إِنَّ شانِئَكَ هُوَ الأَبتَرُ

Indeed, it is your enemy who is without posterity.

EXEGESIS

Shāniʾ (enemy) is derived from the word shanʾān which means enmity and grudge; hence, shāniʾ is the one who holds such an attitude.^{‎[1]Nemuneh, 27/401.}

Abtar (without posterity) is derived from the root batr which means cutting off the tail of an animal.^{‎[2]Taj, 2/584.} Considering that origin, abtar has been used for someone who leaves no offspring behind, or leaves no good repute after their death. Furthermore, an action which produces no result is called abtar. The Prophet is reported to have said: ‘Any action which does not begin with the name of God is abtar.’^{‎[3]Raghib, 107.}

Finally, Qatādah^{‎[4]Abū al-Khaṭṭāb ibn Diʿāmah al-Dūsī, known as Qatādah (61-117 ah), was born blind. He was one of the great scholars and the jurist of the people of Basra.} maintains that abtar means the humiliated one.^{‎[5]Muhit, 10/557.} Based on what has been discussed, this meaning does not seem to be endorsed by linguists and exegetes. However, it could be a corollary of the meanings discussed.

EXPOSITION

As discussed in the Introduction, this surah was a response to the leaders of Quraysh who attempted to humiliate the Prophet for not having a son to continue his name, lineage, and religion. During the pre-Islamic era, daughters were not viewed as being able to keep alive the name and path of their fathers.^{‎[6]Qaraati, 10/611.}

This verse replies by stating that the one who shows enmity towards the Prophet is actually the one who is cut off from goodness (abtar). Although wealth, children, health, and suchlike are all blessings of God, they are not goodness per se if they are used in evil ways. So let not their wealth and children impress you: Allah only desires to punish them with these in the life of this world, and that their souls may depart while they are faithless (9:55). Do they suppose that whatever aid We provide them in regard to wealth and children [is because] We are eager to bring them good? Rather they are not aware! (23:55-56).

History records dynasties such as the Umayyads and Abbasids who stood against the Prophet and his household with great pomp and huge wealth and power, but today nothing remains of them, or if it does then they are not known or recognised.^{‎[7]Nemuneh, 27/404.} On the other hand, in a society where giving birth to a baby girl was seen as a source of disgrace for the father to the extent that he would either run away from the community or bury his daughter alive (16:59), the Quran gives the title of kawthar to Lady Fatimah (a) and seeks to transform an ignorant society to a society imbued with human values. Today, after the passage of centuries, the children of Lady Fatimah (a) are present throughout the world and the message of the Prophet has continued, and this is despite all attempts to put out the light of his pure progeny and the sublime divine message he brought.^{‎[8]Nemuneh, 27/402.}

INSIGHTS FROM OTHER TRADITIONS

1. For the Lord loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.^{‎[9]Psalms 37:28.}

[1] Nemuneh, 27/401.
[2] Taj, 2/584.
[3] Raghib, 107.
[4] Abū al-Khaṭṭāb ibn Diʿāmah al-Dūsī, known as Qatādah (61-117 ah), was born blind. He was one of the great scholars and the jurist of the people of Basra.
[5] Muhit, 10/557.
[6] Qaraati, 10/611.
[7] Nemuneh, 27/404.
[8] Nemuneh, 27/402.
[9] Psalms 37:28.