WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.700 In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful. 00:00:03.399 --> 00:00:08.099 The commentary on the book *Bitaqat al-Ta'rif* 00:00:08.099 --> 00:00:11.199 *bi-Suwar al-Mushaf al-Sharif* 00:00:11.199 --> 00:00:15.099 By Dr. Muhammad Ibn 'Abd al-'Aziz Ibn 'Umar Nasif, 00:00:15.099 --> 00:00:16.399 May Allah preserve him. 00:00:17.000 --> 00:00:19.440 Surah al-Humazah. 00:00:20.219 --> 00:00:21.820 In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful. 00:00:21.820 --> 00:00:23.320 Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds, 00:00:23.320 --> 00:00:26.320 And may peace and blessings be upon the Seal of the Prophets and Messengers, 00:00:26.320 --> 00:00:28.620 And upon his family and all his Companions. 00:00:28.620 --> 00:00:31.320 We continue with our commentary on the introductory cards of the Qur'an, 00:00:32.119 --> 00:00:34.420 And we have arrived at Surah al-Humazah. 00:00:35.119 --> 00:00:37.020 With regard to it, we have three reflections. 00:00:38.420 --> 00:00:41.820 The first reflection is similar to our earlier reflections 00:00:42.320 --> 00:00:46.020 Concerning surahs dedicated to a single, distinct theme, 00:00:46.420 --> 00:00:47.920 And this surah is likewise dedicated. 00:00:49.020 --> 00:00:52.320 This indicates to us the gravity of this matter, 00:00:53.820 --> 00:00:56.719 Which is a critical moral and educational issue: 00:00:58.539 --> 00:01:00.240 Slander and backbiting (al-hamz and al-lamz). 00:01:00.740 --> 00:01:03.439 Both corrupt the individual and society, 00:01:03.439 --> 00:01:05.040 And are extremely harmful. 00:01:06.209 --> 00:01:07.909 Backbiting has indeed been classified 00:01:08.670 --> 00:01:11.670 Among the major sins—in fact, a scholarly consensus has been reported on that. 00:01:12.739 --> 00:01:14.540 Thus, this surah was uniquely dedicated to it: 00:01:14.540 --> 00:01:17.140 Faulting people to their faces and defaming them behind their backs. 00:01:18.959 --> 00:01:21.159 This surah was singularly revealed concerning this, 00:01:21.459 --> 00:01:23.760 Which clearly shows that it is an issue 00:01:24.060 --> 00:01:24.959 Of paramount importance. 00:01:25.060 --> 00:01:27.159 We also note that this surah 00:01:27.560 --> 00:01:28.560 Was revealed 00:01:29.379 --> 00:01:32.180 In Makkah before many of the legal rulings were instituted. 00:01:32.180 --> 00:01:35.480 Thus, the prohibition of slandering and backbiting 00:01:36.299 --> 00:01:38.400 Came before the prohibition of intoxicants 00:01:39.099 --> 00:01:43.299 And before many matters of the Shariah that we tend to emphasize. 00:01:43.299 --> 00:01:44.099 Although those are indeed important, 00:01:44.400 --> 00:01:46.299 This matter is even more critical. 00:01:47.739 --> 00:01:50.040 From this, I move to the second reflection, 00:01:50.340 --> 00:01:51.640 Which is a call 00:01:52.329 --> 00:01:54.629 To bring the message of this surah closer [to the youth], 00:01:54.930 --> 00:01:58.480 Just as I have urged regarding several of the short surahs: 00:01:58.879 --> 00:02:01.780 I call for conveying the meanings of this surah to the rising generation. 00:02:03.969 --> 00:02:07.269 It is among the most essential topics for primary school students to study— 00:02:07.670 --> 00:02:09.569 That they study this surah 00:02:11.009 --> 00:02:15.110 In a manner that firmly instills within them a deep fear 00:02:15.740 --> 00:02:17.340 Of mentioning anyone unfavorably, 00:02:17.740 --> 00:02:19.340 Whether to their face or behind their back. 00:02:20.830 --> 00:02:23.129 As for the third reflection, it concerns the opening of the surah. 00:02:23.629 --> 00:02:24.930 It is mentioned in the book 00:02:26.650 --> 00:02:27.849 That it opens 00:02:28.349 --> 00:02:29.150 With an invocation/imprecation (du'a). 00:02:30.710 --> 00:02:34.409 They stated that this is the ninth type among the categories of surah openings mentioned in *al-Itqan*. 