بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
The Prophet ﷺ said:
إنَّ هذا القرآنَ مَأْدُبَةُ اللهِ فتَعَلَّموا مَأْدُبتََه ما استطعتم وإنَّ هذا القرآنَ هو حبلُ اللهِ وهو النورُ المبينُ والشفاءُ النافعُ عِصْمَةُ مَن تَمَسَّك به ونجاةُ مَن تَبِعَه
Indeed the Qur'an is the banquet of Allah, so learn from the banquet of Allah as much as you can. Indeed this Qur'an is the strong rope of Allah, a manifest light, a beneficial healing, a protection for whoever holds fast to it, and a salvation for whoever follows it. [Authenticated by Al-Albani in As-Silsilah As-Saheeha]
If you are seeking all the above in your life, you have no way except the Qur'an.
The noblest action is to busy oneself in learning the Qur'an and teaching it to others. Abu Abdur-Rahman As-Sulami رحمه الله, one of the Tabi'een (those who came after the Companions), sat in a Mosque in Kufa for 40 years teaching the Qur'an, after hearing the Hadeeth narrated by 'Uthman Ibn 'Affan رضي الله عنه:
خيركم من تعلم القرآن و علمه
The best of you are those who learn the Qur'an and teach it to others. [Bukhari]
If you want a status with Allah, then look at the status of the Qur'an in your heart. If you are a person who loves to listen and study the Qur'an, and rejoice whenever you understand a verse from the Qur'an, then receive the glad tidings of Allah's love for you. However, if you are the person who turns away from the Qur'an, does not listen to it, does not feel joy when understanding it, then this person is from amongst the people of wretchedness. Allah said in Surah Ta-Ha [20:124]:
"But whosoever turns away from My Reminder (i.e. neither believes in this Quran nor acts on its orders, etc.) verily, for him is a life of hardship, and We shall raise him up blind on the Day of Resurrection."
What is your relationship with the Qur'an? How much do you read it everyday, how much do you study it, how much do you remind yourself of its verses in the situations you go through? These are the indications that your heart is attached to the word of Allah. The Quran should be sufficient for you from every worldly matter.
If you are a person whom Allah honoured by memorizing His Book and understanding it, do not disgrace yourself by competing with the people of the Dunya. The bearer of the Qur'an is a special person with Allah.
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Belief in Allah
(The Action of Allah "يهدي" in the Qur'an)
The most important matter we should focus on when studying the Qur'an are the articles of faith, especially belief in Allah. One of the actions of Allah which is mentioned profusely in the Qur'an is the action of الهداية (Guidance).
If we want to affirm any action to Allah, we need to know its evidences:
Some evidences of the word "يهدي":
-> In Surah al-Qasas [28:56]:
"Verily! You (O Muhammad) guide not whom you like, but Allah guides whom He wills. And He knows best those who are the guided."
As-Sa'di رحمه الله said:
يخبر تعالى أنك يا محمد -وغيرك من باب أولى- لا تقدر على هداية أحد، ولو كان من أحب الناس إليك، فإن هذا أمر غير مقدور للخلق هداية للتوفيق، وخلق الإيمان في القلب، وإنما ذلك بيد اللّه سبحانه تعالى، يهدي من يشاء، وهو أعلم بمن يصلح للهداية فيهديه، ممن لا يصلح لها فيبقيه على ضلاله.
Allah informs that you, O Muhammad ﷺ, and those besides you (to whom this applies even more), are incapable of guiding anyone, even if he may be the most beloved of people to you. For verily this matter which the creation are unable to do is Hidayat At-Tawfeeq (guidance to accept the truth) and creating faith in the heart. Indeed, that is solely in the Hands of Allah; He guides whomever He wills. He knows who deserves guidance, so He guides him, from he who does not deserve it, so He leaves him upon misguidance.
"و هو أعلم بالمهتدين" - And He knows best those who are the guided.
We do not know what is in the hearts of the people whom we love to be guided. Allah knows if they deserve to be guided or not, thus He connected His will to His knowledge.
Action of Allah:
"يهدي من يشاء" - He guides whomever He wills
-> In Surah Al-Kahf [18:17]:
"And you might have seen the sun, when it rose, declining to the right from their Cave, and when it set, turning away from them to the left, while they lay in the midst of the Cave. That is (one) of the Ayat (proofs, evidences, signs) of Allah. He whom Allah guides, is rightly guided; but he whom He sends astray, for him you will find no Wali (guiding friend) to lead him (to the right Path)."
