Sunday, November 30, 2014

Say: Unto Allah Belong the East and the West. He Guideth Whom He Will unto a Straight Path


Lessons 143 to 154
Note:  For reciting Lesson-wise separately, please visit: muhammadsharif120.wordpress.com

LESSON # 143 FROM HOLY QUR’AN
BAQARAH – 2 (The Cow)
Qiblah Of The Muslims
Verse –142 of 286, Section – 17 (Part  - 2)

And the foolish of the people will say: What hath turned them from the qiblah which they formerly observed? Say: Unto Allah belong the East and the West. He guideth whom He will unto a straight path.
SA-YAQUULUS-SUFA-HAAA-‘U  minan-naasi maa wallaahum ‘an- Qiblati-himul-latii kaanuu ‘alayhaa. Qul-lil-laahil-Mashriqu wal-Magrib. Yahdii many-yashaaa-‘u ‘ilaa Siraatim- Mustaqiim.

Lesson

As-Sufa-haaa-‘u  minan-naas – (the foolish of the people) Sufa-haaa is plural of the word safiah that means childish, low, stupid, foolish. So aim of the As-Sufa-haaa-‘u  minan-naas is the people who protest and criticize the Orders of the God Almighty. Here it is indicated towards the children of Israel.

Qiblah – The thing which is in front, that is to say, the direction and place turning towards which the prayers are offered and worship is done, namely Centre of Attention, side and direction to turn for worship. The Qiblah of the children of Israel was the Temple or city of Jerusalem. Till the time the Messenger of Allah Almighty (may glory, grace, blessings and peace be upon Him) remained in Makkah, He used to turn His face towards Jerusalem. After migration He continued that Qiblah. But He desired over and over to make His Qiblah to the Khana Ka’-ba which was constructed by the Prophet Abraham (peace be upon Him) in Makkah. But He (may glory, grace, blessings and peace be upon Him) was waiting the order of the God Almighty. At last He (may glory, grace, blessings and peace be upon Him) was commanded to change the Qiblah after migration to Madina passing sixteen or thirteen months.

When the children of Israel knew about change of Qiblah, they persecuted in opposition of it. They criticized of various sorts that formerly they used to offer their prayers turning towards the first Qiblah (the Temple or city of Jerusalem) which was the Qiblah of the old times Prophets (peace be upon Them). What happened with them now that have left that Qiblah, they have made the Ka’-ba as their Qiblah. Some of them used to say that it has been done duty to jealousy and enmity of the children of Israel.

The Holy Qur’an replied their objections, “O Messenger! Tell them that we have not changed the Qiblah due to jealously or bigotry, but it has been changed with the order of Allah Almighty.

The East or the West, each direction is of Allah Almighty. Every thing of each direction is in His Control and Knowledge. Guidance is also with Him. He bestows with His Guidance and Message to whom He desires. 



   LESSON # 144 FROM HOLY QUR’AN
BAQARAH – 2 (The Cow)
A Temperate And Middle Nation  
Verse –143a of 286, Section – 17 (Part  - 2)

And thus We have appointed you a middle nation, that ye may be witnesses against mankind, and that the Messenger may be a witness against you.
Wa kazaalika ja-‘alnaa-kum ‘Ummatanw- Wasatal-li-takuunuu shuha-daaa-‘a ‘alan-naasi wa yakuunar-Rasuulu ‘alaykum Shahiidaa.

Lesson

Wasatan – (Moderate; temperate) it means that the Muslim nation is on right straight path. It has not any crookedness, abundance or deficiency. Teaching of Islam is self-control in behavior. The Followers of Islam are the temperate. They are appointed on acceptance of the middle path leaving all kinds of increases and decreases.

Shahiidun – (Witness) this word is also matter of the words Shaahid and Shahaadat. Shaahid means witness and Shahaadat means Evidence. Technically this word is also used for the killed, martyr in the path of God Almighty. In this verse its meaning may also be taken as ‘Watching’.

