Ta. Sin. [See Appendix II.] THESE ARE MESSAGES of the Quran - a divine writ clear in itself and clearly showing the truth: [For an explanation of this composite rendering of the adjective, mubin, see note on 12:1. In the present instance, the term kitab ("divine writ") is preceded by the conjunction wa, which primarily signifies "and", but in this case has a function more or less similar to the expression "namely" hence, it may be replaced in translation by a dash without affecting the meaning of the sentence.] a guidance and a glad tiding to the believers who are constant in prayer and spend in charity: [This is obviously the meaning of the term zakah in the above context, since at the time of the revelation of this surah it had not yet received its later, specific connotation of a tax incumbent upon Muslims (cf. surah 2:43).] for it is they, they who in their innermost are certain of the life to come! As for those who will not believe in the life to come - behold, goodly have We made their own doings appear unto them, and so they stumble blindly to and fro [The implication is that people who do not believe in life after death concentrate all their endeavours as a rule, on material gains alone, and cannot think of anything worthwhile "beyond their own doings". See also note on 2:7, which explains why the "causing" of this spiritual blindness and confusion - in itself but a consequence of mans own behaviour - is attributed to God.] It is they whom the worst of suffering awaits: for it is they, they who in the life to come shall be the greatest losers! But [as for thee, O believer,] verily, thou hast received this Quran out of the grace of One who is wise, all-knowing. [This stress on the spiritual illumination offered to man through divine revelation not only connects with the opening verses of this surah, but also forms a link between this passage and the following one, which calls to mind the sudden illumination of Moses, symbolized by the vision of the burning bush.] Lo! [While lost in the desert,] Moses said to his family: [Cf. 20:9 ff., and particularly note on verse 10 of that surah.] "Behold, I perceive a fire [far away]; I may bring you from there some tiding [as to which way we arc to pursue], or bring you [at least] a burning brand so that you might warm yourselves." But when he came close to it, a call was sounded: "Blessed are all who are within [reach of] this fire, and all who are near it! [Thus Zamakhshari explains the expression hawlaha (lit., "around it"). According to some of the earliest commentators, quoted by Tabari the "fire" (nar) is in this context synonymous with "light" (nur), namely, the illumination which God bestows on His prophets, who - one may presume -