وَٱتَّخَذُواْ مِن دُونِهِۦۤ ءَالِهَةً۬ لَّا يَخۡلُقُونَ شَيۡـًٔ۬ا وَهُمۡ يُخۡلَقُونَ وَلَا يَمۡلِكُونَ لِأَنفُسِهِمۡ ضَرًّ۬ا وَلَا نَفۡعً۬ا وَلَا يَمۡلِكُونَ مَوۡتً۬ا وَلَا حَيَوٰةً۬ وَلَا نُشُورً۬ا
Yet have they taken, besides Him, gods that can create nothing but are themselves created; that have no control of hurt of good to themselves; Nor can they control Death nor Life nor Ressurrection.
This verse demolishes false gods and the belief in such false gods. Not only this, but this verse combined with the two pervious verses proves any book and any guidance other than God's to be without any true authority and value. How is it that mankind can rely on the words of those who don't have the power to create but are helpless themselves and are in need of their Creator? How can we be influenced by those who cannot even cause any good or harm to themselves, outside the dominion of Allah(swt)? They do not have the power to cause death, to give life, or to ressurrect so how is it that we turn to them before Allah(swt)?!
If we slightly tilt our 'heads' and look at this verse from a different angle, we see the same theme I discussed in my last post. This verse, like the previous one, shows us Who God is: He creates everything but is not created Himself; He has all control of harm and good; He dominates the realms of Death, Life, and Ressurection! If we really let the reality of Who Allah (swt) is, sink into our hearts, the more amazed we will be at having this Blessed Furqan or Qur'an. One of the things that really hit it home for me were a few pictures that came to mind. I saw a man reaching the end of his life, his soul leaving his body and he lays their lifeless...anytime this occurs anywhere, God is behind it. I saw a beautiful child opening his eyes to this world for the first time...the miracle and other-worldiness of of birth...anytime it happens, God is behind it. And again when we are brought back to life, Allah (swt) will have total control over it and He will be its True Cause. After taking this all in, I went back to the first verse and I could see even more clearly what it means to have received this Furqan, because it is that same One that is behind its revelation. "Blessed is He Who sent down the Criterion to His servant, that it may be an admonition for the worlds."
Monday, July 6, 2009
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Surah Al-Furqan
سُوۡرَةُ الفُرقان
بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
تَبَارَكَ ٱلَّذِى نَزَّلَ ٱلۡفُرۡقَانَ عَلَىٰ عَبۡدِهِۦ لِيَكُونَ لِلۡعَـٰلَمِينَ نَذِيرًا
Blessed is He Who sent down the Criterion to His servant, that it may be an adominition for the worlds.
This is the first verse after bismillah of Suratul Furqan. Abdullah Yusuf Ali comments on the word 'tabaraka' as follows: "the root meaning is 'increase' or 'abundance'. Here that aspect of God's dealing with His creatures is emphasized, which shows His abundant goodness to all His creatures, in that He sent the Revelation of His Will, not only in the unlimited Book of Nature, but in a definite Book in human language, which gives clear directions and admonitions to all. The English word 'blessed' hardly conveys that meaning..." To put this into my own words and perhaps to add a shade of meaning, it seems that Allah (swt) is telling us that He is Blessed because of His revealing this Furqan. Meaning, this revelation of The Criterion as an admonition to humanity manifests or shows us the Magnanimity and Greatness of Allah (swt). An additional note on this verse is the use of the word 'Alameen. 'Alam is a singular world. 'Alameen is the plural of world and hence worlds. Some food for thought is what does the use of this word here imply? It is a Criterion for the worlds. Perhaps, the Qur'an is serving as a Criterion for more than humanity.
ٱلَّذِى لَهُ ۥ مُلۡكُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَلَمۡ يَتَّخِذۡ وَلَدً۬ا وَلَمۡ يَكُن لَّهُ ۥ شَرِيكٌ۬ فِى ٱلۡمُلۡكِ وَخَلَقَ ڪُلَّ شَىۡءٍ۬ فَقَدَّرَهُ ۥ تَقۡدِيرً۬ا
He to Whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth: no son has He begotten, nor has He a partner in His dominon: It is He Who created all things, and ordered them in due proportions.