Excellence and superiority of the Muslim nation has been declared in this verse. The God Almighty commands, “O Muslims! As your Qiblah is the most excellent than other Qiblahs, like this We have bestowed you merit over all other nations, and your Messenger (may glory, grace, blessings and peace be upon Him) has been selected most superior over all other Prophets and Messengers (peace be upon Them).

It has come in the Sayings of the Messenger of Allah Almighty (may glory, grace, blessings and peace be upon Him) that on the Judgment Day, when all previous nations will be asked about their acts, at that time the Muslim nation will verify the claim of previous Prophets (peace be upon Them) in the light of the teachings of Holy Qur’an and witness that these all Prophets and Messengers (peace be upon Them) came towards their nations and conveyed them the Message of Allah Almighty. But these people did not agree to their Prophets and Messengers (peace be upon Them).

The Muslim nation has been prepared in the both capacities of model individually and collectively for the entire world. Each nation of the world should rise and mould to the situation of this standard. Auspicious Personality of the Blessed Messenger (may glory, grace, blessings and peace be upon Him) has capacity of being an example and model roll for the Muslims. This lesson also results from this verse that we should establish ourselves as model roll for other nations of the world. We should escape ourselves from moral lowness in all respects and never choose the path which differentiates our recognized position. To get this object we should keep the pattern of the Messenger of God Almighty (may glory, grace, blessings and peace be upon Him) in front of us forever. Being a middle nation we should escape ourselves from all kinds of abundance and decrease so that we may be able to keep the honor of the title of “a middle nation”.      




 LESSON # 145 FROM HOLY QUR’AN
BAQARAH – 2 (The Cow)
Philosophy In Change Of Qiblah
Verse –143b of 286, Section – 17 (Part  - 2)

And We appointed the qiblah which ye formerly observed only that We might know him who followeth the Messenger, from him who turneth on his heels. 
Wa maa ja-‘alnal-Qiblatal-latii kunta ‘alayhaaa ‘illaa li-na’-lama many-yattabi-‘ur-Rasuula  mim-many-yanqalibu ‘alaa ‘aqibayh.

Lesson

Li-na’-lama – (that We might know) the word ilm (knowledge) is used here only for distinction, identification and recognition.

It was the blessed habit of the Messenger of God Almighty (may glory, grace, blessings and peace be upon Him) that in which matter there was no instruction from the God Almighty, in that matter He (may glory, grace, blessings and peace be upon Him) used to choose the manner of former Prophets (peace be upon Them), for instance the pray had become duty to offer, but there was no clear order available regarding Qiblah. The Messenger of Allah Almighty used to offer prayers turning towards the Temple of Jerusalem, which was the Qiblah of the children of Israel. It has also known clearly from the words of this verse ‘Wa maa ja-‘alnaa’ that in the beginning to face towards the former Qiblah was with the sanction of God Almighty. When He (may glory, grace, blessings and peace be upon Him) migrated from Makkah to Madina, even then the Temple of Jerusalem (Bayt ul Maqaddas) also remained Qiblah. But after a period of nearly sixteen months the God Almighty ordered to change the Qiblah and the Ka’-ba was appointed as Qiblah of the Muslims.

The God Almighty commands in this verse, “It was the purpose to keep the Qiblah to Bayt ul Muqaddas (the Temple of Jerusalem) temporarily for a short time so that the Obedient and the Violent may be separated”. 

The Idolaters of Makkah were not convinced for reverence of the Qiblah as the Temple of Jerusalem. So it was a clear sign of embracing Islam in Makkah that each person has to offer his prayers turning towards the Temple of Jerusalem. Near to the Jews and the Christians of Madina, the Temple of Makkah had no honor. So in Madina it became the sign of embracing Islam that the prayer should be offered facing towards the BaytUl-laah (Khana Ka’-ba), the Temple of Makkah. Here upon it became easy to make a distinction between the Muslims and the Non-Muslims.

