Day 113; Qur’an 11:12-27, page 223 + 224

Welcome Friends:  Ahlan wa sahlan!

Yusuf Ali’s Translation of this Chapter

Muhammad Asad’s Translation of this Chapter.

Their commentaries can only be read in verse by verse view.

COMMENTS:

PAGE 223 Arabic Qur’an.

1. Our Reading today begins with Verse 12, which is one of those verses which point to the unbelievable pressure Prophet Muhammad, peace upon him, was undergoing in his home-town, Mecca!  Indeed, when we read the entire Qur’an, we realize that, what history books have mentioned of his trials and tribulations, were minimal: An incident here and an incident there, and just one or two paragraphs to cover a period of TWO YEARS OR MORE in which there was complete deprivation from all means of livelihood (The Boycott).  The information that has reached us is far less than what he and his companions actually suffered.  Nevertheless, the Qur’an clearly indicates what might have been perceived as insurmountable difficulties, by revealing his feelings as it fortifies him and encourages him to keep going.  

Read this verse in Yusuf Ali’s explanation.

                                                                   

2.  Verses 13- 14 extend a challenge to the idolatrous Qureish tribe in Mecca, that they would never come up with something similar to the Qur’an (which is revealed by God’s Knowledge) even if they were they to seek all the help they could get. 

‘….and that there is no God but Him, so are you pure in Reverence?’

3.  Verses 15- 16 warn anyone who is short-sighted and whose ambition does not extend beyond this life:

God is Just, therefore they shall get exactly what they work for.

However, since they did not work for the Hereafter, they should NOT expect to find any rewards awaiting them there.

Be ambitious- aim farther than your eyes can see!

4.   Verse 17 compares those whose ambition is limited to this fleeting life, with someone who is supported by clear evidence from his Lord.  Then the verse tells us that this evidence is being transmitted by a Witness from Him (a reference either to Prophet Muhammad, or to Angel Gabriel) and that before this, there was the Compilation of Moses, a Forerunner and a Mercy.  The verse then goes on to warn those who deny, and to reassure Prophet Muhammad, peace upon him, letting him know what the nature of things actually is: Most people will not believe!

It is interesting to note that the ‘Compilation BEFORE the Qur’an is considered to be that of Moses:  put "كتاب موسى" with quotes in Tanzil. 

And the Compilation AFTER Moses is the Qur’an: put "أنزل من بعد موسى" also with quotes, in Tanzil.

What about the Message AFTER Prophet Moses’ and BEFORE the Qur’an, namely, Prophet Jesus’ Message, peace upon both?

For an answer to that question, we need to reread Prophet Jesus’ story in ‘the Family of Imran,’ and especially HQ 3:47-51.

The ‘clues’ are in verses 49 and 50.  I have posted it below in Yusuf Ali’s explanation (except that the italicized words are mine):

[3:47]
She said: "O my Lord! How shall I have a son when no man hath touched me?" He said: "Even so: God createth what He willeth: When He hath decreed a plan, He but saith to it, ’Be,’ and it is!
[3:48]
"And God will teach him the Compilation and Wisdom, the Torah and the Evangel,
[3:49]
"And (appoint him) a Messenger to the Children of Israel, (with this message): "’I have come to you, with a Sign from your Lord, in that I make for you out of clay, as it were, the figure of a bird, and breathe into it, and it becomes a bird by God’s leave: And I heal those born blind, and the lepers, and I quicken the dead, by God’s leave; and I declare to you what ye eat, and what ye store in your houses. Surely therein is a Sign for you if ye did believe;
[3:50]
"’(I have come to you), to attest the Torah which was before me. And to make lawful to you part of what was (Before) forbidden to you; I have come to you with a Sign from your Lord. So fear God, and obey me.
[3:51]
"’It is God Who is my Lord and your Lord; then worship Him. This is a Way that is straight.’"

Did you find the answer, dear Reader? 

Jesus, peace upon him, was a Messenger to the Children of Israel.  He had come to ‘attest the Torah before him (Moses’ Compilation), confirming parts and relaxing others, to guide the lost sheep of Israel back to their Lord, and ease the burden which they had incurred.  So, although his was a separate Revelation, it was intended to relax and reaffirm Moses’ Compilation.

The ‘affinity’ between the two Messengers Moses and Muhammad is one reason why many Muslims regard what Moses said in the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 18:15) to be an allusion to Muhammad, peace upon them both.  Being a descendent of Ishmael, Isaac’s brother, Prophet Muhammad would fit the description ‘of their brethren,’ peace upon them all.

“The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken.”

5.  Verses 18- 19 seem familiar, being similar to verses we have already covered.  Well-explained by Muhammad Asad.

PAGE 224 Arabic Qur’an.

6.  The next three verses 20- 21- 22-  tell us that these persons (mentioned in verses 18 and 19) have lost their own Selves, after having ‘attributed their own lying inventions to God,’ and sought to make His way appear crooked.  At the end, their false fabrications fail them and they are the sorriest Losers, having realized that they should have sought God as their Protector.

Verse 23 shows a stark contrast to that, in the reward of: Those who Believe, do Good deeds, and are humble to their Lord.

Verse 24 shows us how both groups have made use of their faculties!  Dissuasion and Persuasion.

7.  The next 3 verses 25- 26- 27 take us back to the story of Prophet Noah.

The reason for these historical references is that the arguments against Noah by his own people are similar to the arguments against Muhammad by his own people, peace upon both.  These arguments never change. 

Deniers will reiterate their opinions, with regard to God’s Messengers and their followers, saying:

 

-You are only human, like us. 

-Your followers are of the lower classes.

-We owe you nothing; you are not superior to us.

-We think you are liars.

If we could put all they said in a nutshell, and offer a diagnosis as to WHAT holds such people back from opening their eyes and ears to Faith… our ‘one word diagnosis’ would be:  Arrogance.

Therefore, such verses serve to inform both the Believers and the Deniers of what had taken place so that they would both learn, and then be either reinforced OR forewarned.

Enough said!

Our next Reading is from HQ 11:28-45

Peace unto all!