Upon reading and absorbing this next verse I was able to see the previous verse in a clearer light. Referring back to my previous comment, Allah (swt) starts by connecting His being Blessed with His sending the Furqan. This next verse elaborates on Who exactly is Allah (swt). "He to Whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth..." Let me repeat this in other words so that the meaning reaches our hearts. Essentially, Allah (swt) is the One to whom everything belongs. There is not a thing in existence that is outside of His dominion and does not belong to Him. Every particle of existence is His and belongs to Him! Given this reality, let us reflect on the first verse. Is it not true that "Blessed is He Who sent down the Furqan" because the One Who sent down this distinguishing light is the Owner of all things in the heavens and the earth?!?! Such a Being has sent us guidance! The greatness of this gift of the Qur'an is infinitely more realized when we begin to sense Who it is exaclty that sent down this guidance. To expand on this idea I will continue with this verse. "...no son has He begotten, nor has He a partner in His dominion..." Allah (swt) has no like and cannot be compared to anyone or anything. He is beyond our human limitations and it is impossible for Him to conceive a son. Furthermore, Allah's (swt) ownership is absolute and noone and nothing shares in his domination and ownership of the entirety of existense. He has exclusive ownership. As these realities sink in our hearts, let's return to the prior verse which becomes even clearer..."Blessed is He Who sent down the Criterion". Wow! It is this Allah (swt) that sent it. The verse ends with "...It is He Who created all things, and ordered them in due proportions". The Creator of everything in existence without the exception of anything has sent us Al-Furqan. So I repeat: Indeed, "Blessed is He Who sent down the Criterion to His servant, that it may be an admonition for the worlds."
بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
تَبَارَكَ ٱلَّذِى نَزَّلَ ٱلۡفُرۡقَانَ عَلَىٰ عَبۡدِهِۦ لِيَكُونَ لِلۡعَـٰلَمِينَ نَذِيرًا
Blessed is He Who sent down the Criterion to His servant, that it may be an adominition for the worlds.
This is the first verse after bismillah of Suratul Furqan. Abdullah Yusuf Ali comments on the word 'tabaraka' as follows: "the root meaning is 'increase' or 'abundance'. Here that aspect of God's dealing with His creatures is emphasized, which shows His abundant goodness to all His creatures, in that He sent the Revelation of His Will, not only in the unlimited Book of Nature, but in a definite Book in human language, which gives clear directions and admonitions to all. The English word 'blessed' hardly conveys that meaning..." To put this into my own words and perhaps to add a shade of meaning, it seems that Allah (swt) is telling us that He is Blessed because of His revealing this Furqan. Meaning, this revelation of The Criterion as an admonition to humanity manifests or shows us the Magnanimity and Greatness of Allah (swt). An additional note on this verse is the use of the word 'Alameen. 'Alam is a singular world. 'Alameen is the plural of world and hence worlds. Some food for thought is what does the use of this word here imply? It is a Criterion for the worlds. Perhaps, the Qur'an is serving as a Criterion for more than humanity.
ٱلَّذِى لَهُ ۥ مُلۡكُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَلَمۡ يَتَّخِذۡ وَلَدً۬ا وَلَمۡ يَكُن لَّهُ ۥ شَرِيكٌ۬ فِى ٱلۡمُلۡكِ وَخَلَقَ ڪُلَّ شَىۡءٍ۬ فَقَدَّرَهُ ۥ تَقۡدِيرً۬ا
He to Whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth: no son has He begotten, nor has He a partner in His dominon: It is He Who created all things, and ordered them in due proportions.
Upon reading and absorbing this next verse I was able to see the previous verse in a clearer light. Referring back to my previous comment, Allah (swt) starts by connecting His being Blessed with His sending the Furqan. This next verse elaborates on Who exactly is Allah (swt). "He to Whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth..." Let me repeat this in other words so that the meaning reaches our hearts. Essentially, Allah (swt) is the One to whom everything belongs. There is not a thing in existence that is outside of His dominion and does not belong to Him. Every particle of existence is His and belongs to Him! Given this reality, let us reflect on the first verse. Is it not true that "Blessed is He Who sent down the Furqan" because the One Who sent down this distinguishing light is the Owner of all things in the heavens and the earth?!?! Such a Being has sent us guidance! The greatness of this gift of the Qur'an is infinitely more realized when we begin to sense Who it is exaclty that sent down this guidance. To expand on this idea I will continue with this verse. "...no son has He begotten, nor has He a partner in His dominion..." Allah (swt) has no like and cannot be compared to anyone or anything. He is beyond our human limitations and it is impossible for Him to conceive a son. Furthermore, Allah's (swt) ownership is absolute and noone and nothing shares in his domination and ownership of the entirety of existense. He has exclusive ownership. As these realities sink in our hearts, let's return to the prior verse which becomes even clearer..."Blessed is He Who sent down the Criterion". Wow! It is this Allah (swt) that sent it. The verse ends with "...It is He Who created all things, and ordered them in due proportions". The Creator of everything in existence without the exception of anything has sent us Al-Furqan. So I repeat: Indeed, "Blessed is He Who sent down the Criterion to His servant, that it may be an admonition for the worlds."
