Urdu: Khitab Jummah: Negation Of Favours
The message in Surah Ar-Rahman and its implications for human beings – Part 01 of 03
(After praising Allah (SWT) as He ought to be praised and sending peace and blessings on His final messenger (SAW), verses 1 through 16 of Surah Ar-Rahman were recited. The speaker then said….)
The initial verses of Surah Ar-Rahman were recited. You may recall that we have been systematically studying the Qur’anic message to mankind, starting from Surah ‘Qaf’. The Qur’an gives detailed guidance on various practical issues and a comprehensive capstone of Allah’s instructions to mankind, simultaneously. The latter is of pivotal importance for shaping the collective thought which Allah expects human beings to manifest. It is therefore important for us to keep revisiting the Word of Allah to keep us on course with the purpose of our existence and with the final destination that awaits us. This notion is explained extremely effectively in various contexts throughout the Qur’an. A repetition of Allah’s message to mankind is, in fact, the principal rationale for ‘Jummah’ sermons. Clarity and righteousness in the thought process is expected to lead us to virtuous action, which in turn is likely to help human beings lead a life in sync with the commands of Allah and his messenger.
The last Manzil (Hizb or section) of the Qur’an, from Surah Qaf through Surah An-Nas, is very comprehensive in terms of alerting us and directing us to the right path. There are 7 Manzils in the Qur’an. A major chunk of the last Manzil consists of Surahs that were revealed during the Makkan period of the Muhammad’s (SAW) life as a messenger of Allah. The first few Surahs of this Manzil, including Surah Qaf, Surah Az-Zariyat, Surah At-Tur, Surah An-Najam, Surah Al-Qamar, Surah Ar-Rahman, and Surah Al-Waqiah have distinctive aesthetic assonance. Actually, this section of the Qur’an is rightly considered to be the most aesthetic in consonance. Surah Ar-Rahman is a Surah in the later part of that group. The messenger of Allah declared this surah to be the ‘Aroos ul Qur’an’ (bride of the Qur’an), symbolizing its charm and articulacy. The literary eloquence and influence of this Surah on the hearts, minds and souls of people is unmatched.
Surah Ar-Rahman is thought to be one of the earliest Surahs revealed in Makkah. The Surah contains 78 verses, of which the verse ‘Then which of the Blessings (or Authority) of your Lord will you both (Jinn and men) deny’? is repeated 31 times. Another unique characteristic of the surah, evident from the translation above, is that it addresses human beings as well as Jinn; the two species of existence that would be held accountable on the Day of Judgment. The Surah begins with Ar-Rahman, which is considered by many to be the quintessential attributive names of Allah. Ar-Rahman is the embodiment of Allah’s mercy and benevolence, which is an indispensable trait necessary for all His existence for success in this world and in the Hereafter. The messenger of Allah is reported to have said that no person would be entitled to enter paradise based on his/her actions and deeds alone. Instead, it is the divine attribute of Rahmah (compassion and mercy) of Allah that would permit them to reach there.
We now start our explanation of the verses of the surah.
1. The Most Beneficent (Allah)!
2. Has taught (you mankind) the Qur'an (by His Mercy).
Allah is the Most Merciful, Beneficent and Compassionate to His creations. He is the One that has taught us His Word, the Qur’an. The pagans of Makkah used to allege that the messenger had heard and leant the Qur’an from hither and thither. They used to say that the messenger was taught by eavesdroppers and magicians and that he used to relay it to them after amending it to his liking. They further said that the Qur’an was nothing but a fabric of the messenger’s imagination. Some even called it a compilation of stories heard from the Jews and Christians living in Arabia. This verse dismisses all such vain allegations. It states categorically that the Qur’an has been revealed by Allah, through the angel Jibrael unto His messenger Muhammad (SAW). Elsewhere in the Quran it is mentioned:
He (SAW) has been taught by the Colossally Powerful. (Translation: An-Najam: 5)
Several commentators hold the view that the verse above refers to the angel Jibrael (AS), who being responsible for bringing Allah’s Word to His messengers. Others say that the verse refers to Allah Himself, who has revealed and taught the Qur’an to His messenger. In either case, the verse of Surah Ar-Rahman points to the fact that revelation of the Qur’an is the greatest of all divine gifts to His creations. The Qur’an is an ultimate source of guidance and guidance towards Allah in itself is the principal benevolence. In the words of late Dr Israr Ahmad (RA), all endowments from Allah are useful for us if and only if they are accompanied by divine guidance towards the truth. Our children are a blessing of Allah only if they live in accordance with the divine guidance, in which case, their actions benefit our souls and result in divine reward even after our death. On the contrary, if due to our careless and lax attitude, our children live the lives of infidels and heretics, the consequence would be desolation in this world and in the Hereafter. Similarly, wealth can be a blessing if acquired and dispensed in accordance with the guidelines set by the Qur’an and the Sunnah. Such wealth would ensue for us Allah’s benediction in this world and in the Hereafter. Else it would become the root of torment in this world and land us in the Hellfire. Such wealth would result in Allah’s malediction instead.
