Madinat al-Muslimeen Islamic Message Board
| Surah al-Mulk Verses 4-6 |
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| Kashif |
| 12/06/00 at 20:50:49 |
| Ayah 4 {Thumma- arji'il basara karratayni yanqalib 'ilayka al-basaru khaasi'an wa huwa Haseer} Linking to the preceeding ayah in which Allah directs the listener's or reader's gaze to the heavens for contemplation of their creation, this ayah redirects the attention again to the creation of the heavens for a second, third, fourth, etc. time. Meaning of some words: karratayn: return once again, and what is meant here is many repetitions -- that is, look again and again and again yanqalib: to return to khaasi'an: submissive, humble haseer: tired, weary, fatigued Meaning of the ayah: It is directed to the disbelievers. Allah commands those who disbelieve to look again and again with an eye for critique at the amazing heavens. For those who desire to find imperfection, corruption or make a mockery, or to disprove the greatness of Allah, then their sight will only come back to them devoid of what they had hoped to find. Rather, their vision (what they have seen) will return to them making them feel small and humble and exhausted for all the effort. In other words, they will not see what they want to see and will be tired, exhausted from trying to find fault with the creation of the heavens. Al-Qurtubee said: Allah only commanded that they look again and again because people, when they look at something only once, they often tend to overlook some fault or defect. So what is meant by "karatayn" is many, many times and the proof of this is in the last portion of the ayah which indicates many observations, not just one or two. [Tafseer al-Qurtubee 17/209] This is like the person who doesn't really believe in the Creator, or that Allah is All-Powerful, then he studies any aspect of creation, like astronomy, geology, oceanography, etc., -- he sees the "handiwork" of Allah and cannot help but be humbled by it as he sees the minuteness of the details and the many different systems that are in operation, all of which are clear proof of Allah's Majesty, Power and Dominion.] Ayah 5 Allah, subhaanahu wa ta'ala, turns our glance towards the beauty of the heavens after having turned our attention to their completeness and perfection and He says: {Wa la qad zaiyyan as-samaa'a ad-dunya bi masaabeeha waja'alnaha rujooman lish-shayaateen wa-a`atadna lahum `athaabas-sa`eer} Some vocabulary: Al-Masaabih: the plural form of misbaah which is literally a lamp -- a poetic reference which means here the planets and this also includes the stars in reference to the light that is given off. This is just as the early morning period is referred to in Arabic as "sabah" for its light which appears with it spreading over the people as it unfolds throughout the earth. ar-Rajoom: the plural form of "rajm" (with fatha over the raa') and it is what one throws at something or stones something with. The dictionary (Hans-Wehr) defines it in English as a missile; also shooting star or meteorites. The verb is defined as, "to stone, to abuse, to revile, to curse (as in rajeem which is applied to Shaytaan). a`atadna: to make ready, to put in readiness The meaning of the ayah in phrases: {Wa la qad zaiyyana as-samaa'ad dunya bi masaabeeh} that is, He has decorated or enhanced the sky closest to the earth with planets and stars that are visible to the eye. People gaze at them as they light up the night with their glow and decorate the sky with their beauty causing delight to the viewer. {... waja'alnaha rujooman lish-shayaateen} These beautiful stars and planets that Allah has placed in the earth's sky as decoration also have another purpose wherein they serve as objects with which to hit or strike the devils when they attempt to climb to the highest part of the heaven in order to hear any heavenly news that the angels might be discussing. In the form of missiles (meteorites) or pieces broken off from the planets, they strike the devils and kill them as it is described in Surat As Saafaat: 6-8: {Verily, We have adorned the near heaven with stars (for beauty), and for guards against every rebellious devil. they cannot listen to the higher group (of angels) and they are pelted from every side} and as in the words of Allah: {Except such as snatch away something by stealing and they are pursued by a flaming fire of piercing brightness*} [As Saafaat: 10] [* - the word used here is "shihaab" which is a shooting star or luminous meteor or star] Abu Qatadah mentioned Allah's statement: "And We have adorned the nearest heaven with lamps..." and said, "The creation of these stars is for three purposes, i.e., as decoration of the (nearest) heaven, as missiles to hit the devils, and as signs to guide travellers. So, if anybody tries to find a different interpretation, he is mistaken and just wastes his efforts, and troubles himself with what is beyond his limited knowledge (Saheeh al-Bukhari, 4/282) {..wa `atadna lahum 'adhaaba as-sa'eer} and this is in clarification of what will befall them in this life -- stoning by meteors or falling stars -- and punishment of the Blazing Fire in the next. Ayah 6 {Wa lillatheena kaffaru bi-rabbihim 'adhaabu jahannama wa bi'sal maseer} Allah, subhaanahu, after having mentioned what is promised to the Shayaateen (plural of Shaytaan) of the Blazing Hell Fire, mentions or reminds us of what is promised to the disbelievers who have followed the devils by denying the Oneness of their Creator, denying His messengers, disbelieving in the Resurrection and the Last Day. Then He ta'ala describes Hell, itself, in the ayats to follow, which is promised to the kaafireen, with a description that strikes fear and dismay into the soul because of the terrifying shock of its horrible surroundings. [Note: the word that is used in the sharh (explanation) is "fathee'a" which means abominable, detestable, hideous, ugly, repulsive, disgusting, shocking, odious, heinous, horrid, atrocious, horrible.] Meaning of the ayah in phrases: {Wa lilladheena kafaroo bi rabbihim...} And as for those who deny their Lord (in any aspect) {'adhaabu jahannama} (for them) the punishment of Hell {..wa bi'sal maseer} and it is a wretched or miserable outcome. [Courtesy of Umm-Zubair] [color=red]Since posting is a bit behind schedule i'll post the next set of notes tomorrow insha'llah.[/color] |
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