If the Temple of Makkah were Qiblah instead of the Temple of Jerusalem (Bayt ul Muqaddas) during the life in Makkah then perhaps the people of Makkah might consider it as a kind of flattery and they might embrace Islam due to their own country’s Qiblah instead of taking this religion as the Order of God Almighty. Thus Islam is pure from all these objects. Teaching of the religion is not for favor of any particular nation or race. Islam has come for the entire world and its teachings are for the entire nations. 




     LESSON # 146 FROM HOLY QUR’AN
BAQARAH – 2 (The Cow)
The Faith Does Not Lose
Verse –143c of 286, Section – 17 (Part  - 2)

In truth it was a hard (test) save for those whom Allah guided. And it is not Allah’s purpose that your faith should be in vain. For Allah is Full of Pity, Merciful towards mankind.
Wa ‘in- kaanat lakabiiratan ‘illaa ‘alal-laziina hadallaah. Wa maa kaanallaahu liyuzii-‘a    ‘iimaanakum.  ‘Innallaaha bin-naasi la-Ra-‘uu-fur-Rahiim.

Lesson

BaytUl-laah (Khana Ka’-ba), the Temple of Makkah is the most sacred place. It is the oldest and holy place of worship between the Mosques and Temples of the world. Due to native reliability it was the most respectable place near to the Arabians. But the prayers were offered facing towards the Temple of Jerusalem (Bayt ul Muqaddas) during the life of the Messenger of God Almighty (may glory, grace, blessings and peace be upon Him) in Makkah. It was a big trial for the patriot Arabs. It was much arduous and weighty for those people to make the Qiblah to the Temple of Jerusalem. The Arabians and the Quraish were Speakers of the religion of Prophet Abraham (peace be upon Him). So they also used to respect the Ka’-ba, the Temple of Makkah, and dislike to deem the Temple of Jerusalem (Bayt ul Muqaddas) as Qiblah.

The God Almighty commanded that this test and trial was not heavy for those people who were shown Guideline by Allah Almighty and they were aware of its philosophy. They took it as that the Prophet of God Almighty Muhammad (may glory, grace, blessings and peace be upon Him) has been sent as Prophet for the entire world. To make Qiblah to Bayt ul Muqaddas did not astonish them. But they leaned in front of Allah Almighty without dispute and came out with great success in this trial.

When again the BaytUl-laah (Khana Ka’-ba), the Temple of Makkah was appointed as Qiblah then many people had doubt that the prayers offered turning towards Bayt ul Muqaddas have been wasted and particularly those Companions of the Holy Prophet (may glory, grace, blessings and peace be upon Him) who have died before the change of Qiblah, remained in the loss. The God Almighty cleared their doubt and commanded that the actual thing is obedience. Bayt ul Muqaddas was also appointed Qiblah with Our Orders. So the people who offered their prayers turning to words that Qiblah, will not be given loss for their any good act, future reward of their virtues is established. Allah Almighty is extremely Kind and Merciful over the human beings. He does not waste any virtue of any person.



  
LESSON # 147 FROM HOLY QUR’AN
BAQARAH – 2 (The Cow)
Desire Of The Messenger Of God
(glory, grace, blessings and peace be upon Him) 
Verse –144a of 286, Section – 17 (Part  - 2)

We have seen the turning of thy face to heaven (for guidance, O Muhammad). And now verily We shall make thee turn (in prayer) towards a qiblah which is dear to thee. So turn thy face toward Inviolable Place of Worship.
Qad naraa taqalluba waj-hika fis-samaaa’; falanuwalli-yannaka Qiblatan- tarzaahaa. Fa-walli wajhaka shatral-Mas-jidil-Haraam.

Lesson

Qiblatan- tarzaahaa – (towards a qiblah which is dear to thee), Qiblah (Centre of attention, turning towards the direction or place for worship). It has already been explained earlier. Tarzaahaa (which is dear to you) it signifies towards Kahana Ka’-ba which was constructed by the Prophet Abraham (peace be upon Him) and that was the favorite place of worship for all the Arabs. 

