لقومٍ يتفكرون
For a People who Reflect
Aoozu Billahi as-Samee al-Aleemi minash Shaitanir Rajeem
Bismillah,..., Alhamdulillahi wahdah was salaatu was salaamu ala man la nabiya ba’adah
Rabbish sharah li sadri wa yassirli amri wahlul uqdatam min lisaani yafqahu qauli
As Salaamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu
In our last session we completed the Introduction to the Quran Part 1 by answering the balance 15 Questions.
Today, 1-July-2026 corresponding to 16-Muharram-1448 Hijri, we will talk about Part 2 - What the Quran says about Itself?
Part 2 – What the Quran says about Itself?
When the Quran starts, what is the first thing it says about itself?
- The Quran begins with a statement of fact, a statement which amazes the reader. It says,
ذَٰلِكَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبُ لَا رَيْبَ ۛ فِيهِ ۛ هُدًۭى لِّلْمُتَّقِينَ
- This is the book in which there is nothing doubtful,
- Or as my Ustaz Dr. Anees used to say, (this is) that book in which there is nothing doubtful,
- (there is) guidance (in it) for those who guard (against evil),[1]
- In a hadith, Rasoolullah (صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ) said: Leave what causes you doubt and turn to what does not cause you doubt. Truth is tranquility, but falsehood is doubt.[2]
دَعْ مَا يَرِيبُكَ إِلَى مَا لَا يَرِيبُكَ فَإِنَّ الصِّدْقَ طُمَأْنِينَةٌ وَإِنَّ الْكَذِبَ رِيبَةٌ
- This statement is the subject of advanced medical science research, and is called "doubt psychology", in which the researchers want to know what are the causes, and why human beings doubt? Because of which they cannot perform at their optimum level,..., we will deal with this in detail, when we talk about this in Surah al-Baqarah.
- So, after Surah Fatiha, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) starts the Quran with a certificate, and this certificate is valid only if we accept the truth it presents and we will be able to perform at the optimum level only if we follow the Quran, meaning that it will help us do good deeds as it has been declared that there is nothing doubtful in it.
- The Quran is the Truth and the absolute truth and nothing but the Truth, it is al-Haq.
- The word Quran appear in the Holy Quran in 70 different verses (or 70 different ayaat), meaning the Quran calls itself Quran;
- In Surah an-Naml, Allah Ta’ala says;
طس ۚ تِلْكَ آيَاتُ الْقُرْآنِ وَكِتَابٍ مُبِينٍ
- Taa Siin. Those are the signs of the Quran and a book that makes (things) clear,[3]
هُدًى وَبُشْرَىٰ لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ
- a guidance and good news for the believers,[4]
- In Surah al-Baqarah Allah Ta’ala says;
شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِي أُنْزِلَ فِيهِ الْقُرْآنُ هُدًى لِلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَاتٍ مِنَ الْهُدَىٰ وَالْفُرْقَانِ…
- (It was the) month of Ramadan, during which the Quran was sent down (for the) guidance of human beings, and it (contains) clear explanations of the guidance and the distinction (between right and wrong),...[5]
- The Quran started by stating that it has nothing doubtful,
- And then mentioned that it has guidance for those who guard against evil, for al-Muttaqeen,
- And then it said, it is a guidance for the believers, for al-Momineen,
- And now it is saying, that it is a guidance for human beings,
- Is there a contradiction here,..., After all, for whom is this Quran a guidance?
- Our Ustaz, Dr. Anees writes in the summarized commentary in his translation, A Simple Translation of the Holy Quran:
- Let us try to understand this categorization through an example. Pedestrians are required to walk on the foot path for their own safety. This is a law for all human beings with an open choice to follow or reject it. This law is followed either by the law abiding good citizens or the accident fearing people. In view of this there is nothing wrong in saying that this the law for people who are
- law abiding,
- good citizens and
- those who are afraid of accidents,
- because only these categories follow this law, although it is meant for all human beings, likewise the Holy Quran is a guidance for all Human Beings but only Muttaqeen, Momineen and Muslimeen etc., follow it.
- So, these are not contradictory statements but complimentary statements.
- The Quran, therefore, guides towards that same straight path, which leads to a peaceful life which human beings have always wanted for themselves.
- And from these verses we came know that the Quran was revealed in the month of Ramadan.
- Then in Surah al-Qadr Allah Ta’ala says,
إِنَّا أَنْزَلْنَاهُ فِي لَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ
- We certainly sent it down during the night of Al Qadr.[6]
- Meaning that we sent down the Quran in the night of al-Qadr and al-Qadr Signifies power, honour, dignity, Divine decree, destiny etc.]
