A Collection of Tafasir of Surat AlBaqarah, Juz’ #1 ayah # 3

بسم الله الرحمان الرحيم

الحمد الله

Ayah 3:

الَّذِينَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِالْغَيْبِ وَيُقِيمُونَ الصَّلَاةَ وَمِمَّا رَزَقْنَاهُمْ يُنفِقُونَ

“Who believe in the Ghaib and perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat), and spend out of what we have provided for them”

الَّذِينَ is used for the Muttaqeen

الَّذِينَ يُؤْمِنُونَ :

‘AbduLlah bin ‘Abbas رضي الله عنهما said, “They attest to its truth.”

‘AbduLlah bin Mas’ud رضي الله عنه said, “Belief is attesting to the truth.”

Al Rabi’ رحمه الله said, “Those who fear.”

AlZuhri رحمه الله said, “Belief is action.” [17]

الَّذِينَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِالْغَيْبِ

There are three opinions regarding to whom Allah سبحانه وتعالى is referring in this ayah:

These are ‘Arabs (former mushrikeen) who believed in the Unseen. [Opinion of ‘AbduLlah Ibn Mas’ud, ‘AbduLlah ibn ‘Abbas and a group of Sahabah]

The ayaat 2:2-5 are talking about Ahl AlKitaab

This ayah and the other 3 ayaat are talking about Arabs and non-‘Arabs, People of Scripture and others.

Then Ibn Jarir AlTabari رحمه الله goes onto mention his the opinion he thinks is to be the most correct one by saying,

“In my view, the opinion most likely to be correct, and the most suitable for the interpretation of the Book, is the first, that those whom Allah سبحانه و تعالى described as believing in the Unseen… are not those whom He described as believing in what was sent down to Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم and what was sent down to Messengers before him. They justified their opinion by using the ayah that follows these two verses, “And who believe in which has been sent down to you and in which were sent down before you.” They said that the Arabs had no scripture whose truth they professed, which they acknowledged, and according to which they acted, before the Book which Allah سبحانه و تعالى sent down to Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم. “[18]

أَلْغَيْب:

‘AbduLlah bin Mas’ud, ‘AbduLlah bin ‘Abbas and a group of Sahabah رضي الله عنهم said,” What is concealed from the servants of the affair of Jannah and Jahannam, and what Allah سبحانه و تعالى has mentioned in the Qur`an.”

Zirr رحمه الله said, “The Unseen is the Qur`an”

AlRabi’ bin Anas رحمه الله said, “They believe in Allah, His Angels, His Messengers, and the Last Day, His Jannah and Jahannam, and in the Meeting with Him. They believe in the life after death. All of this is Unseen.”

وَيُقِيمُونَ الصَّلَاةَ:

‘AbduLlah bin ‘Abbas رضي الله عنهما said, “The performance of the Salah is all the ruku’ (bowing), sujud (prostrating), tilaawah (recitation), khushu’ (humility and submission) and iqbaal (attentiveness) to it.” [19]

AlQurtubi رحمه الله said, “Praying with its arkaan (pillars), sunan, and on its prescribed time.” [20]

Establishing means not just praying alone rather setting up the environment of Salah and praying in congregation.

رَزَقْنَاهُمْ

This means spending neither in extravagance nor being a miser but in between as Allah سبحانه و تعالى has said,

وَالَّذِينَ إِذَا أَنفَقُوا لَمْ يُسْرِفُوا وَلَمْ يَقْتُرُوا وَكَانَ بَيْنَ ذَ‌ٰلِكَ قَوَامًا

“And those, who, when they spend, are neither extravagant nor niggardly, but hold a medium (way) between those (extremes).” [21]

It should be spent on:

يَسْأَلُونَكَ مَاذَا يُنفِقُونَ ۖ قُلْ مَا أَنفَقْتُم مِّنْ خَيْرٍ فَلِلْوَالِدَيْنِ وَالْأَقْرَبِينَ وَالْيَتَامَىٰ وَالْمَسَاكِينِ وَابْنِ السَّبِيلِ ۗ وَمَا تَفْعَلُوا مِنْ خَيْرٍ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ بِهِ عَلِيمٌ

“They ask you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم) what they should spend. Say: Whatever you spend of good must be for parents and kindred and orphans and AlMasakin and the wayfarers, and whatever you do of good deeds, truly, Allah knows it well.” [22] [23] Adhwaa’ AlBayaan

وَمِمَّا رَزَقْنَاهُمْ يُنفِقُونَ:

There are two opinions regarding the meaning of what Allah سبحانه و تعالى has mentioned,”…spend out…“

‘AbduLlah bin ‘Abbas رضي الله عنهما said,” They give zakah, thereby seeking the reward of the Hereafter.”

