Welcome Friends: Ahlan wa sahlan!
COMMENTS:
1. People who hold ‘secretive’ conversations usually have something to hide, which indicates that the topics they discuss, or the plans they make, are more likely NOT to be about general welfare! Although Verse 114 seems to allude to groups other than Those Who Attained Faith, it remains general in its statement: No good is likely to come out of secretive exchanges, unless one is discussing heartfelt charity, or “ma’roof”/commonly commendable deeds,[1] or reconciling people. Any who hold this type of private exchange will be highly rewarded.
I find Yusuf Ali’s interpretation of ‘najwa’ [2]نجوى as ‘secret counsel’ easier to understand than Asad’s ‘confabulations.’ See Ali’s note regarding what motivates people into secrecy.
‘Najwa, ‘ or secret counsel is also mentioned in HQ9:78 and 43:80, and in both cases it is about Hypocrites:
Know they not that God knows their secret (thoughts) سرهم and their secret counsels, نجواهم and that God knows well all things unseen? (9:78)
Or do they think that We do not hear their secrets سرهم and their private counsels نجواهم? Indeed (We do), and Our messengers are by them, compiling (it all)! (43:80).
2. Verse 115 tells us that anyone who extracts himself from the Messenger and follows a path other than that of the Faithful… such a person will be left to his own devices, only to find that his chosen path has landed him in Hell, an evil journey’s end. Muhammad Asad tells us that this stresses man’s freedom of choice.
3. Verse 116 is a statement of fact, similar to HQ4:48, except that today’s verse tells us that whoever commits ‘Shirk’ has strayed afar and lost his way. (Remember, HQ4:48 ended by informing us that whoever commits ‘Shirk’ has indeed conceived a grave Hindrance? See Blog Post Day 43
In verses 117-118 the type of ‘Shirk’ committed by the Meccan idolaters is mentioned, in that they called upon ‘female/ lifeless symbols’ instead of God (Ali/Asad), thereby calling upon the rebellious SheyTaan who was cursed/rejected (Ali/Asad). ‘Shirk’ is discussed with more detail below.
Verses 119-120 tell us more. It is enlightening to know the devices by which the Deviant/Shaytan might mislead the weakest of us (in spirit). ‘He’ prods us by using what we already have, our base desires, and builds them into nagging ‘Needs,’ constantly nurtured by false promises. Such promises are nothing but Deception. Just as Idolaters imagine great benefit in worshipping idols, many perceive great self- advantage in what they commit, regardless of the corruption they cause within Creation.
Aside:
Today, we are beginning to notice what we, as humans, have long been doing to our own detriment. The signs have been there for generations but we -humanity in general- were blinded to them. We have just begun to realize that our wrongs towards this earth are not a matter of mere ‘pollution,’ and that our crimes towards its inhabitants and each other were more than the mere words ‘extinction’ and ‘genocide;’ words we have long become desensitized to. All life on earth is connected, and wronging any creature wrongs us all, but we do not see that until our deeds come back to haunt us. That’s when we realize that, all along, EACH OF US HAS BEEN WRONGING HIS/HER OWN SELF, as surely as if each negative thought or action was aimed inward, at oneself and at one’s own children. Actually, we wrong our own children even more than we wrong ourselves. It is they who ask us before anyone else, ‘What have you done? What world are you leaving us?’ ‘How dare you?’…
But even then, the lesson will be lost on many… and most will forget… while later generations read about our ordeal as part of ‘history.’ This is only one reason why it is crucial for the people who are insightful to maintain focus and to speak out against the misdeeds of corruptors who are, in fact, ‘shayaTeen al Inss’/ Human Deviants, as in HQ6:112.
Back to our verses:
The nagging ‘Needs’ we have, our base desires, can all be placed into either of these two general categories expressed in HQ20:120, the desire for Eternal Life, or the desire for Permanent Possession; Self-prevalence or Acquisition. These are the two desires by which SheyTaan tempts Humanity:
“But Satan whispered unto him, saying: “O Adam! Shall I lead you to the tree of eternal life; and a kingdom that will never decay?”[3]
Here, we not only learn of some of SheyTaan’s devices against us (extending false hope, feeding superstition, and prodding us to ‘change’ God’s Creation), but we also note his scorn for us, in that he will ‘misguide’ us (not some of us). However, since not everyone will hearken to his every command, he did say he would only take over the portion of Humanity who made him their ‘wali/intimate friend/protector.’[4]
Compare this verse (4:119) in many explanations here.
4. Verse 121 tells us what abode such misguided persons can expect -those whose eyes did not rise above their physical existence- in contrast to verse 122 which tells us what Those who attained Faith AND did good deeds should expect. What a different everlasting home each group pursued, and in fact successfully built for itself!