وَمَا أَدْرَاكَ مَا لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ
- And what will make you realize what the night of Al Qadr is?[7]
لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ خَيْرٌ مِنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ
- The night of Al Qadr is better than a thousand months.[8]
- In Surah Yusuf Allah (رَبُّ الْعِزَّة) says,
الر ۚ تِلْكَ آيَاتُ الْكِتَابِ الْمُبِينِ
- Alif Laam Raa. Those are the signs of the book that makes clear.[9]
إِنَّا أَنْزَلْنَاهُ قُرْآنًا عَرَبِيًّا لَعَلَّكُمْ تَعْقِلُونَ
- We have sent it down as an Arabic Quran that you may understand.[10]
- And in Surah al-Qamar Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) says,
وَلَقَدْ يَسَّرْنَا الْقُرْآنَ لِلذِّكْرِ فَهَلْ مِنْ مُدَّكِرٍ
- And We have indeed made the Quran easy to remember (easy to understand and be mindful), but is there anyone who will mind?[11]
- In Surah Yunus Allah Ta’ala says,
وَمَا كَانَ هَٰذَا الْقُرْآنُ أَنْ يُفْتَرَىٰ مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ
وَلَٰكِنْ تَصْدِيقَ الَّذِي بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ
وَتَفْصِيلَ الْكِتَابِ لَا رَيْبَ فِيهِ مِنْ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ
- And this Quran is not such that it could be invented by someone besides Allah, but it confirms that which is before it and it is a detailed explanation of the book (prescribed law) from the Fosterer of the worlds, in which there is nothing doubtful.[12]
- This is a challenge of the Quran that no one other than Allah can produce a book like this and the reason it gives for this is by asking a question in Surah an-Nisa that,
أَفَلَا يَتَدَبَّرُونَ الْقُرْآنَ ۚ وَلَوْ كَانَ مِنْ عِنْدِ غَيْرِ اللَّهِ لَوَجَدُوا فِيهِ اخْتِلَافًا كَثِيرًا
- Do they not reflect on the Quran, that had it been from someone other than Allah, they would have found many contradictions in it.[13]
- Quran is inviting you, come, read, check - are there any contradictions?
- Who can give such a challenge, If I write a book, even after a lot of care, there are mistakes and many a times, people find contradictions in books - this is what we see all the time in this world around us.
- If you do not find contradictions in the Quran, then what does it mean?
- It means that this book is from Allah!
- It is not such a difficult thing to understand this,
- Another form of challenge in the Quran is that, in Surah al-Isra Allah Ta’ala is asking Rasooulllah (صلى الله عليه وسلم),
قُلْ لَئِنِ اجْتَمَعَتِ الْإِنْسُ وَالْجِنُّ عَلَىٰ أَنْ يَأْتُوا بِمِثْلِ هَٰذَا الْقُرْآنِ لَا يَأْتُونَ بِمِثْلِهِ وَلَوْ كَانَ بَعْضُهُمْ لِبَعْضٍ ظَهِيرًا
- Say (O Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم)), “If mankind and jinn were to gather together on (the project of) bringing (out) a Quran similar to this, they would not be able to bring (out anything) similar to it, even if they help each other.”[14]
- So what does this mean? It means that it is impossible for anyone to make something similar to the Quran.
Now we come to the point where the Quran is disclosing who revealed it and upon whom it was revealed, and it does so in a very unique way:
طه ~ مَا أَنْزَلْنَا عَلَيْكَ الْقُرْآنَ لِتَشْقَىٰ
إِلَّا تَذْكِرَةً لِمَنْ يَخْشَىٰ
- but (it is sent down as) a reminder for him who fears,[17]
- The word tazkirah is used as a reminder or as a naseeha for those who fear Allah
تَنْزِيلًا مِمَّنْ خَلَقَ الْأَرْضَ وَالسَّمَاوَاتِ الْعُلَى
- sent down from Him Who created the earth and the high skies,[18]
الرَّحْمَٰنُ عَلَى الْعَرْشِ اسْتَوَىٰ
- the Beneficent (Allah), Who is established on the throne (of the universe).[19]
لَهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا وَمَا تَحْتَ الثَّرَىٰ
- Whatever is in the skies and whatever is in the earth is His and (also) that which is between these two and that which is beneath the moist soil.[20]
وَإِنْ تَجْهَرْ بِالْقَوْلِ فَإِنَّهُ يَعْلَمُ السِّرَّ وَأَخْفَى
- And whether (or not) you are loud in your speech, He certainly knows the secret and that which is yet more hidden.[21]
اللَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ۖ لَهُ الْأَسْمَاءُ الْحُسْنَىٰ
- Allah, there is no god but He, His are the best names.[22]
- In Surah an-Naml, Allah Ta’ala says,
وَإِنَّكَ لَتُلَقَّى الْقُرْآنَ مِنْ لَدُنْ حَكِيمٍ عَلِيمٍ
- And you (O Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم)), are certainly made to receive the Quran from the Wise, the Knowing.[23]
- In Surah al-An’am, Allah Ta’ala instructs,
قُلْ أَيُّ شَيْءٍ أَكْبَرُ شَهَادَةً ۖ قُلِ اللَّهُ ۖ شَهِيدٌ بَيْنِي وَبَيْنَكُمْ ۚ
وَأُوحِيَ إِلَيَّ هَٰذَا الْقُرْآنُ لِأُنْذِرَكُمْ بِهِ وَمَنْ بَلَغَ ۚ…
- Say (O Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم)), “What thing is greater (as) witness?” Say, “Allah is Witness between me and you. And this Quran has been communicated to me, that with it, I should warn you and whomsoever it reaches…[24]
يس ~ وَالْقُرْآنِ الْحَكِيمِ
إِنَّكَ لَمِنَ الْمُرْسَلِينَ ~ عَلَىٰ صِرَاطٍ مُسْتَقِيمٍ
تَنْزِيلَ الْعَزِيزِ الرَّحِيمِ
- (The Quran is) sent down by the Mighty, the Merciful[29]
لِتُنْذِرَ قَوْمًا مَا أُنْذِرَ آبَاؤُهُمْ فَهُمْ غَافِلُونَ
- that you may warn a people whose fathers were not warned so they are heedless.[30]
- In Surah Yusuf again, Allah Ta’ala says,
نَحْنُ نَقُصُّ عَلَيْكَ أَحْسَنَ الْقَصَصِ بِمَا أَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْكَ هَٰذَا الْقُرْآنَ
وَإِنْ كُنْتَ مِنْ قَبْلِهِ لَمِنَ الْغَافِلِينَ
- We narrate to you the best of narratives through that which We have communicated to you (in) this Quran, though before this you were of those unaware (of it).[31]
- From the above verses, we come to know that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) revealed the Quran to Rasoolullah (صلى الله عليه وسلم), so that the events of the past generations could be communicated to us, about which we did not know, in order not to do the same mistakes which other generations did and were destroyed or they deviated from the straight path because of those actions.
