بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
When Allah sent Adam عليه السلام down to earth, He sent down guidance. And He said that whoever follows His guidance will not be afraid, nor grieve, nor be distressed, nor go astray. In Surah Al-Baqarah [2:38]:
"We said: "Get down all of you from this place (the Paradise), then whenever there comes to you Guidance from Me, and whoever follows My Guidance, there shall be no fear on them, nor shall they grieve."
And in Surah Ta-Ha [20:123]:
"(Allah) said:"Get you down (from the Paradise to the earth), both of you, together, some of you are an enemy to some others. Then if there comes to you guidance from Me, then whoever follows My Guidance shall neither go astray, nor fall into distress and misery."
#3 - After Allah glorified and praised His noble self and emphasized the matter of Tawheed in إياك نعبد و إياك نستعين, He guided us to make dua, by saying [1:5]:
"Guide us to the Straight Way"
Allah is teaching us that the noblest thing we ask Him for is guidance.
#4 - Then, Allah immediately begins Surah Al-Baqarah, saying as mentioned in [2:2]:
"This is the Book (the Quran), whereof there is no doubt, a guidance to those who are Al-Muttaqun [the pious and righteous persons 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)]."
Who are the Muttaqeen? In Verses 3-4:
"Who believe in the Ghaib and perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat), and spend out of what we have provided for them [i.e. give Zakat , spend on themselves, their parents, their children, their wives, etc., and also give charity to the poor and also in Allah's Cause - Jihad, etc.]."
"And who believe in (the Quran and the Sunnah) which has been sent down (revealed) to you (Muhammad Peace be upon him ) and in [the Taurat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel), etc.] which were sent down before you and they believe with certainty in the Hereafter. (Resurrection, recompense of their good and bad deeds, Paradise and Hell, etc.)."
If you implement the descriptions of the Muttaqeen, the Qur'an will be a guidance for you.
a) يؤمنون بالغيب - Believe in the unseen
b) يقيمون الصلاة - Establish the prayer
c) مما رزقناهم ينفقون - Spend in charity from what Allah has given you
d) الذين يؤمنون بِمَا أنزل إليك - Believe in what Allah revealed upon the Prophet ﷺ
e) و ما أنزل من قبلك - And what was revealed before
f) و بالآخرة هم يوقنون - And believe with certainty in the Hereafter
Verse 5:
"They are on (true) guidance from their Lord, and they are the successful."
If someone says that Allah did not guide them, ask them if they asked Allah with a heedful heart when reciting Surah Al-Fatihah and if they fulfilled the descriptions of the Muttaqeen mentioned in Surah Al-Fatihah. Allah has mentioned the means of guidance.
In Verse 16, after Allah mentioned the disbelievers and the hypocrites, He said:
"These are they who have purchased error for guidance, so their commerce was profitless. And they were not guided."
There are many verses related to guidance in Surah Al-Baqarah.
#5 - In Surah Yunus [10:9]:
"Verily, those who believe [in the Oneness of Allah along with the six articles of Faith, i.e. to believe in Allah, His Angels, His Books, His Messengers, Day of Resurrection, and Al-Qadar (Divine Preordainments) - Islamic Monotheism], and do deeds of righteousness, their Lord will guide them through their Faith; under them will flow rivers in the Gardens of delight (Paradise)."
"يهديهم ربهم بإيمانهم" - their Lord will guide them through their Faith
If you are seeking guidance, you should believe.
As-Sa'di رحمه الله said:
بسبب ما معهم من الإيمان يثيبهم الله أعظم الثواب و هو الهداية
Because of what they have with them of faith, Allah will reward them with the greatest reward, which is guidance.
What is the impact of the guidance of Allah?
1) فيعلمهم ما ينفعهم
So He teaches them what benefits them
2) و يمن عليهم بالأعمال الناشئة عن الهداية
And He favours them with actions that result from guidance
3) و يهديهم للنظر في آياته
And He guides them to look at His signs
Signs could be universal or textual signs. They will see the signs and increase in faith as a result. This is guidance from Allah.
