Detailed Exegesis

Waṣṣā: From the root “waṣā” which originally means to connect one thing to another. The recommendation of the one making a will is called “waṣiyya” because it connects his actions after death to his actions during life, and connects his own actions to the actions of his executor. Also, considering this meaning, land where plants are connected is called “arḍ wāṣiya”(306). The verb “waṣṣā” is from the second form and refers to the occurrence and attribution of the action to the object, as in: “And We have enjoined upon man goodness to parents”(307), not the aspect of issuing and attributing it to the subject, which is considered in the fourth form, as in: “And he enjoined prayer and zakah”(308), and not referring to the aspect of continuity and persistence, in which case the sixth form would be used, as in: “And enjoin upon one another truth and enjoin upon one another patience”(309).

Bihā: A pronoun, referring to either the religion or the phrase “I have submitted…”. Reasons have been mentioned for each reference. The reference to religion is preferred because firstly, it is explicitly mentioned, and secondly, religion is the same as faith, which is mentioned in the recommendation: “Indeed, God has chosen for you this religion”(310). However, the reason for preferring the reference to the phrase “I have submitted…”(311) is that firstly, it is closer, and secondly, Islam is explicitly mentioned in the recommendation.

Yaʿqūb: In Arabic and Hebrew, it is from the root “ʿaqaba”. He is the son of Isaac and grandson of Abraham, considered his descendant. He was titled “Israel”, which in Hebrew means servant of God. In the Noble Qur’an, his status of prophethood, revelation of divine messages, revelation of laws and religion, his superiority over the worlds, completion of blessings, endurance of hardships and patience in facing them, and his knowledge have been mentioned, which indicate the greatness of his status and the majesty of this divine prophet(312).