Day 66; HQ6:27- 45 pages 131+132

Welcome Friends:  Ahlan wa sahlan!

Yesterday, we ended our reading with Verse 26, which discussed the response shown by ‘Those who Deny,’ towards the Qur’an:

“Even as they are prohibiting others from it (the Qur’an), they are distancing themselves from it. And none are they ‘breaking down’ (يهلكون) except their (own) Selves without so realizing.”

COMMENTS:

1.  We continue with today’s Reading and find that, what seemed more like a mental/spiritual ‘breakdown’ in yesterday’s verses, is taking on physical connotations: the ‘break-down’ is none other than Death هلاك –and we realize this fact when Verse 27 shows these same persons in the Fire!  They wish they could be returned to life so as to believe in God’s Signs, and be among the Faithful. 

Verse 28 offers us an insight into what would happen if they were, in fact, returned: They would repeat the same things they were forbidden to do, for they are indeed Liars.  Yusuf Ali uses the word ‘relapse.’

The way I understand it, is that where we might be, does not change who we are.  A Denier who intentionally covers كفر something s/he knows to be true, a LIAR, will do so again and again, anytime, anywhere.

2.  Verses 29-31 are even more serious as these persons are shown to be denying Judgment in life, and then ‘facing’ their Lord where a decisive exchange takes place.  Only in that situation, are they self-accusing and incapable of lying.  Their sentence is pronounced: 

“…Then taste the ‘penalty/suffering’ (Ali/Asad) in this, what you were Denying!” 

Only then do such persons -who denied that they shall be meeting God- truly feel their loss.  They bear the burden of their misdeeds as they voice their regret for having disregarded the (final) Hour.  

3.  Verse 32 is a statement of fact about this Immediate Life الحياة الدنيا (also HQ29:64; 47:36; 57:20):

This immediate Life is no more than ‘play and amusement/play and passing delight’ (Ali/Asad), while the Hereafter is best for those who are Aware, and the verse ends with the question
“…Are you not securing comprehension (of this fact)?” ([i] عَقَلَ) to secure/ hold fast, literally as with a rope, and figuratively as in comprehension.

4.  Verses 33-37 address the Messenger, peace upon him, providing solace and encouragement with descriptions of what previous Messengers had also gone through.  God tells him that He knows that the words of Qureish (his own tribe and family) are causing him grief, but that they are not, in reality, rejecting him… they are rejecting God’s Signs!

Verse 35 responds to the frustration felt by His Messenger who is doing his best, and still being spurned by the heads of Qureish.  The verses seem to indicate that, although those who Deny might be asking for miracles, even if they got them- (whether from up high in the heavens or from the bowels of the earth), things would not change.  (Remember verse 7?  Even if they saw a Compilation in ‘qirtaas’ قرطاس–in hardcopy- descending upon the Messenger from the heavens, they would call it ‘Sorcery!’)  Such persons will not believe, no matter what YOU do. 

And anyway, THE GOAL IS NOT THAT EVERYONE IS MADE TO BELIEVE IN GOD, for had that been the goal, God could have brought them all together in Guidance.  (We should remember this when we try to convince people to follow God’s Guidance!) 

The verse ends by saying,
“…then be not, indeed, among the ignorant.” 
God’s powerful ‘voice’ is heard here, addressing His Messenger directly, and the rest of us indirectly, as His Messenger dutifully conveys.  May God’s peace and blessings be upon him, and may WE work in gratitude!

In verses 36-37 we understand that people are two kinds:  Those who respond to the Message, indicating that they have listened to it, and those who are, in fact, dead (of heart/mind) - ‘mawtaa  موتى-’ -having neither listened nor responded!  These ‘Dead’ shall not only be raised, but they shall also be returned to their Creator.  The Messenger is told that, when they ask for Signs to be delivered unto him from His Lord, he should reply that God certainly is Capable of sending any Sign, but most of them do not know.

5.  Verse 38 is a beautiful statement, oft-quoted to illustrate the similarity of all Living Creatures, and the magnificence of their Divine Creator:

“There is not a scurrying creature دابّة on earth, nor a flying ceatureطائر on its two wings, but (forms) communities similar to yourselves.  Nothing have we omitted in the Compilation, eventually, unto their Lord shall they be gathered.”

All living creatures are similar in that they form their own communities in which they interact with each other- no matter how they transport themselves.

