Let us consider the following ayat of the Quran (15:88) :
“But lower thy wing (in gentleness) to the believers – Yusuf Ali’s Translation.
“But spread the wings of thy tenderness over the believers” – Muhammad Asad’s Translation.
The Arabic term “janaah” refers to “wing” of a bird. But do we have wings?
Muhammad Asad, comments thus for the above verse:
“Lower thy wing for the believers”: an idiomatic metaphor for loving tenderness and humility”.
The same word “wing” is used in another context also in the Quran.
“And out of kindness lower to them the wing of humility and say: “My Lord! bestow on them Thy Mercy even as they cherished me in childhood.” (17:24) (Yusuf Ali’s Translation).
Asad’s translation would be “And spread over humbly the wings of thy tenderness”.
This is with reference to our attitude towards our parents.
In his footnote to the verse 17:24 Muhammad Asad writes thus:
“Lower for them the wing of humility, out of tenderness (rahmah)” – a metonymical expression evocative of a bird that lovingly spreads its wings over its offspring in the nest”.
In Yusuf Ali’s footnote we find: “The metaphor is from a bird – who lowers her wing in tender solicitude for her little ones”.
How beautiful the Quranic metaphor is?
In this context let us consider some more hadith:“The relationship between believers is like a wall, parts of which support other parts.” (Muslim)
“The believers, in their mutual relationship, mercy and affection, are like one body. If any part of it complains, the rest of the body will also stay awake in pain.” (Muslim)
The first generation of Believers as trained by the Prophet of Allah, demonstrated this tenderness in their relationship among themselves.
