بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
15/1/1439H
Al-Aajurri رحمه الله said in أخلاق حملة القرآن (Characteristics of the Bearers of the Qur'an):
As beginners, the most important subject we should focus on is الإيمان بالله (Belief in Allah). We should focus on the names, attributes, and actions of Allah; affirming whatever Allah affirmed to Himself of attributes and negating whatever He negated from Himself whilst affirming the opposite.
E.g. In Ayat al-Kursi [2:255]:
"...Al-Hayy Al-Qayoom. Neither slumber, nor sleep overtake Him."
We negate sleep and slumber from Allah. But this is not enough; we have to affirm the opposite. We negate sleep and slumber from Allah and affirm perfect life to Allah. He is الحي القيوم (Al-Hayy Al-Qayyoom)
E.g. In Surah ash-Shams [91:15]:
"And He (Allah) feared not the consequences thereof."
Before this, Allah mentioned how He destoyed the people of Thamud, then ended the verses with the above verse. Allah negates fear of the consequences of His actions. We negate the fear and affirm the opposite;- the strength, power, and might of Allah.
E.g. "وَمَا رَبُّكَ بِظَلَّامٍ لِّلْعَبِيدِ"
"and your Lord is not at all unjust to (His) slaves." [41:46]
We negate oppression and affirm justice. When you affirm the opposite, you are praising Allah.
E.g. Allah said in Surah at-Tariq [86:15-16]:
"Verily, they are but plotting a plot (against you O Muhammad (Peace be upon him))."
"And I (too) am planning a plan."
Allah attributed the attribute of plotting to Himself. But we do not believe that Allah unrestrictedly plots; He only plots against those who plot. We believe that الكيد is one of the attributes of Allah, but it is a restricted attribute.
E.g. In Surah an-Nisa [4:142]:
"Verily, the hypocrites seek to deceive Allah, but it is He Who deceives them. And when they stand up for As-Salat (the prayer), they stand with laziness and to be seen of men, and they do not remember Allah but little."
Names imply attributes, but we cannot deduce names out of attributes. Therefore, we cannot call Allah المخادع. And Allah restricts this attribute to the hypocrites.
When you read the Qur'an, focus on the names, attributes, and actions of Allah. Whenever you come across a story in the Qur'an, focus on what Allah mentioned in the story regarding His actions. Allah relates stories to us in the Quran to teach us about His actions. The actions of Allah come in verb form.
E.g. "يمكر الله"
E.g. "و جعلنا علياها سافلها"
We should stop at the actions of Allah. Allah is so powerful and so great, that He took a whole country up and turned it upside down. This is something beyond our imagination. The more you ponder, the more it will increase your faith in Allah.
We should also focus on the parables. The parables are important in the Qur'an. Allah sets parables in order to emphasize important matters, like to emphasize Tawheed and the gravity of Shirk. A parable is an example which compares a tangible matter to a sensible matter in order to emphasize the sensible matter.
E.g. In Surah alHajj [22:31]:
"Hunafa' Lillah (i.e. to worship none but Allah), not associating partners (in worship, etc.) unto Him and whoever assigns partners to Allah, it is as if he had fallen from the sky, and the birds had snatched him, or the wind had thrown him to a far off place."
In this verse Allah emphasizes the importance of Tawheed and the gravity of Shirk.
"و من يشرك بالله" - And whoever assigns partners to Allah
"فكأنما" - It is as if
This letter shows us that this is a parable.
"خَر من السماء" - He had fallen from the sky
What happens when he falls?
"فتخطفه الطير" - and the birds snatched him and cut him into pieces
"أو" - OR
"تهوي به الريح في مكان سحيق" - the wind had thrown him to a far off place
Whoever worships Allah alone is protected in the heavens and sky. But as soon as his heart is turned away from Allah to other deities, and he seeks to please many other people, his heart is cut up into pieces, like the bird which snatches the person and cuts him into pieces. Or his heart turns to one false deity instead of Allah, like a wind which takes him far away to a deep valley and throws him there.
This parable encourages you to turn your heart to Allah alone. If any false deity wants to come and take a part of your heart, then your heart is only for Allah. No one deserves to be loved with your entire heart except Allah.
Our problem is that our beloved ones are inside our heart, so when they leave us, our heart is in pain. But if we loved them outside our hearts, our hearts will not be affected. We love our beloved ones with natural love, but their love should never exceed the love of Allah. And this is the state of the monotheist. He enjoys it when people talk about Allah. But the problem with us is not our beloved ones, the problem is that the Dunya and our desires are occupying our hearts, so there is no place for Allah.
