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The question

What books address the differences between: "from destitution" and "fear of destitution"; "with a forbearing boy" and "an all-knowing boy"; "a painful punishment" and "a great punishment"; and the man's oath by invoking a curse and the woman's oath by invoking God's wrath in Surat An-Nur?

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Source: FtawySummarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 20261 min readAlso available in العربية
The answer

Al-Suyuti mentions that the verse, "And do not kill your children for fear of poverty," is addressed to the poor, and "for fear of poverty" is for the rich. Al-Shanqiti clarifies that the first refers to an existing poverty, while the second refers to an anticipated poverty.

As for the attributes of forbearance (hilm) and knowledge (ilm), Ibrahim was given glad tidings of a forbearing boy (Ismail), and then of a knowing boy (Isaac). Forbearance is suitable for the patience that characterized Ismail, the one to be sacrificed, and Ismail was indeed described as patient and truthful in promise.

"Painful punishment" (عذاب أليم) and "great punishment" (عذاب عظيم) are two descriptions of punishment. The style may vary according to the addressed party. The disbelievers face a great punishment, while the hypocrites face a painful punishment due to the severity of their disbelief.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

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