Day 117; Qur’an 11:84-95, page 231 + 232

Welcome Friends:  Ahlan wa sahlan!

Please note that there are a few additions to yesterday’s Post!

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 231 Arabic Qur’an.

1.  Our Reading today tells us more about Prophet Shu’ayb’s mission to the tribe of Madyan, discussed earlier on April 12^th.  In Verse 84, he asks his people to worship God Alone and forbids them from fraudulent dealings, such as giving short measure and weight.

In Verse 85 are three demands he made of his people. 

I liked Plato and Aristotle’s definition of ‘Justice’ in Yusuf Ali’s comment:

Justice is the Virtue which gives every one his due.

In Verse 86 Prophet Shu’ayb limits his responsibility, advising them to satisfy themselves, or actually TO ASPIRE to ‘that which rests with God,’ IF they are indeed Believers.  This ‘baqiyyatul-Lahبقيّة الله- ’ and (in plural) ‘al-baaqiyaatul saalihaatالباقيات الصالحات- ’ is mentioned in HQ 18:46; 19:76. 

We must realize how serious it is to cheat people out of what is rightfully theirs.  Such an act is considered one of the Inviolables in our Standard of Accountability; the 7^th ‘commandment’ on the Straight Path! 

It is only fitting, that we, as Believers, also aspire to what rests with God, rather than lower our sights to the fleeting material possessions of this earth!  

2.  In Verse 87 they ask him whether it is his prayer or ‘Attachment’ (what he is attached to) which commands that they should forsake the deities worshipped by their forefathers, and also commands that they forego their freedom to do what they pleased with their wealth?  These questions show that their final comment was indeed sarcastic.

3.  Verse 88 shows us the gracious, gentle and persuasive response of Prophet Shu’ayb, peace upon him, traditionally called: the ‘Orator among Prophets’ or ‘khateeb el Anbiyaa’ خطيب الأنباء !

PAGE 232 Arabic Qur’an.

4.   In Verse 89 he appeals to them as ‘man to man,’ reminding them of what happened to the peoples of Hud, Saleh, and Lot, peace upon all Prophets. 

Then he asks them (Verse 90) to seek their Lord’s forgiveness, for his Lord is Unceasingly Compassionate and Loving.  

People should know that the Qur’an mentions ‘wadoodودود-’ as one of our Creator’s most beautiful names and attributes!  It is amazing that we have not emphasized this aspect in our conduct or dialogue, a failure which has allowed others to say that the ‘God we worship’ is not a ‘God of Love.’ 

Although some of us may deserve to be discredited due to our actions or inaction, the rest of us must make up for their mistakes and NOT allow their example to be at the forefront, which leads to generalization and sweeping judgment against the Qur’an, and against Him Who is perceived as ‘our’ God.

God is indeed Loving, as mentioned again in 85:14. 

As for us, IF we attained Faith AND did Good deeds, then we would have the right to expect what He grants us in HQ 19:96.  Do we deserve it?

5.  In Verse 91, we notice how Shu’ayb’s people tried to distance themselves, by claiming that he was speaking above their heads.  It also shows the lack of esteem they had for him, simply because he had few supporters.  But thanks to these supporters, he was immune to their banishing or killing him.  (The verb ‘rajama [i] رجم-’ besides literal ‘stoning,’ denotes killing at the worst, and verbal abuse at the least.  It also denotes ‘banishment,’ which seems probable here, as in the ‘Banished Deviant/Sheytaan rajeem الشيطان الرجيم-).

Note: We must bear in mind that when this Chapter was revealed, Prophet Muhammad, peace upon him, had few supporters!

 

6.  Prophet Shu’ayb responds to them beautifully in 92- 93  with words we know (HQ 6:135) God had also commanded Prophet Muhammad to say to his people. 

I like Arberry’s interpretation of ‘makaanatikumمكانتكم-’ as ‘station.’  Each of us works according to his/her STATION- meaning that we translate into action what we already think, believe and desire: the Faithful will work in Faith, and the Deniers in Denial.

This helps us understand the second part of this verse, which is a WARNING, earned after putting one’s feelings into action, bringing into existence what was only present in our hearts and minds.

7.  Verses 94-95 bring to an end the narrative on Prophet Shu’ayb’s people.  He was saved, together with those who believed with him, while those who denied became… as if they’d never been.

Enough said! 

Our next Reading is from HQ 11:96-117.

     Peace unto all!

---

[i] الراغب الأصفهاني:

الرجام: الحجارة، والرجم: الرمي بالرجام. يقال: رجم فهو مرجوم، قال تعالى: }لئن لم تنته يا نوح لتكونن من المرجومين{ [الشعراء/116]، أي: المقتولين أقبح قتلة، وقال: }ولولا رهطك لرجمناك{ [هود/91]، }إنهم إن يظهروا عليكم يرجموكم{ [الكهف/20]، ويستعار الرجم للرمي بالظن، والتوهم، وللشتم والطرد، نحو قوله تعالى: }رجما بالغيب{ (سورة الكهف: آية 22، قال قتادة: قذفا بالظن)

Day 116; Qur’an 11:61-83, page 229 + 230

Welcome Friends:  Ahlan wa sahlan!

Isn’t it interesting to note how the path to God becomes ‘straightened,’ by each consecutive Divine Message, as Awareness is raised to higher levels?   

When we pay attention to detail, we notice that the earlier Messengers only asked their followers for the basics, such as to believe in God, and do good deeds.  In other words, they were commanded to fulfil part -not all- the Commandments on the 'Straight Path' (which we are full accountable for, as revealed in HQ 6: 151-153).  When we compare that to later Messengers, we see the difference. 