‘AbduLlah bin ‘Abbas, ‘AbduLlah bin Mas’ud and a group of Sahabah رضي الله عنهم said, “It is a man’s expenditure on his family. This was what it meant before the obligations of zakah were revealed.”‘

Ibn Jarir AlTabari رحمه الله concludes by saying,

“The best interpretation of the verse, the most appropriate to the description of these people, is that they disbursed all that they had to from their possessions, whether it was zakah or necessary expenditure for any relatives, dependants or others for whom they were obliged to lay out expenditure for drawing near (to Allah سبحانه و تعالى), for (securing) property, or whatever…”[24]

References:

[17] Tafsir AlTabari

[18] Tafsir AlTabari

[19] Tafsir AlTabari

[20] Tafsir AlQurtubi

[21]Qur`an AlKareem {25:67}

[22]Qur`an AlKareem {2:215}

[23]Adhwaa’ AlBayaan fee Idhaah AlQur`an bil Qur`an

[24] Tafsir AlTabari

And indeed Allah سبحانه وتعالى knows best.

May Allah سبحانه وتعالى forgive for my mistakes and accept the effort to spread His Deen Ameen

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Slaughter in Ghazza – what can YOU do?

بسم الله الرحمان الرحيم

الحمد الله

Praise be to Allaah.

1- You have to make du’aa’, and recite du’a’ al-qunoot in your salaah.

2- Collect charity and send it through trustworthy channels.

3- Support the weak and oppressed in all ways, including the media and the internet.

4- Get scholars, daa’iyahs, khateebs and writers to explain the oppression that is happening and the negligence on the part of the ummah, and to mobilize the ummah to defend the holy places.

5- Check on one’s own intentions with regard to fighting for the sake of Allaah, and see whether he is applying the hadeeth of the Prophet (salalahu ‘alyhi wasalam): “Whoever dies without having fought for the sake of Allaah or having had the intention of doing so, has died following one of the branches of hypocrisy.” (Muslim)

6- Pursuing all the means of building up material and moral strength, in preparation for meeting the enemy in battle.

7- Reminding oneself and others of the virtues of martyrdom for the sake of Allaah and studying the rulings on jihad, and not having an attachment to this world.

8- Doing as much damage as possible to the enemies who are in a state of war with us, by boycotting their products, attacking them verbally and in writing to humiliate and annoy them, and to point out their kufr and shirk, and their insults to Allaah, His Messenger and the believers, publishing as much as possible in the audio-visual and print media about this serious topic whilst also connecting that to Islamic belief and the words of Allaah and His Messenger (salalahu ‘alyhi wasalam).

We ask Allaah the Exalted and All-Powerful to support His religion and cause His word to prevail.

Shaykh Saalih al-Munajjid.

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A Collection of Tafasir of Surat AlBaqarah, Juz’ #1 end of ayah # 2

بسم الله الرحمان الرحيم

الحمد الله

Just in case someone thought this tafsir is going to be short, continuation of the same ayah:

There are many meanings given by the ‘ulamaa’ for the word Muttaqeen :

AlHasan AlBasri رحمه الله said, “Who fear what they have been forbidden and fulfill what has been imposed upon them.”

‘AbduLlah bin ‘Abbas رضي الله عنهما said, “Those who guard themselves from Allah سبحانه وتعالى;s punishment lest they abandon the guidance they are aware of and who hope His mercy for affirming the truth.”

‘AbduLlah bin ‘Abbas and ‘AbduLlah bin Mas’ud رضي الله عنهم said, “Those who are the believers (mu’minin).”

Qatadah رحمه الله said, “They are those whom Allah سبحانه وتعالى has characterised and described, and then has confirmed their qualities, saying, ”Who believe in the Ghaib and establish As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat), and spend out of what we have provided for them.’“

AlKalbi رحمه الله said, “Those who keep away from major sins.” [15]

It was said, “They are those who love Allah سبحانه وتعالى with their heart.”

Abu Sulaiman AlDaraani رحمه الله said, “Those who fear shirk and nifaaq.”