Whenever you make Tadabbur of the Quran you should focus on Allah, His Names and attributes. We have to know Allah from the Qur'an. When you know Allah from the Qur'an and Sunnah, you will understand the language of life. This life we live in has a language. When you know the actions of Allah, you will be able to explain this life, and understand every incident that happens to you. You will be able to point out the mercy of Allah in your life, etc. And you will think good of Allah, and not expect bad from Him. The problem with those who think bad about is Allah is that they do not know who Allah is. Therefore it is important to focus on the names, attributes, and actions of Allah.
Continuation: Surah Ghafir (Chapter 40)
Verse 1:
"Ha-Mim. [These letters are one of the miracles of the Quran, and none but Allah (Alone) knows their meanings]."
This Surah is one of the حواميم.
Verse 2:
"The revelation of the Book (this Quran) is from Allah the All-Mighty, the All-Knower."
Allah mentioned His names العزيز العليم (Al-'Azeez Al-'Aleem) in the context of the revelation of the Book. The revelation of the Book thus has a connection with the علم (Knowledge) and عزة (Might) of Allah. Whoever applies the Qur'an and recites it as he should, العزيز (Al-'Azeez) will give him power and honour.
Surah Al-Jathiya and Al-Ahqaf are also from the حواميم. In Surah Al-Jathiya [45:1-2]:
"Ha-Mim. [These letters are one of the miracles of the Quran, and none but Allah (Alone) knows their meanings]."
"The revelation of the Book (this Quran) is from Allah, the All-Mighty, the All-Wise."
And in Surah Al-Ahqaf [46:1-2]:
"Ha-Mim. [These letters are one of the miracles of the Quran, and none but Allah (Alone) knows their meanings]."
"The revelation of the Book (this Quran) is from Allah, the All-Mighty, the All-Wise."
Allah linked between the revelation of the Book with His Name العزيز thrice. This should draw your attention.
In Surah Ghafir, Allah mentions the story of Musa عليه السلام and the believer from the family of Pharoah. Whenever Allah begins a Surah with a particular name of His, you see the impact of that name throughout the Surah. Both Musa عليه السلام and the believer from the family of Pharoah both disputed with Pharoah. Pharaoh did not accept. In the end, Allah honoured Musa عليه السلام and the believer from the family of Pharoah, because He is العزيز (Al-'Azeez) and gives honour to His believing slaves. He will never let them down; rather, He supports them.
How do we apply this to ourselves? This is another step in Tadabbur. After observing and understanding, we have to apply it to our life.
E.g. After knowing that Allah is العزيز (Al-'Azeez) and after seeing the impact of His عزة (Might) in the story, then if someone mocks you, offends you, or ridicules the truth that you have, then you know that if you hold fast to His Book and obey Him, He will honour you above them. Allah said in Surah Al-Baqarah [2:212]:
"Beautified is the life of this world for those who disbelieve, and they mock at those who believe. But those who obey Allah's Orders and keep away from what He has forbidden, will be above them on the Day of Resurrection. And Allah gives (of His Bounty, Blessings, Favours, Honours, etc. on the Day of Resurrection) to whom He wills without limit."
This should comfort your heart and give you rest. However, you should not allow them to cause you to go beyond the limit with them. If you want to be above them, then Taqwa is required - "الذين اتقوا" (Those who have Taqwa)
If you hold your tongue from talking, your hands from writing, for the sake of Allah, Allah will honour you on the Day of Judgement. He will make you عزيز.
Never think that uprightness on the right path will lessen your status. If you hold fast with the truth, sooner or later Allah will exalt you. And never think that exaltadness with Allah is attained with worldly degrees and positions. Rather, Allah will honour you when you obey Allah and hold fast to the Quran and Sunnah.
In our graves we will be asked who our Lord is, what our Religion is, and who the man that was sent to you was. When the believer answers these questions, the Angels will ask him a fourth question - وَمَا يُدْرِيكَ ؟ (How did you know the answers?) The man will say: قَرَأْتُ كِتَابَ اللَّهِ ، فَآمَنْتُ بِهِ ، وَصَدَّقْتُ (I read the Book of Allah and I believed in it).
We are reading the Book of Allah, but how much belief do we have in what we are reading? The more belief that have, the more you will be kept firm in your grave.
