1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:02,779 In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful. 2 00:00:03,379 --> 00:00:08,099 *The Graceful Commentary on the Book of Introductory Profiles* 3 00:00:08,099 --> 00:00:11,119 *of the Surahs of the Noble Qur'an,* 4 00:00:11,259 --> 00:00:15,080 by Dr. Muhammad ibn Abd al-Aziz ibn Umar Nasif, 5 00:00:15,080 --> 00:00:16,460 may Allah preserve him. 6 00:00:16,960 --> 00:00:19,710 Surah al-'Adiyat. 7 00:00:19,850 --> 00:00:22,300 In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful. 8 00:00:22,300 --> 00:00:24,359 All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the worlds, 9 00:00:24,359 --> 00:00:28,579 and may peace and blessings be upon the Seal of the Prophets and Messengers, 10 00:00:28,620 --> 00:00:31,160 and upon all his family and Companions. 11 00:00:31,160 --> 00:00:34,920 We continue with *The Graceful Commentary on the Introductory Profiles*, 12 00:00:35,219 --> 00:00:37,719 and with Surah al-'Adiyat, 13 00:00:37,719 --> 00:00:40,100 regarding which I have three reflections to share. 14 00:00:40,100 --> 00:00:41,520 The first reflection 15 00:00:41,520 --> 00:00:43,920 concerns what was noted regarding the central theme of the surah: 16 00:00:43,920 --> 00:00:50,859 that it serves as a warning to man against being distracted from Allah and becoming intensely consumed by striving in this worldly life. 17 00:00:50,859 --> 00:00:55,329 Indeed, becoming distracted from Allah and forgetting Him, 18 00:00:55,329 --> 00:00:58,009 and even displaying ingratitude for His favors 19 00:00:58,189 --> 00:01:01,170 while relentlessly pursuing worldly ambitions, 20 00:01:01,170 --> 00:01:03,750 is a chronic ailment 21 00:01:03,750 --> 00:01:06,519 pointed out by this surah 22 00:01:06,519 --> 00:01:09,230 from its beginning up to His saying: 23 00:01:09,230 --> 00:01:11,939 “And lo! in the love of wealth he is violent.” (100:8) 24 00:01:11,939 --> 00:01:14,819 It is an ailment scarcely anyone is free from. 25 00:01:14,819 --> 00:01:16,219 As for striving in this world, 26 00:01:16,219 --> 00:01:19,680 there is no doubt that no one can do without it, 27 00:01:19,680 --> 00:01:24,299 yet it is often accompanied by an ailment to which this surah draws our attention. 28 00:01:24,299 --> 00:01:29,700 This brings us to the second reflection: 29 00:01:29,700 --> 00:01:32,650 the Qur'an is a cure; 30 00:01:32,650 --> 00:01:34,950 it does not merely diagnose the disease, 31 00:01:34,950 --> 00:01:38,659 but rather provides us with the remedy. 32 00:01:38,659 --> 00:01:43,340 And the remedy lies in the remainder of the surah: 33 00:01:43,340 --> 00:01:46,420 in remembering the Hereafter and what will take place therein. 34 00:01:46,420 --> 00:01:49,689 “Knoweth he not that, when the contents of the graves are poured forth” (100:9) 35 00:01:49,689 --> 00:01:52,010 “And the secrets of the breasts are made known,” (100:10) 36 00:01:52,010 --> 00:01:55,590 "Indeed, their Lord with them, that Day, is [fully] Acquainted." 37 00:01:55,590 --> 00:01:58,549 Compare these three concluding verses 38 00:01:58,549 --> 00:02:00,390 with what preceded them in the surah: 39 00:02:00,390 --> 00:02:02,390 you will first recognize the ailment, 40 00:02:02,390 --> 00:02:08,009 and then discern its cure. 41 00:02:08,009 --> 00:02:10,770 This is a point worthy of extensive contemplation. 42 00:02:10,770 --> 00:02:13,689 Consider, for example, 43 00:02:13,689 --> 00:02:17,169 man's strength and capability in his worldly endeavors. 44 00:02:17,169 --> 00:02:19,090 "By the racers, panting..." 45 00:02:19,090 --> 00:02:22,840 Galloping and raiding are attributed here 46 00:02:22,840 --> 00:02:24,680 to non-rational creatures, 47 00:02:24,680 --> 00:02:26,590 even though they are being driven. 48 00:02:26,590 --> 00:02:27,909 They run, 49 00:02:27,909 --> 00:02:30,150 but there is someone guiding them in their charge, 50 00:02:30,830 --> 00:02:33,680 and their riders are the ones launching the raid with them. 51 00:02:33,680 --> 00:02:37,020 Though they lack intellect, 52 00:02:37,020 --> 00:02:39,509 the action is directly attributed to them. 53 00:02:39,509 --> 00:02:40,909 But in the Hereafter, 54 00:02:40,909 --> 00:02:44,389 you—who actively strove in this world 55 00:02:44,389 --> 00:02:48,349 using your intellect to direct non-rational creatures— 56 00:02:48,349 --> 00:02:51,430 will be in a state of utter helplessness, 57 00:02:51,430 --> 00:02:54,789 “Knoweth he not that, when the contents of the graves are poured forth” (100:9) 58 00:02:54,789 --> 00:02:57,060 entirely subject to what is done to you. 59 00:02:57,060 --> 00:03:00,099 After having been an active agent of influence, 60 00:03:00,099 --> 00:03:03,460 you will become completely powerless 61 00:03:03,460 --> 00:03:05,740 as you are brought to meet your ultimate destiny. 62 00:03:05,740 --> 00:03:08,020 So remember, while you strive, 63 00:03:08,020 --> 00:03:10,539 that a Day awaits you when you will be driven, 64 00:03:10,539 --> 00:03:13,979 or carried along, toward your final reckoning. 65 00:03:13,979 --> 00:03:16,740 I ask Allah to make Paradise 66 00:03:16,740 --> 00:03:19,319 my abode and yours. 67 00:03:19,319 --> 00:03:21,819 As for the third reflection, 68 00:03:21,819 --> 00:03:23,539 it pertains to the placement of the surah in the Qur'anic order, 69 00:03:23,539 --> 00:03:26,710 and how it complements Surah al-Zalzalah 70 00:03:26,710 --> 00:03:29,219 in depicting the events of the Resurrection. 71 00:03:29,219 --> 00:03:30,699 Notice, however, 72 00:03:30,699 --> 00:03:32,259 that this surah 73 00:03:32,259 --> 00:03:34,860 dynamically connects the Hereafter with this worldly life, 74 00:03:34,860 --> 00:03:37,659 showing that we must not merely remember the Hereafter passively, 75 00:03:37,659 --> 00:03:39,900 but rather keep it actively in mind 76 00:03:39,900 --> 00:03:41,900 and let that awareness govern 77 00:03:41,900 --> 00:03:46,099 our striving and conduct in this world. 78 00:03:46,099 --> 00:03:48,539 This is unmistakably clear in this surah, 79 00:03:48,539 --> 00:03:52,460 just as it is also present in Surah al-Zalzalah. 80 00:03:52,460 --> 00:03:53,419 And Allah knows best. 81 00:03:53,419 --> 00:03:55,219 May peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 82 00:03:55,219 --> 00:03:56,979 and upon all his family and Companions. 83 00:03:56,979 --> 00:03:58,460 All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the worlds.