Thursday, June 11, 2009
New Pursuit
Bismillah Ar-Rahman Ar-Rahim.
I want to endeavour to share my thoughts on the book of the Creator of the universe, the Holy Qur'an. I am not sure where this pursuit will take me exactly. As of now, some ideas are flowing through me with regards to a general direction. I will be trying to express what I see as I read the words and the meaning that hits my heart. This will be combined with the thoughts and ideas of others who have sought to understand the Qur'an. I will also share personal experiences or experiences of others that have to do with certain verses of the Qur'an. This will be a portal of reflection on this Grand Book and in no way an authoritative explanation. In reality, the only authoritative explation of this book is with Allah (swt), and Allah (swt) is the only true Authority. With that I seek refuge with Him from the accursed one and pray for His protection from anything that may hinder this endeavour towards anything outside of His pleasure. I will begin with the 25th chapter, Suratul Furqan or The Criterion.
To start with the title of the chapter itself, Al-Furqan or The Criterion is another name for the Holy Qur'an as many of us Muslims are aware of. What is the meaning of the word criterion? It is that which allows you to distinguish one thing from another. It is a kind of measuring scale and standard which makes things clear through separation. Abdullah Yusuf Ali in his translation of the Holy Qur'an comments on this word by saying, "That by which we can judge clearly between right and wrong...we can distinguish between the true and false by God's Light, especially between righteousness and sin." The question I want to pose to us is that if this Book is indeed The Criterion that distinguishes between good and evil, why is it that sometimes we question ourselves regarding what is right and wrong? Sometimes, we are not sure what is the correct moral action and what isn't. To examine it from another angle, if we want to distinguish between the truth and falsehood with regards to all the ideologies of Islam that exist today, why is the Qur'an not sufficient? I think it is safe to say that this Qur'an should clarify, within every soul, what is right and what is wrong. It should make our vision clear. All of these ideas are derived from the simple fact that this Book is Al-Furqan or The Criterion. I am not shedding doubt on the power of this Holy Book to manifest it's reality which is to serve as Al-Furqan for humanity. Instead, what I am suggesting is that perhaps we have not been able to access this Qur'an in such a manner that it is able to fulfill it's purpose within us; to be Al-Furqan within us such that truth and falsehood become clear. The Creator of the heavens and the earth and everything in between, Allah (SWT), has called this Qur'an, Al-Furqan, The Criterion. Therefore, there can be no doubt in this reality of its ability to allow us to see clearly what is true and what is not. We, as Muslims, should strive to reach this reality so we can see with our own heart's eye how appropriately Allah(swt) has named His book, Al-Furqan.
I want to endeavour to share my thoughts on the book of the Creator of the universe, the Holy Qur'an. I am not sure where this pursuit will take me exactly. As of now, some ideas are flowing through me with regards to a general direction. I will be trying to express what I see as I read the words and the meaning that hits my heart. This will be combined with the thoughts and ideas of others who have sought to understand the Qur'an. I will also share personal experiences or experiences of others that have to do with certain verses of the Qur'an. This will be a portal of reflection on this Grand Book and in no way an authoritative explanation. In reality, the only authoritative explation of this book is with Allah (swt), and Allah (swt) is the only true Authority. With that I seek refuge with Him from the accursed one and pray for His protection from anything that may hinder this endeavour towards anything outside of His pleasure. I will begin with the 25th chapter, Suratul Furqan or The Criterion.
To start with the title of the chapter itself, Al-Furqan or The Criterion is another name for the Holy Qur'an as many of us Muslims are aware of. What is the meaning of the word criterion? It is that which allows you to distinguish one thing from another. It is a kind of measuring scale and standard which makes things clear through separation. Abdullah Yusuf Ali in his translation of the Holy Qur'an comments on this word by saying, "That by which we can judge clearly between right and wrong...we can distinguish between the true and false by God's Light, especially between righteousness and sin." The question I want to pose to us is that if this Book is indeed The Criterion that distinguishes between good and evil, why is it that sometimes we question ourselves regarding what is right and wrong? Sometimes, we are not sure what is the correct moral action and what isn't. To examine it from another angle, if we want to distinguish between the truth and falsehood with regards to all the ideologies of Islam that exist today, why is the Qur'an not sufficient? I think it is safe to say that this Qur'an should clarify, within every soul, what is right and what is wrong. It should make our vision clear. All of these ideas are derived from the simple fact that this Book is Al-Furqan or The Criterion. I am not shedding doubt on the power of this Holy Book to manifest it's reality which is to serve as Al-Furqan for humanity. Instead, what I am suggesting is that perhaps we have not been able to access this Qur'an in such a manner that it is able to fulfill it's purpose within us; to be Al-Furqan within us such that truth and falsehood become clear. The Creator of the heavens and the earth and everything in between, Allah (SWT), has called this Qur'an, Al-Furqan, The Criterion. Therefore, there can be no doubt in this reality of its ability to allow us to see clearly what is true and what is not. We, as Muslims, should strive to reach this reality so we can see with our own heart's eye how appropriately Allah(swt) has named His book, Al-Furqan.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Salaat
Bismillah Ar-Rahman Ar-Rahim
I begin in the name of Allah, The Compassionate, The Merciful.
It has been quite some time since I last wrote but I was inspired to write again. The topic, as the title of this enry indicates, is Salaat. For some time now, I have felt it difficult to concentrate during Salaat. Although, there are times where there is a heightened connection that brings much needed coolness to the heart. Most of the times, there is not a strong connection. Much has been said about prayers not being reduced to a ritual. The difficult and frustrating challenge is how do we go about making it more than that? How do we progress in this regard and how can we measure our improvement. There is no doubt that the road is infinite when it comes to reaching proximity to Allah (swt). To know and apply the secrets of Salaat is like a gateway to this end. In all honesty, I do not know the answer to the questions I've posed. My intention, by this entry, is to remind myself and others of the importance of this great act with the hopes of improving the quality of my Salaat the next time that I stand to pray. One thing I've always wanted is to atleast reach a level where my concentration is consistent. Once I've achieved this, I have a sort of platform to work off of. This is the first step and challenge in my mind. In any case, I will present a few narrations and Qur'anic verses that will, insh'Allah, inspire us towards this goal.
"When you face the qiblah, you should despair of this world, what it contains of creation and what others are occupied with. Empty your heart of every preoccupation which might distract you from Allah (swt). See the immensity of Allah (swt) with your innermost being, and remember that you will stand before Him. For Allah (swt) has said, There shall every soul become acquainted with what it sent before, and they shall be brought back to Allah, their true Patron. (10:30)"
"The bondsman of Allah (swt) does not truly bow (in ruku') but that Allah (swt) adorns him with the light of His radiance, shades him in the shade of His greatness and clothes him in the garment of His purity...therefore bow with the ruku' of one who is humble to Allah (swt), abased in his heart and fearful under His power, submitting his limbs to Allah (swt) like one who is fearful and sorrowful for what he might miss of the benefits of those who bow."
"Therfore prostrate yourself with the prostration of someone abased, who knows that he is created from the earth on which people tread, that he is fashioned from sperm which everyone finds impure, and that he was given being when he did not exist."
-Imam Ja'far Sadiq (as) - Lantern of the Path
“Surely the believers are successful; those who are humble in their prayers.” (Quran, 23:1-2)
“O ye who believe! Do not go near prayers while you are in an intoxicated condition till you know what you are saying.” (Quran, 4:43)
“Do not stand for prayers lazily, yawning or feeling heavy (i.e. considering it to be a burden). For all these are from the traits of hypocrisy. Allah has prohibited the believers from standing for prayers while they are intoxicated i.e. (intoxicated) from sleep.”