4) و يهديهم في هذا الدار إلى الصراط المستقيم
And He guides them in this abode to the Straight Path
5) و في دار الجراء إلى الصراط الموصل إلى الجنات النعيم
And in the abode of recompense to the path which leads to Paradise
As you increase in faith, as the guidance of Allah will increase for you, as a reward for your faith.
#6 - In Surah Ar-Ra'd [13:27]:
"And those who disbelieve say: "Why is not a sign sent down to him (Muhammad SAW) from his Lord?" Say: "Verily, Allah sends astray whom He wills and guides unto Himself those who turn to Him in repentance."
"من أناب" is the one who returns to Allah in all situations.
#7 - In Surah Al-Ankabut [29:69]:
"As for those who strive hard in Us (Our Cause), We will surely guide them to Our Paths (i.e. Allah's Religion - Islamic Monotheism). And verily, Allah is with the Muhsinun (good doers)."
"لنهدينّهم" - We will surely guide them
Allah affirmed this لام التوكيد and نُون التوكيد.
As-Sa'di رحمه الله said:
و هو الجهاد بالقول و اللسان للكافر و المنافقين، و الجهاد على تعليم أمور الدين، و على رد نزاع المخالفين للحق، و لو كانوا من المسلمين
And it is striving hard by speech and tongue against the disbelievers and hypocrites, and striving hard to learn the matters pertaining to the Religion, and to refute the controversies of those who oppose the truth, even if they may be from the Muslims.
There are Muslims who are full of doubts. Your Jihad to bring them back to the right path is included in Allah's promise that He will guide you.
"و إن الله مع المحسنين" - And verily, Allah is with the Muhsinun (good doers).
You are doing good when you do the above, so Allah will be with you. This is the special companionship of Allah.
#8 - In Surah As-Shura [42:13]:
"He (Allah) has ordained for you the same religion (Islam) which He ordained for Nuh (Noah), and that which We have inspired in you (O Muhammad SAW), and that which We ordained for Ibrahim (Abraham), Musa (Moses) and 'Iesa (Jesus) saying you should establish religion (i.e. to do what it orders you to do practically), and make no divisions in it (religion) (i.e. various sects in religion). Intolerable for the Mushrikun , is that to which you (O Muhammad SAW) call them. Allah chooses for Himself whom He wills, and guides unto Himself who turns to Him in repentance and in obedience."
Whom does Allah guide?
1) Those who believe
2) Those who do righteous deeds
3) Those who return to Allah
4) Those who strive hard
5) Those who ask Him for guidance. In Surah Aal-Imran [3:8]:
(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."
And in Surah Al-Fatihah [1:5]:
"Guide us to the Straight Way"
You are asking Allah to guide you to it and keep you firm on it until the end of your life. You ask Allah for this 17 times a day. If you say it with a heedful heart, see how Allah will guide you with your husband, children, colleagues at work, etc. But Allah will not answer the dua of a person who says it with a heedless heart.
During any calamity that befalls the person, who are the people whom Allah guides? Not everyone behaves rightly as soon as the calamity befalls.
#9 - In Surah At-Taghabun [64:11]:
"No calamity befalls, but with the Leave [i.e. decision and Qadar (Divine Preordainments)] of Allah, and whosoever believes in Allah, He guides his heart [to the true Faith with certainty, i.e. what has befallen him was already written for him by Allah from the Qadar (Divine Preordainments)], and Allah is the All-Knower of everything."
"ما أصاب من مصيبة إلا بإذن الله" - No calamity befalls but with the Leave [i.e. decision and Qadar (Divine Preordainments)] of Allah
Any affliction, even if it is a scratch on your hand or a prick of a thorn which causes you pain, does not happen except by the permission of Allah.
What should your belief be here? If you face any oppression, transgression, offence, something causing pain in your heart, you have to believe that if all the people in the world gathered to cause it to you, they would not be able to do so except with Allah's permission. Whenever a calamity happens, do not look at the people, because it all happened by the permission of Allah.
E.g. You have the medicine in your hand. That medicine will not benefit you except by the permission of Allah.
E.g. The fire will not burn except by the permission of Allah.
