43: Laxury
This chapter was revealed in sequence
after the previous one on consultation
42 and before the next one on smoke
44. It consists of 89 late Meccan verses
arranged in seven section; only V. 54 (in section V) dates from Madina.
The chapter leads off with a description of God in His roles as Creator
(I)
and the Mercy-giving (II-IV); then it tells about Moses (V), and ends with
an
explanation of Jesus' place as a prophet (VI). God has no son, we are assured,
nor
doe. He need any associates (VII).
The title is found in verse 35 (III), where luxurious houses are described,
and
at the beginning of section VII where we also find a picture of Paradise.
The word
zukhruf can be variously translated as 'glitter`, 'ornament(s)', gilding
or
glamor