- And this book was revealed so that we take heed, we learn the lesson from it, and a good advice will only benefit the one who fears Allah.
- That’s why Allah Ta’ala says in Surah Qaaf,
…فَذَكِّرْ بِالْقُرْآنِ مَنْ يَخَافُ وَعِيدِ
- therefore remind through the Quran, him who fears My threat.[32]
- Again here it says to remind those who take heed, who learn their lesson from the Quran, whatever warnings it provides.
And if one wants to take heed, accept the naseehah, the lesson the Quran provides then it should be accepted with proper manners, with respect;
- In Surah al-A’raf, Allah Ta’ala instructs us,
وَإِذَا قُرِئَ الْقُرْآنُ فَاسْتَمِعُوا لَهُ وَأَنْصِتُوا لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ
- And when the Quran is recited listen to it and be silent that you may be dealt with mercifully.[33]
- And before starting to read the Quran, another instruction is given,
فَإِذَا قَرَأْتَ الْقُرْآنَ فَاسْتَعِذْ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ
- So when you recite the Quran, seek the protection of Allah from the accursed devil,[34]
إِنَّهُ لَيْسَ لَهُ سُلْطَانٌ عَلَى الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ
- he certainly has no authority over those who believe and put their trust in their Fosterer,[35]
- Not only this but we also need to seek the protection of Allah from the devil because;
الر ۚ تِلْكَ آيَاتُ الْكِتَابِ وَقُرْآنٍ مُبِينٍ
- Alif Laam Raa. Those are the signs of the book and a Quran that makes things clear.[36]
وَلَقَدْ آتَيْنَاكَ سَبْعًا مِنَ الْمَثَانِي وَالْقُرْآنَ الْعَظِيمَ
- And We have given you seven of the frequently repeated (verses of Chapter one) and the great Quran.[37]
- This is the great Quran, there is no role of Satan here, nor is it the poetry of any poet;
وَمَا عَلَّمْنَاهُ الشِّعْرَ وَمَا يَنْبَغِي لَهُ ۚ إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا ذِكْرٌ وَقُرْآنٌ مُبِينٌ
- And We have not taught him (Muhammed (صلى الله عليه وسلم)) poetry and it is not suitable for him, it is nothing but a reminder and a Quran (that makes things) clear,[38]
We will now see a comparison between those who do not want to accept Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى)’s warnings and advice and those who accept the same, respectively;
وَإِذَا تُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتُنَا بَيِّنَاتٍ ۙ قَالَ الَّذِينَ لَا يَرْجُونَ لِقَاءَنَا ائْتِ بِقُرْآنٍ غَيْرِ هَٰذَا أَوْ بَدِّلْهُ ۚ
قُلْ مَا يَكُونُ لِي أَنْ أُبَدِّلَهُ مِنْ تِلْقَاءِ نَفْسِي ۖ إِنْ أَتَّبِعُ إِلَّا مَا يُوحَىٰ إِلَيَّ ۖ
إِنِّي أَخَافُ إِنْ عَصَيْتُ رَبِّي عَذَابَ يَوْمٍ عَظِيمٍ
- And when Our clear communications are read to them, those who do not hope to meet Us say, “Bring a Quran other than this or change it.” Say (O Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم)), “It is not for me to change it of my own accord, I follow nothing except that which is communicated to me, I certainly fear the punishment of the great day, if I disobey my Fosterer.”[39]
- So, Rasoolullah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) through the Quran was instructed to say that it is not possible for me to bring another Quran.
- Those who do not believe want the Quran to be changed, even today we hear these type of things, or people will ask to bring magical miracles in proof of Rasoolullah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) being a prophet of Allah, addressing this Allah Ta’ala says in Surah ar-Ra’d;
وَلَوْ أَنَّ قُرْآنًا سُيِّرَتْ بِهِ الْجِبَالُ أَوْ قُطِّعَتْ بِهِ الْأَرْضُ أَوْ كُلِّمَ بِهِ الْمَوْتَىٰ ۗ بَلْ لِلَّهِ الْأَمْرُ جَمِيعًا ۗ أَفَلَمْ يَيْأَسِ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَنْ لَوْ يَشَاءُ اللَّهُ لَهَدَى النَّاسَ جَمِيعًا ۗ…
- And if there were a Quran, with which mountains could be moved or with which the earth could be cleaved asunder or with which the dead could be made to speak (even then they would not have believed). No! the command is wholly Allah’s. Then, do not those who believe know, that if Allah had willed He would have guided the whole of mankind?...[40]
