THE TRUE ESSENCE OF QURAN FAR EXCEEDS ITS AESTHETIC VALUE

Jumuah lecture on Friday 20 July 2018 (6 Dhul Qa’ada 1439)

by Mowlana Syed Aftab Haider

at the Ahlul Bait (a.s) Masjid, Ottery, Cape Town

In our series of discussions about the qualities of Ibadur Rahman, (servants of the most Merciful), we discussed the 10th quality last week, as described in verse 72 of Surah Furqaan (chapter 25 of the Holy Quran).

RELATIONSHIP OF IBADUR RAHMAN WITH THE HOLY QURAN

Today we proceed to the 11th quality of Ibadur Rahman, as described in verse 73 of Surah Furqaan, where Almighty Allah (SWT) says:

“And those who, when they are reminded of the revelations of their Lord, fall not deaf and blind thereat.”

Almighty Allah (SWT) is speaking about one of the most important qualities of Ibadur Rahman in this verse. One of the major hallmarks of Ibadur Rahman is their relationship with the Holy Quran. This verse says that when they are reminded about the verses of the Quran, they do not react like as if they are deaf and blind. In other words, their relationship with the Quran is not simply a formal relationship. Instead, it is an effective relationship which has direct influence over them.

What does “Summan wa Umyaanan” mean? “Summan” means deaf. So, it is equal whether you read something to a deaf person or you do not read, because the person cannot hear or comprehend. “Umyaanan” means blind, meaning it is equal whether you show something to a blind person or you do not show, because the person cannot see.

What this verse 73 of Surah Rahmaan (cited above) is saying is that the relationship of Ibadur Rahman with the Holy Quran is not one of being deaf and blind. Their relationship with the Quran is an effective one, where the Quran plays the role of influencing.

I would like to present a very interesting and thought-provoking Hadith on this point, which is recorded from the 5th Imam of Ahlul Bait (a.s), Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (a.s). He says that there are 3 types of reciters of the Holy Quran, in other words there are 3 types of relationships that one can have with the Quran, as follows:

1. Quran as a business

2. Quran appreciated for its recitation only

3. Quran as a cure for diseases of the soul

1. QURAN AS A BUSINESS

Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (a.s) says the first group is those who read the Quran because they regard it as an asset, which they want to use as capital to do business with. They suck the milk of the kings through this Quran, through holding ceremonial positions in official functions by opening or closing the event with the recitation of the Holy Quran. They use this Quran to achieve popularity and fame amongst the people, as a source of income!

1. QURAN APPRECIATED FOR ITS RECITATION ONLY

Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (a.s) then describes the second group as those who are very good with the recitation of the Holy Quran, with accurate Tajweed and correct pronunciation. They read the Quran properly with all its rules, but they are the same people who have zero interest in the contents of the Quran.

There is no shortage of this type! Plenty of good reciters who have memorised the Quran but unable to articulate the rich message and contents which the Quran has to offer! Their primary concern is the words of the Quran, for which they exhaust ALL their efforts! They protect the words of the Quran, but they have no concern for the meaning of the Quran.

Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (a.s) is asking of Almighty Allah (SWT) to not increase the numbers in this group, who are confined to the words of the Quran and nothing else!

1. QURAN AS A CURE FOR DISEASES OF THE SOUL

Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (a.s) very beautifully describes the third group as those who “places the remedy of the Quran on the pain and wounds of his heart”! This person uses the Quran as the medicine to cure the diseases of his heart and soul.

This person keeps the night alive with the Quran and fasts during the day with the help of this Quran. Furthermore, he stands with this Quran in the mosque and emerges from the bed in the early morning, through the help of this Quran. This means that the entire existence and purpose in life of this person revolves around the Quran, day and night and at all times.

Almighty Allah (SWT) removes calamities from the people through this type of Qari (reciter) of the Quran.

