Welcome Friends: Ahlan wa sahlan!
As we said yesterday: Understanding the Qur’an Linguistically AND IN CONTEXT is to everyone’s best interest!
In this Chapter we notice that the Qur’an urges Those who attained Faith to fight against the ‘Mushriks of Qureish – the Shirkers who had shirked God and associated other deities with Him.
We also notice that, after verse(s) urging firmness and severity we often find a verse which OPENS THE DOOR to reconciliation and even brotherhood. Such verses are mostly ignored by fanatics, whether they stand for or against Islam!
There certainly was ample ground at the time for battling the pledge-breaking Mushriks! Besides the reasons mentioned in earlier verses, Verses 12-13 cite the following reasons:
· They had BROKEN their pledges after their covenant (نكثوا أيمانهم من بعد عهدهم).
· They had DISCREDITED the Standard of Accountability held by the Faithful (طعنوا في دينكم).
· They had plotted to expel the Messenger from Medina (in violation of their treaty with him).
· They were the ones who had instigated hostility.
Let us contemplate the final statement in Verse 13 before we continue:
“…. Are you in awe of them? While God is more worthy of your awe if you were indeed Faithful!”
Yusuf Ali’s Translation of this Chapter.
Muhammad Asad’s Translation of this Chapter.
COMMENTS:
1. Verses 14-15 tell the Faithful to fight back and subjugate Qureish.[1] We mustn’t forget that, to the Emigrants, this was THEIR OWN TRIBE who had oppressed them, which is why gaining victory over them would ‘heal the breasts’ (Ali) or ‘soothe the bosoms’ (Asad) of the Faithful as mentioned in verse 14. Such a victory would also ‘still the indignation of their hearts…’ (Ali), verse 15. Note that Muhammad Asad refers the pronoun ‘their’ in verse 15 (يذهب غيظ قلوبهم) to the Mushriks, explaining this statement in his commentary as ‘and will remove the wrath that is in the UNBELIEVERS’ hearts.’ This is what commentators such as Zamakhshari say, and is quite interesting!
2. The main concept in Verse 16 appears often in the Qur’an, indicating that this earthly life is where we prove ourselves, one way or the other. This verse asks us whether we thought that we would be left without God ‘marking out’ -علم – those who would exert themselves and take none other than God, His Messenger, and the Faithful as intimates. Read this verse according to Ali and Asad, and see HQ 2: 90-92.
Trials, tests, ordeals, hardships…this is what drives us to put in the effort ‘juhd’ (جهد), to various degrees of self-exertion ‘jihaad’ (جهاد). As Cognizant Humans we must strive to fulfill our potential and prove ourselves. As Those Attaining Faith we must distinguish ourselves and let the strength of our faith and trust guide our actions towards all that is good. We discussed a similar concept and gave the definition of (‘allama) in Blog Post Day 34 where we said:
“Many people have fretted over interpreting ‘liya’lama’ as ‘so that God would know,’ which of course is not correct since God’s Knowledge encompasses all. Many do not realize that it is also linguistically inaccurate because the meaning of the word (’allama) is originally related to making a ‘mark.’
3. The following verses demote idolatrous Qureish, signaling the end of their reign as custodians of the Ka’ba, one of ‘masaajid Allah,’ the holy places of prostration to God. These verses also imply their imminent defeat in the power-struggle that had ensued between them and the new faith. Not many people realize that THIS POWER STRUGGLE was the main reason for Qureish’s opposition to Islam (remember, they had offered the Messenger of God a ‘power-sharing’ option, whereby they would appoint him their leader and would accept his new faith if he let them keep their idol-gods AND their status!).
ECONOMIC LEVERAGE is an ideology of its own!
As custodians of the Holy Shrine, Qureish had been holding unchallenged reins over Arabia as to who was allowed to perform Pilgrimage, at what time of day, in what months of the year, from which entry points, in what attire… and they had benefitted in both prestige and Trade.
Verse 17 DENOUNCES the Mushriks/Shirkers in the upkeep (يعمر) of God’s Houses of Worship, while Verse 18 identifies its RIGHTFUL UPKEEPERS.
It informs us of the 5 characteristics required so as to qualify to upkeep God’s Houses of Worship; characteristics which might merit the title of ‘rightly guided- مهتدين.’
· Having Faith in God.
· Having Faith in the Hereafter.
· Upholding regular Prayer/Communion with God.
· Advancing their purifying dues (in wealth and good conduct).
· Standing in awe of none BUT God.
Ali translates ‘upkeepers’ as those who ‘visit and maintain’ while Asad says it is ‘those who visit or tend.’ I agree with both, since what truly ‘upholds’ a House of God are its worshippers!
4. Verse 19, by way of a question, highlights the absurdity of their allegations. Read both Ali and Asad’s beautiful comments regarding the positive characteristics of Those Who Have Faith in God and the Last Day, and exert themselves.
It is interesting to note that God does not gift-guide The Wrongdoers/al Thaalimeen (who have earned themselves that title).
5. Verse 20 posits a statement, giving further merit to Those Who Attained Faith and emigrated, and exerted themselves in their wealth and in their persons/selves; such persons are of greater ‘darajah,’ translated by both Ali and Asad as a higher ‘rank.’
This isn’t an accurate translation:
We noted earlier the importance of the word ‘darajah’ in that it reflects on our understanding of other verses, such as when taken to mean ‘rank’ it could be construed to give males a ‘higher rank’ over females.
See Blog Post Day 19 and Blog Post Day 47 where this is discussed and where we find the definition of the root-verb ‘daraja’ from our Lexicon:
Daraja denotes motion in Arabic, as in ‘to step’ or proceed forward or upward.
No wonder emigration is a greater ‘darajah!’
Whether we emigrate physically or spiritually, we step up to the challenge and make, what is in fact, LIFE’S GREATEST MOVE!
That is why the verse ends by calling such persons Al Faa’izoon/الفائزون The Delivered, granting them salvation and deliverance as a Title.
6. Verses 21-22 give glad tidings to Those Who Attained Faith – may WE be among them.
Verse 23 directly addresses Those Who Attained Faith and forbids them to take their fathers/parents and brethren as protectors if they happen to favor Denial over Faith.
7. Verse 24 informs listeners who and what should be the object of their love, failing which they are to wait for God to bring about His Command, for God guides not the people who are pledge-breaking Deserters/Faasiqeen.
That is so important .. and also….so…. scary!
It is as if the love of God is ingrained in us and when we turn away from that love we would have deserted what is innate in us!
What we should love most are God, His Messenger, and striving in His cause. We should love them MORE than parents, children, siblings, spouses, tribes, wealth, businesses, and homes!
This seems impossible to live up to, especially when we are young and immersed in life. It is only when something happens to us and everything falls into perspective that we tend to realize what life is all about. Then however, neither the wealth we’ve accumulated, nor the businesses we were fearful for, nor the homes we have enjoyed, will matter in the least.
Love will matter, and the Love of God will be first and foremost.
His love for us and our love for Him.
The love of God is the only thing that can validate all our other loves and also guarantee our eternal enjoyment of those loves.
When we think of someone we love most on earth we ask ourselves: Wouldn’t we want that relationship to transcend this existence into eternity?
It can.
It will… when cradled in the love of God.
Enough said!
Our next Reading is from HQ 9: 25-36.
Peace unto all!
[1] Qaatala/قاتَل -from root-verb qatalaقَتَلَ/- is about subjugating or fighting, but unlike qatala, the elongated ‘aa’ sound in ‘qaatala’ (according to the meaning of sounds) indicates return, response. Qaatala is two-sided in that one is fighting and being fought against.