Verse 3:
"The Forgiver of sin, the Acceptor of repentance, the Severe in punishment, the Bestower (of favours), La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), to Him is the final return."
Allah mentions four Names of His which imply four attributes:
1) غافر الذنب - The Forgiver of Sins
This is a restricted name of Allah (اسم مقيد)
2) قابل التوبة - The Accepter of Repentance
3) شديد العقاب - The Severe in Punishment
4) ذي الطول - The Bestower of Favours
The impacts of these names in the Surah:
#1 - غافر الذنب (The Forgiver of Sins)
#2 - قابل التوب (The Acceptor of Repentace)
It is as if Allah is calling the believers to seek forgiveness for their sins. In many verses in this Surah, Allah calls the believers to seek forgiveness:
-> In Verse 55:
"So be patient (O Muhammad). Verily, the Promise of Allah is true, and ask forgiveness for your fault, and glorify the praises of your Lord in the Ashi (i.e. the time period after the midnoon till sunset) and in the Ibkar (i.e. the time period from early morning or sunrise till before midnoon) [it is said that, that means the five compulsory congregational Salat (prayers) or the 'Asr and Fajr prayers]."
Allah is commanding His Prophet ﷺ and accordingly us to seek forgiveness, because He is غافر الذنب (Ghafir Adh-Dhanb)
-> In Verses 7-9:
"Those (angels) who bear the Throne (of Allah) and those around it glorify the praises of their Lord, and believe in Him, and ask forgiveness for those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah) (saying): "Our Lord! You comprehend all things in mercy and knowledge, so forgive those who repent and follow Your Way, and save them from the torment of the blazing Fire!"
"Our Lord! And make them enter the 'Adn (Eden) Paradise (everlasting Gardens) which you have promised them, and to the righteous among their fathers, their wives, and their offspring! Verily, You are the All-Mighty, the All-Wise."
"And save them from (the punishment, because of what they did of) the sins, and whomsoever You save from (the punishment, because of what they did of) the sins (i.e. excuse them) that Day, him verily, You have taken into mercy." And that is the supreme success."
Allah is talking about the Bearers of the Throne:
a) They glorify the praises of Allah
b) They believe in Allah
c) They ask forgiveness for the believers
Who inspired them to ask forgiveness for the believers? Allah, because He is غافر الذنب, made His Angels who are near Him and bear His Throne ask forgiveness for the believers - particularly those who repent from amongst the believers. And Allah is قابل التوب; He accepts the repentance.
What is the difference between المغفرة and التوبة?
المغفرة is to ask Allah to forgive your past sins, while التوبة is to resolve to leave the sin.
This is the honour of the believers with Allah. They are sleeping on their beds, and the Bearers of the Thrones are supplicating for them. This is one of the impacts of Allah's عزة (Might) with His believers.
#3 - شديد العقاب (The Severe in Punishment)
-> In Verses 21 to 22:
"Have they not travelled in the land and seen what was the end of those who were before them? They were superior to them in strength, and in the traces (which they left) in the land. But Allah seized them with punishment for their sins. And none had they to protect them from Allah."
The monuments which you see of Thamud and Pharoah are all آثار. Allah seized them with punishment because of their sins.
Why did Allah punish them? In Verse 22:
"That was because there came to them their Messengers with clear evidences, proofs and signs but they disbelieved (in them). So Allah seized them with punishment. Verily, He is All-Strong, Severe in punishment."
This should cause you to fear Allah and not belittle Him nor His threats. Many people read the threats of Allah in the Quran and take it lightly and don't feel like they are meant by it, although they might be. They read شديد العقاب (Shadeed Al-'Iqaab) as if it does not concern them but concerns someone else.
-> Allah mentions that He saved the believer from the family of Pharoah and took Pharoah in punishment in Verse 45. Then in Verse 46:
"The Fire; they are exposed to it, morning and afternoon, and on the Day when the Hour will be established (it will be said to the angels): "Cause Fir'aun's (Pharaoh) people to enter the severest torment!"
This is while they are in their graves. And this punishment is nothing in comparison to what is waiting for them on the Day of Judgement.
Do not belittle the punishments or threats of Allah. We have to believe that Allah is severe in punishment.
In Verse 47:
"And, when they will dispute in the Fire, the weak will say to those who were arrogant; "Verily! We followed you, can you then take from us some portion of the Fire?"
This is the state of the disbelievers in the Fire. But this will neither benefit them nor lessen the punishment for them. We should read this verses while understanding that it is the impact of شديد العقاب.