He is the source of protection of the people, and for the sake of this type of Qari of the Quran, Almighty Allah (SWT) sends rain from the heavens to the earth. This means that whatever blessings and goodness you find in this world is the result of such a Qari of the Quran, who lives with the Quran and uses it as a remedy for his soul through making the Quran the central point of inspiration for everything in his or her life.

Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (a.s) concludes by taking oath that these reciters are fewer than “Kibrit al-Ahmar”. “Kibrit al-Ahmar” is a fictional concept in Arabic, which is a material that can turn any metal to gold. It is described as very rare. It is a fictional concept and Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (a.s) is saying that this third group of reciters dissolve themselves in the Quran and is therefore more scarce than “Kibrit al-Ahmar”, which is a very rare material that is able to turn any metal to gold.

These types of reciters are very scarce. Unfortunately, our relationship with the Holy Quran has become very formal, focussing more on the beauty of its recitation and the beauty of its print, together with how many verse of the Quran we have memorised. This is all very good, but the purpose of the Holy Quran is not only confined to this.

OUR SHORTCOMING ON UNDERSTANDING THE QURAN AND ITS INFLUENCE

Almighty Allah (SWT) uses the word Quran more than 50 times in the Holy Quran, and then it is also referred to by the word “Kitab”. If you peruse carefully, you will note that the Quran itself does not say that the main purpose of its revelation has been for beautiful print or for beautiful recitation. The Quran does not say that it has been revealed so that we can memorise it.

Indeed, these are all good practices which we should imbibe, but it does not stop here. The Quran repeatedly emphasises its 2 purposes in explaining our relationship with it:

1. We must be able to understand and comprehend the message and philosophy of the Holy Quran;

2. We must practice the Quran

Unfortunately we fall short on both of these requirements. The understanding of the Holy Quran and its influence on our life cannot be over-emphasised.

Abu Dharr al-Ghifari, the great revolutionary companion of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAWA), says that there was one night where he saw Rasulullah (SAWA) waking up in the early part of the night for Ibadah (worship), and he kept repeating verse 118 of Surah Ma’ida throughout this night (chapter 5 of the Holy Quran):

“If Thou shouldst chastise them, then surely they are Thy servants; and if Thou shouldst forgive them, then surely Thou art the Mighty, the Wise.”

Rasulullah (SAWA) repeated this verse throughout the night, and Abu Dharr al-Ghifari was curious to know why. Rasulullah (SAWA) responded by saying that he is still trying to comprehend the meaning of this verse!

THE PENETRATIVE EFFECT OF THE HOLY QURAN

There is a very pious lady in the early days of Islam by the name of Ummi Aqeel and she was deeply devoted to the Holy Quran. She lived in the rural areas and she would host people as they would pass through the area on their travels.

While she was cooking a meal for these visitors, she received the tragic news that one of her sons has been killed in an accident. Amazingly, she did not pay attention to this as her focus was on preparing the meal for her guests. After they ate, she informed them of the tragedy that has just befallen her with the untimely death of her son.

At this point, one of the guests read verses 156 and 157 of Surah Baqarah to her (chapter 2 of the Holy Quran):

Who say, when afflicted with calamity: "To Allah We belong, and to Him is our return” (verse 156)

They are those on whom (Descend) blessings from Allah, and Mercy, and they are the ones that receive guidance. (verse 157)

She was very stressed when she received the tragic news, but kept herself focussed and controlled. However, an amazing revolution took place when she heard these verses. She turned towards the Qibla, prayed 2 rakat salaah and raised her hands asking Almighty Allah (SWT) for the favour of glad tiding to those who persevere, as referenced at the end of verse 155 of Surah Baqarah:

“and give good news to the patient”

This is the penetration of the Quran, after she lost a young son!

REFORMATION AND PURIFICATION THROUGH THE HOLY QURAN

Fuzail ibn Ayaz was infamous for being a feared gangster. He led a gang and his life was embroiled in all types of criminal activity. History says that on one night, he was climbing over the wall of someone’s house, with the intent to commit a robbery.

