Yā-Sīn: (41) "And a sign for them is that We carried their offspring..."

"And a sign for them is that We carried their offspring" (i.e., their children). Al-Raghib said: The root of dhurriyyah (offspring) refers to young children, but by convention, it applies to both young and old. It is used for both singular and plural, though its origin is for the plural. Regarding its etymology, there are three views: it is said to be derived from dhara'a Allahu al-khalq (God created the creation), with the hamza dropped, similar to bariyyah (creation) and ru'iyyah (thought/view); it is also said that its root is dhuruwwah; and it is said to be of the measure fa'liyyah from al-dharr (scattering), like qamariyyah. Abu Hayyan favored interpreting it as children absolutely. Many scholars allowed it to be interpreted as adults, because they are the ones sent out for trade—meaning We carried them when they sent them out for trade.

"In the fulk" (i.e., the ship). It is named as such, according to Majma' al-Bayan, because it rotates/circulates in the water.

"Al-mashhun" (i.e., the filled). It is said that it is used in its original sense, referring to the young children whom they take along with them. It is also said that the intended meaning is women, for the term is applied to them; in the hadith, the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—forbade the killing of dharari (offspring), which was interpreted as women. In al-Fa'iq, Hanzala the Scribe said: "We were on a military expedition with the Messenger of God, may God bless him and grant him peace, and he saw a slain woman. He said: 'What is this? She was not fighting.' He told Khalid: 'Do not kill any dhurriyyah (offspring) or hired laborer.'" It is the progeny of a man and is applied to women, just as they call rain "heaven"; it means the women whom they take along with them. The reason for specifically mentioning dhurriyyah in these two interpretations is that their stability and cohesion on the ship is more wondrous.

It is said that dhurriyyah applies to both fathers and children; this was stated by Abu Uthman, though Ibn Atiyya criticized it as a conflation not recognized in the language. It is also said that dhurriyyah means the sperm-drops, and the "filled ship" refers to the wombs of women; this was mentioned by al-Mawardi and attributed to Ali—may God ennoble his countenance—though it is apparent that this is not authentically attributed to him. The verse contains elements that make this interpretation unlikely, and it most resembles the interpretations of the Batinis. The intended meaning of "the ship" is the genus (the category of ships), and the description "filled" is stronger in emphasizing the favor of their safety within it; it is also said [it is mentioned] because it is further from danger. The interpretation of it as the genus is narrated from Ibn Abbas, Mujahid, and al-Suddi, and [the word] ma (what) in the saying of the Exalted... [is explained].