Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

Chapter 1

Verses 1-4

In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

Ya Seen. I swear by the Quran full of wisdom... Most surely you are one of the apostles, On a right way. (36:1-4)

Titles of the Prophet in Quran

It is reported in Kashshaf-e-Haqiqat that Ja’far bin Muhammad as-Sadiq (‘a) said: The Almighty Lord has remembered my grandfather, the Messenger of God, by several names. First ‘Muhammad’ in the verse:

Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but he is the Apostle of Allah and the Last of the prophets (33:40)

Second: ‘Ahmad’ as He has said:

And when Isa son of Marium said: O children of Israel! Surely I am the apostle of Allah to you, verifying that which is before me of the Taurat and giving the good news of an Apostle who will come after me, his name being Ahmad, (61:6)

Third: ‘Abdullah’ when He says:

And that when the servant of Allah (Abdillah) stood up calling upon Him, they well nigh crowded him (to death). (72:19)

Fourth and fifth: ‘Taha’ and ‘Yasin’. By ‘Taha’ is perhaps meant ‘Taalubush Shafat’ (One who intercedes) and by ‘Yasin’ ‘O! Syedul Bashar’ (Chief of men). It may also be that ‘Yasin’ denotes ‘perfect man’. Anyway He swears by the Quran, which contains wisdom. There are various sciences and lessons in it as well as many truths, wisdoms, admonitions and warnings. It is, therefore, proper that he (Holy Prophet) may have the adjective ‘Hakim’ as the conveyer of Quran, which is from the ‘Hâkim’ (Ruler), that is Allah.

Like a hundred teachers!

I swear by the Quran full of wisdom... Most surely you are one of the apostles, (36:2-3)

The polytheists were denying the messengership of the last Prophet. In this holy verse the Lord of the worlds swears by the Quran, which itself is a true testimony to the messengership of Muhammad (‘s). This shows extreme nicety of the holy verse, which, if you ponder over it, has both sworn and presented a proof of its stand. Quran itself is a witness to the truth that Muhammad (‘s) is a Messenger of God!

According to Holy Quran and the unanimous stand of all historians, Muhammad (‘s) never went to any school, he never read any book, he never held a pen in his hand, and he never had a teacher:

And you did not recite before it any book, nor did you transcribe one with your right hand, for then could those who say untrue things have doubted. (29:48)

Then how is it that this book (Quran) is full of the foremost and the latest sciences? And whatever is necessary for mankind, a variety of sciences. Is there any room for doubting that it is sent only by Almighty God? It is before your own eyes that Muhammad (‘s) passed forty years of his life in Mecca. He has not come from any other place. Is there anyone who can claim that he had a teacher or he went to a school? So these sciences are definitely not his own. Necessarily they are from Almighty God. How nice has someone expressed this in these couplets:

How wonderful that my beloved never went to any school.

Nor he wrote anything and yet he has become equal to two hundred teachers.

Secondly, the Quran challenges the Arabs who were considered at the pinnacle of eloquence: Join all of you together and try to compose even a Chapter like a Chapter of this Quran.

Say: If men and jinn should combine together to bring the like of this Quran, they could not bring the like of it, though some of them were aiders of others. (17:88)

Eternal miracle for an everlasting religion

Every messenger had a miracle with him. When he passed away, his miracle also went away with him. For example, when Moosa (‘a) used to cast his staff, it turned into a serpent, when he hit a rock with his staff, twelve springs gushed therefrom. Isa (‘a) used to enliven the dead. But when he ascended to the heavens his miracle also went away with him. But in the case of Muhammad (‘s), his miracle remains till the Day of Judgment and that miracle is the Holy Quran. Just as his religion (Islam) is present, it will on the Day of Resurrection, testify his truthfulness that the one who brought it (Quran) is the messenger of God, sent by God Himself. It is impossible for one who never attended any school to compose even a verse like that of Quran; which is full of eloquence and rhetoric. Each verse testifies to the fact that he is the last Prophet.

Who is a Prophet? Difference between a Prophet and a Messenger

‘Messenger’ has an added specialty over a Prophet. It denotes one who gives news (Naba) and who has been given the news. Prophet means the ‘sent one’ (Mursal). We have a tradition of Imam Sadiq (‘a) wherein it is mentioned that people asked him the difference between a Messenger and a Prophet. He said, “A Messenger is one who hears the voice but does not see the angel who is giving him the news from the unknown. A Prophet is one who also sees the angel bringing revelation from God. He hears the voice of revelation and he is ordained to guide people and invite them towards God. Being sent by God he is called a Prophet of Allah. Messenger means one who has been given information and he is more general and the divine command to invite people might or might not have been given to him.”