-Imam Baqir (as) - Tafsir, Ayyashi, vol. 1
“As for the rights of the prayers, you should know that it is a means of reaching towards Allah. And you are standing before Allah when you are praying. When you are aware of this, then it is desirous that you stand during prayers like the one who is disgraced, desirous (of rewards), fearful, scared, hopeful, pauper, crying, respectful of the One Who is before Him. Maintain a dignified calm, head down, limbs humble, tender heart, praying with the best of invocations within yourself, seeking the freedom of your neck from Him, an imprisonment caused on account of your sins and a destruction caused by your misdeeds. There is no strength except Allah’s.”
-Imam Zainul 'Abideen (as) - Tuhaf al Uqul
I pray that this small selection of hadith inspires myself, most of all, and also the rest of us ins'Allah. May Allah (swt) enliven our hearts and beings to His worship. Ameen.
I begin in the name of Allah, The Compassionate, The Merciful.
It has been quite some time since I last wrote but I was inspired to write again. The topic, as the title of this enry indicates, is Salaat. For some time now, I have felt it difficult to concentrate during Salaat. Although, there are times where there is a heightened connection that brings much needed coolness to the heart. Most of the times, there is not a strong connection. Much has been said about prayers not being reduced to a ritual. The difficult and frustrating challenge is how do we go about making it more than that? How do we progress in this regard and how can we measure our improvement. There is no doubt that the road is infinite when it comes to reaching proximity to Allah (swt). To know and apply the secrets of Salaat is like a gateway to this end. In all honesty, I do not know the answer to the questions I've posed. My intention, by this entry, is to remind myself and others of the importance of this great act with the hopes of improving the quality of my Salaat the next time that I stand to pray. One thing I've always wanted is to atleast reach a level where my concentration is consistent. Once I've achieved this, I have a sort of platform to work off of. This is the first step and challenge in my mind. In any case, I will present a few narrations and Qur'anic verses that will, insh'Allah, inspire us towards this goal.
"When you face the qiblah, you should despair of this world, what it contains of creation and what others are occupied with. Empty your heart of every preoccupation which might distract you from Allah (swt). See the immensity of Allah (swt) with your innermost being, and remember that you will stand before Him. For Allah (swt) has said, There shall every soul become acquainted with what it sent before, and they shall be brought back to Allah, their true Patron. (10:30)"
"The bondsman of Allah (swt) does not truly bow (in ruku') but that Allah (swt) adorns him with the light of His radiance, shades him in the shade of His greatness and clothes him in the garment of His purity...therefore bow with the ruku' of one who is humble to Allah (swt), abased in his heart and fearful under His power, submitting his limbs to Allah (swt) like one who is fearful and sorrowful for what he might miss of the benefits of those who bow."
"Therfore prostrate yourself with the prostration of someone abased, who knows that he is created from the earth on which people tread, that he is fashioned from sperm which everyone finds impure, and that he was given being when he did not exist."
-Imam Ja'far Sadiq (as) - Lantern of the Path
“Surely the believers are successful; those who are humble in their prayers.” (Quran, 23:1-2)
“O ye who believe! Do not go near prayers while you are in an intoxicated condition till you know what you are saying.” (Quran, 4:43)
“Do not stand for prayers lazily, yawning or feeling heavy (i.e. considering it to be a burden). For all these are from the traits of hypocrisy. Allah has prohibited the believers from standing for prayers while they are intoxicated i.e. (intoxicated) from sleep.”
-Imam Baqir (as) - Tafsir, Ayyashi, vol. 1
“As for the rights of the prayers, you should know that it is a means of reaching towards Allah. And you are standing before Allah when you are praying. When you are aware of this, then it is desirous that you stand during prayers like the one who is disgraced, desirous (of rewards), fearful, scared, hopeful, pauper, crying, respectful of the One Who is before Him. Maintain a dignified calm, head down, limbs humble, tender heart, praying with the best of invocations within yourself, seeking the freedom of your neck from Him, an imprisonment caused on account of your sins and a destruction caused by your misdeeds. There is no strength except Allah’s.”
-Imam Zainul 'Abideen (as) - Tuhaf al Uqul
I pray that this small selection of hadith inspires myself, most of all, and also the rest of us ins'Allah. May Allah (swt) enliven our hearts and beings to His worship. Ameen.
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