Actions of Allah
"يهدي" - Allah guides (الهداية)
"يضلل" - Allah misguides (الإضلال)
There are people whom Allah guides and people whom Allah sends astray.
CASE STUDY: You may tell someone to wear Hijab, and they reply, "Allah said that He guides whomever He wills, perhaps I'm not of those whom Allah will guidance for. When Allah guides me I'll wear Hijab."
This is a doubt. How can you refute it? Your answer should be from the Qur'an as well.
In Surah Aal-Imran [3:7]:
"It is He Who has sent down to you (Muhammad) the Book (this Quran). In it are Verses that are entirely clear, they are the foundations of the Book [and those are the Verses of Al-Ahkam (commandments, etc.), Al-Fara'id (obligatory duties) and Al-Hudud (legal laws for the punishment of thieves, adulterers, etc.)]; and others not entirely clear. So as for those in whose hearts there is a deviation (from the truth) they follow that which is not entirely clear thereof, seeking Al-Fitnah (polytheism and trials, etc.), and seeking for its hidden meanings, but none knows its hidden meanings save Allah. And those who are firmly grounded in knowledge say: "We believe in it; the whole of it (clear and unclear Verses) are from our Lord." And none receive admonition except men of understanding. (Tafsir At-Tabari)."
This verse tells us an important matter about the Quran. This Quran consists of ءايات محكمات and ءايات متشابهات. What are these?
There are two interpretations to this:
a) All the verses in the Quran are perfect, precise. You find no contradiction, mistakes, error. (محكمات)
In Surah Hud [11:1]:
"Alif-Lam-Ra. [These letters are one of the miracles of the Quran and none but Allah (Alone) knows their meanings]. (This is) a Book, the Verses whereof are perfected (in every sphere of knowledge, etc.), and then explained in detail from One (Allah), Who is All-Wise and Well-Acquainted (with all things)."
b) They are similar in beauty (متشابهات)
OR
a) The Qur'an comprises of clear verses which only have one interpretation which everyone knows (محكمات).
The majority of the Qur'an is like this.
E.g. "إن الله غفور رحيم"
b) There are verses which are unclear but only to the minds of some people because of their lack of knowledge or because these verses have more than one interpretation (and all these interpretations are correct). (متشابهات)
"هنّ أم الكتاب" - They are the mother of the Book
I.e. They are the basic teachings. Therefore, whenever there is something unclear, you should refer it back to the clear verses.
E.g. Allah sometimes says "نحن" (We) and other times أنا (I) when referring to Himself.
This is an old doubt. When the Christians of Najran came to the Prophet ﷺ they said that this affirmed the trinity they believe in. In order to clear this doubt, you need to refer to the clear verses. Allah says in Surah Al-Ikhlas [112:1]:
"Say (O Muhammad (Peace be upon him)): "He is Allah, (the) One."
And He says in Surah Al-Baqarah [2:163]:
"And your Ilah (God) is One Ilah (God - Allah), La ilaha illa Huwa (there is none who has the right to be worshipped but He), the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful."
"فأما الذين في قلوبهم زيغ فيتبعون ما تشابه" - So as for those in whose hearts there is a deviation (from the truth) they follow that which is not entirely clear thereof
Why?
"ابتغاء الفتنة"- seeking Al-Fitnah
They want to raise doubts among the people and cause Fitnah amongst them. Of the meanings of Fitnah is misguidance and to mix the truth with falsehood
"و ابتغاء تأويله" - and seeking for its hidden meanings
They seek the interpretation that goes along with their desire.
"و ما يعلم تأويله الا الله" - but none knows its hidden meanings save Allah
While reciting, you either stop at الله, and the sentence would mean that no one knows the reality of that matter except Allah.
Or you can stop after "و الراسخون في العلم" and say:
"و ما يعلم تأويله إلا الله و الراسخون في العلم" - but none knows its hidden meanings save Allah and those who are firmly grounded in knowledge
Whenever you have a doubt about any verse, be like those who are firmly grounded in knowledge:
"يقولون آمنا به كل من عند ربنا'" - they say: "We believe in it; the whole of it (clear and unclear Verses) are from our Lord."
Even if you don't understand, you believe it is the speech of Allah and there is no mistake or doubt in it. It is all from Allah - the clear and the unclear.
"و ما يذكر إلا ألو الباب" - And none receive admonition except men of understanding.