It is mentioned in some narrations that once Abu Zar asked the Prophet (‘s), “What is the number of Messengers?” He replied, “134 thousand.” He was again asked, “How many of them are Prophets?” The reply was: 313.[3] Those who were appointed to call people towards God were three hundred and thirteen in number.

The next verse:

On a right way. (36:4)

is a predicate after predicate. Truly, you are among those who were sent from God for the call (message) and guidance of the people. Moreover, you are on the right path. Everyone who obeyed you is also on the right path.

True path in this world and in the Hereafter

Relevant to this verse, it is appropriate to discuss about ‘Sirat’ or the Path. ‘Sirat’ in this world and in the Hereafter, is a subject we speak about several times daily: O God! Guide us to the right path.

What is the difference between Path in this world referred here, and the Path in the Hereafter, crossing which is obligatory?

Firstly, in Persian, ‘Sirat’ means Right Path. The road leading to anything is called ‘Sirat’. ‘Sirat’ is any means of reaching that thing or goal. Sometimes, the aim pertains to space. If you want to go to the holy city of Mecca, you say: The road or path to Mecca is by this way. If the aim is spiritual, the path to it is of course the one appropriate to it. For example when somebody is ill, the way to health is a doctor and taking medicine and also refraining from certain things. Here it is the ‘Sirat’ to physical health. Or, for instance in trade or business the Path is market, shop, commodity, buying and selling. In case you want to become a doctor, the Path to it is to study and join a medical college and so on.

Monotheism - the true path of proximity to God

If your aim is proximity of God and lasting welfare, entering paradise, salvation and approaching the Lord of the Worlds then what is the Path for it? What path should you take so that you may reach paradise and attain nearness to the Lord of the worlds? Doubtlessly there is a path for it. There is nothing, which does not have a way or means. For all those who aim to get nearer to God, knowledge and spiritual ranks, their path is the being of Aale Muhammad (‘s). In this chapter of Yasin, it is mentioned that Monotheism (worship of Only One God) is the True Path or Sirat-e-Mustaqeem (the straight path). So worship Only One God, not anyone or anything else.

Similarly, anyone who deviates during the journey does not reach his destination and does not attain his aim. One who sins or rebels, has deviated from the path of worshipping God because he has turned his back to the aim and has proceeded on the way to Hell. It is impossible for one to adopt a path going east and hope to reach west. One who indulges in sin cannot get nearer to Husain (‘a). One who sows watermelon cannot get colocynth and vice versa:

The apostle believes in what has been revealed to him from his Lord, and (so do) the believers; they all believe in Allah and His angels and His books and His apostles; We make no difference between any of His apostles; and they say: We hear and obey, our Lord! Thy forgiveness (do we crave), and to Thee is the eventual course. (2:285)

What path do we tread? Do we walk the road of selfish desires, passions and Satan? Or we are on the path, which leads to Muhammad, Paradise and nearness to God? Only Truthfulness and selflessness lead to the House of God. Only this is the Straight Path (Siratul Mustaqeem).

We recite at least 17 times daily: (O God!) Keep us on the right path. O Lord, be it that I am not of those about whom You have said:

(These are) they whose labor is lost in this world's life and they think that they are well versed in skill of the work of hands. (18:104)

One who is drowned in ignorance thinks that he will reach paradise very soon but he does not know that he is racing towards retrogression and is about to fall.

Sin is a fall from the path of worship

Many a time, one who is sinning constantly like usurping other’s property is carrying the complaint of the one he has wronged. So he is always in a state of downfall. He has no other alternative but to pray to God: O God! Please make me return towards You and make me repent before You. This much is mentioned in the Holy Quran and in narrations. So make haste in repenting. Truly, none but an infallible has no downfall. But one should soon repent. He must, without wasting a moment return towards the path of worship. Once your tongue commits a sin like speaking abusively and shamelessly, step away from repeating such a thing at once. Make up with those you have wronged. Be lawful so that God may forgive you. Say: I seek the forgiveness of Allah and towards Him I turn (Astagfirullaah Wa Atoobu Ilaih).

Every sin cuts off the road of truth. It would be same tomorrow on the Day of Judgment. Deviation from the path of worship in this world will cause the sinner to fall in the fire of Hell in the Hereafter.

