city and your residence here has further enhanced the glory of this city.
(2) That although this city is a sanctuary; a time will come when for some time it will become lawful for you to fight and kill the enemies of the true faith here.
(3) That in this city where even killing of animals and cutting of trees is forbidden for the people of Arabia, and where everyone is living in perfect peace, you, O Prophet, have no peace, and persecuting you and devising plans to kill you has been made lawful.
Although the words are comprehensive enough to cover all the three meanings, yet when the theme that follows is considered, one feels that the first two meanings bear no relevance to it, and only the third meaning seems to be correct.
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