Nothing can cause you harm and pain except by the permission of Allah. This calamity was ordained for you by Allah. This should make you content and submit to Allah's Qadar. Who is Allah who ordained that pain? He is Generous (كريم), Merciful (رحمن), Loving (ودود), Wise (حكيم), Knowing (عليم), Well-Acquainted (خبير).
"و من يؤمن بالله يهد قلبه" - and whosoever believes in Allah, He guides his heart
We did not choose the calamity for ourselves. What should our atttiude be? We should believe in Allah. We should believe that this calamity is from Allah. And Allah is your Lord; your Creator, who is Merciful. He knows you very well and knows if you deserve it or not. There is wisdom in the calamity and also mercy, because every hardship is a key to ease and goodness. Look into every calamity you passed through in your life. After that calamity there was good.
Tell yourself: You are a kind of person who will not be upon the straight path unless Allah nurtures you by this calamity. Do not look at those who are causing the problem, look at the calamity as from Allah.
Hardship or calamities are hidden blessings and favours from Allah. Allah says in Surah Al-Luqman [31:20]:
"See you not (O men) that Allah has subjected for you whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is in the earth, and has completed and perfected His Graces upon you, (both) apparent (i.e Islamic Monotheism, and the lawful pleasures of this world, including health, good looks, etc.) and hidden [i.e. One's Faith in Allah (of Islamic Monotheism) knowledge, wisdom, guidance for doing righteous deeds, and also the pleasures and delights of the Hereafter in Paradise, etc.]? Yet of mankind is he who disputes about Allah without knowledge or guidance or a Book giving light!"
There were parents who were far away from the right path and lived for their enjoyment, not caring about the Halal or Haraam. They had a daughter whom they loved so much. Allah afflicted this daughter with cancer and she was on the edge of death. When they saw their daughter dying they repented and changed. Then they noticed that their daughter was recovering until she was fine. The Sheikh who mentioned the story said he was invited for her wedding.
The calamity was like a guest, it entered the house for the parents to be good, and then it left the house. Allah ordained it for the reformation of the parents. The calamities are hidden favours, but only the believer sees them as favours. You have to believe in Allah, in spite of how severe the calamity is. In Surah an-Nisa [4:147]:
"Why should Allah punish you if you have thanked (Him) and have believed in Him. And Allah is Ever All-Appreciative (of good), All-Knowing."
Because you went astray and far from the right path, Allah willed guidance for you. And you are a type of person who will not be nurtured except in this way.
Even committing sins. If a person is always busy in performing righteous deeds, it could make him arrogant. So Allah will break him by making it easy for him to commit a sin to extract the arrogance from his heart.
People are not the same, they are all different. Know that no calamity or affliction happens except that there is a wisdom behind it. Allah nurtures us through these calamities.
The people of faith have the most rightly guided hearts and the most firm stance when confronted by misfortune because Allah grants them firmness, increases their faith, makes them pleased with Allah and think good about Him.
This is like the Companions of the Prophet ﷺ during the Battle of Uhud. They were all injured severely. When they were going back to Madinah, the hypocrites said, 'O people, the Quraish are going to attack you'. It was a severe situation, but they said, as Allah mentioned in Surah Aal-Imran [3:173]:
"Those (i.e. believers) unto whom the people (hypocrites) said, "Verily, the people (pagans) have gathered against you (a great army), therefore, fear them." But it (only) increased them in Faith, and they said: "Allah (Alone) is Sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs (for us)."
What was the result?
"So they returned with Grace and Bounty from Allah. No harm touched them; and they followed the good Pleasure of Allah. And Allah is the Owner of Great Bounty."
"فنقلبوا" - So they returned
فاء التعقيب - Allah immediately returned them with favour and bounty from Him such that no harm touched them. When the Quraish heard that the Muslims were ready to fight back they fled. The Muslims kept their reputation among the Arabs; that they were still strong and could face their enemies.
But this is not for everyone. It is only for those whom as soon as the calamity befalls them, do not say except what pleases Allah. Allah will keep them firm and they will see the result of that firmness.
