Sabbath (Saturday)
يوم السبت
The Sabbath (Yawm al-Sabt) holds a significant place in Islamic understanding as a day of special observance, divinely appointed by Allah primarily for the Children of Israel. It was prescribed as a day of rest and devotion, carrying a solemn covenant. The Quran narrates how they were commanded [not to transgress on the sabbath], instructing them to refrain from worldly activities, particularly work. This observance served as a test of their obedience and faith. However, the Quran recounts instances where some among them [transgressed in the matter of the sabbath]. A notable example describes a community by the sea whose fish appeared abundantly only on the Sabbath, tempting them to break their sacred commitment. This disobedience brought a trial upon them. Islamic tradition clarifies that while the Sabbath was a specific injunction for the Jewish people, Muslims observe Friday (Jumu'ah) as their congregational day, not Saturday. Ultimately, Allah states that [the sabbath was only appointed for those who differed over it], emphasizing that He will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection concerning their disputes and actions related to this divine command.
Quran 3 verses
وَرَفَعْنَا فَوْقَهُمُ ٱلطُّورَ بِمِيثَٰقِهِمْ وَقُلْنَا لَهُمُ ٱدْخُلُوا۟ ٱلْبَابَ سُجَّدًا وَقُلْنَا لَهُمْ لَا تَعْدُوا۟ فِى ٱلسَّبْتِ وَأَخَذْنَا مِنْهُم مِّيثَٰقًا غَلِيظًا
Wa rafa'naa fawqahumut Toora bimeesaaqihim wa qulnaa lahumud khulul baaba sujjadanw wa qulnaa lahum laa ta'doo fis Sabti wa akhaznaa minhum meesaaqan ghaleezaa
And We raised over them the mount for [refusal of] their covenant; and We said to them, "Enter the gate bowing humbly", and We said to them, "Do not transgress on the sabbath", and We took from them a solemn covenant.
اور ان سے عہد لینے کو ہم نے ان پر کوہ طور اٹھا کھڑا کیا اور انہیں حکم دیا کہ (شہر کے) دروازے میں (داخل ہونا تو) سجدہ کرتے ہوئے داخل ہونا اور یہ بھی حکم دیا کہ ہفتے کے دن (مچھلیاں پکڑنے) میں تجاویز (یعنی حکم کے خلاف) نہ کرنا۔ غرض ہم نے ان سے مضبوط عہد لیا
Commentary
وَسْـَٔلْهُمْ عَنِ ٱلْقَرْيَةِ ٱلَّتِى كَانَتْ حَاضِرَةَ ٱلْبَحْرِ إِذْ يَعْدُونَ فِى ٱلسَّبْتِ إِذْ تَأْتِيهِمْ حِيتَانُهُمْ يَوْمَ سَبْتِهِمْ شُرَّعًا وَيَوْمَ لَا يَسْبِتُونَ لَا تَأْتِيهِمْ كَذَٰلِكَ نَبْلُوهُم بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَفْسُقُونَ
Was'alhum 'anil qaryatil latee kaanat haadiratal bahri iz ya'doona fis Sabt iz taateehim heetaanuhum yawma Sabtihim shurra'anw wa yawma laa yasbitoona laa taateehim; kazaalika nabloohum bimaa kaanoo yafsuqoon
And ask them about the town that was by the sea - when they transgressed in [the matter of] the sabbath - when their fish came to them openly on their sabbath day, and the day they had no sabbath they did not come to them. Thus did We give them trial because they were defiantly disobedient.
اور ان سے اس گاؤں کا حال تو پوچھو جب لب دریا واقع تھا۔ جب یہ لوگ ہفتے کے دن کے بارے میں حد سے تجاوز کرنے لگے (یعنی) اس وقت کہ ان کے ہفتے کے دن مچھلیاں ان کے سامنے پانی کے اوپر آتیں اور جب ہفتے کا دن نہ ہوتا تو نہ آتیں۔ اسی طرح ہم ان لوگوں کو ان کی نافرمانیوں کے سبب آزمائش میں ڈالنے لگے
Commentary
إِنَّمَا جُعِلَ ٱلسَّبْتُ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ ٱخْتَلَفُوا۟ فِيهِ وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَيَحْكُمُ بَيْنَهُمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ فِيمَا كَانُوا۟ فِيهِ يَخْتَلِفُونَ
Innnamaa ju'ilas Sabtu 'alal lazeenakhtalafoo feeh; wa inna Rabbaka la yahkumu bainahum Yawmal Qiyaamati feemaa kaanoo feehi yakhtalifoon
The sabbath was only appointed for those who differed over it. And indeed, your Lord will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection concerning that over which they used to differ.
ہفتے کا دن تو ان ہی لوگوں کے لئے مقرر کیا گیا تھا۔ جنہوں نے اس میں اختلاف کیا۔ اور تمہارا پروردگار قیامت کے دن ان میں ان باتوں کا فیصلہ کردے گا جن میں وہ اختلاف کرتے تھے
Commentary
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