An Epic Journey part 3

Assalamualaikum w.b,t, thousand apologies, for I have delayed this installment for quite some time. Struggling hard to find time to arrange this properly. Nonetheless, hope we can all learn a thing or two this Ramadhan, insyaAllah...

 

 

Alif, Lam, Ra. These are the verses of the clear Book. Indeed, We have sent it down as an Arabic Qur'an that you might understand. We relate to you, [O Muhammad], the best of stories in what We have revealed to you of this Qur'an although you were, before it, among the unaware.

The translation:

 Tilka :   This is demonstrative noun is used to point to something far away from the speaker, emphasizing the Qur’an is being revealed from the Protected Tablet (al-Lawh al-Mahfuz). 

Al-mubin : Here Allah describes the Qur’an as ‘clear’

Inna : This is an analogous to what in English us called the ‘royal we’. It does not mean that Allah is more than one. It is a feature of literary style in Arabic that a person may refer to himself by the pronoun nahnu (we) for respect and glorification. He also may use the word ana (I), indicating one person, or the third person huwa (he). All three styles are used in the Qur’an. [see Fatawa al-Lajnah al-Da’imah, 4/143]

Anzalnaahu : Something comes from above to below (Qur’an). Explain the divine nature of Al-Qur’an, not from the Prophet.

Allah scolded the Prophet in the Qur’an (e.g: Surah al-‘Abasa), that shows that it is not possible for Prophet to write the Qur’an.

In Surah Yunus - ......Al-hakim (wise) means the differentiation between haq and batil.

3. We never do tafseer based on sole understanding, we have to refer to various ulama', then only we can deliberate

4. Those who interpreted Al-Quran by guess is sinful though it is correct (I am guilty as charged!!)

Qur anan 'arabiyyan : Allah affirms and explains to us here that the language of the Qur’an is in Arabic. From this the following points can be inferred:

•  Translation of the Qur'an into another than the Arabic language, are not termed as ‘al-Qur’an’
• And the explanation of the Qur’an in the Arabic language is not termed as ‘al-Quran’
• The Islamic legislative rulings that are specific to the Qur’an do not apply to translations and explanations of the Qur’an
• The Arabic language deserve to be revered as it is the chosen medium of preservation for the revelation of Allah 
• Surat al-Ra’d 13:37 
• Surah Ta Ha 20:113 
• Surah al-Zumar 39:28 
• Surah Zukhruf 43:3 
• Surah al-Ahqaf 46:12

5. Allah SWT needs a language strong enough to hold the law of Allah until the day of Qiamat

Islamic legislative ruling could not be derived from another translation of Qur’an/ al-Hadith. It has to be from the Arabic Qur’an

The argument about whether the Qur’an is only Arabic has been a cause of controversy among the scholars of Islam. 

Unanimous agreement

1. That there are no non-Arabic sentences in the Qur’an;
2. That there are non-Arabic proper nouns in the Qur’an: e.g: ‘Isa, Jibrail, Musa, Nuh 

Disagreement (ikhtilaf)

Scholars differed with regards to the presence of single foreign words in the Qur’an, the three famous opinions are:

1. There are no foreign words in the Qur'an
2. There are foreign words in the Qur'an
3. The middle view states that the origins of some Arabic words are foreign; however these words have been assimilated into Arabic and ‘Arabicised’, their original letters being replaced with Arabic letters, and made part of the Arabic language. Moreover, they were being used in Arabic poetry and speech, even before the Qur’an was revealed. This is the strongest view, and Allah knows best

La'allakum ta'khilun : Allah further exlain that the Qur’an was revealed in Arabic so that they may be understood

The Qur’an was not revealed merely to be recited; or simple to take enjoyment from it; or for mere memorization. In many ayat Allah warns against those who do not try to understand the Qur’an.

Allah says in:

• Surah al-A’raf 7:179
• Surah al-Furqan 25:73
• Surah al-Baqarah 2:88

 Ahsanal khasas :

The Qur’an consists of the best stories, and among them is the story of Yusuf

Why is Surah Yusuf described as the best of all stories?

1. Its an entire education on its own, many themes are covered
2. The entire chapter only have one story, about Yusuf A.S
3. Its not a fiction, its a story that makes a difference to Arabs at that time

The best stories:

Characteristic of the best stories:	Surah Yusuf
A strong theme	Checked
A fascinating plot conflict and resolution The plot is most often about a conflict or struggle that the main character goes through. Most often, the characters learn or grow as they try to solve their problems. What the characters learn is the theme of the story.	Checked
A coherent structure: the beginning of the story should jump right into the action. The ending of the story should wind up quickly.	Checked
Unforgettable characters	Checked
A well chosen setting	Checked
An appealing style	Checked
A good story is one that: -builds resonance with its audience, i.e touches people in some way by working on their sympathies; -Creates vivid images; -is a story that one loves and loves to tell or hear	Checked

Lessons from ayat

6. The value of learning history while heeding its numerous lessons. Many ayat in the Qur’an reiterate this concept; Allah says; there was certainly in their stories a lesson for those of understanding…. Surah Yusuf 12:111 

7. Many names of the surahs in the Qur’an are actually reminders of events of the past that can teach us the importance of historical events and the lessons present in them. There are 30 surahs in the Qur’an with historically related names; it is required of us that we ponder and deliberate upon these stories.

8. This surah [12:3] clearly affirms the nabuwwah (prophethood) of Allah’s Messenger

9. This ayat illustrates the importance of explaining and translating the Qur’an based on the intended and clear, unambiguous Arabic meanings

Till we meet again, wallahu'alam....

p/s: I'll reply to previous comments sometime later, soorrrryyy...... :(