Tafsir of Al-Ma'aarij 70:13-14

Surah Al-Ma'arij: Verses 13-14

{And his clan (or kin) that sheltered him}

The faṣīlah (clan/kin) of a man refers to his closest relatives from whom he was separated and to whom he returns. This is because the meaning intended by al-faṣīlah is that which is separated (al-mafṣūl), just as a child is separated from his two parents.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Fatimah is a piece of me." Since he was separated from them (his parents), they are also considered separated from him. Thus, they are named faṣīlah for this reason. Al-Abbas was also called the faṣīlah of the Prophet (PBUH) because the uncle stands in the place of the father.

As for His saying: {that sheltered him} (tu'wīhi), the meaning is that he joins himself to them by lineage or clings to them in times of adversity.

His saying: {Then it will save him} (thumma yunajjīhi) has two interpretations:

1. It is coordinated (conjoined) with {he would ransom} (Verse 11, yaftadī). The meaning is: The criminal would wish to ransom himself with these things, and then [even if he did so], {then it will save him}—implying that even this ransom will not save him.
2. It is related to His saying: {And whoever is on earth} (Verse 12). The structure would be: He would wish to ransom himself with everyone on earth, {then it will save him}. The word {Then} (thumma) is used here to indicate the improbability of salvation; meaning, he wishes all those people were under his control and he would offer them for his ransom, and then that would save him—but that is far from happening (hayhāt that it will save him).

Regarding His saying:

{Nay! Indeed, it is a Fierce Blaze (Laẓā) * That strips off the scalp (Nazzāʿah li-l-shawā)}