Ibn Mu’taz رحمه الله said, “Abandoning sins, both minor and major, that is piety. Do as the one, who walks across thorny terrain, he is wary of that which he sees. Do no look down on any minor (sin) – indeed, mountains are made up of pebbles.” [16]

May Allah سبحانه وتعالى accept my effort to spread His Deen. May Allah سبحانه وتعالى make us amongst the Muttaqeen. Ameen

References:

[15] Tafsir AlTabari

[16] Tafsir AlQurtubi

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A Collection of Tafasir of Surat AlBaqarah, Juz’ #1

بسم الله الرحمان الرحيم

الحمد الله

After I attended the Breach of Covenant seminar, which was Tafsir of Surat AlBaqarah Juzz’ 1, held by AlMaghrib institute, I decided to go over the notes along with other Tafasir such as Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Tafsir AlTabari, Tafsir AlQurtubi, Tafsir AlJalalayn, Tafsir Mujahid and Adhwaa’ AlBayaan fee Idhaah AlQur`an bil Qur`an and will insha’Allah post notes from them as I continue:

Ayah 1:

الم

“Alif, Laam, Meem.”

These letters are known as Huroof Al Muqatta’aat or disjointed letters. Their meanings are known to no one save Allah سبحانه وتعالى. They form the first (in some cases second) ayah (tayn) of 29 Suwaar (sing. Surah). 14 of the 28 Arabic letters have been used for this purpose.

There are many opinions given by the ‘ulamaa’ of the Salaf on the meaning of this ayah but the correct answer would be to say that Allah سبحانه وتعالى knows best.

Ibn Jarir AlTabari رحمه الله mentions probably the reason why Allah سبحانه وتعالىuses Huroof Al Muqatta’aat,” And others said instead that the beginnings of the Suwaar started with these letters because the polytheists, whose attitude was to avoid listening to the Qur`an, would prick up their ears when they heard them; then, whenever they gave ear, that which was composed of the letter would be recited to them.” And indeed Allah سبحانه وتعالى knows best. [1]

Ayah 2:

ذَ*ٰلِكَ الْكِتَابُ لَا رَيْبَ ۛ فِيهِ ۛ هُدًى لِّلْمُتَّقِينَ

“This is the Book (the Qur’an), whereof there is no doubt, a guidance to those who are Al-Muttaqun.”

The word ذَٰلِكَ literally means that but it is understood as ‘this.’ There three opinions on why هَذَا is not used:

1)”This is possible because whatever has just been mentioned is referred to again is like something present to the person addressed, even though it may mean something which is not present. … It is thus with <<dhalika ‘l-kitab>>, because He, exalted is His remembrance, preceded <<dhalika ‘l-kitab>> with <<alif-lam-mim>> whose freedom in its various aspects to take on the kind of meanings we described has been mentioned – and then He said to His Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم: “O’ Muhammad, this, which I have mentioned and made clear to you, is the Book.” Therefore, it was proper to put dhalik in place of hadha, because it indicates a reference to the meanings included in His saying <<alif-lam-mim>>. Since reference to it has just been made, it becomes like something present to the one it was pointed out to, so He referred to it by dhalik because of its having just been mentioned…” [2]

2)”It is also possible that His words <<This is the Book>> mean the Surahs which He sent down before the Surah of the Cow in both Makkah and Madinah. It is as if He were saying to His Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم: “O’ Muhammad, whatever is contained in the Surahs which I have sent down to you is the Book in which there is no doubt.” Then the exegetes interpret it, giving dhalika the meaning, “This is the Book”, since these Surahs which were sent down before the Surah of Cow form the part of this whole Book of ours which Allah سبحانه و تعالى sent down to His Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم ” [3]

3)”That the Arabs sometimes referred to something that was close with the distant demonstrative, so this verse was merely employing the conventions of the language. This opinion was related by AlBukhari رحمه اللهfrom Mu’mar bin AlMuthnaa Abu Ubaydah رحمه اللهas stated by Ibn Kathir رحمه الله[4]

الْكِتَابُ is the Qur`an

لَا رَيْبَ فِيهِ means:

1)There is no doubt in the Book [5]

2)It is used as a warning, “Do not doubt the Qur`an.” [6]

رَيْبَ has 3 meanings:

1)Doubt: what ignorant people say because they don’t exactly know

2)Suspicion: if something is authentic or nor

3)Deficiency: is something is lacking some important aspect[7]

هُدًى لِّلْمُتَّقِينَ:

Guidance is an attribute of the Qur`an [8[

‘AbduLlah Ibn ‘Abbas and ‘AbduLlah Ibn Mas’ud رضي الله عنهم have said regarding this phrase, “Light for the Muttaqeen.” [9[

