Manna in Islamic Tradition
Etymology and Translations
- Arabic: من (mann)
- Hebrew: מָן (mān)
- Greek: μάννα (manna)
- Turkish: (manna/men)
“Manna” (من) in Arabic also appears in the Hebrew Bible as מָן (mān) and in Greek as μάννα (manna). The term refers to a substance, often described as a form of sustenance provided to the Children of Israel during their 40-year journey through the desert after the Exodus from Egypt.
Qur’anic References
The giving of manna is mentioned in the Qur’an in three instances:
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Surah Al-Baqarah (2:54):
<p>“And We overshadowed them with cloud, and sent down to them manna and quails…”</p>
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Surah Ta-Ha (20:82):
<p>“And We caused the manna and the quails to descend upon you…”</p>
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Surah Al-A’raf (7:160):
<p>“And We divided them into twelve tribes, distinct nations. We directed Moses when his people asked him for water, saying: ‘Strike the rock with your staff.’ Then there gushed forth therefrom twelve springs. Each group of people knew its own place for water. And We shaded them with clouds and sent down upon them manna and quails, saying: ‘Eat of the good things which We have provided for you.’ (But they rebelled). And they did not wrong Us but they wronged themselves.”</p>
Commentary and Interpretation
According to ʿAbdu ʾl-ʿAzīz in his Islamic commentary, manna is described as being akin to “white sugar,” signifying a form of sweet, divine provision. It symbolizes God’s benevolence in providing sustenance directly to the people of Israel during their time of dire need.
Comparative Religious Context
In the Jewish and Christian traditions, manna is similarly regarded as heavenly food provided by God during the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt. In the Bible, manna is described as small, round, white seeds that tasted like wafers made with honey (Exodus 16:31, Numbers 11:7).
Suggested Books for Further Studies
- “The Qur’an: An Encyclopedia” edited by Oliver Leaman
- “An Anthology of Qur’anic Commentaries, Volume 1: On the Nature of the Divine” by Feras Hamza, Sajjad Rizvi, and Farhana Mayer
- “The Story of the Qur’an: Its History and Place in Muslim Life” by Ingrid Mattson
- “God’s Dilemma: Divine Providence and the Problem of Evil” by Rien Joustra
Takeaways and Conclusion
Manna in Islamic tradition holds great significance as a symbol of divine grace and sustenance. The Qur’anic references underscore a theology of providence and care that echoes across Abrahamic faiths. By understanding manna within its broader religious and historical context, one gains deeper insight into the interconnected narratives of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
In conclusion, the exploration of “manna” enriches our comprehension of divine sustenance themes shared by these religious traditions, illustrating the interconnected nature of their spiritual and narrative landscapes.