Verse 8:
"(They say): "Our Lord! Let not our hearts deviate (from the truth) after You have guided us, and grant us mercy from You. Truly, You are the Bestower."
They say this because many people were misguided due to the unclear verses.
One of the متشابهات (doubts) that have been raised is related to guidance. In order to clarify it, we have to refer it back to the محكم (clear verses). Whom does Allah guide and whom does He misguide?
#1 - In Surah Al-Kahf [18:13]:
'We narrate unto you (O Muhammad) their story with truth: Truly! They were young men who believed in their Lord (Allah), and We increased them in guidance"
They believed, so Allah increased them in guidance.
#2 - In Surah Maryam [19:75-76]:
"Say (O Muhammad SAW) whoever is in error, the Most Beneficent (Allah) will extend (the rope) to him, until, when they see that which they were promised, either the torment or the Hour, they will come to know who is worst in position, and who is weaker in forces."
If a person is immersed in misguidance it means that he chose misguidance for himself. Allah will extend this misguidance for him by giving him more children, more properties, making him love the Dunya more, until He takes them with punishment. This is because the person chose misguidance over guidance.
"And Allah increases in guidance those who walk aright [true believers in the Oneness of Allah who fear Allah much (abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds which He has forbidden), and love Allah much (perform all kinds of good deeds which He has ordained)]. And the righteous good deeds that last, are better with your Lord, for reward and better for resort."
Allah will increase those who are guided in guidance. If you follow the right way, Allah will guide you more. And whoever is in the middle of error and misguidance, Allah will misguide him more. We have to affirm the action of الهداية and الإضلال to Allah, whilst understanding whom Allah guides and whom Allah misguides.
If you want to know how the people whom Allah increased in misguidance think, see the previous verses in Surah Maryam [19:73-74]:
"And when Our Clear Verses are recited to them, those who disbelieve (the rich and strong among the pagans of Quraish who live a life of luxury) say to those who believe (the weak, poor companions of Prophet Muhammad SAW who have a hard life): "Which of the two groups (i.e. believers and disbelievers) is best in (point of) position and as regards station (place of council for consultation)."
The disbelievers are comparing their state with the state of the believers. They saw themselves better than the believers in furniture and worldly luxury, and thus concluded that they were in a better position than them. Allah answered them in Verse 74:
"And how many a generation (past nations) have We destroyed before them, who were better in wealth, goods and outward appearance?"
Those who are misguided measure with this world as their criteria. Because they turn away from the truth, Allah increases them in misguidance as a punishment.
#1- In Surah Ibrahim [14:1-4]:
"Alif-Lam-Ra. [These letters are one of the miracles of the Quran, and none but Allah (Alone) knows their meanings]. (This is) a Book which We have revealed unto you (O Muhammad) in order that you might lead mankind out of darkness (of disbelief and polytheism) into light (of belief in the Oneness of Allah and Islamic Monotheism) by their Lord's Leave to the Path of the All-Mighty, the Owner of all Praise."
"Allah to Whom belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth! And woe unto the disbelievers from a severe torment."
Who are these disbelievers?
"Those who prefer the life of this world instead of the Hereafter, and hinder (men) from the Path of Allah (i.e.Islam) and seek crookedness therein - They are far astray."
a) الذين يستحبون الحياة الدنيا من الآخرة - Those who prefer the life of this world instead of the Hereafter
b) و يصدون عن سبيل الله - and hinder (men) from the Path of Allah
c) و يبغونها عوجا - and seek crookedness therein
They try their best to turn people away from the Religion and uglify Religion in the hearts of the people.
"And We sent not a Messenger except with the language of his people, in order that he might make (the Message) clear for them. Then Allah misleads whom He wills and guides whom He wills. And He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise."
Allah sets His plea against people. He sent books and Messengers in the language of the people, yet still some do not accept, prefer the Dunya over the Hereafter, prevent people from the Religion of Allah, seek crookedness in the Religion, so Allah misguides them.
There are people who are blind and follow the people who seek crookedness in the Religion. Allah tells us their state on the Day of Judgement in Verse 21:
"And they all shall appear before Allah (on the Day of Resurrection) then the weak will say to those who were arrogant (chiefs): "Verily, we were following you; can you avail us anything from Allah's Torment?" They will say: "Had Allah guided us, we would have guided you. It makes no difference to us (now) whether we rage, or bear (these torments) with patience, there is no place of refuge for us.""