- And in Surah al-Isra Allah Ta’ala says,
وَلَقَدْ صَرَّفْنَا فِي هَٰذَا الْقُرْآنِ لِيَذَّكَّرُوا وَمَا يَزِيدُهُمْ إِلَّا نُفُورًا
- And We have repeated (various subjects) in this Quran that they may be mindful, but that increases in them nothing but hatred.[41]
قُلْ لَوْ كَانَ مَعَهُ آلِهَةٌ كَمَا يَقُولُونَ إِذًا لَابْتَغَوْا إِلَىٰ ذِي الْعَرْشِ سَبِيلًا
- Say (O Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم)), “Had there been (other) gods along with Him as they say, then they would have sought a way to the (Real) Owner of the throne (of the universe).”[42]
- So those who do not want to receive guidance or good advice or they do not want to heed the warning then for them;
وَإِذَا قَرَأْتَ الْقُرْآنَ جَعَلْنَا بَيْنَكَ وَبَيْنَ الَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِالْآخِرَةِ حِجَابًا مَسْتُورًا
- And when you recite the Quran, We place between you and those who do not believe in the hereafter, an invisible veil.[43]
وَجَعَلْنَا عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِهِمْ أَكِنَّةً أَنْ يَفْقَهُوهُ وَفِي آذَانِهِمْ وَقْرًا ۚ
وَإِذَا ذَكَرْتَ رَبَّكَ فِي الْقُرْآنِ وَحْدَهُ وَلَّوْا عَلَىٰ أَدْبَارِهِمْ نُفُورًا
- And We have placed coverings over their hearts, lest they understand it, and in their ears is heaviness, and when you mention (about) your single Fosterer in the Quran, they turn on their backs in hatred.[44]
نَحْنُ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا يَسْتَمِعُونَ بِهِ إِذْ يَسْتَمِعُونَ إِلَيْكَ
وَإِذْ هُمْ نَجْوَىٰ إِذْ يَقُولُ الظَّالِمُونَ إِنْ تَتَّبِعُونَ إِلَّا رَجُلًا مَسْحُورًا
- We know best about that which they wish to hear when they seek to hear you, and when they have secret talks when the unjust say, “You follow none except a man under the influence of magic.”[45]
انْظُرْ كَيْفَ ضَرَبُوا لَكَ الْأَمْثَالَ فَضَلُّوا فَلَا يَسْتَطِيعُونَ سَبِيلًا
- See how they strike similes for you, thus they are astray so they cannot find (the right) way.[46]
- Similar subject is mentioned in other places in the Quran, in Surah al-Isra, al-Kahf and ar-Room
وَلَقَدْ صَرَّفْنَا لِلنَّاسِ فِي هَٰذَا الْقُرْآنِ مِنْ كُلِّ مَثَلٍ فَأَبَىٰ أَكْثَرُ النَّاسِ إِلَّا كُفُورًا
- And in this Quran, We have repeated for mankind every kind of similitude, but the majority of mankind refuses (to understand, and accept nothing) but infidelity.[47]
وَلَقَدْ صَرَّفْنَا فِي هَٰذَا الْقُرْآنِ لِلنَّاسِ مِنْ كُلِّ مَثَلٍ ۚ وَكَانَ الْإِنْسَانُ أَكْثَرَ شَيْءٍ جَدَلًا
- And We have indeed repeated in this Quran, every kind of similitude for mankind, but man is disputing in most of the things.[48]
وَلَقَدْ ضَرَبْنَا لِلنَّاسِ فِي هَٰذَا الْقُرْآنِ مِنْ كُلِّ مَثَلٍ ۚ
وَلَئِنْ جِئْتَهُمْ بِآيَةٍ لَيَقُولَنَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا إِنْ أَنْتُمْ إِلَّا مُبْطِلُونَ
- And We have indeed set forth in this Quran every (kind) of similitude for human beings, and if you come to them with a sign, with an ayah, those who do not believe will definitely say, “You are nothing but those involved in falsehood.”[49]
وَقَالَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا لَنْ نُؤْمِنَ بِهَٰذَا الْقُرْآنِ وَلَا بِالَّذِي بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ ۗ وَلَوْ تَرَىٰ إِذِ الظَّالِمُونَ مَوْقُوفُونَ عِنْدَ رَبِّهِمْ يَرْجِعُ بَعْضُهُمْ إِلَىٰ بَعْضٍ الْقَوْلَ يَقُولُ الَّذِينَ اسْتُضْعِفُوا لِلَّذِينَ اسْتَكْبَرُوا لَوْلَا أَنْتُمْ لَكُنَّا مُؤْمِنِينَ
- And those who do not believe say, “We will never believe in this Quran nor in (those books) which were before it.” And if you could see when the unjust will be made to stand before their Rabb, before their Fosterer, one turning to the other in argument. Those who were considered weak will say to those who were considered great, “Had it not been for you, we would have been believers.”[50]
- This will be the condition of those who deny the Quran on the Day of Judgement.
- And for those who want to take heed, from Allah’s Warnings, how will their state of affairs be?
