Interpretation of Sura Maryam (Mary) - Verse 58
58. " Those were some of the prophets on whom Allah showed favour of the seed of Adam, and of those We carried (in the Ark) with Noah, and of the seed of Abraham and Israel, and of those We guided and chose. When the revelations of the Beneficent (Allah) were recited unto them, they fell down prostrating and weeping."
Commentary
Through the previous verse, the names of ten prophets were pointed out: Zakariyya (Zechariah), Yahya (John); 'I-sa (Jesus); 'Ibrahim (Abraham); Ishaq (Isaac); Jacob; Moses; Aaron; Ishmael; 'Idris (Enoch). Now, in this holy verse, the Qur'an, referring to them, says:
" Those were some of the prophets on whom Allah showed favour of the seed of Adam …"
This group of prophets are the same ones whose way we ask in our prayers ten times everyday from Allah to pave, not the way of those inflicted with the wrath of Allah and astray, when we say: "Guide us (O' Lord) on the Straight Path", "The path of those upon whom You have bestowed Your bounties, nor (the path) of those inflicted with Your wrath, nor (of those) gone astray."
The purpose of the phrase 'the seed of Adam' is Idris (Enoch); and the purpose of the phrase: 'of those We carried (in the Ark) with Noah' is Hadrat 'Ibrahim (Abraham) (a.s.) who is Noah's grandson, and the purpose of the phrase 'of the seed of Abraham' is Isaac, Ishmael and Jacob; and the purpose of the progeny of 'Israel' is Moses, Aaron, Zechariah, John, and Jesus (a.s.). 64 The verse continues saying:
"…Adam, and of those We carried (in the Ark) with Noah, and of the seed of Abraham and Israel, and of those We guided and chose. …"
Some Islamic traditions indicate that, at the time of the recitation of the Qur'an, believers ought to be in the state of grief and cry, or treat as if they are crying. 65 The holy verse continues saying:
" … When the revelations of the Beneficent (Allah) were recited unto them, they fell down prostrating and weeping."
This part of the verse means that from among those Allah guided and chose, there are some ones that when they hear the recitation of the revelations of Allah they fell down prostrating and weeping. Of course, the best referent of a concept of the divine chosen ones, who had long prostrations accompanied with tears, were the Prophet of Islam (p.b.u.h.) and his Immaculate Ahl-ul-Bayt (a.s.). There are some evidences for their abundant weeping in prostrations at the time of supplications in the month of Ramadan and in 'Arafah. It has been narrated from Hadrat Ali-ibn-il-Hussayn who said: "We are the objective-meaning of this verse." 66
Yes, with all greatness and glory they had, they used to prostrate and weep for the remembrance of Allah, but the negligent and haughty people, with all pollutions they have, refrain from weeping.
Notes:
64. Majma'-ul-Bayan
65. Tafsir-us-Safi
66. The commentary of As-Safi, and Burhan
Adopted from the book : "The Light of the Holy Qur'an; Interpretation of Surah Maryam" by : "Sayyid Kamal Faghih Imani and a Group of Muslim Scholars"