The believer understands that the calamity is a hidden blessing; that it is ordained in order to nurture Him by Allah Al-Hakeem, Al-Aleem. If the wisdom behind the calamity is revealed to him, it turns into a mercy and an outward blessing.
Belief in the Angels
The Angels manage the matters in the uppper and lower words by Allah's permission. They are the servants of Allah. They have a relationship with the human being, ever since he was a نطفة in the womb of his mother until the Day of Resurrection.
-> In Surah As-Saaffaat [37:1-3]:
"By those (angels) ranged in ranks (or rows)."
The Surah is titled الصافات and begins with it. الصافات are the Angels who stand in rows when they are in the presence of Allah and when they worship Allah. This shows us their submission to Allah.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
ألا تصفون كما تصف الملائكة عند ربها؟" فقلنا: يا رسول الله وكيف تصف الملائكة عند ربها؟ قال: "يتمون الصفوف الأُول، ويتراصون في الصف
Why do you not stand in rows as the angels do before their Rabb?" We asked: "O Messenger of Allah! how do the angels stand in rows before their Rabb?" He ﷺ replied, "They complete each row beginning with the first and filling all the gaps." [Muslim]
In another narration:
إِنِّي أَرَى مَا لاَ تَرَوْنَ وَأَسْمَعُ مَا لاَ تَسْمَعُونَ إِنَّ السَّمَاءَ أَطَّتْ وَحُقَّ لَهَا أَنْ تَئِطَّ مَا فِيهَا مَوْضِعُ أَرْبَعِ أَصَابِعَ إِلاَّ وَمَلَكٌ وَاضِعٌ جَبْهَتَهُ سَاجِدًا لِلَّهِ
I see what you do not see, and I hear what you do not hear. The heaven is creaking and it should creak, for there is no space in it the width of four fingers but there is an angel there, prostrating to Allah. [At-Tirmithi]
Verse 2:
"By those (angels) who drive the clouds in a good way."
These Angels order the clouds to move from one place to another by the command of Allah and to send rain on the places which Allah commanded it to rain on. When you see from clouds moving from one place to another place, know that the Angels are driving these clouds.
This confirms the Hadeeth of the Prophet ﷺ:
بَيْنَا رَجُلٌ بِفَلاَةٍ مِنَ الأَرْضِ فَسَمِعَ صَوْتًا فِي سَحَابَةٍ اسْقِ حَدِيقَةَ فُلاَنٍ . فَتَنَحَّى ذَلِكَ السَّحَابُ فَأَفْرَغَ مَاءَهُ فِي حَرَّةٍ فَإِذَا شَرْجَةٌ مِنْ تِلْكَ الشِّرَاجِ قَدِ اسْتَوْعَبَتْ ذَلِكَ الْمَاءَ كُلَّهُ فَتَتَبَّعَ الْمَاءَ فَإِذَا رَجُلٌ قَائِمٌ فِي حَدِيقَتِهِ يُحَوِّلُ الْمَاءَ بِمِسْحَاتِهِ فَقَالَ لَهُ يَا عَبْدَ اللَّهِ مَا اسْمُكَ قَالَ فُلاَنٌ . لِلاِسْمِ الَّذِي سَمِعَ فِي السَّحَابَةِ فَقَالَ لَهُ يَا عَبْدَ اللَّهِ لِمَ تَسْأَلُنِي عَنِ اسْمِي فَقَالَ إِنِّي سَمِعْتُ صَوْتًا فِي السَّحَابِ الَّذِي هَذَا مَاؤُهُ يَقُولُ اسْقِ حَدِيقَةَ فُلاَنٍ لاِسْمِكَ فَمَا تَصْنَعُ فِيهَا قَالَ أَمَّا إِذَا قُلْتَ هَذَا فَإِنِّي أَنْظُرُ إِلَى مَا يَخْرُجُ مِنْهَا فَأَتَصَدَّقُ بِثُلُثِهِ وَآكُلُ أَنَا وَعِيَالِي ثُلُثًا وَأَرُدُّ فِيهَا ثُلُثَهُ
While a person was in the wilderness he heard a voice from the cloud (commanding it thus): Irrigate the garden of so and so. After that the clouds slinked aside and poured water on a stony ground. It filled a channel amongst the channels of that land and that person followed that water and he found a person standing in the garden busy in changing the course of water with the help of a hatchet. He said to him: Servant of Allah, what is your name? he said: So and so. And it was that very name which he had heard from the clouds. and he said to him: Servant of Allah, why do you ask me my name? He said: I heard a voice from the clouds of which is the downpour, saying: Water the garden of so and so, like your name. What do you do (for the favour) shown to you by Allah in this matter? He said: Now as you state so. I look what yield I get from it, and I give one-third as charity out of it and I and my children eat one-third of it and one-third I return to it as investment. [Muslim]
Seeing the movement of the clouds should increase your faith. This is belief in the unseen. When you know, you would not look at the movement of the clouds like a person who does not know.