Wajhaka – (Thy face) literal meaning is only face or mouth but the entire body is included in it. Here it means attention, wish, liking and fondness.

Al-Mas-jidil-Haraam – (Inviolable Place of Worship) Respectable and Glorious Mosque that is to say The Greatest Mosque of Makkah in which the Khana Ka’-ba is situated. First Drawing of the Present Building of this Mosque was prepared during the time of Caliph Mehdi Abbasi. There are large and magnificent courtyards on its four sides. This Building has forty one doors, six Minarets and one hundred fifty small and large Domes.  It is called Masjid-i-Haraam (Inviolable Place of Worship). To wage a war or go hunting is forbidden (unlawful) here.

Actual Qiblah of the Muslims was the Khana Ka’-ba which was the Qiblah of Prophet Abraham (peace be upon Him). Only for a little time the Bayt ul Muqaddas was appointed as Qiblah for trial. The children of Israel used to reproach, “While the Divine of Muslims is different from us and is conformity to the religion of Abraham (peace be upon Him) then why they fix upon our Qiblah? The Messenger of God Almighty (glory, grace, blessings and peace be upon Him) used to desire that the Khana Ka’-ba be appointed as Qiblah by the Order of God Almighty so that we may offer prayers turning toward the Khana Ka’-ba. He (glory, grace, blessings and peace be upon Him) used to look towards the sky over and over waiting for the revelation through the Angel (peace be upon Him). This condition is being stated in this verse.

The God Almighty completed His (glory, grace, blessings and peace be upon Him) this desire and commanded, “And now verily We shall make thee turn (in prayer) towards a qiblah which is dear to thee. So turn thy face toward Inviolable Place of Worship”. When it was ordered to change the Qiblah, at that time He (glory, grace, blessings and peace be upon Him) was offering Zohar prayer. Two Rak-‘at of the prayer had been offered, during their faces toward the Temple of Jerusalem. During offering the prayer He (glory, grace, blessings and peace be upon Him) and His followers turned their faces towards the Khana Ka’-ba and completed remaining two Rak-‘ats. That Masjid of the Madina is called Masjid Qiblatayn.        




LESSON # 148 FROM HOLY QUR’AN
BAQARAH – 2 (The Cow)
The Khana Ka’-ba Became Qiblah
Verse –144b of 286, Section – 17 (Part  - 2)

And ye (O Muslims), wheresoever ye may be, turn your faces (when ye pray) toward it. Lo! Those who have received the Scripture know that (this Revelation) is the Truth from their Lord. And Allah is not Unaware of what they do.
Wa hay-su maa kuntum fawalluu wujuuhakum shatrah. Wa ‘innal-laziina ‘uu-tul-Kitaaba laya’-lamuuna ‘an-nahul-haqqu mir-Rabbihim. Wa mallaahu bi-gaafilin ‘am-maa ya’-maluun.

Lesson

It has been mentioned earlier that the children of Israel and the Christians used to consider themselves on the religion of Prophet Abraham (peace be upon Him) and said that they were out of the children of Them so they did not need to embrace any new religion. The Holy Qur’an proved wrong their saying after providing correct knowledge about the Prophet Abraham (peace be upon Him). Moreover He was steady on pure Unity and was sacred from the Plurality. If the Jews and the Christians say themselves the followers of the Prophet Abraham (peace be upon Him) then they should fix upon the Straight Path explained by the Islam leaving all other paths. They should catch the Law of good acts and Oneness with durability because it was the religion of Prophet Abraham (peace be upon Him).

After it the Holy Qur’an commands that due to the Prayer of the Prophet Abraham (peace be upon Him) the Last Messenger of God Almighty (glory, grace, blessings and peace be upon Him) was sent in this world and this nation (Muslim) stood firm due to His (glory, grace, blessings and peace be upon Him) teachings. So the spiritual and group centre of this nation will be the same as of the Prophet Abraham (peace be upon Him), that is to say Khana Ka’-baBaytul Muqaddas was only temporary Qiblah. Khana Ka’-ba is appointed as the Qiblah of the Muslims. Wherever will be the Muslims, wishing either in the journey or at home, either in the city or in jungle, either in forest or in the desert, either in the vicinity of Inviolable Place of Worship (Masjidi-Haraam) or in the surroundings of Baytul Muqaddas, means in each condition they will turn their faces towards the Ka’-ba.