-> In Verse 49:
"And those in the Fire will say to the keepers (angels) of Hell: "Call upon your Lord to lighten for us the torment for a day!"
In Surah an-Naba [78:30], Allah mentions that the punishment in the Hellfire will increase eternally:
"So taste you (the results of your evil actions); no increase shall We give you, except in torment."
The punishment will not be relieved or lessened for them not even for an hour. The punishment will eternally increase, just as the delights of the people of Paradise will eternally increase. We cannot imagine the reality, but we should at least have belief.
-> In Verse 70-72:
"Those who deny the Book (this Quran), and that with which We sent Our Messengers (i.e. to worship none but Allah Alone sincerely, and to reject all false deities and to confess resurrection after the death for recompense) they will come to know (when they will be cast into the Fire of Hell)."
"When iron collars will be rounded over their necks, and the chains, they shall be dragged along."
"In the boiling water, then they will be burned in the Fire."
#4 - ذي الطول (The Bestower of Favours)
Every good that you hope to attain is from Allah who is ذي الطول; The Bestower of Favours.
-> In Verses 61 - 64:
"Allah, it is He Who has made the night for you that you may rest therein and the day for you to see. Truly, Allah is full of Bounty to mankind, yet most of mankind give no thanks."
That is Allah, your Lord, the Creator of all things, La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), where then you are turning away (from Allah, by worshipping others instead of Him)!
Allah created everything to serve and benefit you, in order for you to worship Allah. Allah is free of need, we are the ones in need of the night to sleep and the day to see. In Verse 64:
"Allah, it is He Who has made for you the earth as a dwelling place and the sky as a canopy, and has given you shape and made your shapes good (looking) and has provided you with good things. That is Allah, your Lord, then blessed be Allah, the Lord of the 'Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that exists)."
He is الخالق، المصور، الرب. These are all the impacts of these names. And He grants us all these favour because He is ذي الطول.
-> In Verses 79 to 81:
"Allah, it is He Who has made cattle for you, that you may ride on some of them and of some you eat."
"And you have (many other) benefits from them, and that you may reach by their means a desire that is in your breasts (i.e. carry your goods, loads, etc.), and on them and on ships you are carried."
"And He shows you His Signs and Proofs (of His Oneness in all the above mentioned things). Which, then of the Signs and Proofs of Allah do you deny?"
Allah bestowed all these favours upon us and no one else bestowed them, so only He deserves to be worshipped. How can we commit Shirk, while He is ذي الطول and شديد العقاب? But even if you have committed Shirk and committed sins, He is غافر الذنب and قابل التوب.
When you read and see the impact of these names in the Surah, what should you do?
You should seek the forgiveness of Allah for your sins, be grateful for His favours, be afraid of His punishment. Only He deserves to be worshipped because He has these names - "لا إله إلا هو" Only He deserves to be magnified, loved, and worshipped, and no one else.
"و إليه المصير"
And we will return back to Him.
Tadabbur is to read the Surah, then go back to the beginning of the Surah, then keep going back and forward until you get the whole picture of the Surah.
We need to strengthen our relationship with the Quran. If you give your entire life for the Quran, it will only give you some of it, because it is the Words of Allah. Start to have a daily recitation of the Quran, of reading, observing, and understanding. And it is recommended to study entire chapters, not study only portions, when making Tadabbur. When you strengthen your belief, you will reach the degree of certainty. And when your belief in Allah is strengthened, the belief in the rest of the articles of faith will be increased.
Surah Sad, Zumar, and Ghafir
-> In Surah Sad [38:65-66]:
"Say (O Muhammad SAW): "I am only a warner and there is no Ilah (God) except Allah (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah) the One, the Irresistible,"
Whenever Allah says "قل", He is addressing the Prophet ﷺ.
"The Lord of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them, the All-Mighty, the Oft-Forgiving."
-> In Surah Zumar [39:4-5]:
"Had Allah willed to take a son (or offspring or children), He could have chosen whom He pleased out of those whom He created. But glory be to Him! (He is above such things). He is Allah, the One, the Irresistible."
"He has created the heavens and the earth with truth. He makes the night to go in the day and makes the day to go in the night. And He has subjected the sun and the moon. Each running (on a fixed course) for an appointed term. Verily, He is the All-Mighty, the Oft-Forgiving."
