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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:
1. Verses 17-18 relate to incidents which took place in the decisive Battle of Badr; well-explained by Muhammad Asad.
2. In today’s Reading we encounter the address, ‘O You who have attained Faith..!’ four times, and we listen carefully each time, IF we consider ourselves among them!
In Verse 20-21, Believers are told to obey God and His Messenger, and not to turn away even as they hear him. They are told NOT to be like those who said that they hear, when in fact they did not; Asad says this is both general and specific, it does refer to certain people who heard God’s commands yet disobeyed.
Verse 22 tells us that the worst of creatures that crawl/walk the earth are those who are virtually ‘deaf and dumb’ due to their lack of comprehension! We’ve already encountered that concept several times (HQ 2:18; 2:171). Read below HQ 6:39 in Ali’s interpretation- with his commentary regarding man’s stubborn refusal to listen:
Those who reject our signs are deaf and dumb,- in the midst of darkness profound: whom God willeth, He leaveth to wander: whom He willeth, He placeth on the way that is straight (HQ 6:39).
It is interesting to note that, as humans we are free, both to listen to sound advice, and to follow through. Following through IS the crucial part. Following through is proof that we have fully UNDERSTOOD what is best for us. Verse 23 tells us that, if GOD HAD FORCED such persons TO LISTEN, they would still NOT have followed through!
3. On that basis, the basis of human FREEDOM to listen to advice and to follow through, Verse 24 calls on the Faithful once again, telling them/us very clearly (all in plural), to respond to God and the Messenger when invited to THAT WHICH GIVES US LIFE.
‘That which gives us life’ is this Qur’an, the Message of the Creator and Sustainer of Life.
O you who have attained faith! Respond to God and the Messenger when he calls you to that which gives you life; and know/realize that God intervenes between a person and his heart/mind, and that unto Him you shall be gathered.
Notice the cautionary words that precede and highlight the crucial information which follows‘…and know/realize that…’ –واعلموا- . The Qur’an is drawing our attention to the fact that, when we first hear and understand the admonition, THAT is the time to follow through. If we don’t, our hearts/minds are in danger of hardening with time. Some hearts/minds who are unwilling to listen, to believe, or even to know, will end up ‘sealing themselves,’ as in HQ 7:101; 10:74; 30:59. Asad explained this earlier. They will neither be open to Life in this world, nor will they enjoy it in the Hereafter.
Mere existence, whilst attaining physical desires, is not a Cognizant Human’s best life! A Cognizant Human’s best life is attained by fulfilling oneself on ALL levels, achieving the higher potential that gratifies us physically, spiritually, mentally, benefits our society, AND is carried through to our everlasting Life. Without first opening our hearts/minds to receive the direction contained in this Message, we cannot even begin to live our best Life!
Readers should remember this verse; it is very important.
Dear Reader:
Before we say to ourselves, 'This is NOT me!' let us reflect on what the Qur'an tells us, that we may have so far ignored or understood differently. Our forefathers gave us their outlook on Life and matters of faith, and we grew up, dismissing parts of that outlook and adopting parts. Now we discover for the first time what the Qur'an truly says. How ready are we to let go of what we have become acccustomed to? How ready are we to leave what is indeed our 'comfort zone?'
Dear Reader:
Before we say to ourselves, 'This is NOT me!' let us reflect on what the Qur'an tells us, that we may have so far ignored or understood differently. Our forefathers gave us their outlook on Life and matters of faith, and we grew up, dismissing parts of that outlook and adopting parts. Now we discover for the first time what the Qur'an truly says. How ready are we to let go of what we have become acccustomed to? How ready are we to leave what is indeed our 'comfort zone?'
4. Verse 25 tells us to be aware of general hardship which could befall us all, brought about by the misdeeds of a few (and its warning rings so true today, as the entire world still suffers from the greed of such persons!):
“And beware a tumult or oppression, which indeed affects not in particular those amongst you who committed wrongdoing: and know/realize that God is severe in meting out consequence.”
5. Verses 26-28 are well explained by both Ali and Asad. Verse 28 is an eye-opener to those of us who have a one-sided view of our assets in life… according to Asad:
“..and know that your worldly goods and your children are but a trial and a temptation, and that with God there is a tremendous reward.”
See Asad’s commentary as well.
6. Verse 29 highlights the value of God-consciousness: It gives us a CRITERION by which we can clearly discern or differentiate (put فرقان in Tanzil), it helps us replace our misdeeds with good ones, and brings us forgiveness.
7. Verses 30-32 are well-explained by both Ali and Asad.
Note that in verse 32 the Deniers addressed God sarcastically saying, ‘Allahumma-اللهم.’ According to Asad:
“And, lo, they would say, "O God! If this be indeed the truth from Thee, then rain down upon us stones from the skies, or inflict [some other] grievous suffering on us!"
They did NOT acknowledge Him as their Lord, hence there is no mention of ‘Rabbana-ربنا’ here.
It is important to know that, in the entire Qur’an, whenever anyone beseeches God, asking Him for something, the address is ‘my/our Lord!’ However, we do find that He might be addressed by His name alone in praise, as in (HQ 3:26; 10:10; 39:46).
Why is that?
When we need something of Him, we call unto Him BY OUR RELATIONSHIP TO HIM (this comes naturally in times of need, as in calling one’s sister ‘Sis,’ or mother ‘Mama,’ rather than using her proper name).
Nowhere in the Qur’an does anyone call unto God solely by His proper name ‘Allah’ or ‘Allahumma’ …. except here, in sarcasm.
Put اللهم in Tanzil- you’ll notice that Jesus, peace upon him, when beseeching God for the table-spread, used BOTH together: “O Allah, Our Lord!’ See Posting March 19th.
Enough said!
Our next Reading is from HQ 8: 33-44.
Peace unto all!