From this part of the ayah we understand many aspects of guidance:

1)Guidance is an attribute of Qur`an [10]

2)It is the type of guidance that when a person is blessed with he/she then conforms with AlIslam not like those who were given irshaad (guidance given by a person) but rejected it as Allah سبحانه وتعالى has said,

وَأَمَّا ثَمُودُ فَهَدَيْنَاهُمْ فَاسْتَحَبُّوا الْعَمَىٰ عَلَى الْهُدَىٰ فَأَخَذَتْهُمْ صَاعِقَةُ الْعَذَابِ الْهُونِ بِمَا كَانُوا يَكْسِبُونَ

“And as for Thamud, We showed and made clear to them the Path of Truth (Islamic Monotheism) through Our Messenger, (i.e. showed them the way of success), but they preferred blindness to guidance, so the Sa’iqah (a destructive awful cry, torment, hit, a thunderbolt) of disgracing torment seized them, because of what they used to earn.” [11]

We made clear to them the True Way upon the tongue of our Prophet Saalih, upon him and our Prophet be peace and blessings, despite the fact that they did not traverse this way as proven by His سبحانه وتعالى saying, “but they preferred blindness over guidance.”

And,

إِنَّا هَدَيْنَاهُ السَّبِيلَ إِمَّا شَاكِرًا وَإِمَّا كَفُورًا

“Indeed, We guided him, whether he be grateful or ungrateful.” [12]

Meaning: We have made clear to him the Way of Good and the Way of Evil as proven by His saying, “whether he be grateful or ungrateful.”

Allah سبحانه وتعالى is clarifying in this verse that the Qur`an is a guidance for those that fear Allah سبحانه وتعالى, and it is understood from the implications of this verse – from the opposite understanding of the verse – that this Qur’an is not a guidance for those who do not fear Allah سبحانه وتعالى. This understanding has been clarified in other verses, like His saying,

قُلْ هُوَ لِلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا هُدًى وَشِفَاءٌ ۖ وَالَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ فِي آذَانِهِمْ وَقْرٌ وَهُوَ عَلَيْهِمْ عَمًى ۚ أُولَـٰئِكَ يُنَادَوْنَ مِن مَّكَانٍ بَعِيدٍ

Say: it is a guidance and healing for those who believe, as for those who do not believe there is a deafness in their ears and it is blindness for them” [13[

And many other ayaat one can refer to (17:83), (9:124-125), (5:64-65)

There are two types of guidance:

1)General which is for everyone and is for the clarifying the Truth

2)Specific which is for the Muslims and it is acting upon the Truth [14[

References:

[1] Tafsir AlTabari [his own opinion]

[2] Tafsir AlTabari [his own opinion]

[3] Tafsir AlTabari [his own opinion]

[4] Adhwaa’ AlBayaan fee Idhaah AlQur`an bil Qur`an [author: Shaykh Muhammad AlAmeen AlShinqitee رحمه الله]

[5] Tafsir Ibn Kathir

[6] Tafsir Ibn Kathir

[7] Tafsir AlQurtubi

[8] Tafsir Ibn Kathir

[9] Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Tafsir AlTabari

[10] Tafsir Ibn Kathir

[11] AlQur`an AlKareem [41:17]

[12] AlQur`an AlKareem [76:3]

[13] AlQur`an AlKareem [41:44]

[14] Adhwaa’ AlBayaan fee Idhaah AlQur`an bil Qur`an

And Allah سبحانه وتعالى knows best.

May Allah سبحانه وتعالى forgive for my mistakes. Ameen

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Invite to your Lord…

Invite to your Lord…

بسم الله الرحمان الرحيم

الحمد الله

Da’wah is obligation upon us Muslims and the proof for this is where Allah سبحانه وتعالى has said,

ادْعُ إِلَىٰ سَبِيلِ رَبِّكَ بِالْحِكْمَةِ وَالْمَوْعِظَةِ الْحَسَنَةِ ۖ وَجَادِلْهُم بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ ۚ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِمَن ضَلَّ عَن سَبِيلِهِ ۖ وَهُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِالْمُهْتَدِينَ

“Invite (mankind, O Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم) to the Way of your Lord (i.e. Islam) with wisdom and fair preaching, and argue with them in a way that is best. Truly, your Lord knows best those who have gone astray from His Path, and He is the Best Aware of those who are guided.” ^[1]

Points to be noted:

1) The ‘alif‘ ا mentioned in the first word of the ayah indicates that it is as we say in Arabic Grammar as fa’l amr which means a commanding action. This means that it is a commandment from Allah سحبانه وتعالى to us that we must call people to the religion of AlIslam.