00:02:35.110 --> 00:02:37.610 Two other surahs share this style of opening with it: 00:02:38.210 --> 00:02:39.210 Al-Mutaffifin— 00:02:40.099 --> 00:02:41.300 "Woe to the defrauders"— 00:02:41.900 --> 00:02:43.599 And al-Masad: "May the hands of Abu Lahab be ruined." 00:02:44.199 --> 00:02:45.599 These three openings— 00:02:45.900 --> 00:02:47.400 *Wayl* (woe) occurring twice, 00:02:47.699 --> 00:02:48.599 It being mentioned twice, 00:02:49.099 --> 00:02:50.400 And *Tabbat* (ruined)— 00:02:51.650 --> 00:02:53.349 Are among what al-Suyuti 00:02:53.550 --> 00:02:54.349 And others have categorized 00:02:54.650 --> 00:02:55.349 As an invocation/imprecation. 00:02:57.000 --> 00:02:58.400 This is how they classified it. 00:02:59.169 --> 00:03:00.069 However, the leading scholar— 00:03:00.569 --> 00:03:03.270 The great master of the Arabic language, Sibawayh— 00:03:03.870 --> 00:03:05.669 Has a statement that is well worth mentioning here. 00:03:06.169 --> 00:03:07.969 He did not approve of this terminology, 00:03:08.370 --> 00:03:09.469 Because supplication (du'a) in its origin 00:03:11.000 --> 00:03:12.500 Is directed from the lower to the higher. 00:03:13.719 --> 00:03:15.620 This appears to be the reason for the reservation 00:03:17.400 --> 00:03:18.500 Held by Sibawayh, may Allah have mercy on him. 00:03:18.500 --> 00:03:19.599 Sibawayh says: 00:03:20.620 --> 00:03:22.819 "As for the statement of Exalted Majesty: 00:03:24.780 --> 00:03:26.879 'Woe, that Day, to the deniers,' 00:03:27.639 --> 00:03:29.539 And: 'Woe to the defrauders,' 00:03:30.500 --> 00:03:34.400 It is inappropriate to say that this is an invocation here, 00:03:35.219 --> 00:03:37.620 For speaking of it in such terms is unbefitting." 00:03:37.719 --> 00:03:38.919 Meaning, in this context, 00:03:38.919 --> 00:03:41.520 When doing Tafsir of the speech of Allah, 00:03:42.569 --> 00:03:44.770 One should not say that it is an invocation/imprecation, 00:03:45.659 --> 00:03:47.360 Because speaking of it as such is unbefitting, 00:03:47.460 --> 00:03:48.759 And phrasing it in that manner is improper. 00:03:49.879 --> 00:03:51.080 "Rather, the servants 00:03:51.080 --> 00:03:52.879 Were addressed in their own idiom, 00:03:52.879 --> 00:03:55.680 And the Qur'an was revealed according to their language and what they intended by it. 00:03:56.900 --> 00:03:58.599 Thus, it is as though—and Allah knows best— 00:03:58.599 --> 00:03:59.400 It was declared to them: 00:03:59.800 --> 00:04:01.300 'Woe to the defrauders,' 00:04:02.539 --> 00:04:04.539 And: 'Woe, that Day, to the deniers,' 00:04:05.439 --> 00:04:08.740 Meaning: these are people for whom such an assertion is deservedly due. 00:04:10.199 --> 00:04:11.300 For such speech 00:04:11.300 --> 00:04:13.900 Is only said to a person deserving of evil and ruin. 00:04:13.900 --> 00:04:14.500 Thus it is declared: 00:04:15.560 --> 00:04:17.759 'These are among those who have fallen into evil and ruin, 00:04:17.759 --> 00:04:18.860 And this outcome is inevitable for them.' 00:04:19.259 --> 00:04:21.660 For it is an instruction from Allah to His servants 00:04:22.160 --> 00:04:24.060 Concerning what such individuals deserve"— 00:04:24.259 --> 00:04:25.459 I ask Allah for safety— 00:04:25.959 --> 00:04:27.060 "And it is not in the nature of an invocation." 00:04:29.199 --> 00:04:30.500 Sibawayh's statement 00:04:31.199 --> 00:04:32.399 Is profound, refined, and compelling, 00:04:32.399 --> 00:04:35.600 And he is a foremost authority in the Arabic language. 00:04:36.100 --> 00:04:37.300 Meanwhile, what is mentioned in the book 00:04:37.600 --> 00:04:40.100 Is the view held by groups of scholars. 00:04:40.500 --> 00:04:41.800 And Allah is Most High and All-Knowing. 00:04:42.199 --> 00:04:43.600 May Allah send blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, 00:04:43.600 --> 00:04:45.100 And upon his family and all his Companions, 00:04:45.399 --> 00:04:46.600 And praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds.