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No. 3
Section 1
The Qur'an and the previous scriptures - the correct knowledge of the verses of the Qur'an - Misinterpretation of the figurative verses - Prayer for guidance from Allah
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ÔóÏöíÏñ æóÇááøåõ ÚóÒöíÒñ Ðõæ ÇäÊöÞóÇãò
In The Name of Allah, The Beneficent, The Merciful
1. " 'Alif 'A', Lam 'L', Mim 'M'."
2. " Allah, there is no god but He, the Ever-Living, the Self-Subsisting (the Sustainer of all things)."
3. " He has sent down to you the Book with truth, confirming that which is before it, and He sent down the Turah and the Evangel."
4. " Aforetime, a guidance for people, and He sent down the Furqan. Verily those who disbelieve in the Signs of Allah, for them there is a severe chastisement and Allah is Mighty, the Lord of Retribution. "
A Note:
As was mentioned at the beginning of the commentary of Sura Al-Baqarah, Alif 'A', Lam 'L', Mim 'M' are known as abbreviated letters, the Muqatta'at. The best and well known definition about them is to say that they are secrets between Allah and His Messenger. Or, this subject may be referred to by saying that the Quran has been composed of these very abbreviated letters.
In other words, Allah has sent down the Quran through letters. This itself is a miracle, the same as He creates Man from soil, while man makes potsherd, brick, earthenware etc. from it. This is the difference of the Divine Power and human power.
It is worthy to note that the above abbreviated letters have occurred at the beginning of six Suras in the Quran: Al-Baqarah, 'Al-i-'Imran, Al-'Ankabut, Ar-Rum, Luqman, and As-Sajdah. And the abbreviated letters Alif 'A', Lam 'L', Ra 'R' have also occurred at the beginning of Suras: Yunus, Hud, Yusuf, Ar-Ra'd, Ibrahim, and Al-Hijr. Again the abbreviated letters Ha 'H', Mim 'M', have occurred at the beginning of Suras: Ash-Shaura, Fussilat, Az-Zukhruf, Ad-Dukhan, Al-Jathiyah, and Al-'Ahqaf. As the evidences show in the above, every one of these instances of abbreviated letters has been revealed at the beginning of six suras, while in each of other instances the abbreviated letter(s) has been stated for only one sura.
Commentary:
In creation, Allah has complete cognizant administration and domination upon the whole creation. The material factors and appliances can be causes of creation but they are not alive when the cause of their existence is not from their own. The material instances have not any independent knowledge, life, and power. It is only He, the Ever-Living, that the life of every living creature depends on Him.
" Allah, there is no god but He, The Ever-Living, the Self-Subsisting (the Sustainer of all things)."
It is cited in Jaushan-Kabir, the Supplication: He has been alive from before any living thing, and will be alive after any living thing. There is no living thing as His partner. He is in need of none. He is the Alive Who has no death, but the life of any living creature, as well as his sustenance, is in His control. He is a living Essence Who has not got it heritably from another living being.
Now, here is a close translation for the exact text of the supplication:
" O' Ever-Living, preceding every living being, "
" O' Ever-Living, succeeding every living being, "
" O' Ever-Living, like unto Whom there is none, "
" O' Ever-Living, Who has no living partner, "
" O' Ever-Living, Who is not dependant on any living being,"
" O' Ever-Living, Who causes every living being to die, "
" O' Ever-Living, Who provides sustenance to every living being, "
" O' Ever-Living, Who has not inherited life from any living being, " (1)
1. The qualification of a god to be worshipped is having nominal perfections such as being Ever-Living and Self-Subsistent.
2. Monotheism is at the top and is the framework of all Divine Books.
The term Torah is a Hebrew word which means: 'law, the whole body of Jewish religious literature, including the Scripture. The Torah contains five chapters, entitled: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy. Since the event of the death of Moses (a.s.) and the explanation of his burial are mentioned in the Torah, the Judgement is that these subjects of the Torah have been added after the time of Moses (a.s).
