Tafsir Al-Mizan Volume 27

This volume contains the exposition of two complete surahs, that is, Maryam (Mary) (98 verses) and Ta-Ha (135 verses).

The important discussions of this book are about the incidents and events of the lives, histories and personalities of four of the prophets of God, viz. Zakariyya (a.s.); Yahya (a.s.); Ismai’l (a.s.) the truthful, and Idris (a.s.), which are based on the Qur’anic verses, the tradition and history.

In the course of these discussions, with reference to the verse, …Then We sent Our Spirit, and there appeared to her a well-made man…, the 17th verse of the Surat Maryam, there is a profound discussion about resemblance (in an allegorical sense) with reference to the appearance of Gabriel in human form. This is one of the most valuable discourses of al-Mizan.

The other significant discussion of this volume concerns the verse, al-Raḥmān ‘alā al-‘arsh istawā (The Beneficent is firm in power), the 5th verse of Surat Ta-Ha. In this discussion the meaning of al-‘arsh istawā is discussed from various angles and referencing many other similar verses in the Qur’an. The problem of literally interpreting this verse is also discussed.

Towards the end of the volume there is an interesting exposition of the story of Adam (a.s.) and his temporary Garden as this is the third place in the Qur’an where the story has appeared.