1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:02,759 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. 2 00:00:30,300 --> 00:00:32,299 Concise Commentary 3 00:00:32,299 --> 00:00:35,299 On the Book *Introductory Cards 4 00:00:35,299 --> 00:00:37,299 For the Surahs of the Noble Qur'an* 5 00:00:38,299 --> 00:00:42,299 By Dr. Muhammad ibn Abd al-Aziz ibn Umar Naseef, 6 00:00:42,299 --> 00:00:44,359 May Allah preserve him. 7 00:00:44,359 --> 00:00:46,359 Surah at-Talaq. 8 00:00:46,359 --> 00:00:48,359 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. 9 00:00:48,359 --> 00:00:50,359 Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds, 10 00:00:50,359 --> 00:00:52,359 And peace and blessings be upon the Seal of the Prophets and Messengers, 11 00:00:52,359 --> 00:00:54,359 And upon his family and all his Companions. 12 00:00:55,119 --> 00:00:57,119 We are still engaged in our concise commentary on the introductory cards, 13 00:00:57,119 --> 00:00:59,119 And we have now reached Surah at-Talaq. 14 00:00:59,119 --> 00:01:01,119 I have three observations regarding it. 15 00:01:01,119 --> 00:01:03,119 The first observation concerns the name of the surah, 16 00:01:03,119 --> 00:01:05,120 The most famous of which is *at-Talaq* (Divorce). 17 00:01:05,120 --> 00:01:07,469 The Qur'an 18 00:01:07,469 --> 00:01:09,659 Addresses people 19 00:01:09,659 --> 00:01:11,659 According to their lived reality. 20 00:01:11,659 --> 00:01:13,950 Today we find 21 00:01:13,950 --> 00:01:15,950 Calls toward 22 00:01:15,950 --> 00:01:17,950 Excessive 23 00:01:17,950 --> 00:01:20,019 Softening of 24 00:01:20,019 --> 00:01:22,019 The harsh realities of life 25 00:01:22,019 --> 00:01:24,079 By avoiding even the slightest 26 00:01:24,840 --> 00:01:26,840 Phrase that might cause pain 27 00:01:26,840 --> 00:01:28,840 Or offense, 28 00:01:28,840 --> 00:01:30,840 Even though this can lead to a complete detachment from reality. 29 00:01:30,840 --> 00:01:32,840 Optimism is desirable, 30 00:01:32,840 --> 00:01:34,900 But so is realism; 31 00:01:34,900 --> 00:01:36,900 We should not 32 00:01:36,900 --> 00:01:38,900 Allow one to overpower the other 33 00:01:38,900 --> 00:01:40,900 To the point of erasing it entirely. 34 00:01:40,900 --> 00:01:42,900 Thus, we have Surah at-Talaq, 35 00:01:42,900 --> 00:01:44,900 Whereas we do not have a surah named for marriage— 36 00:01:44,900 --> 00:01:46,900 Meaning, for instance, a surah named *az-Zawaj* (Marriage)— 37 00:01:46,900 --> 00:01:48,900 Yet we have a surah explicitly named *at-Talaq* (Divorce). 38 00:01:48,900 --> 00:01:50,900 So this matter, painful though it may be, 39 00:01:50,900 --> 00:01:52,900 Involving separation, 40 00:01:52,900 --> 00:01:54,900 Conflict, and estrangement, 41 00:01:54,900 --> 00:01:56,900 Is nonetheless an undeniable reality 42 00:01:56,900 --> 00:01:58,900 In life that must be properly addressed. 43 00:01:58,900 --> 00:02:00,900 This leads me to the second observation, 44 00:02:00,900 --> 00:02:02,900 Which concerns the opening of the surah. 45 00:02:02,900 --> 00:02:04,900 The surah begins with an address in general terms, 46 00:02:04,900 --> 00:02:06,900 Yet it opens with a call directed 47 00:02:06,900 --> 00:02:08,900 To the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) specifically. 48 00:02:08,900 --> 00:02:10,900 We can add here, 49 00:02:10,900 --> 00:02:12,900 Regarding the beginning of the surah, 50 00:02:12,900 --> 00:02:14,900 That Surah al-Ahzab and Surah at-Tahrim share this distinct feature with it; 51 00:02:14,900 --> 00:02:16,900 These three surahs all begin with: 52 00:02:16,900 --> 00:02:18,900 "O Prophet..." 