The term Evangel has a Latin root (evangelium) which means 'good news', or 'the teaching of the New Testament'.(2) The Evangel is the Divine Book of the Christians and wherever in the Qur'an it is mentioned it is stated in the singular form while, today, there are different Books amongst the Christians by this name, four of which are very famous. They are as follows:
1. Matthew is one of the four Evangelists, the first book of the New Testament, and the reputed author of the first Gospel. Matthew is one of the twelve students of Jesus (a.s.).
2. Mark, the second book of the New-Testament, telling the story of Jesus' life. Mark wrote this book under the authority of Petros after the time of Jesus (a.s.).
3. Luke, a physician and companion of the apostle Paul and the reputed author of the third Gospel.
4. John the fourth Gospel, the book of revelation. He has also been one of Jesus' students.
It is also remarked that the abovementioned Gospels have all been written wholly after Jesus (a.s.).
Explanations:
1. The heavenly Books of prophets, one after another, are complementary of the formers:
"... conforming that which is before it,..."
2. The confirmation of the former heavenly Books and prophets is a factor to the unity of theists and one of the manners of inviting others as the verse says: " conforming ".
3. The confirmation of the Qur'an upon the Torah and Evangel is a proof for the idea that the former Books are heavenly, and, also, it is a great right upon the former divine religions. Otherwise, regarding the superstitions that have been added to the Torah and the Evangel, their being heavenly would be forgotten totally.
4. The means, instructions and the stages of training are different in the former Books due to their time and conditions of revelations. Yet they are on the same line of development and unity towards the godly goal.
5. The revelation of the Qur'an unto the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) is an honour from Allah unto his personality when He preceded the phrase 'to you' to the term 'the Book':
" He has sent down to you the Book with truth,..."
6. The Qur'an is secured from any falsehood, and it is coinciding to reality and truth.
7. In spite of the fact that the Torah and the Evangel were separately and wholly revealed at once, the Quran was sent down gradually during twenty three years. This is in the condition that it was revealed to the heart of the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) at once by the Grand Night.
8. Considering the qualities mentioned in the previous verse, the revelation of the heavenly Books is a manifestation of the attributes of Allah.
The first part of this verse, added to the meaning of the previous verse, addresses the Prophet of Islam (p.b.u.h.) and totally says:
" He has sent down to you the Book with truth, confirming that which is before it, and He sent down the Turah and the Evangel." " Aforetime, a guidance for people, ..."
Then, pointing to the Qur'an which separates right and wrong, it follows saying:
"... and He sent down the Furqan. ..."
Hence, after the verses of the Qur'an being sent down from the side of Allah and completing the argument being done, together with testification of innate disposition and intellect to the truthfulness of prophets in their invitations, there is not any other way against rejectors but punishment. That is why, in this verse, next to the statement about the rightfulness of the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) and the Qur'an, it says:
"...Verily those who disbelieve in the Signs of Allah, for them there is a severe chastisement ..."
And, to make it clear that there is no doubt about the capability of Allah in accomplishing His threats, it says:
"... and Allah is Mighty, the Lord of Retribution."
(1) Jaushan-Kabir Supplication, Item 70
(2) Webster's New World Dictionary, Third College Edition.
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5. " Verily, Allah, nothing hidden is there from Him in the earth and in the heaven."
6. " He it is Who shapes you in the wombs as He pleases. There is no god but He, the Mighty, the Wise."
Commentary:
How is it possible that something be hidden from Allah while He is Omnipresent and Omniscient? And regarding that His Essence is infinite and illimited from any point of view, there will be no place without Him. He is nearer to us than we are to ourselves. Therefore, in the meantime that He is found in no definite site, He dominates every thing. This domination is in the sense of His Knowledge and cognizance upon all the things and affairs of the world.
" Verily, Allah, nothing hidden is there from Him in the earth and in the heaven."
Then, the verse points to one of the distinguished things in the world of creation which is, indeed, one of the clear examples of Allah`s Knowledge and Power, by saying:
" He it is Who shapes you in the wombs as He pleases, ..."
Yes, it is completely true that:
"... there is no god but He, the Mighty, the Wise."