-> In Surah Ghafir [40:16]:
"The Day when they will (all) come out, nothing of them will be hidden from Allah. Whose is the kingdom this Day? (Allah Himself will reply to His Question): It is Allah's the One, the Irresistible!"
Then in Verse 42:
"You invite me to disbelieve in Allah (and in His Oneness), and to join partners in worship with Him; of which I have no knowledge, and I invite you to the All-Mighty, the Oft-Forgiving!"
In three successive Surahs, these four Names are mentioned. You will not find all these four names mentioned together elsewhere. In Surah Sad and Zumar they are mentioned in two successive verses, whilst in Surah Ghafir they are mentioned separately.
The Context these Names are Mentioned in:
Surah Sad:
What made Allah command the Prophet ﷺ to say as mentioned in Verse 65-66? In Verse 64:
"Verily, that is the very truth, the mutual dispute of the people of the Fire!"
This is regarding the dispute of the People of Hellfire. We read this dispute in Surah Ghafir previously as well. Allah mentions how they dispute and curse one another.
In Verses 65-66:
"Say (O Muhammad SAW): "I am only a warner and there is no Ilah (God) except Allah (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah) the One, the Irresistible,"
"The Lord of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them, the All-Mighty, the Oft-Forgiving."
The Prophet ﷺ is just a warner, warning about the Hellfire. And he is commanded to tell the poeple that only Allah should be singled out with love and worship. Why? Because He is الواحد القهار (Al-Wahid Al-Qahhar) He is One, He has no partners, no son, no peer. He is unique in His attributes and independent of all whilst everyone is dependent on Him. And besides that, He is القهار. He is the Sovereign; everything is under his control, everyone submits to Him. No one can reject or repel or stop His command. Everyone is under His subjugation. We are all مقهورين.
Allah commanded the Prophet ﷺ to introduce Him generally to the people in Surah Sad. When we come to Surah Zumar, Allah explains who الواحد الأحد العزيز الغفار in detail:
Surah Zumar: In Verse 3, Allah says:
"Surely, the religion (i.e. the worship and the obedience) is for Allah only. And those who take Auliya' (protectors and helpers) besides Him (say): "We worship them only that they may bring us near to Allah." Verily, Allah will judge between them concerning that wherein they differ. Truly, Allah guides not him who is a liar, and a disbeliever."
What is the link between Verse 3 and Verse 4? In Verse 3 Allah mentions the polytheists who take Awliyaa as partners with Allah, in order for them to intercede with Allah for them. They claim that since they are sinners and the Awliyaa are righteous, they seek their intercession. Their supplications, vows, sacrifices, is accordingly dedicated to other than Allah. Allah answers them:
"إن الله يحكم بينهم"
On the Day of Judgement, Allah will judge between them.
"إن الله لا يهدي من هو كاذب كفار"
Whoever claims this are liars and disbelievers.
In Verse 4:
"Had Allah willed to take a son (or offspring or children), He could have chosen whom He pleased out of those whom He created. But glory be to Him! (He is above such things). He is Allah, the One, the Irresistible."
If Allah willed to take a son, He could have chosen anyone from His creation. Glory be to Him; He is far above what they are saying - He is Allah, He is الواحد. He is One; in no need of a son or partner. And He is القهار (Al-Qahhar).The oneness of Allah is joined with His قهر. We cannot have two قهار; it is impossible. Logically, one should overpower the other. Only one can be a قهار. So if Allah has a son, he should have attributes like Allah, but Allah is واحد - He is one, single in His attributes, and unique. And this One, Allah, is Qahhar. If Allah had a son, the description of this son is مقهر - subdued by Allah. He cannot be قهار. Only Allah is الواحد القهار (Al-Waahid Al-Qahhar)
Then Allah mentions in Verse 5:
"He has created the heavens and the earth with truth. He makes the night to go in the day and makes the day to go in the night. And He has subjected the sun and the moon. Each running (on a fixed course) for an appointed term. Verily, He is the All-Mighty, the Oft-Forgiving."
Another meaning of the name العزيز (Al-'Azeez) is القاهر الغالب (Al-Qaahir Al-Ghaalib). With His might and power he created the heavens and earth. Do any of your Awliyaa do that? With His might and power He makes the night go into the day and the day go into the night. Do any of your Awliyaa do that?
Only Allah الواحد القهار العزيز الغفار (Al-Waahid Al-Qahhar Al-'Azeez Al-Ghaffar) does that and no one else.
Next Week: The Context of Surah Ghafir....
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