53 00:02:18,900 --> 00:02:20,900 In al-Ahzab and at-Tahrim, it is obvious 54 00:02:20,900 --> 00:02:22,900 Why they begin by addressing the Prophet (peace be upon him), 55 00:02:22,900 --> 00:02:24,900 As those surahs discuss 56 00:02:24,900 --> 00:02:26,900 Him, his household, 57 00:02:26,900 --> 00:02:28,900 And various other matters, 58 00:02:28,900 --> 00:02:30,900 Including rulings that specifically pertain to and concern him (peace be upon him)— 59 00:02:30,900 --> 00:02:32,900 Such as in Surah al-Ahzab. 60 00:02:32,900 --> 00:02:35,000 As for Surah at-Talaq, however, this reason 61 00:02:35,000 --> 00:02:37,000 Is not immediately apparent, making its opening particularly striking. 62 00:02:37,000 --> 00:02:39,000 As I mentioned, 63 00:02:39,000 --> 00:02:41,000 Divorce reflects practical realism, 64 00:02:41,000 --> 00:02:43,000 And beginning the surah by addressing the Prophet (peace be upon him) indicates that these 65 00:02:43,000 --> 00:02:45,000 Are crucial rulings in the life of a Muslim, 66 00:02:45,000 --> 00:02:47,030 Matters that ought to be 67 00:02:47,030 --> 00:02:49,030 Diligently attended to. 68 00:02:49,030 --> 00:02:51,030 One should not feel shy to state their rulings; 69 00:02:51,030 --> 00:02:53,030 Rather, they were addressed directly to the master 70 00:02:53,030 --> 00:02:55,030 And leader of the Ummah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), 71 00:02:55,030 --> 00:02:57,030 Even though He later said, 72 00:02:57,030 --> 00:02:59,030 “O Prophet! When ye (men) put away women, put them away for their (legal) period and reckon the period, and keep your duty to Allah, your Lord. Expel them not from their houses nor let them go forth unless they commit open immorality. Such are the limits (imposed by) Allah; and whoso transgresseth Allah's limits, he verily wrongeth his soul. Thou knowest not: it may be that Allah will afterward bring some new thing to pass.” (65:1) 73 00:02:59,030 --> 00:03:01,030 In addressing the collective body of believers: ◁ "When you divorce women..." ▷. 74 00:03:01,030 --> 00:03:03,030 Nevertheless, this opening 75 00:03:03,030 --> 00:03:05,030 Instills in us the gravity of this 76 00:03:05,030 --> 00:03:07,030 Matter, showing that it is not something to be avoided or shunned, 77 00:03:07,030 --> 00:03:09,030 Along with the surah's frequent 78 00:03:09,030 --> 00:03:11,030 Emphasis on God-fearing piety (*taqwa*), as it serves as 79 00:03:11,030 --> 00:03:13,030 The safety valve and 80 00:03:13,030 --> 00:03:15,030 Guardian 81 00:03:15,030 --> 00:03:17,030 For the community of believers. 82 00:03:17,030 --> 00:03:19,030 There is much more that could be said on this. 83 00:03:19,030 --> 00:03:21,030 Indeed, the surah contains 84 00:03:21,030 --> 00:03:23,030 Principles that 85 00:03:23,030 --> 00:03:25,030 Warrant extensive reflection, 86 00:03:25,030 --> 00:03:27,030 Which would exceed the scope of this 87 00:03:27,030 --> 00:03:29,030 Concise commentary. 88 00:03:29,030 --> 00:03:31,030 As for the third observation, 89 00:03:31,030 --> 00:03:33,030 It relates to the passages of the surah. 90 00:03:33,030 --> 00:03:35,030 The author mentions the first passage 91 00:03:35,030 --> 00:03:37,030 And the second passage, 92 00:03:37,030 --> 00:03:39,030 Noting that the opening of the final passage is informative, 93 00:03:39,030 --> 00:03:41,030 While in the conclusion he calls it an opening of divine self-revelation. 