5. Before we leave these verses, a few words on ‘Shirk,’ especially the type hardest to discard:
Committing ‘Shirk’ is by associating anything or anyone with God, holding that entity equal to Him in one way or another, or ‘heeding its summons’ rather than God’s. The ‘traditional’ explanation of ‘Shirk’ is that it is two kinds: Obvious Shirk is the belief in redemption through anyone other than God (deities, saints, prophets, religious figures), while subtle Shirk is believing in the harm or benefit of anything/anyone other than God (magic, jinns, talismans, even engravings of God’s name or Qur’an worn for protection). But if we looked closely at ‘Shirk’ in our lives today, we’d find ‘subtle Shirk,’ dressed up as ‘Innovation,’ gaining access to our youth on one hand, and as ‘Convention,’ residing with the elders on another. There is a generational gap in everything, even in Shirk! And although both are dangerous, which of these two does the Qur’an address?
The Qur’an addresses resident Convention. It is the conditioning force that implants itself in human consciousness and transmits itself from one generation to another, making wrong seem right just by habit. Rote repetition of the ‘ways’ of parents or forefathers is viewed negatively in the Qur’an (2:170; 5:104; 6:148; 7:28; 7:28 just to name a few verses- there are many more), and we are asked to re-evaluate everything by the light of Awareness. It is easy to shrug off responsibility by saying, that we were only following our forefathers or that, “Had God willed, things would have been different..” as in HQ16:35:
“And those who Associated (with God-committed Shirk) say, “Had God so willed, we would not have worshipped any other than Him – neither we nor our forefathers; nor would we have declared anything as forbidden without a commandment from Him.” Even so did speak their predecessors; but then, isn’t it incumbent upon the Messengers only to deliver (the message) clearly?”
It is also easy, as we get older, to be emotionally attached to ‘social norms,’ in what has come to be called ‘a status quo bias.’ It is indeed ‘bias’ when we cannot throw aside something that ‘feels’ right and has set boundaries to our comfort zone.
The comportment of any society -its acceptable versus unacceptable behaviors- is necessarily influenced by its ‘social norms.’ What the Qur’anic revelation did was challenge and change the harmful social norms of that time, leaving the beneficial unchallenged, even as it guided towards what would be of utmost benefit. Positive and negative living examples were highlighted and encouraged when verses spoke of events that were taking place and of people who could/did respond to these verses in real time, the verses often foretelling both the positive and negative outcomes of their behavior. Role models were established among the best of God’s Worshippers, present and bygone, as well as examples of their trials and triumphs, each offering something people could identify with, the Prophet ﷺ himself being their best example. Reflection and analytical thinking were encouraged to overcome people’s ‘status-quo bias,’ and positive action was called for to counter inertia. Resistance to the call of conscience, to higher values, to positive change that would benefit the disenfranchised in any society… that kind of resistance was shown to be a form of ‘shirk.’
REGARDING CHANGE, a word of caution must be added:
Change is what youth constantly demand, seeing many mistakes in the status quo and in their elders’ clinging to their accepted ‘default,’ and we are often amazed by our youths’ clarity of vision when they tell us when something is wrong. Yet not all change is beneficial, and our youth themselves are often influenced by older people -other than their parents- who use them to further their own agendas. Isn’t that how they are pitted to fight the battles of those who watch from a safe distance and then -when it’s time- smugly cash in?
Positive change is what God advises us through the Qur’an, while negative change is what we are warned of; the Qur’an left many norms unchanged, and so must we: Change should NOT be sought in every sphere of life.
Certain actions are clearly commanded in the Qur’an, and must be encouraged by anyone who has both faith and trust in Him who commanded them. Certain actions are clearly named ‘forbidden’ in the Qur’an, and must be discouraged by anyone who has both faith and trust in Him who forbade them.
God forbade them. Period. We can show the harm of something, and then argue with others who have come to see ‘no harm’ (especially after that previously discouraged act had a ‘make-over’ and obtained a ‘name-change’).[5] Names do not change what something is, just what one thinks it is.
Whatever is forbidden by our Creator has been forbidden for our own benefit, on both our physical and spiritual levels.
Perhaps now, having spoken of the sanctity of the womb, we might highlight the necessity to prevent certain pervasive atrocities (which violate its sanctity) from becoming the norm. Such atrocities are so pervasive (فحش) that their very name is indication of what they are
- Opening up: Indicated by the primeval[6] meaning of the F-ف- sound.
- Stirring hearts/hub of stimulation: Indicated by the primeval meaning of the H-ح-sound.
- Spreading, dispersing, extending: Indicated by the primeval meaning of the sh-ش- sound.
That is what the verb ‘faHashaفحش/’ is about, with words such as ‘faHshaa/faaHishah/fawaaHish فحشاء/فاحشة/فواحش‘’ defining it.
Such most alluring and pervasive atrocities are strictly forbidden, even to be contemplated with one’s eyes (HQ24:30), which we are to avert at all times. This is also why they are part of what SheyTaan commands, relying on the allure to misdirect Humanity away from God’s Straightened path (see HQ2:268; 24:21).