Along-with it the God Almighty also commanded, O Muslims! Don’t care from the people of the Scripture. “Lo! Those who have received the Scripture know that (this Revelation) is the Truth from their Lord. And Allah is not unaware of what they do”. And now if they produce doubts intentionally, then the God Almighty will see them because He knows their acts.    






LESSON # 149 FROM HOLY QUR’AN
BAQARAH – 2 (The Cow)
Stubbornness Of The People Of The Scripture
Verse –145 of 286, Section – 17 (Part  - 2)

And even if thou broughtest unto those who have received the Scripture all kinds of portents, they would not follow thy qiblah, nor canst thou be a follower of their qiblah; nor are some of them followers of the qiblah of others. And if thou shouldst follow their desires after the knowledge which hath come unto thee, then surely thou will be among be the evildoers.
Wa la-‘in ‘ataytal-laziina ‘uutul-Kitaaba bi-kulli ‘Aayatim-maa tabi-‘uu Qiblatak. Wa maaa ‘anta bi-taabi-‘in- Qiblata-hum. Wa maa ba’-zuhum- bi-taabi-‘’in-Qiblata ba’-z. Wa la-‘inittaba’-ta ‘ahwaaa-‘ahum-mim-ba’-di maa jaaa-‘aka min-al-‘ilmi, ‘innaka ‘izalla-minaz-zaalimiin.

Lesson


In this verse stubbornness and bigotry of the children of Israel has been mentioned. The God Almighty commands, “O Prophet! If you (glory, grace, blessings and peace be upon Him) will show them all the tokens of Your Prophet-hood, produce them all the proofs about Truth of Khana Ka’-ba as Qiblah, even then they will not be ready to admit it as Qiblah. Moreover on the base of opposite, jealousy, enmity, stubbornness and bigotry they will stand firm on their ancient Qiblah. And because We have bestowed You the excellent and the Prophet Abraham’s (peace be upon Him) Qiblah, so You (glory, grace, blessings and peace be upon Him) have no need to agree upon their ignoble Qiblah. Due to the cause of ending the leadership of the children of Israel, You have been given a permanent and worldwide Qiblah. So the people of the Scripture should become hopeless from this matter that ever you will admit their Qiblah”.

It has also been mentioned that the people of the Scripture do not get themselves followers on one Qiblah. So how can they expect that He (glory, grace, blessings and peace be upon Him) will agree upon their Qiblah. At the end the Messenger of Islam (glory, grace, blessings and peace be upon Him) has been duly warned that after knowing about final decision of the God Almighty that the actual Qiblah is only the Khana Ka’-ba, if He (glory, grace, blessings and peace be upon Him) will admit and fix upon their Qiblah then He will also be included into the unjust people. Although any Messenger of God Almighty (peace be upon Him) never stains with any sin but it is intended to tell the Muslim nation from this warning that it is very heavy sin to follow any false religion. Even in it no body can be favored desiring he has the most superior rank near to God Almighty.




LESSON # 150 FROM HOLY QUR’AN
BAQARAH – 2 (The Cow)
The People Of The Scripture and The Prophet Of Islam
(glory, grace, blessings and peace be upon Him)
Verse –146 & 147 of 286, Section – 17 (Part  - 2)

146.  Those unto whom We gave the Scripture recognize (this Revelation) as they recognize their sons. And lo! A party of them knowingly conceals the truth.

147.  It is the Truth from thy Lord (O Muhammad), so be not thou of those waver.
146.  ‘Allaziina ‘aataynaa-humul-Kitaaba ya’-rifuunahuu kamaa ya’-rifuuna ‘abnaaa-‘ahum. Wa ‘inna fariiqam-minhum la-yak-tumuunal-Haqqa wa hum ya’-lamuun.