Allah sent Books and Messengers speaking their language, as He mentioned in the beginning of the Surah. The disbelievers will make this excuse, but their excuse will not be accepted by Allah on the Day of Judgement.
#2 - In Surah at-Tawbah [9:19]:
"Do you consider the providing of drinking water to the pilgrims and the maintenance of Al-Masjid-al-Haram (at Makkah) as equal to the worth of those who believe in Allah and the Last Day, and strive hard and fight in the Cause of Allah? They are not equal before Allah. And Allah guides not those people who are the Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doers)."
"عمارة المسجد" is building the Masjid and establishing it with prayer.
"والله لا يهدي القوم الظالمين" - And Allah guides not those people who are the Thalimun
Take this as a قواعد (principle) for your life.
Who are الظالمين? What is الظلم?
الظلم is to put something in the wrong place. Shirk is ظلم because you are directing the worship which should be for Allah to someone else.
We should be afraid when we are confused in life and do not know what to do. We are not guided to the right behaviour or statement, and Allah says "والله لا يهدي القوم الظالمين" - And Allah guides not those people who are the Thalimun
We could be a ظالم, that's why we are not guided to the right behaviour, statement, decision, etc.
E.g. Allah granted you children to teach them about Allah and to worship Him. When you bring your children up upon magnifying the Dunya, you have done ظلم. This is why many times we are confused as how to deal with them.
Are you giving everyone their due rights? ظلم prevents the guidance of Allah.
The person who commits ظلم is like a blind person; he cannot see the truth from the falsehood. He may be oppressing and says he wants justice and good.
#3 - In Surah At-Tawbah [9:24]:
"Say: If your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your wives, your kindred, the wealth that you have gained, the commerce in which you fear a decline, and the dwellings in which you delight … are dearer to you than Allah and His Messenger, and striving hard and fighting in His Cause, then wait until Allah brings about His Decision (torment). And Allah guides not the people who are Al-Fasiqun (the rebellious, disobedient to Allah)."
Who are "الفاسقين"?
As-Sa'di رحمه الله said:
إذا عرض عليه أمران، أحدهما يحبه الله و رسوله و ليس لنفسه فيه هوى، و الآخر تحبه نفسه و تشتهيه و لكنه يفوت عليه محبوبا لله و رسوله أو ينقصه، فإنه إن قدم ما تهواه نفسه على ما يحبه الله دل ذلك على أنه ظالم، تارك لما يجب عليه
If two matters are presented to him; One which Allah and His Messenger ﷺ love but which his self has no desire for, and another which his self loves and desires yet it is not beloved to Allah and His Messenger ﷺ, then if he prefers what his self desires over that which Allah loves, he is a wrongdoer who has abandoned what is obligatory upon him.
If you choose what is according to your desire, at the expense of what Allah wants, you become one of the فاسقين. And Allah does not guide those who are disobedient.
We love our fathers, brothers, etc, naturally, but when their love precedes the love of Allah, we enter into the fold of فسق.
E.g. She delays her prayer because she is talking on the phone to her friend. This is فسق.
E.g. They sleep and do not offer the Fajr or 'Asr prayer on time. Sleeping is something loved to the heart, but when it causes one to miss a prayer, he becomes a فاسق. The Prophet ﷺ said,
الَّذِي تَفُوتُهُ صَلاَةُ الْعَصْرِ كَأَنَّمَا وُتِرَ أَهْلَهُ وَمَالَهُ
"Whoever misses the `Asr prayer (intentionally) then it is as if he lost his family and property." [Al-Bukhari]
E.g. You want to buy a house. You could take a Riba based way or a lawful way. The person may become a فاسق because of a house, because of a business, because of family.
E.g. Women who don't want to spoil their makeup so they make Tayammum for the prayer.
#4 - In Surah at-Tawbah [9:37]:
"The postponing (of a Sacred Month) is indeed an addition to disbelief: thereby the disbelievers are led astray, for they make it lawful one year and forbid it another year in order to adjust the number of months forbidden by Allah, and make such forbidden ones lawful. The evil of their deeds seems pleasing to them. And Allah guides not the people, who disbelieve."
"إنما النسي زيادة في الكفر" - The postponing (of a Sacred Month) is indeed an addition to disbelief
During the days of ignorance, whenever the disbelievers wanted to fight during a sacred month, they would change the name of the month. If it was Muharram they would call it Safar and make Safar Muharram, according to their desires.
