Part 1 · Page 242
Ibn Hisham’s Explanation of Surah al-Duha Vocabulary
English rendering of the source section
Local English translation from the Arabic text; reports, variant readings, and editorial commentary are distinguished.
This local English rendering may condense the Arabic narration and editorial notes. It is not a complete published English edition. Consult the Arabic source for exact wording and context.
Read the corresponding Arabic sectionIbn Hisham says that saja means “became still.” Umayyah ibn Abi al-Salt uses it of night settling into deep darkness; the word is also used of an eye whose eyelid has become still. Ibn Hisham explains “one in need” as poor, and gives examples from Arabic poetry. The word can also mean one who supports dependents, one who is afraid, or something that weighs a person down and exhausts him. He cites the Qur’anic usage “that is nearer to your not acting unjustly” (4:3), and notes further poetic examples and variant words.
The commentary glosses the poetic terms for the middle portion of the night, deep darkness, a poor and vulnerable person, and a traveller lost at night who calls out like a dog to locate nearby homes. It explains that an old garment may refer to a man’s two basic items of clothing. A final anecdote concerns the poet al-Farazdaq and a disputed word in a poem praising Sa‘id ibn al-‘As; the editor cites the related commentaries and literary sources.