As a perfect example, imagine a moth that circles a lamp. It imagines that the flame is a window of salvation.[4] Man also thinks that passions are life-giving nourishments and imagines that attractive dress and passionate desires are means of happiness. Just as the moth is destroyed so also would be one who keeps himself warm with passions.

The love of desires, of women and sons and hoarded treasures of gold and silver and well bred horses and cattle and tilth, is made to seem fair to men; this is the provision of the life of this world; and Allah is He with Whom is the good goal (of life). (3:14)

No risk to the wall of a community that has a supporter like you .

But there is a good tiding in this tradition that the Holy Prophet (‘s) said, “And I raise them up and save them from hellfire.”

As far as possible, try to increase your connections with the Holy Prophet (‘s). Make it a rule to send more and more salawat on him and his Ahle Bayt (‘a) especially in the Holy month of Ramadan. It will help you walk the right path in this world also.

O, one who weeps for Husain (‘a)! Repent with the auspiciousness of Husain (‘a). Come out of the darkness of sins and reach the light through seeking forgiveness. I know about some people who were saved from their downfall through the grace of their attachment with Ahle Bayt (‘a) and they resorted to repentance.

The outward aspect of the meaning will be known tomorrow on the Day of Judgment. When they pass that Sirat Bridge, which passes over hell. A difference will be maintained there between people. For some that bridge would be thinner than human hair and sharper than a sword.

Ali - the distributor of Paradise and Hell

There is a narration about Prophet Muhammad’s High Station (Maqam-e-Mahmood), which you mention in the Ziyarat of Ashura. It is a part of the Field of Gathering. All the Messengers, saints and righteous people, chief of whom is Muhammad, would be present there.

It is a lofty pulpit of light having a thousand steps. On the first step is the seal of the Prophets, Muhammad (‘s) and on the next one, Lion of God Almighty (Asadullah Al-Ghalib), Ali bin Abi Talib (‘a). On all other steps would be the rest of the Messengers, Prophets, and righteous people according to their status. At the base would be the believers, who would also gain entry to that high place. In this praised location (Maqaame-e-Mahmood), for which the Holy Prophet prays, an extraordinarily and extremely handsome angel comes to the Holy Prophet (‘s) and says, “I am Rizwan, the keeper of Paradise.” He brings with him the key of the gate of Paradise and says, “I have been ordered to hand over the key to the gate of Paradise to your honor.” Thereafter, an extremely frightening angel comes up and says, “I am the keeper of hell and I am commanded to hand over the key of hell to your honor.” The Holy Prophet says, “O Ali! Take up these keys; the division of people for entry to paradise and hell is in your hand.”[5] The Holy Prophet (‘s) himself announces, “I am also coming and setting on, on the Sirat. Anyone who has permission from Ali (‘a) can cross the bridge of Sirat happily and luckily.”

If the master does not intercede on the Day of Judgment in our favor, we will take offence against the decorator that he made us ugly. (Persian couplet)

It is mentioned in an authentic tradition that, on that Day, all would be wailing, “O God! Be merciful to me, save me, save me.” There would be only one gentleman who would appeal, “O Lord! Save my Ummah, my Ummah (Followers)”, and that person is Muhammad (‘s).[6]

It is mentioned in Khasais of Shaykh Sadooq, that when the Holy Prophet (‘s) narrated the prophecy of Husain’s martyrdom to Zahra (‘a) till he even described the grave of Husain (‘a) he said, “Tomorrow, on the Day of Judgment, I will intercede in favor of anyone who visits the grave of Husain (‘a).” The most hope-filled sentence is that the Holy Prophet said, “I myself would search that person so that I may give salvation to him; even if he is in a deep cavity he would get salvation.”[7]

Would such a person have any sign? Yes, it would be written on his forehead in radiant writing: Here is the one who visited the grave of Husain.

Notes:

[3] Safinatul Bihar

[4] “And you rush towards hell fire like moths…” (Safinatul Bihar, vol. 2, pg.28)

[5] Biharul Anwar, vol. 4

[6] Safinatul Bihar, vol. 2, pg., 28.

[7] Khasais al Husainiyah Shaykh Ja’far Shustari

Chapter 2

Verse 5

In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

A revelation of the Mighty, the Merciful. (36:5)

Absolute honor is for only One God

A revelation of the Mighty, the Merciful. (36:5)

It means that the revealed Quran is from the omnipotent and Most Wise God. Two of the beautiful names (Asmaa-e-Husna) of God are mentioned here. Mighty (Azeez) is from ‘Izzat’, meaning predominance, might and power. God has power over all things.