Each Messenger was sent to raise the level of Human Awareness and Advancement, relative to Human Knowledge at the time.

Regular Readers will remember that the word ‘mustaqeem’ in Arabic does not mean ‘straight,’ but rather ‘straightened, ‘ as the path humanity was guided to, by God’s Messengers, was ‘straightened’ for them, generation after generation.  Actually, ‘straight’ in Arabic is ‘qiyamقِيَم- ’ as seen in ‘deenan qiyamanديناً قِيَماً-’ which refers to a Standard of Accountability which is upright/straight and free of fault (HQ 6:161).  Remember our beautiful Posting of April 5^th? 

REMINDER: The ‘Deen,’ or Standard of Accountability which all God’s Messengers called for, is ‘Islam,’ which simply means Pure Reverence to God.  This Standard is upright/straight, and free of fault, and a person with pure reverence to God is ‘Muslim,’ as are all His Messengers.  

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.  Our Reading today begins with Verse 61-62 (from page 228), and its reference to the tribe of Thamood/Thamud, and their Prophet Saleh, peace upon him, whom we mentioned earlier in Posting of April 10^th. 

Notice what he asks of them, and God’s bounties of which he reminds them. 

As for them, they show their reluctance at forsaking what their forefathers worship!

PAGE 229 Arabic Qur’an.

2.  Prophet Saleh continues to present his case to his people in Verses 63-64, but they pay no heed to him, and defiantly kill the camel.  In Verses 65-66 he pronounces the ultimatum of three days, a truthful promise.  When it comes to pass, Saleh is saved with those who believed with him, as the others receive what they had denied (Verse 67).  

And after they had gone (Verse 68), it was as if they had never been!  

Isn’t that something to think of, especially since each of us naturally sees oneself as the ‘center of the universe’?   

3.  We begin Prophet Abraham’s narrative, peace upon him, in Verse 69.  As we mentioned earlier, each repetition adds value, usually in the form of new information. 

Read these verses carefully, they are absolutely beautiful! 

The Messengers come to Abraham with greetings of ‘Peace!’ to which he responds, and thereupon offers them a roasted calf.  But when they do not extend their hands to eat (70), he becomes fearful of them, which is when they tell him that (as God’s angelic messengers) their mission is directed at the people of Lot.  His wife appears/laughs (71), to which they give her glad tidings of Isaac (a son) after whom there will also be Jacob (a grandson).  Another explanation for the word 'dahik-ضحك' is 'to appear,' which is in fact the original connotation of the Arabic word, after which it came to denote laughter (see 1,000 year old definition in footnote).

IMPORTANT NOTE: This verse offers Qur’anic evidence that Isaac is NOT the son whom Abraham was commanded to sacrifice!

PAGE 230 Arabic Qur’an.

4.   Verse 72 shows us her response, where she refers to her husband as her “ba’lبعل- ” and in Verse 73 the messengers reassure her of God’s command.  

We mentioned the difference between the word “ba’l” and “zawj” on March 1^st, and here is an excerpt:

“The difference between the two seems to be related to the ‘zawj’ being a literal ‘mate,’ one of a couple where there is no other woman for him, whereas the “ba’l” is a companion-in-marriage (who may have other wives -OR- as some have postulated- whose sexual relationship with his wife is inactive due to old age or to being in the midst of a divorce).” 

5.  Verses 74- 75- 76 tell us that, when Abraham realized what their mission was, he pleaded with them with regard to Lot’s people (perhaps to grant Lot, peace upon him, more time to convince them).  But it seems that the time was up for Lot’s people (AND they were about to prove that beyond any doubt, as we shall soon see!). We also remember what we had discussed on April 12, of which is this excerpt:

The ‘people of Lot- قوم لوط’ were violating one of the Inviolables
of the Straight path (commandment number 4),
and seem to have been the first group ever

to regularly and openly practice
homosexual acts ‘in open assemblies’ (HQ 29:29).

6.  Verses 77- 78- 79 continue to add detail to an unbelievable scene:  The contrast between Lot’s fear for his handsome guests, contrasted to his people’s frenzied sexual desire in them!  We can almost hear them pounding at his door as he shields them with futile argument, feeling the shame of exposing his noble visitors to such treatment… until he prays for support (80).  That’s when he finds out that those whom he was trying to shield WERE the support he was praying for, as they tell him who they are, and what their mission is (81).  Here we learn that Lot’s wife was doomed for not supporting Lot, and perhaps agreeing with what had been going on in town. 

7.  Verses 82- 83 describe the end of Lot’s people.

Wasn’t it interesting to note how, those perceived as being ‘most vulnerable,’ turned out to be the strongest support?

Also, that morning seems such a long way off when under severe pressure! 

Enough said! 

Our next Reading is from HQ 11:84-100.

Peace unto all!

ضحك: دليل الانكشاف والبروز. من ذلك الضَّحِك ضَحِك الإنسان. ويقال أيضاً الضَّحْك، والأوَّل أفصح. والضَّاحكة: كل سنٍّ تبدو من مُقَدَّم الأسنان والأضراس عند الضَّحِك. قال ابنُ الأعرابيّ: الضَّاحِك من السَّحاب مثلُ العارض، إلاَّ أنَّه إِذا بَرَقَ يقال فيه ضَحِك. والضَّحُوك: الطَّريق الواضح. ويقال أَضْحَكْتَ حوضَك، إِذا ملأتَه حتى يفيض.