Verse 3:
"By those (angels) who bring the Book and the Quran from Allah to mankind [Tafsir Ibn Kathir]."
These are all oaths. Allah swears by these three kinds of Angels and their actions.
What is the subject Allah is swearing about?
Verse 4 and 5:
"Verily your Ilah (God) is indeed One (i.e. Allah);"
"Lord of the heavens and of the earth, and all that is between them, and Lord of every point of the sun's risings. (None has the right to be worshipped but Allah)."
Allah is swearing for His oneness.
When Allah swears by something, this indicates its greatness. We have to magnify whatever Allah magnifies. We honour and venerate the angels, because Allah swore by them in Surah As-Saaffaat.
As-Sa'di رحمه الله said:
فلما كانوا متألهين لربهم و متعبدين في خدمته و لا يعصونه طرفة عين أقسم بهم على ألوهيته
So when they deified their Lord, and worshipped Him in His service, and did not disobey Him for a blink of an eye, Allah swore by them upon the oneness of His divinity.
At the end of the Surah, Verse 149-160:
"Now ask them (O Muhammad): "Are there (only) daughters for your Lord and sons for them?"
"Or did We create the angels females while they were witnesses?"
"Verily, it is of their falsehood that they (Quraish pagans) say:"
"Allah has begotten off spring or children (i.e. angels are the daughters of Allah)?" And, verily, they are liars!"
"Has He (then) chosen daughters rather than sons?"
"What is the matter with you? How do you decide?"
"Will you not then remember?"
"Or is there for you a plain authority?"
"Then bring your Book if you are truthful!"
"And they have invented a kinship between Him and the jinns, but the jinns know well that they have indeed to appear (before Him) (i.e. they will be brought for accounts)."
الإستفتاء is to seek a Fatwa. We seek a Fatwa whenever we do not know. Allah tells the Prophet ﷺ to ask the Fatwa of the disbelievers. This is a rebuke, as if the disbelievers have knowledge about Allah and the angels, because they claimed that Allah has daughters. They claimed that the Angels were female and the daughters of Allah and the Jinn was their mother.
"Glorified is Allah! (He is Free) from what they attribute unto Him!"
"Except the slaves of Allah, whom He choses (for His Mercy i.e. true believers of Islamic Monotheism who do not attribute false things unto Allah)."
The chosen slaves of Allah are the ones who attribute Allah with perfect attributes and sanctify Him from deficiencies.
Verses 161 and 162:
"So, verily you (pagans) and those whom you worship (idols)."
"Cannot lead astray [turn away from Him (Allah) anyone of the believers],"
Who do they have the power to lead astray? Verse 163:
"Except those who are predestined to burn in Hell!"
Then in Verse 164:
"There is not one of us (angels) but has his known place (or position)"
First Allah refuted the claim of the disbelievers, then He mentioned that the disbelievers are not able to mislead except those who are destined to burn in Hell, and then Allah mentioned the Angels again.
This either means:
a) Each one of us has a specific position to stand in to worship Allah such that no one steps over the other
b) or each one of us has a specific task.
The Angels are talking about themselves.
Verse 165:
"Verily, we (angels), we stand in rows for the prayers (as you Muslims stand in rows for your prayers);"
We are the ones who stand in rows.