Merciful (Raheem) is from ‘Rahmat’ and ‘Raafat’-The reason for this is that you should know that your God is absolutely needless of you and your prayers and worships; and also your guidance.

If the entire universe becomes disbelieves it cannot put even a dot on His Greatness. (Persian couplet)

Absolutely Mighty is God alone. He never needs anything. If everyone in the world becomes faithful it will not add an iota to His Kingdom. Likewise, if everyone becomes denier and sinful, nothing would be diminished from His Kingdom. Whatever invitation to His worship and obedience He has extended is by way of mercy and compassion as He has a lot of love for His creation, His slaves and servants. He is Most Kind (Raheem). His Mercy demands that man must not be destroyed. Man should not turn away from his well being. The revelation of the Holy Quran is a demand of that Mercy.

Otherwise, had He wished to act in accordance with the appellation of Mighty, the demand of His Might would have been indifference. But since He is Merciful, He did not leave man to himself, instead He guided him. This revealed Quran is from God Who is Merciful and Mighty too and it is due to His Mercy that He sent Muhammad (‘s):

And We have not sent you but as a mercy to the worlds. (21:107)

He sent a mercy for all in the name of Muhammad (‘s) to hold the hands of all the human beings. But some did not want to benefit from this mercy. They wronged and oppressed themselves and thus deprived themselves of this mercy.

So that you may warn of that which they did not fear

That you may warn a people whose fathers were not warned, so they are heedless. (36:6)

The first word, ‘that’ denotes a goal. It means that the Almighty and All Wise God revealed Quran for warning man, that is this community, the people of Mecca and the Arab peninsula.

“Whose fathers were not warned,” has two aspects: First, the Arabic word ‘Maa’ (not) is negative and not conjunctive. That whose forefathers did not fear may now fear. It hints towards the time of interval (fitrat). The period between the prophethood of Isa (‘a) and Muhammad (‘s) is called the age of Interval. God sent no messenger during this period. Of course, there existed the deputies and legatees of Isa (‘a) and the earth was not void of the Proof (Hujjat) of God, but no Messenger Prophet who brings message from God and His revelation had come for nearly six hundred years. In this verse Allah says, “We have sent you, as their fathers were not warned in the intervening period.”

The second aspect is that if the Arabic word “Maa” is a conjunction it would hint towards their forefathers before the time of Isa (‘a), so that you may warn them by which their ancestors were frightened, that is their ancestors whom the past prophets had warned.

Warning and admonishment - main activity of the prophets

The focus here is on the phrase “That you may warn a people…” In the Holy Quran, the aim of sending prophets and messengers is described, especially of the last Prophet. as:

…as bearers of good news and as warners…(2:213)

The messengers were harbingers of good tidings and also warners from Almighty God. They give good tidings to the faithful who fear God and perform good deeds. Every human being who obeyed God benefits from the everlasting welfare and divine bounties. Muhammad (‘s) arrived and gave good tidings to the faithful that if they perform good deeds, a great reward awaits them.

Rightly directing, that he might give warning of severe punishment from Him and give good news to the believers who do good that they shall have a goodly reward, (18:2)

The Quran also says:

(As for) those who say: Our Lord is Allah, then continue in the right way, the angels descend upon them, saying: Fear not, nor be grieved, and receive good news of the garden, which you were promised. (41:30)

According to traditions, for such people the angel of death, would be kinder than their mothers. It indeed deserves congratulations that those of us who fast would be pardoned by God and it is a matter of great happiness for us.

Traditions say that there are two joys for the one who fasts: One at the time of breaking of fast (Iftar), which indeed is a spiritual pleasure if man breaks the fast with proper attention to God. Then, he himself experiences the spiritual happiness. Secondly, the happiness at the time of meeting his Lord, at the time of his death.[8] You hearkened to the Command of Allah and fasted for His sake; and refrained from eating and drinking, so now:

Eat and drink pleasantly for what you did beforehand in the days gone by. (69:24)

Your Lord is not ungrateful. He does not overlook the tiniest of your deeds.

I give another good tiding for my dear youths: Anyone whose eye falls on a stranger lady and he refrains from looking at her again by looking upwards or bowing his head down, God grants him two things at once: the coolness of faith which he tastes at once, that is, he experiences and understands the coolness of faith and spiritual delight. Another pleasure is at the moment of death. A Hourie accompanies him in the grave and in Barzakh. She is the same one who has been reserved for him.