3. He created man.
Allah created human beings and He made all provisions needed for life in this world available. The most important of them all is divine guidance. Human beings need this guidance in order to establish a system of individual and collective life in accordance with the will and pleasure of Allah. This includes commandments discerning the path to success from that of failure. It follows that human beings need motivation to perform or abstain vis-a-vis glad tidings attached to the former and warnings attached to the latter. The Creator, therefore, bestowed us with His greatest gift of all, the ultimate guidance in form of the Qur’an.
4. He taught him eloquent speech.
Allah has bestowed human beings with the capacity to make eloquent speech. The favor, however, is not limited to mere speech, but encompasses higher order thinking, comprehension, processing, expression, evaluation and synthesis. These are skills that place human beings at the top of the evolution tree in ‘animal kingdom’. This ability is much more than meager communication, which every animal is capable of doing.
The first four verses of Surah Ar-Rahman thus bring into context the following important aspects of Allah’s favors on human beings:
Allah is the Ar-Rahman; the Most Merciful and Compassionate. He has conferred upon us knowledge of the Qur’an.
He has created human beings and He has granted humans with the capacity to speak eloquently and to understand.
The late Dr. Israr Ahmed (RA) used to conclude in context of these four verses in the following words:
The highest favor of Allah on his creation is His Word, the Qur’an.
The creation of human beings, in fact, symbolizes Allah’s Omnipotence. Humans are the epitome of Allah’s creation.
The best of all attributes that Allah has bestowed humans with is the ability to speak, think and communicate eloquently.
He would then draw the logical conclusion that the best possible use of time and energy of a human being is to study, understand and teach the Qur’an. This is further established by the hadith, in which the messenger of Allah is reported to have said, ‘The best amongst you are those who learn and teach the Qur’an’.
5. The sun and the moon are according to a reckoning.
It is appalling to notice that some people in this age of ‘enlightenment’ still worship the sun and the moon. Surprisingly, the west protects such practices in the name of cultural heritages but never missed out any opportunity to criticize Islam. There could be no worse example of duplicity and human ignominy.
The verse explains that all heavenly bodies are creations of Allah and work according to the system designed by Him. Allah explains in the Qur’an that the sun and the moon have been created for the benefit of mankind and to make life possible on earth. Scientific research has proven beyond doubt that had the sun and the moon been any closer to or distant from earth, the planet would have been uninhabitable. Humans, from the beginning of time, have made countless uses of these heavenly bodies, including measurement and calculation of time and space, changes in climate and weather, heat and solar energy, etc. The Qur’an also explains that the path set for these heavenly bodies does not change.
6. And the herbs (or stars) and the trees both prostrate.
‘Najam’ has two meanings as explained by commentators of the Qur’an. It may refer to shrubs and bushes. Most commentators, however, consider the word to imply stars. The verse explains that trees and stars all prostrate before Allah. Prostration may also refer to total and perpetual submission of these creations of Allah to His divine Will.
7. And the heaven He has raised high, and He has set up the Balance.
8. In order that you may not transgress (due) balance.
9. And observe the weight with equity and do not make the balance deficient.
These three verses deal with the subject of ‘Justice’ and ‘Balance’. All commentators of the Qur’an agree that the word ‘Mezan’ means Justice (The System of Social Justice as envisioned by Islam). Allah has established a system of Justice and Balance in all His creation, including the universe itself. No heavenly body, including the billions of stars and galaxies, orbits randomly. The most amazing feature of this balance is that there has never been any catastrophic collision or dooming event in the entire history of our universe, which modern astronomy predicts to have been formed 14.5 billion years ago. This fact alone is no less than a statistical impossibility, which only Allah can accomplish. In the wake of this mounting evidence, one cannot escape the obvious conclusion that there is an Omnipotent Entity named Allah who controls everything in the universe and beyond.