Verse 166:
"Verily, we (angels), we are they who glorify (Allah's Praises i.e. perform prayers)."
And we are the ones glorifying Allah and sanctifying Him by declaring Him to be above any fault and deficiency which the disbelievers attribute to Him. We are obeying Allah, we are servants of Allah, and we are humbling ourselves to Allah.
The Angels worship Allah all the time; they praise Allah all the time. In Surah Al-Baqarah [2:30]:
"And (remember) when your Lord said to the angels: "Verily, I am going to place (mankind) generations after generations on earth." They said: "Will You place therein those who will make mischief therein and shed blood, - while we glorify You with praises and thanks (Exalted be You above all that they associate with You as partners) and sanctify You." He (Allah) said: "I know that which you do not know."
-> In Surah Sad, which comes after Surah As-Saaffat, [38:5]:
"Has he made the aliha (gods) (all) into One Ilah (God - Allah). Verily, this is a curious thing!"
Surah Saffaat talks about the disbelievers and their end, and Surah Sad talks about the pious.
In Surah Saffaat you notice the words مخلصين، محسنين، مؤمنين are mentioned. Surah Sad explains who they are. In [38:46]:
"Verily, We did choose them by granting them (a good thing, i.e.) the remembrance of the home [in the Hereafter and they used to make the people remember it, and also they used to invite the people to obey Allah and to do good deeds for the Hereafter]."
Allah chose them for the remembrance for the Home of the Hereafter. How?
a) The remembrance of the Hereafter is always in their hearts
b) They work for the Hereafter all the time
c) They are sincere and watchful of Allah continuously
d) Allah made their state to be a reminder for those who remember. When people hear about their names and state, they remember the Hereafter and take them as good examples to be followed.
e) They are remembered with goodly remembrance
f) They used to invite people to remember Allah and do good deeds for the Hereafter.
In Verse 83, Iblees swore that he would misguide all the people, except:
"Except Your chosen slaves amongst them (faithful, obedient, true believers of Islamic Monotheism)."
In Verse 69:
"I had no knowledge of the chiefs (angels) on high when they were disputing and discussing (about the creation of Adam)."
We heard that they are obedient in Surah Saffaat. Here Allah mentions that they disputed regarding the creation of Adam عليه السلام. This dispute is mentioned in Surah Baqarah. They wanted to know the wisdom behind creating someone who would create corruption on earth.
When Allah commanded them to prostrate, they all prostrated. In Verse 73:
"So the angels prostrated themselves, all of them"
After Allah showed them the wisdom, they obeyed Allah and complied with His command.
-> In Surah az-Zumar [39:71-75]
This is the context of the Hereafter. In Verse 71:
"And those who disbelieved will be driven to Hell in groups, till, when they reach it, the gates thereof will be opened (suddenly like a prison at the arrival of the prisoners). And its keepers will say, "Did not the Messengers come to you from yourselves, reciting to you the Verses of your Lord, and warning you of the Meeting of this Day of yours?" They will say: "Yes, but the Word of torment has been justified against the disbelievers!""
In Verse 73:
"And those who kept their duty to their Lord will be led to Paradise in groups, till, when they reach it, and its gates will be opened (before their arrival for their reception) and its keepers will say: Salamun 'Alaikum (peace be upon you)! You have done well, so enter here to abide therein."
Notice the difference between the welcoming of the keepers of the Paradise for the believers, and their rebuking of the disbelievers in Hell.
Then, in Verse 75:
"And you will see the angels surrounding the Throne (of Allah) from all round, glorifying the praises of their Lord (Allah). And they (all the creatures) will be judged with truth, and it will be said. All the praises and thanks be to Allah, the Lord of the 'Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that exists)."
After Allah finishes the Judgement, and the people of Hell will enter Hell, the people of Paradise will enter Paradise, all the Angels will surround the Throne of Allah and they will glorify Him. This is the continuous action of the angels.
Assignment:
Read Surah as-Saaffaat and divide it into topics.
Find out where the Angels are mentioned in Surah Ghafir and Surah Fussilat
Comments
Post a Comment