They deceive in order to make the unlawful lawful. This is like people who innovate in the Religion - they change the Religion in accordance to their desires.
E.g. The Prophet ﷺ said:
كَانَ لَكُمْ يَوْمَانِ تَلْعَبُونَ فِيهِمَا وَقَدْ أَبْدَلَكُمُ اللَّهُ بِهِمَا خَيْرًا مِنْهُمَا يَوْمَ الْفِطْرِ وَيَوْمَ الأَضْحَى
'You had two days when you would play, but Allah has given Muslims something instead that is better than them: the day of Al-Fitr and the day of Al-Adha.'" [An-Nasaa'i]
People celebrate Mothers Day, etc. and say we are calling it "يوم" (Day) not عيد. They are celebrating the same day at the same time every year, so it becomes an عيد, because عيد is something that comes every year at the same time at the same place and the same manner. This is exactly what the disbelievers did; they changed the name in order to make it lawful.
"والله لا يهدي القوم الكافرين" - And Allah guides not the people, who disbelieve.
#5 - In Surah Ghafir [40:28]:
"And a believing man of Fir'aun's (Pharaoh) family, who hid his faith said: "Would you kill a man because he says: My Lord is Allah, and he has come to you with clear signs (proofs) from your Lord? And if he is a liar, upon him will be (the sin of) his lie; but if he is telling the truth, then some of that (calamity) wherewith he threatens you will befall on you." Verily, Allah guides not one who is a Musrif (a polytheist, or a murderer who shed blood without a right, or those who commit great sins, oppressor, transgressor), a liar!"
"إن الله لا يهدى من هو مسرف كذاب" - Verily, Allah guides not one who is a Musrif (a polytheist, or a murderer who shed blood without a right, or those who commit great sins, oppressor, transgressor), a liar
Who is the مسرف? The one who has reached the extreme in committing sins. He commits sins after sins persistently and of different kinds. He has made إسراف in committing the sins.
What is the كذاب (liar)? Lying is not limited to saying something contrary to the facts, it includes saying something that is contrary to what is in the heart.
This statement is about Pharoah. He was a مسرف كذاب. In Surah Ghafir [40:36-37]:
"And Fir'aun (Pharaoh) said: "O Haman! Build me a tower that I may arrive at the ways,"
"The ways of the heavens, and I may look upon the Ilah (God) of Musa (Moses) but verily, I think him to be a liar." Thus it was made fair-seeming, in Fir'aun's (Pharaoh) eyes, the evil of his deeds, and he was hindered from the (Right) Path, and the plot of Fir'aun (Pharaoh) led to nothing but loss and destruction (for him)."
He was a liar because he knew he could not do that. He said that to deceive his people.
The كذاب the one who lies to himself, Allah, and the people. He might say something true, but it is contrary to what is in his heart. Pharoah said the statement in order to deceive. That is why Allah says in Surah Zukhruf [43:55]:
"So when they angered Us, We punished them, and drowned them all."
#6 - In Surah Ghafir [40:34]:
"And indeed Yusuf (Joseph) did come to you, in times gone by, with clear signs, but you ceased not to doubt in that which he did bring to you, till when he died you said: "No Messenger will Allah send after him." Thus Allah leaves astray him who is a Musrif (a polytheist, oppressor, a criminal, sinner who commit great sins) and a Murtab (one who doubts Allah's Warning and His Oneness)."
"كذلك يضل الله من هو مسرف مرتاب" - Thus Allah leaves astray him who is a Musrif (a polytheist, oppressor, a criminal, sinner who commit great sins) and a Murtab (one who doubts Allah's Warning and His Oneness)."
Allah said after this verse, describing the مسرف مرتاب:
"Those who dispute about the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allah, without any authority that has come to them, it is greatly hateful and disgusting to Allah and to those who believe. Thus does Allah seal up the heart of every arrogant, tyrant."
Who are the people whom Allah does not guide?
1) The person who chooses misguidance over guidance
2) Who prefers the Dunya over the Hereafter
3) Hinders others from the path of Allah
4) Seeks crookedness in the path
5) The ظالمين
6) The فاسقين
7) The كافرين
8) The مسرف
9) The كذاب
10) The مرتاب
Assignment:
a) From the Qur'an Dictionary, find out whom the people Allah guides are. Use the word يهدي.
b) Read Surah As-Saaffaat (Chapter 37)
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