147.  ‘Al-Haqqu mir-Rabbika falaa takuunanna minal-mum-tariin.

Lesson

It has been mentioned in this verse that the children of Israel and the Christians had known very well through their religious books that a Prophet (peace be upon Him) will come at the last of all. He (peace be upon Him) will not say anything with His heart. Moreover, He will teach likeness of the Revelation of the God Almighty. When the Messenger of God Almighty (glory, grace, blessings and peace be upon Him) was sent, they found the tokens and signs into Him, which were written in their Books. They distinguished very well that He (glory, grace, blessings and peace be upon Him) is the last of all Holy Prophet and His teachings are True and Right. But they denied believing Him (glory, grace, blessings and peace be upon Him) due to only enmity, opposite and malice, and tried to hide all the foretelling which were held in their Heavenly Books, and exposed as that they have not recited these foretelling.

The God Almighty is causing certainty and confidence to His Last Messenger Muhammad (glory, grace, blessings and peace be upon Him) that the people of the Scriptures either believe or do not believe on You, either they hide the foretelling about your Prophet-hood or disclose, either they deem Your Qiblah as right or wrong, the Right is in all conditions Right and You are the True Prophet (glory, grace, blessings and peace be upon Him). All the Orders are sent by Us towards the Prophet (peace be upon Him). Permanent Qiblah of the Muslims will remain the Khana Ka’-ba. So don’t lie in any doubt or hesitation. 

It has also known from this verse that the foretelling was held in the former Heavenly Books about coming of the last Prophet (glory, grace, blessings and peace be upon Him). The people of the Scriptures already knew Him and recognized Him as a father can recognize his children out of the many children and he does not feel any difficulty recognizing his own child.

Sorrow on the people of the Scriptures that they found all the tokens of Prophet-hood in the Last Messenger Muhammad (glory, grace, blessings and peace be upon Him) , their hearts provided them evidence but till today they did not embrace Islam being apart entirely from the religious persecution.   


LESSON # 151 FROM HOLY QUR’AN
BAQARAH – 2 (The Cow)
Vie In Good Works
Verse –148 of 286, Section – 18 (Part 2)

And each one hath a goal toward which he turneth; so vie with one another in good works. Wheresoever ye may be, Allah will bring you all together. Lo!  Allah is Able to do all things.               
Wa li-kullinw-wijhatun huwa muwalliihaa fastabiqul-khayraat.  ‘Ayna maa takuu-nuu ya’-ti  bikumul-laahu jamii-‘aa.   ‘Innallaaha ‘alaa kulli shay-‘in- Qadiir.   

Lesson

Khayraat – (good works) khayr is its singular. Besides Alms and Charity it is also used for each type of good works. Each that work which is done according to the Divine’s Law and cause to do that work is only to please the God Almighty, that is included in the khayraat.

After stating about making separate groups and selfishness of the people of the Scripture, the Holy Qur’an instructed them about the Straight Path and told that the Truth is only one which was bestowed to all. But the former nations failed to keep it. Appointing the Qiblah is not out of the basic questions of the religion that it would be considered the standard of the Right and the Wrong. Every nation has its own Qiblah and each nation does worship turning towards its own Qiblah. Actual thing which is to be understood and done is “khayraat” that means good works. So, try to lead in it from one another and take it for the religion’s actual Base.

The people of the Scripture used to take part in bigotry and stubbornness surpassing each other. They did not use to incline towards the Truth, always put the doubts into the hearts of the Muslims, and remained on the front line in the mischief and conspiracies. These people used to produce confusions in the customary questions being careless from the teachings of their religion. If they did not find any other thing, then they used to go ahead taking the question of Qiblah in front of them. Although this matter is not too much important that much precious time be wasted in its discussion. Deem the Qiblah as from the Order of God Almighty, which depends upon time and advisability. The real task is to lead in the good works.