A narration says, “One who glances at a (stranger) woman, but instantly looks away at the sky or turns his gaze down; before he could remove his gaze fully, Allah marries him to a black-eyed Hourie and He creates such a freshness of belief in his heart that he is extremely delighted.”[9]

Thus the Prophet is the warner, the frightener. O’ one who omits the Prayer! At the time of your death the angel of death would be very hostile to you. When you die faithless you are dying a denier’s death and are on equal footing with him. Fifty calamities are prepared for you.[10]

O’ usurer! You will arrive in the Field of Gathering with a belly full of fire. O’ one who misappropriated an orphan’s property! You are devouring fire unknowingly. But the reality would dawn on you after death.

(As for) those who swallow the property of the orphans unjustly, surely they only swallow fire into their bellies and they shall enter burning fire. (4:10)

O’ oppressor! Each and every bit of others’ rights (swallowed by you) would be demanded from you. You will be asked to repay them. If don’t have anything to repay, you will have to bear the burden of the sins of others (whom you oppressed). Thus your burden and punishment would be multiplied so that Divine Justice may be established.[11]

It may be stated here, by the way, that this is a warning not merely for the people of the Arabian Peninsula. Muhammad (‘s) is the warner for all the people till the Day of Judgment.

And We have not sent you but to all the men as a bearer of good news and as a warner…(34:28)

You should be hopeful and enthusiastic about good tidings and fearful of the warnings.

Acceptance of Islam means that good tidings given by Muhammad (‘s) inspire you to perform good deeds and warnings given by him restrain you from sins. Otherwise you are falsely claiming: Islam is my religion; Quran is my (Holy) book. You claim that Quran is a code of conduct, but do you follow it honestly?

The Prophet of Islam has given you so many good tidings. Get up early in the predawn hours. Wake up a quarter or half an hour before Sahri (predawn mealtime) and do not miss the eleven units of Salatul Shab (Late night prayers). Do not neglect begging forgiveness from God.[12]

Much frightening but less dreadful

Here it is said: “That you may warn”. I have been told that people say behind me that all I talk about is death and all that is frightening. My answer is the same reply given by Shaykh Shustari who says: They say the Shaykh is so much frightening the people. Well, the Shaykh does frighten, but who amongst you have become afraid? Do you know anyone who did not sleep due to his fear, who shed tears because of the fear of grave and hereafter or who left sinning due to a fearful heart?

The hearts have hardened. Negligence has overtaken the souls. Otherwise had the heart been listening, it would have trembled, but you sit at the base of the pulpit as a pastime or for seeking blessings (Thawaab). There are very few who truly desire to be admonished and get salvation.

Utbah trembles on hearing the Quran

Let us see a narration in this connection. The Meccan polytheists were enraged at the religious propagation of Prophet (‘s). One of their chiefs, Utbah was quite proficient in eloquence and rhetoric. They persuaded him to go and confront the Prophet (‘s) and find out some way of silencing him.

Utbah said, “First let me go alone and see what should be done.” He went to the Holy Prophet (‘s) and said, “Recite your poetry for me.” The Prophet said, “I am not a poet!” Utbah again said, “Let me hear your words.” The Holy Prophet said, “These are not my words; it is the Word of the Lord of the Worlds.” Utbah said, “Okay, read the same for me.”

Now the reader is Messenger of God and despite the coarseness of his ears, Utbah listened. The Prophet (‘s) recited Surah Ha Mim Dukhan to him. When he reached the verse:

I have warned you of a scourge like the scourge of Ad and Samood. (41:13)

Utbah in spite of all his ferocity broke down. He put his hand on the holy mouth of the Holy Prophet saying, “Please, for the sake of kindness, it is enough.”

The Holy Quran shook such a hardcore disbeliever. The News given by Quran made him tremble. So when he returned to the polytheists, Abu Jahl and others taunted him saying, “Have you also become a follower of Muhammad?” Utbah said, “No, but his speech is neither poetry nor a lecture. It is not a composition of any human being. It has put me on fire.”

I too intend to admonish you. Prophet Muhammad admonished so that, till the Day of Judgment, people may fear:

And certainly We have made the Quran easy for remembrance, but is there anyone who will mind? (54:17)

How many verses has he brought? He brought verses describing torments of Hell:

And food that chokes and a painful punishment, (73:13)

Likewise are verses about the nasty and frightening keepers of Hell.

