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B i s m i l l a a h i r R a h m a a n i r R a h e e m
Teachings of the Qur'aan
Al-Jinn
Soorah 72:16-28
Ayub A. Hamid
After relating the story of the Jinns, the Qur-aan talks
about the Makkans:
16 It has also been revealed to me that:
§ If they (the Makkans) had remained straight on the path,
We would certainly have bestowed on them abundant rain 17 so that We may test
them thereby. Conversely, whoever turns away from the remembrance of his Lord,
He will thrust him into ever-growing torment.
This is the same benefit of staying on the straight path that
was also described in the previous Soorah Nooh. Abundance of rain is a symbol
for prosperity. The Quraish of Makkah are being told this fact repeatedly to
allay their fears that if they abandon their idols, drought and tough times are
going to fall on them. They are being told that giving up idols and adopting
Towheed consistently will actually lead to growth and prosperity in this world,
in addition to the eternal pleasure in the Hereafter. However, the prosperity
in this world is not the reward for their good deeds, because the rewards will
be given in the Hereafter. Everything in this world is a test. Even the
prosperity bestowed to the people is a test to see if people continue to
remember their Lord, thank Him and use His bounties in the right manner or if
they become arrogant, miserly and ungrateful.
However, if people continue to ignore the remembrance of
Allaah, they will be punished with a torment that will continue to increase in
its intensity with the passage of time.
§ 18 The Masjid are for Allaah, therefore, do not invoke
anyone along with Allaah.
§ 19 When Allaah's slave stands up supplicating to Him, they
almost crowd in on him.
Because only Allaah deserves and has the right to be
worshipped, any house of worship (Masjid) in reality belongs to Allaah. As a
matter of principle and right, nothing other than Allaah should be worshipped
or invoked in any Masjid. And this is especially true for the Holy Ka'abah
which was built by Ibraaheem and Ismaa'eel 'alayhimussalaam explicitly and
exclusively for the worship of Allaah. Verse 19 points out the irony that in
that very Masjid (the Holy Ka'abah) when Allaah's slave, the Prophet, stands to
worship and supplicate only to Allaah, the Makkans crowd around him as if they
are going to suffocate him and crush him.
The use of the term "Allaah's slave" has been used for the
Prophet sall Allaahu 'alayhi wa sallam for two reasons: Firstly, it underscores
the fact that it is only natural, logical and sensible for a slave of Allaah to
worship and invoke Allaah and nothing else; and secondly, this is a style
indicative of the love and affection of Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala towards
the Prophet. The Prophet sall Allaahu 'alayhi wa sallam himself used to like
being called 'Abduhu, that is, "His slave".
The next verse asks the Prophet sall Allaahu 'alayhi wa
sallam to continue to declare loudly and clearly to the Makkans his choice and
practice of worshipping and invoking Allaah alone, regardless of how his
opponents react and how upset they feel.
20 Let them know, "I invoke only my Lord, and do not
associate any partner with 21 Say, "I do not possess power to cause you harm,
or to bring you to right conduct." 22 Say, "No one can protect me against
Allaah, nor will I find any refuge besides Him. 23 The only responsibility I
have is to deliver what I receive from Allaah and His Messages. Then whoever
disobeys Allaah and His Messenger, for him surely is the fire of Hell to dwell
therein forever." 24 They will not believe in it until they see what they are
threatened with, only then shall they know who is weaker in helpers and fewer
in number.
He was not only asked to continue announcing his choice of
worshipping Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala exclusively, but also to keep on
clarifying the following points:
§ His responsibility is only to deliver the message he
receives from Allaah, purely and precisely as he receives it.
§ He has no authority or power to bring them punishment as
they arrogantly demand or bring them any benefit or harm, nor can he force or
coerce them to accept the guidance.
§ To please them, he cannot worship anyone else other than
Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala, nor can he stop delivering the Islamic message or
shirk in his responsibility of delivering the message exactly as it is
received. If he does any such thing, no one will be able to protect him from
Allaah. In addition, Allaah is his only refuge from all difficulties and
adversaries. If he equates Allaah with anyone else, where would he find a
refuge because there is no real refuge, protection or resort other than Allaah
Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala.
Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala also adds here His own comment:
Now it is up to them to listen to your message or oppose it. If they choose to
disobey Allaah and His messenger, they should be prepared to live forever in
the fire of Hell in the Hereafter. Although they laugh at you now and feel
proud that they have a lot more supporters and helpers than you, on the Day of
Judgment they will find the reality as to who was in fact weaker.
As for the opponents' questions about the timing of the Day
of Judgment or their demand to bring it on, the response was the following:
25 Let them know, "I do not know whether that with which you
are threatened is near, or whether my Lord has set a longer term for it. 26
Only He is the Knower of the unseen! He does not disclose His secrets to
anyone.
When Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala appoints a messenger, He
reveals to him some of the matters of the unseen that he needs to know to
perform his duty as a messenger; but there are some secrets that He does not
divulge even to His messengers. One of such secrets is the exact time of the
end of the world and occurrence of the Day of Judgment.
However, it does not mean that Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala
has a casual, care free or laissez-fair attitude towards a messenger. Rather,
the messenger is keenly watched, protected and escorted by angels who monitor
to ensure that the messenger delivers purely and completely to people whatever
messages are entrusted to him.
27 As for[1] the messengers whom He chooses, He makes an
escort march before them and behind them, 28 so that He may know that they have
truly delivered the messages of their Lord, and He encompasses their
surroundings and He keeps count of all things."
In short, every letter and word of the revelation is counted
and accounted for.
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[1] The translation of "illaa" in this verse does not mean
"except"; rather it is a special one that means "as for", just like the one in
Soorah Al-Ghaashiyah 88:21-24.
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Copyright © 2009 Ayub A. Hamid
All rights reserved
This document may be used, only with this copyright notice
included. Permission is granted to circulate among private individuals and
groups, to post on internet forums, and include in not-for-profit publications
subject to the following conditions: (1) Material used must be produced
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title must remain unchanged, in whole or in part; (3) Material must be
attributed to the author Ustaadz Ayub A. Hamid. Contact the author for all
other rights, which are reserved.
Note: This series is providing the teachings of the Qur'aan,
not a literal translation. Instead of literal translation, it gives
interpretive meanings of the verses, along with their contextual details.
Please remember that any translation of the Holy Qur'aan is in fact only an
expression of the translator's understanding of the Word of Allaah Subhaanahu
wa Ta'aala, and hence cannot be equated with the Qur'aan itself. Only the
original Arabic text can be called the Holy Qur'aan.
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Ustaadz Ayub A. Hamid is a visionary and strategic Islamic
thinker residing in Canada for the last 34 years. His recently published books
are:
1. Islam - Does It Make Sense?
2. Unveiling the Commands-The Truth about Hijaab, Khimaar
and Jilbaab.
3. Finding A Soulmate - A Guide for Parents and Youth.
4. A Book Unlike Any Other.
5. Islam - Adopting Its Paradigms.
6. Exploring the Islamic Beliefs.
http://soundvisioncanada.com/shop/pbrowse.asp?Pg=3&Cat=10004
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The following soowar 'Teachings of the Qur'aan' series by
Ustaadz Ayub A. Hamid, are available on request:-
Al Faatihah
Al Baqarah
Aali 'Imraan
A Nisaa'
Al Maaidah
Al An'aam
Al A'raaf
Al Anfaal
At Teen
Al`Alaq
Al Qadr
Al Bayyinah
Al Zilzaal
Al Aadiyatt
Al Qaari`ah
At Takaathur
Al`Asr
Al Humazah
Al Feel
Al Quraish
Al Maa`oon
Al-Kowthar
Al Kaafiroon
Al Nasr
Al Lahab
Al Ikhlaas
Al Falaq
An Naas
Al Mulk
Al Qalam
Al Haaqqah
Al Ma`aarij
Nooh - Name, Background, Message, Timing and Context / Aayaat
1-15
K a r i m a
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