He heard one of the neighbours reciting the Holy Quran while he was climbing the wall. The reciter reached to this verse of reflection, namely verse 16 of Surah Hadid (chapter 57 of the Holy Quran):

“Has not the time yet come for those who believe that their hearts should be humble for the remembrance of Allah and what has come down of the truth?”

He fell from the wall when he heard this verse being recited, saying that indeed, that time came, as referred to by this verse! He made a full repentance and abandoned his notorious life!

History recorded that this Fuzail ibn Ayaz was exiting the city and in the desert he stumbled across a caravan on travel. Some people in this caravan recognised him from his past life, and immediately raised an alert to everyone that this Fuzail is here to rob them.

Fuzail ibn Ayaz put his hands together, humbly explaining that he has made a full repentance and is on a spiritual journey to meet his Lord (SWT). This Fuzail ibn Ayaz, who was the notorious criminal, became one of the most pious people of his time! He spent most of his life in Mecca and that is also where he died. He made a 180 degree turn upon hearing the above verse of the Quran, to become highly dedicated to Islam.

This is the effect of one verse of the Holy Quran, and his heart melted! The big question is, are our hearts the same? Do the verses of the Holy Quran penetrate our hearts like this?

SECOND KHUTBAH

DHUL QA’ADA USHERS IN THE BIRTHDAYS OF LUMINARIES IN ISLAMIC HISTORY

This week, being the first week of Dhul Qa’ada, reminds us of the birth of a great lady in the history of Islam by the name of Lady Fatima Ma’soumah (s.a). She was the sister of our 8th Imam of Ahlul Bait (a.s), Imam Ali Ridha (a.s) and she is buried in the city of Qom, Iran, which is the centre of knowledge, Islamic information, spirituality and generosity.

Also in this week is the birth of Hazrat Ahmad Shah Cheragh who is buried in Shiraz, Iran. He is the brother of Imam Ali Ridha (a.s).

Coming up on 11 Dhul Qa’ada is the birthday of Imam Ali Ridha (a.s), the 8th Imam of Ahlul Bait (a.s), who is buried in Mashhad, Iran. This great personality from the household of Ahlul Bait (a.s) was forced to migrate from Madina to Khorasan, where he lived and was ultimately martyred.

Imam Ali Ridha (a.s) left a great legacy of knowledge, Jihad and resistance against oppression, together with a great academic legacy on issues like Tauheed and other important articles of our faith.

APARTHEID OFFICIALLY ENDORSED IN ZIONIST ISRAEL

Over a number of years, people have spoken about this Zionist entity being an Apartheid system and regime. There is absolutely no doubt about this. More than just a slogan being used against the Zionist occupation and injustice, we see over the past week that this is now legally and formally legitimized.

Israeli parliament has passed a law claiming that Israel is a Jewish state, reserved for Jewish people all over the world, with Hebrew being the first language. This renders everyone else to be second class citizens of the illegitimate state of Israel. This is now Apartheid taking on a structured form in Israel.

Amazingly, they have not mentioned in this legislation what the limits of this Jewish state are! It is very open. It says that Jerusalem is the eternal capital and all the promised land. What can be worse than this? Can it be any clearer that this system of Apartheid and segregation, and preference of one race over all others, and complete destruction of the indigenous culture, language and people, and their civilization and history is gradually being wiped out. And the world remains silent with no condemnation by human rights bodies.

At the same time, the terrible situation of killing and bombardment in Gaza continues unabated. Innocent civilians continue to be murdered mercilessly, while Saudi Arabia and their compatriot Arab countries keep thinking on a daily basis how to get closer and closer to this Zionist entity, through their fight against the axil of resistance in the region, namely the Islamic Republic of Iran, who stand uncompromisingly with the people of Palestine.