- For such people, Allah Ta’ala says;
إِنَّ هَٰذَا الْقُرْآنَ يَهْدِي لِلَّتِي هِيَ أَقْوَمُ وَيُبَشِّرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ الَّذِينَ يَعْمَلُونَ الصَّالِحَاتِ أَنَّ لَهُمْ أَجْرًا كَبِيرًا
- This Quran certainly guides to that which is the straightest, and gives good news to the believers who do righteous works that for them there is a great reward,[51]
وَنُنَزِّلُ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ مَا هُوَ شِفَاءٌ وَرَحْمَةٌ لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ۙ …
- And We have sent down through the Quran that which is a healing and a mercy for the believers;...[52]
أَقِمِ الصَّلَاةَ لِدُلُوكِ الشَّمْسِ إِلَىٰ غَسَقِ اللَّيْلِ وَقُرْآنَ الْفَجْرِ ۖ إِنَّ قُرْآنَ الْفَجْرِ كَانَ مَشْهُودًا
- Establish worship (salat) from the decline of the sun till the darkness of the night, and (recite) the Quran at dawn, (recitation of) the Quran at dawn is certainly witnessed.[53]
The Quran was revealed in stages, gradually and after some intervals, so Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) says;
وَبِالْحَقِّ أَنْزَلْنَاهُ وَبِالْحَقِّ نَزَلَ ۗ وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ إِلَّا مُبَشِّرًا وَنَذِيرًا
- And We have sent it down in reality and it has come down in reality, and We have not sent you but as a conveyer of good news and a warner.[54]
وَقُرْآنًا فَرَقْنَاهُ لِتَقْرَأَهُ عَلَى النَّاسِ عَلَىٰ مُكْثٍ وَنَزَّلْنَاهُ تَنْزِيلًا
- And We have divided the Quran (in such a manner) that you may recite it to mankind at intervals, and (therefore) We have sent it down, sending it down gradually.[55]
قُلْ آمِنُوا بِهِ أَوْ لَا تُؤْمِنُوا ۚ إِنَّ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْعِلْمَ مِنْ قَبْلِهِ إِذَا يُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْهِمْ يَخِرُّونَ لِلْأَذْقَانِ سُجَّدًا
- Say (O Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم)), “Believe in it or do not believe.” When it is read out to those who were given knowledge before it, they certainly fall down on their faces prostrating,[56]
وَيَقُولُونَ سُبْحَانَ رَبِّنَا إِنْ كَانَ وَعْدُ رَبِّنَا لَمَفْعُولًا
- and saying, “Glory be to our Fosterer, the promise of our Fosterer was surely to be fulfilled.”[57]
وَيَخِرُّونَ لِلْأَذْقَانِ يَبْكُونَ وَيَزِيدُهُمْ خُشُوعًا ۩
- And they fall down on their faces weeping and it increases their humility.[58]
وَقَالَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا لَوْلَا نُزِّلَ عَلَيْهِ الْقُرْآنُ جُمْلَةً وَاحِدَةً ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ لِنُثَبِّتَ بِهِ فُؤَادَكَ ۖ وَرَتَّلْنَاهُ تَرْتِيلًا
- And those who do not believe say, “Why has not the whole Quran been sent down on him all at once?” Thus (We have not sent it down all at once) that We may make your heart firm through it, and (therefore) We have caused the Quran to be recited to you gradually (in portions, after) intervals.[59]
- So it is clear from here that to keep the heart of Rasoolullah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) intact as one unit, the Quran was not sent down all at once. ,…,Why?,…, The reason is given in Surah al-Hashr;
لَوْ أَنْزَلْنَا هَٰذَا الْقُرْآنَ عَلَىٰ جَبَلٍ لَرَأَيْتَهُ خَاشِعًا مُتَصَدِّعًا مِنْ خَشْيَةِ اللَّهِ ۚ وَتِلْكَ الْأَمْثَالُ نَضْرِبُهَا لِلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ
- If We had sent down this Quran on a mountain, you would have seen it fallen down splitting asunder due to the fear of Allah. And these are similitudes We set forth for mankind that they may reflect.[60]
- So let us analyze this scientifically;
- The Quran in Surah at-Taghabun says;
فَآمِنُوا بِاللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ وَالنُّورِ الَّذِي أَنْزَلْنَا ۚ …
- So believe in Allah and His messenger and the light which We have sent down…[61]
- In this ayah, what is noor? The Quran is referred to as noor.
- And noor translated to English is Light, and according to physics, light exerts pressure, and this light pressure is creating wonders in the world today. Laser is an example of light exerting pressure.
- The Quran itself is saying that if the entire Quran was revealed all at once, it would have destroyed the mountains due to Allah’s fear,
- Remember what happened, when Musa (عليه السلام) requested to see Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى),
…قَالَ رَبِّ أَرِنِي أَنْظُرْ إِلَيْكَ ۚ قَالَ لَنْ تَرَانِي وَلَٰكِنِ انْظُرْ إِلَى الْجَبَلِ فَإِنِ اسْتَقَرَّ مَكَانَهُ فَسَوْفَ تَرَانِي ۚ فَلَمَّا تَجَلَّىٰ رَبُّهُ لِلْجَبَلِ جَعَلَهُ دَكًّا وَخَرَّ مُوسَىٰ صَعِقًا ۚ …
- …My Fosterer! show me (Yourself) that I may look at You.” He said, “You cannot see Me, but look at the mountain, so if it stays in its place then you will (be able to) see Me.” So when his Fosterer unveiled Himself to the mountain, He made it crumble to pieces and Musa fell down senseless, unconscious…[62]
- Since the Quran is Kalamullah, the speech of Allah, it has the same speciality that is associated with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) in it.
- Meaning the light of the Quran would have exerted so much pressure that if it was revealed all at once on the heart of Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) that it would not have survived the event.
- In order to keep the heart of Rasoolullah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) safe, the Quran was revealed over a period of 23 years, gradually with intervals.
- Then the Quran instructs us to, recite the Quran gradually (giving) intervals.[63]
…وَرَتِّلِ الْقُرْآنَ تَرْتِيلًا
- And elsewhere in Surah al-Muzammil, it says,
… ۖ فَاقْرَءُوا مَا تَيَسَّرَ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ ۚ …
- …Therefore recite as much of the Quran as may be easy for you..,[64]
- In a hadith in Sunan at-Tirmidhi, Rasoolullah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said, One has not understood the Quran if he reads it in less than three days.[65]
أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ لَمْ يَفْقَهْ مَنْ قَرَأَ الْقُرْآنَ فِي أَقَلَّ مِنْ ثَلَاثٍ
- So this again means what?
- The purpose of the revelation of the Quran is to understand it, and not just recite. This is why we are having these sessions.