If the nation’s gathering will be on the goodness and the people will include the goodness in their lives then the God Almighty will gather them on a Centre, all the misunderstandings will end and enmities will expire.    



LESSON # 152 FROM HOLY QUR’AN

BAQARAH – 2 (The Cow)

The Inviolable Place Of Worship (Khana Ka’-ba & The Perfection Against The Arguments

Verse –149 & 150 of 286, Section – 18 (Part 2)

149.   And whencesoever thou comest forth (for prayer, O Muhammad) turn thy face toward the Inviolable Place of Worship. Lo! It is the Truth from thy Lord. And Allah is not Unaware of what ye do.

150.   And whencesoever thou comest forth turn thy face toward the Inviolable Place of Worship; and wheresoever ye may be (O Muslim) turn your faces towards it (when ye pray) so that men may have no argument against you, save such of them as do injustice-fear them not, but fear Me!-and so that I may complete My Grace upon you, and that ye may be guided.          
149.   Wa min hay-su kharajta fawalli waj-haka shatral-Mas-jidil-Haraam.
Wa ‘innahuu lal-haqqu mir-Rabbik. Wa mallaahu bi-gaafilin ‘ammaa ta’-maluun.

150. Wa min hay-su kharajta fawalli waj-haka shatral-Mas-jidil-Haraam. Wa hay-su maa kuntum fawalluu wujuuhakum shatrahuu, li-‘allaa yakuuna lin-naasi ‘alaykum hujjatun, ‘illal-laziina zalamuu minhum; falaa takhshawhum wakhshawnii; wa li-‘utimma ni’-matii ‘alay-kum wa la-‘allakum tahtaduun.

Lesson

In these verses there is the Order also regarding the change of the Qiblah and at the same time it is said that it shouldn’t be like that from your works the people get chance of arguments, the Idolaters and Infidels of the Makkah may say that how they are the best followers of the religion of Abraham (peace be upon Him), who don’t accept His (peace be upon Him) Ka’aba as Qiblah. As about the fear, it should be only of Allah Almighty. The completion of the grace and blessings, the guidance and the success all are in His (God Almighty’s) Power. 


Urfi! Not to fear from the uproar of the enemies
Barking dogs don’t lessen sustenance of beggars



LESSON # 153 FROM HOLY QUR’AN
BAQARAH – 2 (The Cow)
Specialties Of The Messenger Muhammad
(glory, grace, blessings and peace be upon Him)
Verse –151 of 286, Section – 18 (Part 2)

Even as We have sent unto you a Messenger from among you, who reciteth unto you  Our Revelations  and causeth you to grow, and teacheth you the Scripture  and Wisdom, and teacheth you that which ye knew not--         
Kamaaa ‘arsalnaa fiikum Rasuulam-minkum  yatluu ‘alaykum  ‘Aayaatinaa  wa  yu-zakkiikum wa  yu—‘allimukumul- Kitaaba  wal-Hikmata  wa  yu-‘allimukum-maa lam  takuunuu ta’-lamuun.

Lesson

Which specialties and characteristics of the Last Messenger of God Almighty (glory, grace, blessings and peace be upon Him) have been stated in this verse, four out of them have already been mentioned in the verse # 129, that is to say:

1.   Recite the Revelations of God Almighty.

2.   Instruct the people in the Scripture.

3.   Instruct them in Wisdom.

4.    Make them grow (Purify them).

Now fifth specialty is being discussed in this verse that He (glory, grace, blessings and peace be upon Him) teaches you about that which you did never know before this time.

The God Almighty sent His Messengers (peace be upon Them) for different nations during different times for the guidance of human beings and arranged for them to convey the Message of the Truth. Slowly and gradually each nation overtook in the different groups, opposite and religious persecution, and went very far from the path of heavenly knowledge and guidance. Then the God Almighty sent the Last Messenger Muhammad (glory, grace, blessings and peace be upon Him) so that a new nation may be raised after becoming un-useful of the former nations, make them justice liking with the impression of His (glory, grace, blessings and peace be upon Him) teachings and company and so that this nation may hold the post of guidance and admonition for the entire nations of the world.