The formation of Man in mother's womb, and designing wonderful, marvellously beautiful features, one after another, in that dark environment is really surprizing. It is specially with those varieties that a human being may have from the point of stature, face, gender, kinds of capacities and faculties. Man carries different qualities in him. So, that is why there is no god but He, and it is for this very reason that only He, His pure Essence, the Almighty, is worthy of being worshipped.
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7. " He it is Who has sent down to you the Book; in it are decisive verses which are the basis of the Book, while others are allegorical. But as for those in whose hearts there is perversity, they follow the part of it which is allegorical, seeking (to cause) dissension by seeking it (their own) interpretation, while none knows its (hidden) interpretation except Allah and those firmly rooted in knowledge. They say: ' We believe in it, the whole (of it) is from our Lord;' and none minds save the possessors of intellect."
Commentary:
The Decisive and the Allegorical Verses in the Qur'an.
In former verses, the statement was upon the revelation of the Qur'an as one of the clear evidences and proofs of the prophethood of the Prophet of Islam (p.b.u.h.). Now, in this holy verse, one of the specialities of the Qur'an is pointed out. This quality is the manner of expressing statements that is applied in this grand heavenly Book. At first, it says:
" He it is Who has sent down to you the Book; in it are decisive verses which are the basis of the Book, while others are allegorical. ..."
These allegorical verses, that in the first glance seem complicated because of high level of the subject or of other factors in them, are criterions to try individuals in order to separate truthful scholars from stubborn seditious persons. So, next to that, it says:
"... But as for those in whose hearts there is perversity, they follow the part of it which is allegorical, seeking (to cause) dissension by seeking it (their own) interpretation, while none knows its (hidden) interpretation except Allah and those firmly rooted in knowledge. ..."
Then, it points to those who, under the light of their correct understanding the meaning of both decisive and allegorical verses, declare:
"... They say: 'We believe in it: the whole (of it) is from our Lord;'..."
Yes! verily :
"... and none minds save the possessors of intellects."
Through the above mentioned verse, it is recognized that the verses of the Qur'an are divided into two groups. A part of the verses have such a clear concept that there is no place for denial, justification or misuse in them. These verses are called 'decisive verses'. But there are other verses that, because of high level of subject or discussing about things which are out of our reach, like: the unseen world, the world of Resurrection, and the attributes of Allah, are such that their hidden meanings and the secrets and the depth of their reality need a particular scientific ability to be rendered. These verses are called 'allegorical verses'.
Some perversive persones try to abuse these verses by commenting on them untruly in order to make mischief among people and deviate them from the right path. But Allah and those firmly rooted in knowledge know the secrets of these verses and explain them for people.
Of course, those who are in the first line, from the point of knowledge, (like the Prophet and Immaculate Imams), know the whole secrets while others may understand from them as much as the amount of their own knowledge. Hence, it is this very fact that sends people, even the learned scientists, after the divine teachers to catch the mysteries of the Qur'an.
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8. " (They say:) ' Our Lord! let not our hearts deviate after You have guided us, and bestow on us from Your mercy, for You are, indeed, the Ever-Bestower."
9. " Our Lord! verily You are the Gatherer of mankind unto a Day in which there is no doubt; for surely Allah never fails (His) promise."
Commentary:
Since the allegorical verses of the Qur'an and their hidden secrets may cause to be the means of going astray for some persons so that they fail in this kind of trial, so, those firmly rooted in knowledge and the believing intellectual ones, besides utilizing their own existing knowledge in comprehending the true meanings of these verses, seek refuge to their Lord. Both of the above mentioned verses, which are stated from the tongue of those firmly rooted in knowledge, make this fact clear. They say:
" (They say:) ' Our Lord! let not our hearts deviate after You have guided us, and bestow on us from Your mercy, for You are, indeed, the Ever-Bestower '."
In view of the fact that belief in Resurrection and being regardful to the Day of Judgement are the most effective things for controlling one's desires and lusts, then those firmly rooted in knowledge, remembering That Day, say:
" Our Lord! verily You are the Gatherer of mankind unto a Day in which there is no doubt; for surely Allah never fails (His) promise."