The Quran in Surah an-Naml instructs Rasoolullah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) that:
إِنَّمَا أُمِرْتُ أَنْ أَعْبُدَ رَبَّ هَٰذِهِ الْبَلْدَةِ الَّذِي حَرَّمَهَا
وَلَهُ كُلُّ شَيْءٍ ۖ وَأُمِرْتُ أَنْ أَكُونَ مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ
- I am commanded only to serve the Fosterer of this city (of Makkah) which He has made sacred and to Whom belongs everything, and I am commanded to be among those who submit (as Muslims),[66]
وَأَنْ أَتْلُوَ الْقُرْآنَ ۖ …
- and to read (and follow) the Quran,...[67]
- If we want to understand the term, (تِلَاوَةُ الْقُرْآنَ), we must understand it from Surah ash-Shams, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) says;
وَالشَّمْسِ وَضُحَاهَا ~ وَالْقَمَرِ إِذَا تَلَاهَا
- By the sun and its light,[68] and the moon when it reflects it,[69]
- What is the moon doing? Tilawah
- We just said the Quran is also light, it is noor.
- So, Tilawatul Quran means, what we have to do?
- We also have to reflect it back.
- How to reflect the Quran back?
- And what is the instruction given to Rasoolullah (صلى الله عليه وسلم)?
- (وَأَنْ أَتْلُوَ الْقُرْآنَ), and to read (and follow) the Quran, meaning to reflect the Quran back.
- And how did Rasoolullah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) reflect the Quran back?
- We already heard this in the Hadith of Ummul Momineen, Aisha (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهَا), where she was asked about the character of Rasoolullah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) and she replied that the character, the conduct, the khuluq of Rasoolullah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) was the Quran,[70]
- Allah Ta’ala instructed Rasoolullah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) and he reflected the Quran from his Character.
- This is how, we also have to reflect the Quran. This is the meaning of Tilawatul Quran.
The Quran is stored in a secured vault, with such cybersecurity that no one can breach;
بَلْ هُوَ قُرْآنٌ مَجِيدٌ ~ فِي لَوْحٍ مَحْفُوظٍ
- No, it is a glorious Quran,[71] in Lauhim mahfooz, in a guarded tablet.[72]
- In Surah al-Jinn, Allah Ta’ala says that a party of the Jinn heard the Quran and said,
…فَقَالُوا إِنَّا سَمِعْنَا قُرْآنًا عَجَبًا
- “We have heard a Wonderful Quran.”[73]
- Then they started to look all around,
وَأَنَّا لَمَسْنَا السَّمَاءَ فَوَجَدْنَاهَا مُلِئَتْ حَرَسًا شَدِيدًا وَشُهُبًا
- And we searched the sky but found it filled with strong guards and flames.[74]
وَأَنَّا كُنَّا نَقْعُدُ مِنْهَا مَقَاعِدَ لِلسَّمْعِ ۖ فَمَنْ يَسْتَمِعِ الْآنَ يَجِدْ لَهُ شِهَابًا رَصَدًا
- And we used to sit in some of the sitting places thereof to hear, but now whoever hears, he finds a flame waiting for him.[75]
- This happened due to the protection of the Quran from the devils.
- The responsibility of the protection of the Quran is upon Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى), He instructs Rasoolullah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) in Surah al-Qiyamah;
لَا تُحَرِّكْ بِهِ لِسَانَكَ لِتَعْجَلَ بِهِ ~ إِنَّ عَلَيْنَا جَمْعَهُ وَقُرْآنَهُ
- (While reciting the Quran) do not move your tongue (fast) with it (so as to) make haste with it.[76] (The responsibility of) collecting it and reciting it, is certainly on Us.[77]
فَإِذَا قَرَأْنَاهُ فَاتَّبِعْ قُرْآنَهُ ~ ثُمَّ إِنَّ عَلَيْنَا بَيَانَهُ
- Therefore when We recite it, then follow its recitation.[78] Then (the responsibility of) its explanation (too), is certainly on Us.[79]
- Wallahi! We are not doing anything, it's all arranged from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى).
- Some of us were saying that we called so and so brother but he did not come.
- Who will come to listen to the Quran, who will not come and who will listen and who will understand is all managed by Allah (رَبُّ الْعِزَّة).
- We are only instructed to communicate to others - what we know. It is our duty as Muslims;
كُنْتُمْ خَيْرَ أُمَّةٍ أُخْرِجَتْ لِلنَّاسِ تَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَتَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ وَتُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ ۗ …
- You are the best community raised for humanity. You enjoin that which is recognised (as good) and forbid that which is not recognised (as good) and you believe in Allah;...[80]
- So, the Prophethood, or an-Naboowah is completed, it is sealed, no other Nabi is going to come, but the work of an-Nabi (صلى الله عليه وسلم) to propagate the Quran is upon this ummah. We have to fulfill this work. Enjoin what is good and forbid what is evil.
- The Quran invites us to reflect on its verses and on the Universe, the skies and the earth.
- And I would like to end this session with the verse in Suran al-Qasas, Allah Ta’ala says;
إِنَّ الَّذِي فَرَضَ عَلَيْكَ الْقُرْآنَ لَرَادُّكَ إِلَىٰ مَعَادٍ ۚ قُلْ رَبِّي أَعْلَمُ مَنْ جَاءَ بِالْهُدَىٰ وَمَنْ هُوَ فِي ضَلَالٍ مُبِينٍ
- He Who has ordained (the implementation of) the Quran on you will certainly bring you back to the place of return (Makkah). Say, “My Fosterer knows best him who comes with guidance and him who is in clear error.”[81]
- Every single instruction of the Quran is fardh on us, otherwise we are thinking that only 5 things are compulsory, if so then;
- Who will behave properly with parents, we are asked to do ihsaan with parents, it is compulsory, it is fardh.