O you who believe! Save yourselves and your families from a fire whose fuel is men and stones; over it are angels stern and strong, they do not disobey Allah in what He commands them, and do as they are commanded. (66:6)

But, how strange that hearts have hardened. Even those who read Quran do not read with an intention of being affected by it. Read Quran with a thoughtful and pondering mind, not merely mechanical recitation. Of course, that too brings rewards. But it is less beneficial (than what is recited thoughtfully). Woe unto those in the eyes of whom Hereafter is only a story. As Ali (‘a) has said in Nahjul Balagha, when one of us dies, we entrust his body to the grave and then return, and gather around his inheritance, as if nothing has happened:

There surely came over man a period of time when he was a thing not worth mentioning.(76:1)

You never think that you will have fifty stations and the duration of each of them is a thousand years.

He regulates the affair from the heaven to the earth; then shall it ascend to Him in a day the measure of which is a thousand years of what you count. (32:5)

Balance (Mizan) is for Muslims

We say, it is for disbelievers; there tortures are not for us, while it is mentioned in the second volume of Bihar that Imam Zainul Aabedeen (‘a) says, “The Balance and detainment is for Muslims who performed good as well as bad deeds.”

And others have confessed their faults, they have mingled a good deed and an evil one; may be Allah will turn to them (mercifully); surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. (9:102)

Otherwise, a disbeliever has no accounting; he has done no good that his sins and virtues be compared:

These are they who disbelieve in the communications of their Lord and His meeting, so their deeds become null, and therefore We will not set up a balance for them on the day of resurrection. (18:105)

In the Quranic commentary of Nishapuri, there is a story of a schoolboy who had gone to school in good health but, when he returned from the madressa, he had fever and finally was bedridden. His father asked, “What happened?” The boy replied, “Today the teacher reminded us of this Quranic verse:

Fear the Day which will turn a child into an old person.

The fear is so terrible and I am worried about the hardship of that Day.” Finally the child died and the father wailed said on his grave, “My son, you had a pure nature and a holy heart that is why the Quran impressed you. O father! Your black heart too should die of fear.”

It is narrated that before attending the station for accounting (in Hereafter) we have to remain in a state of amazement for forty years[13] . What we face in the grave is called the state of amazement. O honorable friend! Have you ever decided what you should think? Have you made preparations for tomorrow’s Day of Judgment? Don’t you have to face the Holy Prophet, Imam Ali and Fatima (‘a)?

Notes:

[8] Safinatul Bihar, vol.2, pg.64

[9] Miraatul Kamaal of Mamqani

[10] Tradition and its explanation is given in vol. 2 of Gunahane Kabira (The Greater Sins). Please refer to what has been mentioned about the one who leaves Prayer.

[11] Biharul Anwar vol.3

[12] Biharul Anwar vol.3

[13] Kifayatul Muwahideen

Chapter 3

Verses 5-9

In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

A revelation of the Mighty, the Merciful. That you may warn a people whose fathers were not warned, so they are heedless. Certainly the word has proved true of most of them, so they do not believe. Surely We have placed chains on their necks, and these reach up to their chins, so they have their heads raised aloft. And We have made before them a barrier and a barrier behind them, then We have covered them over so that they do not see. (36:5-9)

Holy Prophet shown all ways and kingdoms

This Quran, which is full of intelligence and wisdom, is the Word of the Lord of the Worlds Who is needless of His creation. But it is the demand of His Mercifulness that he shows man the right and true path so that man may fear his falling down (into Hell) from the Sirat Bridge (in the Hereafter). “That you may warn a people…” So, O Prophet! Frighten by this Quran those, whose forefathers were not warned, and hence they remained unaware.

I have already said that it denotes the intervening period between two prophets. For six hundred years before the arrival of the Holy Prophet (‘s), they did not have any prophet to warn them.

…so they are heedless.

But then God did a favor upon man and sent His Light or Radiance in the form of Muhammad (‘s). God showed all the paths to Muhammad (‘s) including this world and the Hereafter, the angels, the Dominion and Paradise and Hell so that he may warn the creation. He showed the Divine Kingdom to the Holy Prophet during the Night of Ascension so that he may warn the people.

Meccan polytheists being people of hell, news from the unseen

Certainly the word has proved true of most of them, so they do not believe.

That is, your truthfulness became indisputable. What is meant by this? At the beginning of creation God addressed Satan:

Get out of this (state), despised, driven away; whoever of them will follow you, I will certainly fill hell with you all. (7:18)

This proved true in the case of most of them (People of Mecca) that they would go to Hell. This verse is one of the Divine secrets or prophecies from the unseen that, according to Quran, these polytheists will not believe till their last and will not follow Muhammad (‘s).