6.  Verse 39 portrays those who belie or reject God’s Signs as being deaf and dumb in their darkness-es. 

Since God has provided people with Guidance, and only asks us to accept it, it naturally follows that that anyone who rejects his guidance will lose direction, and that is God’s will.  The opposite is also true:  it is His will that people who accept His Guidance will be on a Straight Path.  The choice WE make is not imposed, although the natural RESULTS for our choices, are.

Nevertheless, Verses 40-41 present those who Deny God with a challenge, beginning with a question which the Messenger is told to ask them, if they can respond to it in all honesty! 

When people are in real suffering or facing the Hour (of Judgment) Whom other than God will they call unto? 

In such a situation, it is only God to Whom they will address their calls, and He might, if He willed, remove their distress… even as they forget those (deities/holy figures) whom they used to associate with Him!

7.  Verses 42-43 narrate historical accounts of people to whom God sent Messengers.  When they refused their warnings, God brought adversity upon them so they would turn to Him in prayer and humbleness.  Instead, their hearts/minds became hardened as the Deviant/Sheytaan embellished their acts for them. 

And then in Verses 44-45 (we find what seems like a surprising turn of events):

God opens wide the gates of Worldly Pleasures to these Heedless persons!

Well-explained by both Yusuf Ali and Muhammad Asad, our Reading today ends with: “… praise be to God, Lord of the diverse Worlds!”

Enough said!

Our next Reading is from HQ6:46-58

Peace unto all!

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[i] (عقل) حُبْسة في الشَّيء أو ما يقارب الحُبْسة. من ذلك العَقْل، وهو الحابس عن ذَميم القَول والفِعل. ..قال الخليل: العَقل: نقيض الجهل. ورجل عَقُول، إذا كان حسَنَ الفَهم وافر العَقْل. عقَلْت البَعيرَ أعقِلُه عقلاً، إذا شَدَدتَ يدَه بعِقاله، وهو الرِّباط... فأمّا قولُهم: فلانةُ عقيلةُ قومِها، فهي كريمتُهم وخيارهم. ويُوصَف بذلك السيِّد أيضاً فيقال: هو عقيلة قومه. وعقيلةُ كلِّ شيءٍ: أكرمُه. والدُّرّة: عَقيلة البحر.

Day 65; HQ6: 7- 26 pages 129+130

Welcome Friends:  Ahlan wa sahlan!

Someone asked me a while ago, whether I could provide the definition of the word ‘Qur’an,’ a definition other than the common, limited one, found in books.  With God’s Grace, during this project we will all get the chance to build up this definition as we gain a hands-on understanding of the Qur’an together. 

Last time we started on the Chapter of ‘Al An’am,’ the Cattle, and noted that this Meccan chapter addresses –for most part- people who have long been idol-worshippers, and have traditionally associated many ‘deities’ with God and forgotten His Unique attributes.

In today’s Reading the Qur’an will show us a few of God’s beautiful attributes, and assure us of His Mercy as a ‘responsibility,’ something He instilled upon Himself towards Creation.

COMMENTS:

1.  Verse 7 according to Ali and Asad, starts off by saying:  (ولو نزّلنا عليك كتاباً في قرطاس...)

“If we had sent unto you ‘a written (message) on parchment/ a writing on paper’…”

Actually, what everyone seems to have missed is that this verse offers a CLUE as to what, from the very beginning, set this Compilation apart as a Message suitable for all time.  More accurately translated the verse says:

“Had we sent unto you a Compilation (inscribed) in a static sheet, and had they touched it with their hands, Those who Denied would have said, “This is manifest Sorcery!”

This verse is telling us that this Compilation is not a static Revelation[i]. 

Verse 8 tells us that they asked (to see) an angel deliver the Message; the Qur’an tells them that when Angels appear to humans, it is too late for reparation!  And the next verse tells us that they would have been confused anyway, as angels are rendered in active (human-like) form رجلاً.

2.  Verses 10-11 discuss their mockery.  The Qur’an tells Prophet Muhammad peace upon him that their treatment of him is similar to that of Messengers before him- and that he should tell them to travel the earth and then observe how the end was for those who belied/disbelieved in the truth.

3.     Verse 12 begins with the command, ‘Say, to Whom is all that is in the heavens and on earth?  Say, ‘To God; He has compiled UPON Himself (all) the Mercy…”- كتب على نفسه الرحمة –

Others translate this as, ‘He has ‘inscribed for Himself (the rule) of Mercy/ willed upon Himself the law of grace and mercy’ (Ali/Asad) ….”