- Who will take care of the rights of our neighbors?
- Who will act rightly in Business Transactions, in our dealings with each other, in weights and measures, who will act rightly according to the straight path?
- We are thinking that (إِنَّمَا الْبَيْعُ مِثْلُ الرِّبَا) Business or Trade is like Usury, like interest, is part of the Quran and therefore Riba is halal. Have we not made Riba halal today?
- And we are forgetting to read the entire ayah and what comes after that statement?
- Allah Ta’ala says, Allah has made trade lawful and prohibited Riba, Usury, Mitti, Interest, etc.
- The entire Quran has to be implemented by us, as every single ayah is fardh and it is compulsory for us.
Here we will end our today’s session, our next session, what the Ahadith say about the Quran, we will deal with this topic next week In Sha Allah.
Wa aakhirud dawaana anil hamdulillahi Rabbil Alameen,
Allahumma Salli, wa Sallim, wa Barik Ala Nabiyyina Muhammad, wa ala aalihi, wa sahbihi wa barik wa sallim.
References
[2]Al-Hasan b. ‘Ali said: I have retained in my memory these words of God's Messenger, “Leave what causes you doubt and turn to what does not cause you doubt. Truth is tranquility, but falsehood is doubt.” [Ahmad, Tirmidhi and Nasa’i transmitted it, and Darimi transmitted the first part]
وَعَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمَا قَالَ: حَفِظْتُ مِنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «دَعْ مَا يَرِيبُكَ إِلَى مَا لَا يَرِيبُكَ فَإِنَّ الصِّدْقَ طُمَأْنِينَةٌ وَإِنَّ الْكَذِبَ رِيبَةٌ» . رَوَاهُ أَحْمَدُ وَالتِّرْمِذِيُّ وَالنَّسَائِيُّ وَرَوَى الدَّارِمِيُّ الْفَصْل الأول - حكم: صَحِيح (الألباني)
Grade: Sahih (al-Albani) | Reference: Mishkat al-Masabih 2773
[65] Abdullah ibn Amr reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “One has not understood the Quran if he reads it in less than three days.”
عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَمْرٍو أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ لَمْ يَفْقَهْ مَنْ قَرَأَ الْقُرْآنَ فِي أَقَلَّ مِنْ ثَلَاثٍ
Grade: Sahih (al-Albani) | Reference: Sunan al-Tirmidhī 2949
[70] Narrated Sa'd bin Hisham: I divorced my wife. I then came to Medina to sell my land that was there so that I could buy arms and fight in battle. I met a group of the Companions of the Prophet (ﷺ). They said: Six persons of us intended to do so (i.e. divorce their wives and purchase weapons), but the Prophet (ﷺ) prohibited them. He said: For you in the Messenger of Allah there is an excellent model. I then came to Ibn 'Abbas and asked him about the witr observed by the Prophet (ﷺ). He said: I point to you a person who is most familiar with the witr observed by the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). Go to 'Aishah. While going to her I asked Hakim b. Aflah to accompany me. He refused, but I adjured him. He, therefore, went along with me. We sought permission to enter upon 'Aishah. She said: Who is this ? He said: Hakim b. Aflah. She asked: Who is with you ? He replied: Sa'd b. Hisham. She said: Hisham son of 'Amir who was killed in the Battle of Uhud. I said: Yes. She said: What a good man 'Amir was! I said: Mother of faithful, tell me about the character of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). She asked: Do you not recite the Quran ? The character of Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was the Qur'an. I asked: Tell me about his vigil and prayer at night. She replied: Do you not recite: "O thou folded in garments" (73:1). I said: Why not ? When the opening of this Surah was revealed, the Companions stood praying (most of the night) until their feet swelled, and the concluding verses were not revealed for twelve months from heaven. At last the concluding verses were revealed and the prayer at night became voluntary after it was obligatory. I said: Tell me about the witr of the Prophet (ﷺ). She replied: He used to pray eight rak'ahs, sitting only during the eighth of them. Then he would stand up and pray another rak'ahs. He would sit only after the eighth and the ninth rak'ahs. He would utter salutation only after the ninth rak'ah. He would then pray two rak'ahs sitting and that made eleven rak'ahs, O my son. But when he grew old and became fleshy he observed a witr of seven, sitting only in sixth and seventh rak'ahs, and would utter salutation only after the seventh rak'ah. He would then pray two rak'ahs sitting, and that made nine rak'ahs, O my son. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) would not pray through a whole night, or recite the whole Qur'an in a night or fast a complete month except in Ramadan. When he offered prayer, he would do that regularly. When he was overtaken by sleep at night, he would pray twelve rak'ahs.
The narrator said: I came to Ibn 'Abbas and narrated all this to him. By Allah, this is really a tradition. Has I been on speaking terms with her, I would have come to her and heard it from her mouth. I said: If I knew that you were not on speaking terms with her, I would have never narrated it to you.