The practical message for human beings is that we must maintain our systems in sync with the Divine Justice and Balance, in order to be successful. The divine Balance and Justice must be established and practiced in individual, business, community, national and International domains. Today’s world is experiencing the exact opposite of what Allah has ordained as Justice and Balance. Tyranny, oppression and wars engulf the whole biosphere. As a consequence we have been split down the middle into two groups; ‘the terrorists’ and ‘the terrorized’. By terrorists we do not mean the so-called ‘Arabs with box-cutters’, portrayed falsely by international media as the perpetrators of 9/11. We refer to the oppressive powers of the West which have continuously been invading, bombing, conquering and destroying country after country, with millions of innocent lives being lost. The same West was responsible for millions of deaths in the first and the second world wars. The media in its sinister doublespeak tries to convince the world that those targeted in these barbarous acts of state terrorism are in fact terrorists. It inhumanely justifies the loss of innocent lives as ‘necessary collateral damage’ in pursuit of a greater good. Public opinion in the world, however, is increasingly changing and people have started to realize the double standards of the West. They now realize that those who respond to and resist these invading armies are not terrorists but have a right to defend their life, property, country and religion. The Qur’an is clear on all such instances. It says unequivocally that all those, individuals or states, that
commit acts of wickedness and oppression are wrongdoers in the eyes of Allah. Those being oppressed have the right to resist and respond. Allah even condones their response to the extent of parity. The Qur’an also emphasizes that this oppression, tyranny and injustice in the world is due to the deeds and action of humans themselves. Had we established the Deen of Allah instead of our own elitist policies and practices, we could have made this world a place full of justice, peace and kindness. The cosmic balance and justice give us a glimpse of how tranquil the world could have been.
10. And the earth He has put for the creatures.
Allah has fashioned the world such that it is inhabitable for various kinds of animals, plants and other organisms. Our planet makes up for less than a fraction of the whole universe. Yet it holds an entire universe of diversity in itself. Its beauty is the subject of many a poetic reference. Its mountains, oceans, plains, deserts, rivers and lakes have been glorified in every genre of literature. It sustains billion of people from different races and backgrounds, all tied in the common knot of humanity. It contains millions of other species in its realm. The
Earth revolves around itself and the sun, for which poets refer to it as a ‘ballerina of the heavens’. Yet, it is calm and placid from within.
11. Therein are fruits, date-palms producing sheathed fruit-stalks (enclosing dates).
This verse directs the attention of human beings to the various means of sustenance provided by Allah. The verse refers to grains and fruits/vegetables in specific, but extends in its implications to all edibles. The verse also directs our attention to the multiplicity in Allah’s creation. It uses the example of the date tree and fruit, to showcase a prime instance of Nature’s packaging of its product.
12. And corn, with (its) leaves and stalks for fodder, and sweet-scented plants.
This verse picks up from the previous one and gives the example of the plant and grain of corn. The edible part of the leaf is called ‘corn’, while the plant’s stalk is used as animal fodder. It particularizes different parts of a single speck of grain and its miraculously varied uses.
13. Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you both (Jinn and men) deny?
The Surah contains this oft repeated verse in which Allah directs the attention of two categories of creation, Human Beings and Jinn, towards the infinite bounties and favors which He has bestowed on them. Commentators of the Qur’an say that the word ‘Alaa’ has more meanings to it than just ‘blessing or favor’. The word may also be used in the description of Allah’s Authority over all things, His Omnipotence, Omniscience and Omnipresence over all Creation and beyond. The significance of this verse can be assessed from the fact that it is repeated 31 times throughout the Surah.
14. He created man (Adam) from sounding clay like the clay of pottery.
15. And the Jinn did He create from a smokeless flame of fire.
The verse explains the physical (bodily) form of the first human being to be created by Allah, namely Adam (AS). The Qur’an expounds the dried up clay used in Adam’s creation as being organic, which was like the watery, fermented manure used in natural fertilizers. Modern scientific evidence about the subject conforms to this remarkably explanatory account of the Qur’an. Elsewhere in the Qur’an the divine plan for continuity of human species has been attributed to the fusion of male sperm with the female ovum.
The verse also introduces us to the form and genesis of another kind of species, the Jinn, which is outside the spectrum of human visibility. Allah says that he created Ja’an, from smokeless fire.
The conclusion is that the essential ingredient of human form is clay and that of Jinn is fire.
16. Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you both (Jinn and men) deny?
We pray to Allah for His guidance to the true and correct understanding and interpretation of the Qur’an.Ameen!
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