Our Readers will recall our discussion of March 10^th  regarding the meaning of the term ‘kataba’ – ‘to put together’ when we said that God either ‘compiles/puts together’ something ‘UPONعلى - ’ someone, which becomes a unit of accountability/responsibility, OR ‘puts together’ ‘FOR- ‘لــ someone, as a unit of exemption/privilege.  Here God actually holds Himself responsible of -and accountable for- the Mercy by which His Creation is to be dealt with!  This expression appears twice in the Qur’an, BOTH times in this chapter (see HQ6:54).

4.   Verses 13-14 give us more of God’s beautiful attributes, and tell us that Divinity sustains but does NOT require sustenance, which reminds us of our Reading of March 15^th with regard to Jesus and Mary, peace upon them (HQ5:75).

Also, in Verse 14 the Messenger Muhammad, peace upon him, is told to announce that he was commanded to be the first whose Reverence is purely to God, ‘aslama,’ and not to be one of those who Associate.

In Verse 15-16 he is told to announce his place, in that he is someone who is obedient to his Lord and fearful of the suffering of a Monumental Day.  He describes those who are ‘averted/spared’ (Ali/Asad) from such suffering as being recipients of God’s Mercy, indeed a clear Salvation/Deliverance (fawz فوز).  

5.  Verses 17 discusses the two opposites contained in Human Life, ‘dhurrضر/’ or Hurt/Affliction/Distress,[ii] on one hand, and Benefit نفع/- on the other (but in this verse the Qur’an has broadened the second word to include the all-inclusive concept of all that is commendable and advantageous; good; ‘kheyr/ [iii]‘خير).  

How wonderful is it, that (as a search through the entire Qur’an will show) God never harms, hurts, or distresses us?  The words يضركم- are never mentioned, but rather He ‘touches us with a little of affliction or distress.’ (in Arabic the 'ba' ب is called 'ba'ul tab'eedh' باء التبعيض which indicates only a portion of something!)

There is a VERY interesting point to mention here, and it relates to what Muslims refer to as the ‘List of God’s most beautiful names-أسماء الله الحُسنى ’  Listed among those so-called ‘Beautiful Names’ are several which are derogatory, being neither Qur’anic nor authorized by the Prophet.  This issue is finally receiving attention, although scholars including Ibn Taymiyyah have discussed it.[iv]  One of these names is الضار ‘Al Dhaar.’ In Arabic it actually labels God as The Harmful/ Hurtful/ Distresser/ Afflicter- see: http://www.islamicity.com/Mosque/99names.htm , a website which allows us to look into the Qur’an and check for ourselves whether or not the word is mentioned in it.  Sometimes it is.  Sometimes it is not mentioned in any form, and sometimes we only find a verb which, as our Regular Readers know, is NOT the same as a Label.  We already know all about labeling!

To sum up, the beautiful ‘names’ of God which we can safely use are those that He has mentioned Himself- those that are found as attributes (not as verbs) in the Qur’an.

Verse 18, for example, is a short statement which holds three of God’s true attributes.

6.   Verse 19 discusses the topmost, the weightiest ‘witnessed evidence’ or ‘shahaada’ that can ever be given: 

Bearing witness that God is One and Unique- that there are no deities beside Him, and that one is ‘innocent/clear’ of all persons who believe otherwise. 

The command to: ‘Say..!’ occurred ten times in our Reading today; 4 times in verse 19 alone!

Verses 20-21 challenge those among People of (earlier) Compilation who withheld the evidence contained in their own scriptures confirming Muhammad as the awaited Messenger of God.  Such persons are indeed, as certain of this truth (that he is God’s Messenger) as they are of their own children!  

Then comes the question:  Who does more wrong than someone who speaks lies on ‘behalf’ of God, or invents a lie ‘against’ God? ………(Note the Q and A interaction!)

And the end result is, that such liars never succeed.

In verses 22-24, we get a glimpse into their single, final, lie on Judgment Day, uttered in self-defense, where they now resort to denying the charges, swearing in God’s name, after having lost the ‘gods’ they had relied on in life!

7.   Verse 25 describes people who hear but to no avail, for their hearts/minds  قلوبhave been ‘shielded’ from comprehension (not just veiled).  Although the verse indicates ‘We’ (meaning God) as the subject for the ‘shields- أكنّة’ this is similar to other verses which indicate the natural law that prevents prejudiced persons from hearing what they don’t wish to hear.  In short, God has ‘rendered’ (جعل) the entire learning process to be affected by preconception - this natural law is a warning for all of us! 