The Qur’an is very clear on how these pervasive atrocities open up and stir our base desires, and how they spread. It is quite clear from Qur’anic context that ‘f-H-sh’ is related to extra-marital sex.
Please bear in mind that the utmost danger is after something unwholesome has already pervaded, when people in general have gained the tendency to accept it, and many even like it. THAT is when Awareness should step in, to counter Aggression and help people of faith navigate through SheyTaan’s treachery (HQ5:100)!
There is a specific ‘sunna’ in God’s Creation which the Deviant/SheyTaan tries to convinced us to change (HQ4:119). THEREFORE, NOT ALL CHANGE IS BENEFICIAL, and the rightful indignation and love of fairness and justice which our youth naturally have are often used by corruption seekers to further their own agendas.
It is often in this seemingly harmless way that people who believe themselves to be ‘open-minded’ end up committing Shirk; shirking God, turning away from His Qur’an Mubeen, gravitating towards what is portrayed by their peers or the media as beneficial change, having been deviously embellished for them.
What we should do is attempt to emulate our beloved Prophet ﷺ and look to the Qur’an -God’s Message in the Aan -in the ‘Now- as it continues to shine its light upon today’s Qare’ .. and realize how blessed we are to be able to come this close to it, even as we seek more closeness inshaAllah.
6. Back to our Verses: Verses 123-124 set down a Divine Rule which, as the verses insist, does NOT follow the desires or wishful thinking of either Those Who Attained Faith or the People of (earlier) Compilation, and that Rule is:
Whoever commits a misdeed shall be requited for it, and shall find none other than God to protect or help him. And whoever performs any good deeds, be they male or female, whilst they are Faithful, such shall enter the Garden, and will not be wronged of any of their dues, were they so tiny they would fit in the groove of a date-pit نقيرا.
This is such an important concept it should be hung on the walls of every Synagogue, Church, and Mosque, and indeed in all our homes! Enough thinking of ourselves (whoever we might be) as superior to everyone else: we are all inherently alike!
Neither our own wishful thinking – nor the wishful thinking of People of (earlier) Compilation will do any of us any good, or change God’s rule. What a just concept!
7. Verses 125-126 form a beautiful conclusion to today’s Reading, beginning with the question: “Who could be of a superior Standard of Accountability than someone who focuses direction purely towards God whilst being a performer of Good Deeds and follows Abraham’s creed in a Haneef manner (by leaning towards God whilst dealing with ever-changing demands)? ….. ” See definition of ‘wajh’ meaning ‘direction,’ discussed on Blog Post Day 9 Jan 10th, and the definition of ‘Haneef’ in Blog Post Day 11 Posting of Jan. 12th.
Attached to that question is a notice on the status of Abraham as compared to everyone else, in that God ‘did take Abraham for a friend/exalted Abraham with his love’ (Ali/Asad).
And finally the statement that to God belongs everything and He encompasses all.
Enough said!
Our next Reading is from HQ4:127-140.
Peace unto all!
[1] Literally: ‘mutually acceptable,’ but I believe ‘commonly commendable’ is better understood.
[2] نجو: أصلانِ، يدلُّ أحدُهما على كَشْطٍ وكشف، والآخَر على سَترٍ وإخفاء.
فالأوَّل: نَجَوْتُ الجِلدَ أنْجُوه –والجلد نَجاً- إذا كشَطْتَه. ويقولون: هو في أرضٍ نَجَاةٍ: ونَجَا الإنسانُ ينجو نَجاةً، ونَجاءً في السُّرعة؛ وهو معنى الذَّهاب والانكشاف من المكان.
[3] فَوَسْوَسَ إِلَيْهِ الشَّيْطَانُ قَالَ يَا آدَمُ هَلْ أَدُلُّكَ عَلَىٰ شَجَرَةِ الْخُلْدِ وَمُلْكٍ لَّا يَبْلَىٰ ﴿١٢٠طه﴾
[4] Remember the Prophetic Hadeeth mentioned on Day 37 about SheyTaan coursing/passing through the son of Adam as courses his blood, advising us to narrow his passage by fasting.
إن الشيطان يجري مجرى الدم من ابن آدم ، فضيقوا مجراه بالجوع
[5] Names are very important, as we know by now! When sexual intercourse came to be called ‘making love’ -and love is what everyone needs- adultery was helped, under the semblance of ‘love,’ to break its previous boundaries.
[6] الخصائص” -أبو الفتح عثمان بن جني- توفي 392 للهجرة Ibn Jinni (deceased 1002 CE.) detailed in his famous book “Al Khasa’is”.. of all the languages on earth: the Arabic Language is still linked to primeval human communication, retaining original associations of sound to meaning. In other words, before symbolic language evolved, in the earliest of human communication, each uttered sound pointed to a distinct meaning, and each Arabic letter/sound still does. To see full list scroll to bottom of page on original Blog.