Welcome, Friends: Ahlan wa sahlan!
How was your reading so far? Do tell!
I will know better which way to go when you tell me what you think.
It might sound simple to read 2 pages a day. One would think that the difficult part is studying the words and understanding their intent, but in reality, the difficult part is MAKING TIME…every single day. And we have only just begun!
Qur’an Pages 3 and 4 were read today, corresponding to verses 6-24 of Chapter 2, titled ‘Al Baqara’ (translated as ‘The Heifer’ by Y. Ali, or The Cow by M. Asad)
COMMENTS:
- As we saw yesterday in verses 1-5, the Qur’an said that there was no doubt in it, as a compilation,[1] being Guidance to the Aware. Wasn’t that precisely what Believers were asking for in the Opener? “Guide us to the Straightened Path..” A prompt response to their prayer is only one verse away- and they can grasp it, IF they are aware!
- What Y. Ali calls ‘the Unseen,’ Asad describes as ‘that which is beyond human perception.’ I like that as an interpretation for ‘Ghayb’.
- We were given the characteristics of the ‘Aware’ in 2 verses, and the characteristics of an opposing group, ‘allatheena Kafaru/Those Who Deny’ (literally those who ‘cover’) in 2 verses as well. Both groups are clear-cut and obvious, so describing them is quite straightforward.
- After that however, we find that it takes 15 verses no less, to describe the third group, a group that is neither faithful and aware, nor does it deny, but is conveniently one or the other depending on circumstance. Physically present with the Faithful, whilst spiritually absent. This group is that of The Hypocrites (verses 6-20). The Qur’anic description brings to life their state of loss and, especially in Arabic, we see, hear, and feel their turmoil.
- In verse 21 the Qur’an calls upon us as ‘Naas,’ or ‘cognizant Humans’ to worship Our Lord-Sustainer. ‘Naas,’ the plural of ‘Insaan,’ denotes a Being of Cognition; the human upon reaching the stage of communication and intelligence. Root verb: ‘A-na-sa’: to find companionship in, to see, to find 4:6; 20:10. It is quite important that this verse calls upon us as Cognizant Beings to worship Him, motivated by the desire to remain Aware. Remind me dear Friends to tell you more about this, as Reflection and Awareness are the birthright of cognizant beings, but they require some effort on our part.
- ‘Rabb’ is translated as “Guardian-Lord’ by Ali, and ‘Sustainer’ by Asad:
As appears in old Lexicons, the Arabic term RABB means much more than ‘Lord.’ It refers to someone who has a just claim to possession and authority over something, as well as being in charge of rearing, sustaining, fostering and bringing it together from inception to final completion! Without ‘the’ definite article, any male head of a family is called rabb ad-dār (“master of the house”) because he has authority over and is responsible for its maintenance, and a female would be rabbat ad-dār (“mistress of the house”). With ‘THE’ however (‘al’ in Arabic), the designation ‘Al Rabb’ is exclusive to God as the sole fosterer and Sustainer of all.
- The parts we read today end with the challenge which confounded the idolatrous Arabs of the early 6th Century who had reached their peak in eloquence. It is oft-repeated in the Qur’an, and remains to this day, that if they were in doubt of what God had sent to His worshipper (meaning Prophet Muhammad, peace upon him), then they should ‘produce a ‘sura,’ a ‘supreme construct’, such as this. If they do not- AND THEY ARE ASSURED THAT THEY SHALL NOT- then they should beware of the consequences.
As we go along we will realize how superior the Qur’anic construct actually is, so enough for today!
The only way to understand any message and arrive at its intent is to apply the intellect in an unbiased reading of its entire original content. Translations or explanations are inevitably influenced by the knowledge/background/leanings of interpreters (this blog included).
Peace unto all!
[1] It was not a book, nor does ‘Kitab’ mean book. It means ‘compilation’ of anything in any form. All that is on a CD, a tape, a flash-drive, is a compilation!