At the end of verse 25 we find Those who Deny calling the Qur’an: ‘Stories of the Ancients.’  It is interesting to note the Etymology of the English words ‘story,’ and ‘history:’ “From O.Fr. historie, from L. historia "narrative, account, tale, story," from Gk. historia "a learning or knowing by inquiry, history, record, narrative.”[v]

Again we find, in the origins of this word, that Old French, Latin and Greek are mentioned, but not Arabic!  The word أساطير  ‘asaat-heer’ from أسطورة ‘ust-hoora’ from the root verb ‘satara’سطر   which means to align[vi].

In narrative, it indicates adaptation and modification (mixing truth with falsehood).

Verse 26 tells us quite frankly:

“Even as they are prohibiting others from it (the Qur’an), they are distancing themselves from it. And none are they ‘breaking down’ (يهلكون) except their (own) Selves without so realizing.”

Enough said!                                                                                                         

Our next Reading is from HQ6:27- 45

Peace unto all!

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[i] Qirtaas is the static sheet into which something is compiled:

(القرطاس هو الصحيفة الجامدة التي يكتب بها

[ii] فالضُّرُّ: خلاف النفع-الهُزال. والضَّرَّة: اسمٌ مشتقٌّ من الضَّرِّ، كأنَّها تضرُّ الأخرى كما تضرُّها تلك. واضطُرَّ فلانٌ إلى كذا، من الضرورة. والضَّرِير: الذي به ضَرَرٌ من ذَهاب عَيْنِه. أو ضَنَى جِسْمِه.

[iii] فالخَير: خِلافُ الشّرّ. أصله العَطْف والميْل والخِيرَةُ: ؛ لأنَّ كلَّ أحدٍ يَمِيلُ إِليه ويَعطِف على صاحبه. الخِيار. والخِيرُ: الكَرمُ. والاستخارة: أن تَسْألَ خيرَ الأمرين لك. وكل هذا من الاستخارة، وهي الاستعطاف.

[iv]  قال ابن تيمية : (لم يرد في تعيينها حديث صحيح عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم وأشهر ما عند الناس فيها حديث الترمذي الذي رواه الوليد بن مسلم عن شعيب عن أبي حمزة ، وحفاظ أهل الحديث يقولون هذه الزيادة مما جمعه الوليد بن مسلم عن شيوخه من أهل الحديث ، وفيها حديث ثان أضعف من هذا رواه ابن ماجه وقد روي في عددها غير هذين النوعين من جمع بعض السلف) (الفتاوىالكبرى1/217) وقال ابن حجر : (والتحقيق أن سردها من إدراج الرواة) (بلوغ المرام 346) وقال الصنعاني : (اتفق الحفاظ من أئمة الحديث أن سردها إدراج من بعض الرواة) (سبل السلام 4/108) ، فهذا هو حال الأسماء الحسنى التي حفظها الناس لأكثر من ألف عام وأنشدها كل منشد وكتبت في كل مسجد ، ليست نصا من كلام النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم باتفاق أهل العلم والمعرفة بحديثه وإنما هي في حقيقتها ملحقة أو مدرجة في الأحاديث التي ورد فيها سرد الأسماء ، وقد أمرنا الله عز وجل في غير موضع من كتابه أن ندعوه بأسمائه الحسنى فقال : (وَلِلَّهِ الأَسْمَاءُ الْحُسْنَى فَادْعُوهُ بِهَا) (الأعراف:180) وحذرنا من الإلحاد فيها فقال : (وَذَرُوا الَّذِينَ يُلْحِدُونَ فِي أَسْمَائِهِ سَيُجْزَوْنَ مَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ)......يتبع على الموقع http://www.uaearab.com/asma_alhusna/

[v] http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?search=history&searchmode=none

[vi] (سطر) اصطفافِ الشيء، كالكتاب والشجر، وكلِّ شيء اصطَفَّ. فأمَّا الأساطير فكأنها أشياءُ كُتبت من الباطل فصار ذلك اسماً لها، مخصوصاً بها. يقال سَطَّر فلانٌ علينا تسطيراً، إذا جاء بالأباطيل. وواحد الأساطير إسطار وأُسطورة.

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