…so they will not believe.

That is they are not believers. How is it so? Let us read on and it will soon become clear.

Yokes in necks and barriers both in front and behind

Surely We have placed yokes on their necks, and these reach up to their chins, so they have their heads raised aloft.

And We have made before them a barrier and a barrier behind them, then We have covered them over so that they do not see. (36:8-9)

These verses either relate to Qiyamat or they are by way of example. Despite all kinds of warnings, they did not fear and hence We gave this punishment to them. This is the apparent meaning of these two verses. A deeper pondering is needed here. Most of the commentators have mentioned three reasons. One: That these two verses pertain to the Hereafter. That it would happen thus in Qiyamat. Another aspect is that it is by way of example; that it is a parable; that nothing of this kind is actual but their condition is like that of a man tied from neck to chin by chains and whose face is up in the air, they cannot understand anything.

But the third aspect, which appears better, is like this: It is a truth among practical truths. What has been mentioned will appear before us with out present physical bodies. Yokes are placed around you. You cannot comprehend anything. Barriers are set before you eyes. Behind your back is another big screen. This meaning is explained in another description as to what is a “yoke?” If this word is understood, everyone will himself follow what it denotes.

Passions and aspirations make one blind and deaf

We have iron yokes around our necks. Thus we cannot see what is before our feet, obviously. But this holy verse pertains to the truth and is aimed at our soul and heart. One is unable to see in any direction as the yokes have restricted his senses. The yokes are, in a sense, fallen on our heart and soul in such a way that it makes us raise our heads up in bewilderment. It can be said that these yokes are our desires and aspirations, longings of passion and love for material world, power, and lust. Wherever they arise they make one blind as well as deaf.

Everyone whom his passions, desires and aspirations have blinded and deafened does not see what is in front of him. In front of him is his house in the grave; he sees everything except his grave “before them”.

Everyone who looks into himself and looks justly finds a similar rank in himself. The ignorant and careless think about everything except their own death. They are afraid of everything but a death of disbelief.

He also does not see what is behind him. He has forgotten all his sins.

Most truly and appropriately, God owns up and says, “We did it.”

And We have made…

We decided it, but it were you only who desired it. God gives everything to you and you compromised the Hereafter for this world.

God releases water for Firaun also

There is a narration in Majlisi’s Hayat-ul-Quloob regarding Firaun. The people said, “You claim divinity since a long time. The waters of Nile have dried up. Since you claim to be God, make the waters of this river run again.” Firaun said, “All right, I will do so.”

He came out of the city with his army. In the desert, he told his soldiers, “Remain in your place until I myself come out and make the river flow.” Then he hastened to a remote place from where he could not be seen by anyone and where no one was present. He dismounted from his horse threw down his crown, fell on the ground headlong and said, “O Lord of the Worlds! I know very well that I am a liar. But I do not want the Hereafter. I desire only this worldly kingdom. Do not disgrace me. My God! I know that everything is in Your Power. I beg You make the waters of this river flow again.” Soon the water began to flow.

Do not be amazed that He grants anyone his or her heartfelt desires. Firaun himself said, “I want the world and I do not need the Hereafter”, just as Satan did not want the Hereafter and desired that he should live in this world till the Day of Judgment.

No one is dejected in His court

Implicitly, no one should say that resumption of water was due to the waywardness of man; it is not so. Common sense says that it is not the work of human beings. God is extremely merciful. He does not deprive even His enemies. No one returns empty handed from His court. So one should say, “O God! Who did not deprive even Firaun who claimed to be god, when he came to Your Court bowing down before You, today we are your guests, observing fasts and we have come to Your house (Mosque). Please remove the yokes around our hearts. These yokes have dragged us down and do not allow us to think about the Hereafter. Passions and desires have chained us, but Thou art Merciful. Be kind to me! How will you deprive the friends when You don’t even reject the foes?

Chapter 4

Verses 10-11

In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

And it is alike to them whether you warn them or warn them not: they do not believe. You can only warn him who follows the reminder and fears the Beneficent God in secret; so announce to him forgiveness and an honorable reward. (36:10-11)

So far we have discussed that man is not forcibly taken to paradise or hell. Whatever one gets is as per one’s choice. When Allah says,

Surely We have placed chains (yokes) on their necks…

Actually it means: They are yokes, you yourself have prepared. God Almighty coils them around your neck to apprehend you. Never say that God caught me like this. Rather you had wished it and you opted for passions and love for worldly things. You are blind as well as deaf. Man himself erects barriers in front and behind himself. He does not look at the consequences and his aspirations are unlimited. They have extended to such an extent that we do not look even at our old age. The aged one also is so much drowned in desires that he does not look at death that is fast approaching him (in front) and at his past sins (behind).