This verse points towards the change of the Qiblah, that it is the completion of those blessings, series of which have already been begun. Change of the Qiblah is the last ring of that series of the blessings, the first ring of which is to send a Messenger who would be out of you. So that He (glory, grace, blessings and peace be upon Him) may become spring of the entire splendid blessings for you, he may cause to hear you the verses of Holy Qur’an, tell you the manners of getting outward and natural chastity and purity, teach you to follow on the orders and instructions of the Holy Qur’an and admonish you the delicacies and principles of these orders and instructions so that you may get superiority and excellence over all other nations due to knowledge and acts, and they may not find any path except to accept you the Excellent looking your knowledge and acts.

It is clear that if these all arrangements would have not been done by the Messenger of God Almighty (glory, grace, blessings and peace be upon Him) then you would have remained ignorant and you would never have known the manners to solve the problems of the life.         


LESSON # 154 FROM HOLY QUR’AN
BAQARAH – 2 (The Cow)
Remember The God & Thanks For Him
Verse –152 of 286, Section – 19 (Part 2)

Therefore remember Me, I will remember you; and give thanks to Me, and do not be ungrateful to Me.          
Faz-kuruuniii  ‘az-kurkum  washkuruu  lii  wa laa takfu-ruun.

Lesson

Faz-kuruuniii – (So you remember Me) its matter is Zikr, which means remember, recitation, memory, prayer, talk and mention. Accordingly counting on rosary (count the beads) is called the Zikr because it is source of remembrance to the God Almighty.

Ashkuruu  lii – (give thanks to Me) shukr means thanks, gratitude. Purpose of it is that use of the powers and blessings bestowed by the God Almighty should be on the just, true, right and proper places, and should abstain from under-esteeming which is also called ingratitude of a favor.

The principles regarding improvement of the Muslim Ummah (nation) have been mentioned in the former verses, so now it is necessary that the people who admit the invitation of Holy Qur’an be guided to act according to those principles and tell them to do with zeal keeping in view these matters. So they are being commanded at first, “Remember the God Almighty every moment”.

Meaning of the ‘remember’ to the Lord Almighty is that the person should go on the path guided by Him with full fondness and courage.   
He should keep on priority the liking and assent of the God Almighty in each work, as during standing, sitting, walking, wondering, waking, and sleeping. Particularly the method of worship has also been selected to remember Him. It is our duty to stand firm on it. As its reward the God Almighty commands, “I shall continue to rain over you My particular favors and blessings in this world as well as on the Judgment Day, and you will be bestowed with new and fresh kindness and mercies. 

Secondly the Muslim nation is being commanded, “Give thanks to Me”. The best shape of the Thanks to God Almighty is that His favors and blessings be fixed for His works according to His orders and should work in the limitations which have been ordered by the Lord to do by the human beings. With it the blessings and favors increase. This enlargement and increase is called blessings and fortune.

The third order delivered through Holy Qur’an is, “Esteem highly all the powers, blessings and strength granted by the God Almighty. Due to ungratefulness not only the favor is snatched, but the severe punishment and strong agony is also awarded.

God Almighty has appointed the Muslims for teaching and guidance of the nations. It was necessary to do this duty successfully that at first morality, manners and courtesy of superior quality and needful excellences be produced in to them. Three excellences have been mentioned out of them in the today’s lesson, which are roots (base) of all the excellences. That is to say, we should do worship of Allah Almighty and obey His orders, spend the favors, blessings and powers granted by Him according to His orders and do not fix in disobedience the strength, powers and causes gifted us by Him. 


Transliterated Holy Qur’an in Roman Script & Translated from Arabic to English by Marmaduke Pickthall, Published by Paak Company, 17-Urdu Bazar, Lahore, Lesson collected from Dars e Qur’an published By Idara Islaah wa Tableegh, Lahore (translated Urdu to English  by Muhammad Sharif).

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