حَدَّثَنَا حَفْصُ بْنُ عُمَرَ، حَدَّثَنَا هَمَّامٌ، حَدَّثَنَا قَتَادَةُ، عَنْ زُرَارَةَ بْنِ أَوْفَى، عَنْ سَعْدِ بْنِ هِشَامٍ، قَالَ : طَلَّقْتُ امْرَأَتِي فَأَتَيْتُ الْمَدِينَةَ لأَبِيعَ عَقَارًا كَانَ لِي بِهَا، فَأَشْتَرِيَ بِهِ السِّلاَحَ وَأَغْزُوَ، فَلَقِيتُ نَفَرًا مِنْ أَصْحَابِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالُوا : قَدْ أَرَادَ نَفَرٌ مِنَّا سِتَّةٌ أَنْ يَفْعَلُوا ذَلِكَ فَنَهَاهُمُ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَقَالَ : " لَقَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِي رَسُولِ اللَّهِ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ " . فَأَتَيْتُ ابْنَ عَبَّاسٍ فَسَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ وِتْرِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ : أَدُلُّكَ عَلَى أَعْلَمِ النَّاسِ بِوِتْرِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَأْتِ عَائِشَةَ رضى الله عنها . فَأَتَيْتُهَا فَاسْتَتْبَعْتُ حَكِيمَ بْنَ أَفْلَحَ فَأَبَى فَنَاشَدْتُهُ فَانْطَلَقَ مَعِي، فَاسْتَأْذَنَّا عَلَى عَائِشَةَ، فَقَالَتْ : مَنْ هَذَا قَالَ : حَكِيمُ بْنُ أَفْلَحَ . قَالَتْ : وَمَنْ مَعَكَ قَالَ : سَعْدُ بْنُ هِشَامٍ . قَالَتْ : هِشَامُ بْنُ عَامِرٍ الَّذِي قُتِلَ يَوْمَ أُحُدٍ قَالَ قُلْتُ : نَعَمْ . قَالَتْ : نِعْمَ الْمَرْءُ كَانَ عَامِرًا . قَالَ قُلْتُ : يَا أُمَّ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ حَدِّثِينِي عَنْ خُلُقِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم . قَالَتْ : أَلَسْتَ تَقْرَأُ الْقُرْآنَ فَإِنَّ خُلُقَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَانَ الْقُرْآنَ . قَالَ قُلْتُ : حَدِّثِينِي عَنْ قِيَامِ اللَّيْلِ قَالَتْ : أَلَسْتَ تَقْرَأُ { يَا أَيُّهَا الْمُزَّمِّلُ } قَالَ قُلْتُ : بَلَى . قَالَتْ : فَإِنَّ أَوَّلَ هَذِهِ السُّورَةِ نَزَلَتْ، فَقَامَ أَصْحَابُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم حَتَّى انْتَفَخَتْ أَقْدَامُهُمْ، وَحُبِسَ خَاتِمَتُهَا فِي السَّمَاءِ اثْنَىْ عَشَرَ شَهْرًا، ثُمَّ نَزَلَ آخِرُهَا فَصَارَ قِيَامُ اللَّيْلِ تَطَوُّعًا بَعْدَ فَرِيضَةٍ . قَالَ قُلْتُ : حَدِّثِينِي عَنْ وِتْرِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم . قَالَتْ : كَانَ يُوتِرُ بِثَمَانِ رَكَعَاتٍ لاَ يَجْلِسُ إِلاَّ فِي الثَّامِنَةِ، ثُمَّ يَقُومُ فَيُصَلِّي رَكْعَةً أُخْرَى، لاَ يَجْلِسُ إِلاَّ فِي الثَّامِنَةِ وَالتَّاسِعَةِ، وَلاَ يُسَلِّمُ إِلاَّ فِي التَّاسِعَةِ، ثُمَّ يُصَلِّي رَكْعَتَيْنِ وَهُوَ جَالِسٌ فَتِلْكَ إِحْدَى عَشْرَةَ رَكْعَةً يَا بُنَىَّ، فَلَمَّا أَسَنَّ وَأَخَذَ اللَّحْمَ أَوْتَرَ بِسَبْعِ رَكَعَاتٍ لَمْ يَجْلِسْ إِلاَّ فِي السَّادِسَةِ وَالسَّابِعَةِ، وَلَمْ يُسَلِّمْ إِلاَّ فِي السَّابِعَةِ، ثُمَّ يُصَلِّي رَكْعَتَيْنِ وَهُوَ جَالِسٌ، فَتِلْكَ هِيَ تِسْعُ رَكَعَاتٍ يَا بُنَىَّ، وَلَمْ يَقُمْ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم لَيْلَةً يُتِمُّهَا إِلَى الصَّبَاحِ، وَلَمْ يَقْرَإِ الْقُرْآنَ فِي لَيْلَةٍ قَطُّ، وَلَمْ يَصُمْ شَهْرًا يُتِمُّهُ غَيْرَ رَمَضَانَ، وَكَانَ إِذَا صَلَّى صَلاَةً دَاوَمَ عَلَيْهَا، وَكَانَ إِذَا غَلَبَتْهُ عَيْنَاهُ مِنَ اللَّيْلِ بِنَوْمٍ صَلَّى مِنَ النَّهَارِ ثِنْتَىْ عَشْرَةَ رَكْعَةً . قَالَ : فَأَتَيْتُ ابْنَ عَبَّاسٍ فَحَدَّثْتُهُ . فَقَالَ : هَذَا وَاللَّهِ هُوَ الْحَدِيثُ، وَلَوْ كُنْتُ أُكَلِّمُهَا لأَتَيْتُهَا حَتَّى أُشَافِهَهَا بِهِ مُشَافَهَةً . قَالَ قُلْتُ : لَوْ عَلِمْتُ أَنَّكَ لاَ تُكَلِّمُهَا مَا حَدَّثْتُكَ . حكم: صحيح (الألباني)
Grade: Sahih (al-Albani) | Reference: Sunan Abi Dawud 1342