Therefore, they, thereby, avoid of low desires, sensuality, and excessive sentiments, which cause one to do wrong, and thus they can understand the Divine verses as they really are.
Section 2
The Ultimate Triumph of the Unity of Allah
Prophecy about the Vanishment of the disbelievers. Allah's help in the Battle of Badr - Unity, the basis of the faith in Allah - Islam, the only True Religion.
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10. " Verily those who disbelieve, neither their wealth nor their children shall avail them aught against Allah, and they themselves will be fuel for the (Hell) Fire."
11. " Like the People of Pharaoh and those who were before them, they denied Our Signs, so Allah caught them for their sins; and Allah is severe in penalty."
Commentary:
In this situation, those hearts that are deviated and are not on the straight path are referred to. The verse says:
" Verily those who disbelieve, ..."
These are those who disbelieved in the verses of Allah and His Messengers; so:
"... neither their wealth nor their children shall avail them aught against Allah ..."
Concerning the Qur'anic phrase /minallah/, Abu'ubaydah says that it means 'with Allah', while Al-Mubarrad says that the Arabic word /min/ (from) is used with its own meaning here, which is 'beginning'. Hence, the purpose of the whole phrase is that, from the beginning to the end, there will be no vail for them out of their wealth and their children. Some others say that the phrase /minallah/ metaphorically means /min 'aäabillah/ (from Allah's punishment), which has been rendered that: nothing will avail them to be away from the punishment of Allah.(1)
"... and they themselves will be fuel for the (Hell) Fire."
They themselves, i.e. their bodies, are the fuel of the fire. This very meaning is also mentioned in another verse, saying that they are 'fuel' for Hell.(2)
There are different meanings cited upon the commentary and the sense of the Arabic term /da'b / in the Qur'anic phrase /ka da'bi 'ali fir'aun/ " like the people of Pharaoh ", stated in the above mentioned second verse. They are as follows:
1. The habit of these infidels in rejecting both you (O' Muhammad) and what has been revealed to you is like the habit of Pharaoh's men in rejecting prophets and what Allah had revealed to them. In this regard, Ibn-'Abbas has rendered the Arabic term /da'b/ into 'habit'.
2. The effort and endeavour of this group in obtaining victory and overcoming you, in order to destroy your activities, is similar to the effort of Pharaoh's men for defeating with Moses (a.s.). In this regard, the term /da'b / is taken with the concept of 'effort'.
"... and those who were before them, ..."
The people mentioned in this phrase are the disbelievers of the former religious communities.
"... they denied Our Signs, so Allah caught them for their sins;..."
Here, for the concept of 'to punish', the term 'to catch' has been applied, because, 'punishment' is taking the wrong doer for his sin.
"... and Allah is severe in penalty."
This Divine severe chastisement, in fact, is for those who deserve that punishment.
(1) Majma'-ul-Bayan, Vol. 2, P. 412 (Arabic Virsion)
(2) Sura Al-Jinn, No. 72, verse 15.
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12. " Say to those who disbelieve: ' You shall be vanquished, and gathered unto Hell', and it is a terrible abode! "
Commentary:
It is cited in some commentary books, like: Majma'-ul-Bayan, Fakhr Razi, Maraqi, and some other ones, that when the Muslims gained a considerable victory in the Battle of Badr in the second year after Emigration, a group of the Jews said that the victory was counted as a sign to the truthfulness of the Prophet (p.b.u.h.). They reasoned that they had studied in the Torah that he (p.b.u.h.) could win. Another group of the Jews said that they would not haste, since haply the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) would fail in the battles thereafter. In the third year, when the Uhud Battle came forth, and Muslims were defeated, this group of the Jews became happy. Then, the verse was sent down, telling them not to hurry in judgement so soon and they (the Jews) would be defeated in near future.
" Say to those who disbelieve: ' You shall be vanquished, and gathered unto Hell', and it is a terrible abode! "
(1)
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