94 00:03:41,030 --> 00:03:43,030 In truth, it is a dual-natured opening— 95 00:03:43,030 --> 00:03:45,030 Namely, the statement of Allah Almighty. 96 00:03:45,030 --> 00:03:47,030 All verses that begin 97 00:03:47,030 --> 00:03:49,030 With the mention of the Majesty's Name (*Allah*), 98 00:03:49,030 --> 00:03:51,030 Whether appearing without a conjunction 99 00:03:51,030 --> 00:03:53,379 Or with one ("And Allah..."), 100 00:03:53,379 --> 00:03:55,379 Serve to introduce Allah to His creation. 101 00:03:55,379 --> 00:03:57,379 However, introducing Allah inherently entails 102 00:03:57,379 --> 00:03:59,379 Praising Him, 103 00:03:59,379 --> 00:04:01,379 For among His actions there is nothing 104 00:04:01,379 --> 00:04:03,379 Except that which is 105 00:04:03,379 --> 00:04:05,379 Fully deserving of praise, 106 00:04:05,379 --> 00:04:07,379 Glorified and Exalted be He. 107 00:04:07,379 --> 00:04:09,379 This final verse is truly a magnificent verse; 108 00:04:09,379 --> 00:04:11,379 This dual aspect 109 00:04:11,379 --> 00:04:13,379 Demands deep reflection, 110 00:04:13,379 --> 00:04:15,379 Demands long contemplation. 111 00:04:15,379 --> 00:04:17,379 It is 112 00:04:17,379 --> 00:04:19,379 Complementary to the statement of Allah Almighty: 113 00:04:19,379 --> 00:04:21,379 “I created the jinn and humankind only that they might worship Me.” (51:56) 114 00:04:21,379 --> 00:04:23,379 ◁ "And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me." ▷ 115 00:04:23,379 --> 00:04:25,379 That verse clarifies 116 00:04:25,379 --> 00:04:27,379 The ultimate purpose for which we were created, 117 00:04:27,379 --> 00:04:29,379 Whereas this verse 118 00:04:29,379 --> 00:04:31,379 Clarifies a prerequisite knowledge 119 00:04:31,379 --> 00:04:33,379 Before it: if we truly fulfill it, 120 00:04:33,379 --> 00:04:35,379 The fruitful result will be 121 00:04:35,379 --> 00:04:37,379 That we worship Him. 122 00:04:37,379 --> 00:04:39,379 It is as if the verse in Surah at-Talaq establishes the foundation: ◁ "Allah is the one who created seven heavens and of the earth, the like of them..." ▷ 123 00:04:39,379 --> 00:04:41,379 Up to His words: 124 00:04:41,379 --> 00:04:43,379 ◁ "...that you may know that Allah is over all things competent..." ▷ 125 00:04:43,379 --> 00:04:45,379 “Allah it is who hath created seven heavens, and of the earth the like thereof. The commandment cometh down among them slowly, that ye may know that Allah is Able to do all things, and that Allah surroundeth all things in knowledge.” (65:12) 126 00:04:45,379 --> 00:04:47,379 ◁ "...and that Allah has encompassed all things in knowledge." ▷ 127 00:04:47,379 --> 00:04:49,379 “Allah it is who hath created seven heavens, and of the earth the like thereof. The commandment cometh down among them slowly, that ye may know that Allah is Able to do all things, and that Allah surroundeth all things in knowledge.” (65:12) 128 00:04:49,379 --> 00:04:51,379 So whoever realizes this fruit 129 00:04:51,379 --> 00:04:53,379 Will truly worship Allah Almighty and fulfill the purpose of that other verse. 130 00:04:53,379 --> 00:04:55,379 “I created the jinn and humankind only that they might worship Me.” (51:56) 131 00:04:55,379 --> 00:04:57,379 I will content myself with this amount. 132 00:04:57,379 --> 00:04:59,379 May Allah send blessings and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and all his Companions. 133 00:04:59,379 --> 00:05:01,379 And praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds.