Lessons From Sûrah Qâf
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All praise is due to Allâh, Lord of all the worlds. Peace and blessings of Allâh be upon the Messenger, his household and companions.
Fear Allâh (The One & Only God) and hold fast unto the Islâm which is the strongest handhold. Allâh (The One God) says,
“O you who believe! Fear Allâh (by doing all that He has ordered and by abstaining from all that He has forbidden) as He should be feared and die not except in a state of Islâm (as Muslims with complete submission to Allâh).” (Holy Quran آ‘Imrân 3:102)
Allâh (The One God) also says,
“And whosoever fears Allâh and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty). And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine.” (Holy Quran At-Talâq: 65:2-3)
Allâh (The One God) sent every messenger to his people with a miracle and a sign. He sent Holy Prophet Muhammad, blessings and peace be upon him- with the greatest miracle and the most decisive sign, which shall remain everlasting till the Day of Resurrection. The sign is the Noble Qur’ân, which is the revealed and preserved Word of Allâh (The One & Only God). The Book explains everything and guides to the most straightforward path. Allâh says about the Book,
“Alif-Lâm-Râ. (These letters are one of the miracles of the Qur’ân and none but Allâh (Alone) knows their meanings).” (Hûd 11:1)
The Qur’ân is the greatest reference for the preachers and the best authority relied on by the just rulers. It is its light that guides the scholars. Allâh (The One God) calls it an admonishment when He says,
“O mankind! There has come to you a good advice from your Lord (i.e. the Qur’ân, enjoining all that is good and forbidding all that is evil), and a healing for that (disease of ignorance, doubt, hypocrisy and differences) in your breasts, - a guidance and a mercy (explaining lawful and unlawful things) for the believers.” (Holy Quran Yûnus 10:57)
Allâh’s Messenger used to admonish and remind his companions with the Qur’ân in response to the call of his Lord,
“But warn by the Qur’ân; him who fears My Threat.” (Holy Quran Qâf 50:45)
Umm Hishâm bint Hârithah said,
“We used to share the same oven with the Messenger of Allâh for two years or a year and some months. And I did not memorise (Sûrah) ‘Qâf wal-Qur’ânil-majîd’ but from the mouth of Allâh’s Messenger. He used to recite it every Jumu‘ah on the pulpit when he preached to people.” (Muslim)
Ibn Kathîr said,
“The purpose is that the Messenger of Allâh used to recite this Sûrah in big congregations like Eids and Jumu‘ahs because the Sûrah contains information about the beginning of the creation, the Resurrection, the return, the standing (for reckoning), the Reckoning, Paradise and Fire. It also contains information on reward, punishment, encouragement to do good deeds and warning against evil deeds. And Allâh knows best.”
Surely, knowing about admonition is a blessing and strength. It is also a reward and guidance. Allâh (The One God) says,
“But if they had done what they were told, it would have been better for them, and would have strengthened their (Faith); and indeed We should then have bestowed upon them a great reward from Ourselves.” (Holy Quran An-Nisâ 4:66-67)
Let us now incline towards the shades of this Sûrah in order to revive the Sunnah (way of Holy Prophet), to attain guidance and to admonish our hearts.
In the Name of Allâh the Gracious, the Merciful. “Qâf. By the honoured Qur’ân. Nay, they wonder that there has come to them a warner (Muhammad (peace be upon him)) from among themselves. So the disbelievers say: "This is a strange thing! "When we are dead and have become dust (shall we be resurrected?) That is a far return." We know that which the earth takes of them (their dead bodies), and with Us is a Book preserved (i.e. the Book of Decrees). Nay, but they have denied the truth (this Qur’ân) when it has come to them, so they are in a confused state (cannot differentiate between right and wrong).” (Verses 1-5)
In the last of this group of verses, Allâh (The One God) describes those who rejected the truth as being in a confused state. This is truly the state of anyone who keeps away from the guidance of the Holy Qur’ân, denies the truth and seeks guidance from other than Allâh (The One & Only God). Such a person is always erratic in his thoughts and positions and confused in his life and actions. He always follows his desire; and concepts and values are always contradicting in his view.
In the following verses, Allâh (The One God) commands His slaves to ponder over His Works through which He created everything in the state of perfection. Can anyone besides Allâh create what is similar? Far is Allâh above that. Rather, can the creatures stand by themselves? This is indeed, a great proof that Allâh is Omnipotent and that He is the True God.
“Have they not looked at the heaven above them, how We have made it and adorned it, and there are no rifts in it? And the earth! We have spread it out, and set thereon mountains standing firm, and have produced therein every kind of lovely growth (plants). It is an insight and a Reminder for every slave who turns to Allâh (i.e. the one who believes in the Oneness of Allâh and performs deeds of His obedience, and always begs His pardon). And We send down blessed water (rain) from the sky, then We produce therewith gardens and grain (every kind of harvests) that are reaped. And tall date-palms, with ranged clusters. A provision for (Allâh’s) slaves. And We give life therewith to a dead land. Thus will be the resurrection (of the dead). Denied before them (i.e. these pagans of Makkah) the people of Nûh (Noah), and the dwellers of Rass, and Thamûd; And 'Ad, and Fir'aun (Pharaoh), and the brethren of Lût (Lot); And the Dwellers of the Wood, and the people of Tubba'. Everyone of them denied (their) Messengers, so My Threat took effect. Were We then tired with the first creation? Nay, they are in confused doubt about a new creation (i.e. Resurrection)?” (Verses 6-15)
High and Exalted is Allâh (The One & Only God)). Indeed, the One Who created the creatures from non-existence and never lacked strength while He was creating them is perfectly Capable of repeating their creation.
After this, Allâh (The One God) explains the second creation that will take place on the Day of Resurrection. He preceded that by reminding His slaves of His creation of man, that nothing is hidden from Him and that He knows what moves about in the hearts, not to talk of what is uttered or done however concealed they are. He explains that all that is watched and recorded. The Muslim should therefore get prepared for that day. For anyone who did an atom weight of good deed will find its reward and anyone who did an atom weight of evil deed will find its reward. You should therefore call yourselves to account before you are called to it.
“And indeed We have created man, and We know what his own self whispers to him. And We are nearer to him than his jugular vein (by Our Knowledge). (Remember!) that the two receivers (recording angels) receive (each human being), one sitting on the right and one on the left (to note his or her actions). Not a word does he (or she) utter, but there is a watcher by him ready (to record it). And the stupor of death will come in truth: "This is what you have been avoiding!"” (Verses 16-19)
Yes! There is no escape from death. It is the fate of every living thing. No Muslim or disbeliever will escape from this fate. In spite of the severity of death, what comes after it, such as situations of the grave, the Resurrection and Reckoning are far more severe and more horrible.
“And the Trumpet will be blown - that will be the Day whereof warning (had been given) (i.e. the Day of Resurrection). And every person will come forth along with an (angel) to drive (him) and an (angel) to bear witness.” (Verses 20-21)
The sinner will then be told,
“Indeed you were heedless of this. Now We have removed from you your covering, and sharp is your sight this Day!” (Verse 22)
In this difficult situation, the record of deeds will be distributed and the people will be shown their positions in Paradise or Hell. It is then that the dwellers of Hell will start arguing with one another as Allâh (The One God) explains in different places in His Book. He says,
“And his companion (angel) will say: "Here is (this Record) ready with me!" (Allâh will say to the angels): "Both of you throw into Hell every stubborn disbeliever (in the Oneness of Allâh, in His Messengers). "Hinderer of good, transgressor, doubter, "Who set up another ilâh (god) with Allâh. Then both of you cast him in the severe torment.” His companion (Satan - devil) will say: "Our Lord! I did not push him to transgress, (in disbelief, oppression, and evil deeds) but he was himself in error far astray." Allâh will say: "Dispute not in front of Me, I had already in advance sent you the threat. The Sentence that comes from Me cannot be changed, and I am not unjust (to the least) to the slaves." On the Day when We will say to Hell: "Are you filled?" It will say: "Are there any more (to come)?” (Verses 23-30)
As for Paradise, it will be brought closer to the believers as an honour to them. Listen to the deion of its will-be dwellers.
“And Paradise will be brought near to the pious not far off. (It will be said): "This is what you were promised - (it is) for those oft-returning (to Allâh) in sincere repentance, and those who preserve their covenant with Allâh (by obeying Him in all what He has ordered, and worshipping none but Allâh Alone, i.e. follow Allâh’s religion - Islâmic Monotheism). "Who feared the Most Beneficent (Allâh) in the Ghaib (Unseen) and brought a heart turned in repentance (to Him and absolutely free from each and every kind of polytheism). "Enter you therein in peace and security - this is a Day of eternal life!" There they will have all that they desire - and We have more (for them, i.e. a glance at the All-Mighty, All-Majestic (glorified and exalted be He))” (Verses 31-35)
In a wonderful explicative apposition, the end of this Sûrah re-emphasises all the issues that are discussed in it. Allâh (The One God) says,
“And how many a generation We have destroyed before them who were stronger in power than they. And (when Our Torment came) they ran for a refuge in the land! Could they find any place of refuge (for them to save themselves from destruction)? Verily, therein is indeed a reminder for him who has a heart or gives ear while he is heedful. And indeed We created the heavens and the earth and all between them in six Days and nothing of fatigue touched Us. So bear with patience (O Muhammad (peace be upon him)) all that they say, and glorify the Praises of your Lord, before the rising of the sun and before (its) setting. And during a part of the night (also) glorify His praises and (so likewise) after the prayers.” (Verses 36-40)
Allâh (The One & Only God) also tells us that performance of prayers and remembrance of Allâh are means of perseverance and strength. He says,
“And listen on the Day when the caller will call from a near place. The Day when they will hear As-Saihah (shout) in truth: that will be the Day of coming out (from the graves, i.e. the Day of Resurrection). Verily, We it is Who give life and cause death; and to Us is the final return. On the Day when the earth shall be cleft, from off them, (they will come out) hastening forth. That will be a gathering, quite easy for Us. We know of best what they say. And you (O Muhammad (peace be upon him)) are not the one to force them (to Belief). But warn by the Qur’ân; him who fears My Threat.” (Verses 41-45)
Show gratitude to Allâh (The One & Only God) for giving you rain. Ask Him to make it a rain of blessing and to make it cover all our lands. For the real drought is not in lack of rain but lack of blessings in the fallen rain. Adhere to the means of achieving blessing. Allâh (The One God) says,
“And if the people of the towns had believed and had piety, certainly, We should have opened for them blessings from the heaven and the earth, but they belied (the Messengers). So We took them (with punishment) for what they used to earn (polytheism and crimes).” (Holy Quran Al-A‘râf 7:96)
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