Desires extend to a number of years whereas one does not know what will happen tomorrow and whether one will remain alive the next day. These far-fetched desires turn into yokes on intelligence or become so active that man loses the capital of his life? He does not see the mortality of this world and the permanence of Hereafter. About one who goes down to such a downfall, God says:

And it is alike to them whether you warn them or warn them not: they do not (or will not) believe.

A heart immune to good counsel is dead

You may warn them or you may not, it will make no difference. It does not affect his heart because it is already dead and is unmoved by admonishments.

If someone’s leg becomes numb they say, “Let us see if it moves? Does it shake or not?” They pierce it with a needle. If it creates no feeling they say that the leg is dead and hence useless. What remains then without a living heart? However much you warn it, it is not fearful.

Dead (are they), not living, and they know not when they shall be raised. (16:21)

The nature of man has become corrupted. He understands nothing except matter and material things. Yes, he does fear that his income will decrease, his prestige will fall and his rank will be taken away. But if you tell him that, ‘As you have committed a sin you will be detained at the stage of accounting’, he is not afraid.

It is mentioned in vol. 10 of Biharul Anwar that once the Holy Prophet (‘s) recited the following verses before the Muslims:

And surely Hell is the promised place of them all: It has seven gates; for every gate there shall be a separate party of them. (15:43-44)

On hearing these verses, Ali (‘a) began to tremble like a sparrow soaked in water on a freezing winter day.

If there is life, its signs are also present. If the heart is alive, glad tidings or warnings have effect on it. If the heart is dead, it won’t be affected even if you recite the whole Quran before it. Yet if there is even an iota of life in a heart it will be affected sooner or later.

it is nothing but a reminder and a plain Quran, that it may warn him who would have life, (36:69-70)

That is the Quran is only to admonish those who are alive in the hearts.

You can only warn him who follows the reminder and fears the Beneficent God in secret…(36:11)

Also until one has a living heart in ones breast one cannot be affected by the Quran positively.

Surely you do not make the dead to hear, and you do not make the deaf to hear the call when they go back retreating. (27:80)

If it has any life there is hope that it would be affected by admonishments. One’s (Human) nature must not have been destroyed, as one is naturally inclined towards the Quran.

Most of the Meccans have dead souls and they will not believe. They run away even on hearing the word ‘Hereafter’. But those whose nature is existent they:

fear the Beneficent God…

Signs of the lowest degree of faith

Sometimes man begins to think whether he has Faith or not. If death arrives will I die a believer or not? A saying of Imam Baqir (‘a) says, “The first degree of Faith is in one whom every sin make him restless and whom every good deed gladdens. He indeed is a believer.” This shows that he believes in divine reward and punishment in the Hereafter, especially when admonished. It shows that he is receptive to admonitions and thus obviously there still is life in his heart.

There are many examples where man is oblivious of imminent dangers. The best one is quoted by Shaykh Sadooq (r.a.) from the religious authorities. Let us see what the parable says and apply it to ourselves.

Temporal well and drinking delight with a thousand stings

A man passing through a forest fell down in a well. He clung at a log of wood, that was jutting out, to save himself. Looking downwards, he saw a python with its mouth wide open. He also observed that a white rat on one side and a black one on the other was gnawing the log he clung to. The wood was getting thinner and thinner. Verily, how frightened he was? But, then, his eyes fell on a corner of the well and he saw some honey spilled from a pot on the ground and honeybees buzzing around it.

Now the wretched fellow forgot the python and the rats, and became entranced with the honey, thinking how lucky he would be to get it!

In this parable, the well is this material world and all that it has, the python is death and the wooden log held in the middle is man’s age or life span, which is being chewed by the two mice signifying day and night. They are continuously reducing the life span so that he may fall to death. Honey denotes sweet tasting worldly passions. Every bite of this delight is accompanied by thousands of stings and troubles.

Absolute happiness or pleasure is found neither in this world nor in feasting, dressing up or sex. It is available only in the Hereafter where enjoyment is not accompanied by any pain, provided you reach there with the light of piety and Love of Ahle Bayt.