2) Notice the word سَبيل,which means a way or path, is in singular form not dual or plural which shows that there is only one path of Allah سبحانه وتعالى which is AlIslam and all others are baatil (false)

3) We are commanded to invite people to AlIslam with Hikmah (wisdom). This word includes many aspects of calling people to AlIslam such as:

a) Using Qur`an

b) Using Sunnah of RasuluLlah صلى الله عليه و سلم^[2]

4) الْمَوْعِظَةِ meaning, with exhortation and stories of the events that happened to people that are mentioned in the Qur’an, which one is to tell them about in order to warn them of the punishment of Allah سبحانه وتعالى ^[3] Thus it means it is a prerequisite to use Hikmah in order to fair preaching. Using stories mentioned in the Qur`an for example, story of Nuh عليه السلام as Allah سبحانه وتعالى said,

قَالَ رَبِّ إِنِّي دَعَوْتُ قَوْمِي لَيْلًا وَنَهَارًا

“He (Nuh (AS)) said: “O my Lord! Verily, I have called my people night and day”^[4]

We should understand from this ayah that a Da’ee (a person who gives calls others to Islam) should be patient when he/she is inviting others to AlIslam.

5) الْحَسَنَةِ means something which might be beneficial for a person or something for which a person might be thankful of later on. For example, if a non-Muslim accepts Islam by listening to a story or a parable from the Qur`an, he/she will be thankful for accepting Islam after listening to it.

6) جَادِلْهُم بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ meaning, if any of them want to debate and argue, then let that be in the best manner, with kindness, gentleness and good speech, as Allah سبحانه وتعالى says,

وَلاَ تُجَـدِلُواْ أَهْلَ الْكِتَـبِ إِلاَّ بِالَّتِى هِىَ أَحْسَنُ إِلاَّ الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُواْ مِنْهُمْ

“And do not argue with the People of the Book, unless it be with that which is best, except for those who purposefully do wrong.” ^[5]

Also Allah سبحانه وتعالى commanded Musa and Harun عليهما السلامto speak gently when He sent them to Pharaoh, as He سبحانه وتعالى said:

فَقُولاَ لَهُ قَوْلاً لَّيِّناً لَّعَلَّهُ يَتَذَكَّرُ أَوْ يَخْشَى

And speak to him mildly; perhaps he may accept admonition or fear (of Allah سبحانه وتعالى ^[6]

Even if one wants to do argue with them in a nice manner, he/she needs to use Hikmah.

7) أَحْسَنُ means best or something perfect. So whenever we must debate, it should be done in the best manner i.e. not insulting nor quarrelling but do it like RasuluLlah صلى الله عليه و سلم.

8) We also learn from this verse that there are two parts in giving Da’wah:

a) Preaching to them using good stories and lessons.

b) Refuting or arguing with them in a nice and gentle way.

9) Allah سبحانه وتعالى already knows the state of people. He سبحانه وتعالى knows who is destined for Jahannam and those for Jannah thus one should not feel remorseful for those people who have gone astray. Thus it is clear that our job is just to give them Irshaad (guidance by someone) whilst it is up to Allah سبحانه وتعالى to whom He gives Tawfeeq (guidance granted by Allah سبحانه وتعالى only) to be guided to AlIslam. As Allah سبحانه وتعالى says,

إِنَّكَ لاَ تَهْدِى مَنْ أَحْبَبْتَ

“You cannot guide whom you love” ^[7]

And also:

لَّيْسَ عَلَيْكَ هُدَاهُمْ وَلَـكِنَّ اللَّهَ يَهْدِى مَن يَشَآءُ

“It is not up to you to guide them, but Allah guides whom He wills.” ^{[8] [9]}

And, indeed Allah سبحانه وتعالى knows best.

References:

^[1]Qur`an AlKareem {16:125}

^[2]Tafsir AlTabari

^[3]Tafsir Ibn Kathir

^[4]Qur`an AlKareem {71:5}

^[5] Qur`an AlKareem {29:46}

^[6]Qur`an AlKareem {20:44}

^[7]Qur`an AlKareem {28:56}

^[8]Qur`an AlKareem {2:272}

^[9]Tafsir Ibn Kathir

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