1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:02,759 In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful. 2 00:00:30,300 --> 00:00:32,299 A Gentle Commentary 3 00:00:32,299 --> 00:00:35,259 on the Book "Identification Cards 4 00:00:35,259 --> 00:00:37,500 for the Surahs of the Noble Mus-haf" 5 00:00:38,500 --> 00:00:42,299 by Dr. Muhammad Ibn Abd al-Aziz Ibn Umar Nasif, 6 00:00:42,299 --> 00:00:44,420 may Allah preserve him. 7 00:00:44,420 --> 00:00:48,420 Surah Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. 8 00:00:48,420 --> 00:00:50,420 In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful. 9 00:00:50,420 --> 00:00:52,420 All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all creation, 10 00:00:52,420 --> 00:00:54,420 and may peace and blessings be upon the Seal 11 00:00:54,420 --> 00:00:56,420 of the Prophets and the Messengers, 12 00:00:56,420 --> 00:00:58,420 and upon his family and all his Companions. 13 00:00:58,420 --> 00:01:00,939 We continue with our gentle commentary, 14 00:01:00,939 --> 00:01:02,939 and we are with Surah Muhammad, 15 00:01:02,939 --> 00:01:05,060 peace be upon him. 16 00:01:05,060 --> 00:01:07,060 I would like to pause here with three points. 17 00:01:07,060 --> 00:01:09,060 The first point relates to the occasion of revelation. 18 00:01:09,060 --> 00:01:11,060 Reference was made to an occasion of revelation 19 00:01:11,060 --> 00:01:15,060 which indicates that it was revealed on the route of the Hijrah, 20 00:01:15,060 --> 00:01:17,060 but its transmission contains an abandoned narrator (matruk). 21 00:01:17,060 --> 00:01:20,319 Therefore, more than one scholar has ruled 22 00:01:20,319 --> 00:01:22,700 that the hadith is extremely weak; 23 00:01:22,700 --> 00:01:25,989 it is defective due to this abandoned narrator. 24 00:01:25,989 --> 00:01:27,989 Someone might say here: 25 00:01:27,989 --> 00:01:29,989 "Well, why did you mention it?" 26 00:01:29,989 --> 00:01:32,989 I mentioned it because the primary reference work adopted here cited it. 27 00:01:32,989 --> 00:01:34,989 This shows that although this book 28 00:01:34,989 --> 00:01:36,989 is generally good, 29 00:01:36,989 --> 00:01:38,989 such that it is suitable to serve as a foundational study for a person, 30 00:01:38,989 --> 00:01:41,989 it nevertheless requires review and verification 31 00:01:41,989 --> 00:01:43,989 regarding the authentications it contains, 32 00:01:43,989 --> 00:01:45,989 especially when an authentication is made exclusively 33 00:01:45,989 --> 00:01:47,989 by the authority from whom the author— 34 00:01:47,989 --> 00:01:49,989 may Allah preserve him—transmitted here, 35 00:01:49,989 --> 00:01:51,989 namely Imam al-Qurtubi in his Tafsir, 36 00:01:51,989 --> 00:01:54,989 *Al-Jami' li-Ahkam al-Qur'an*. 37 00:01:54,989 --> 00:01:58,540 Its theme constitutes the second point. 38 00:01:58,540 --> 00:02:00,540 As for its theme, he said it is obvious from its name, 39 00:02:00,540 --> 00:02:01,540 which is fighting (qital); 40 00:02:01,540 --> 00:02:03,540 thus, its core theme is fighting. 41 00:02:03,540 --> 00:02:05,540 However, I would like to add 42 00:02:05,540 --> 00:02:07,540 that its other mentioned names 43 00:02:07,540 --> 00:02:10,539 contain an allusion to aspects of its subject matter. 44 00:02:10,539 --> 00:02:14,539 For its name "Muhammad," peace be upon him, 45 00:02:14,539 --> 00:02:16,889 points to the cause of victory, 46 00:02:16,889 --> 00:02:18,889 which is alluded to at its very beginning. 47 00:02:18,889 --> 00:02:20,919 He said: "Those who disbelieved..." 48 00:02:20,919 --> 00:02:22,919 “Those who disbelieve and turn (men) from the way of Allah, He rendereth their actions vain.” (47:1) 49 00:02:22,919 --> 00:02:25,919 Scholars of rhetoric state that such relative clauses 50 00:02:25,919 --> 00:02:28,919 “Those who disbelieve and turn (men) from the way of Allah, He rendereth their actions vain.” (47:1) 51 00:02:28,919 --> 00:02:30,919 serve to indicate 52 00:02:30,919 --> 00:02:33,270 the reason and justification 53 00:02:33,270 --> 00:02:36,270 for the outcome: the outcome being, "He rendered their deeds worthless." 54 00:02:36,270 --> 00:02:38,270 Why? Because they disbelieved and averted people from the path of Allah. 55 00:02:38,270 --> 00:02:40,270 Then He said: "And those who believed 56 00:02:40,270 --> 00:02:42,270 and did righteous deeds..." 57 00:02:42,270 --> 00:02:44,270 “And those who believe and do good works and believe in that which is revealed unto Muhammad - and it is the truth from their Lord - He riddeth them of their ill-deeds and improveth their state.” (47:2) 58 00:02:44,270 --> 00:02:46,270 And it is well known that this addresses the Muslims. 59 00:02:46,270 --> 00:02:49,270 Why then specify faith in our Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, 60 00:02:49,270 --> 00:02:51,270 even though all believers 61 00:02:51,270 --> 00:02:53,270 must believe in that by default? 62 00:02:53,270 --> 00:02:55,270 This indicates 63 00:02:55,270 --> 00:02:57,270 that the reason for victory, 64 00:02:57,270 --> 00:02:59,430 and the reason for what is mentioned here— 65 00:02:59,430 --> 00:03:01,430 "And those who believed and did righteous deeds"— 66 00:03:01,430 --> 00:03:03,430 “And those who believe and do good works and believe in that which is revealed unto Muhammad - and it is the truth from their Lord - He riddeth them of their ill-deeds and improveth their state.” (47:2) 67 00:03:03,430 --> 00:03:05,430 “And those who believe and do good works and believe in that which is revealed unto Muhammad - and it is the truth from their Lord - He riddeth them of their ill-deeds and improveth their state.” (47:2) 68 00:03:05,430 --> 00:03:07,430 is: "He will remove from them their misdeeds 69 00:03:07,430 --> 00:03:09,430 and amend their condition." Thus the outcome 70 00:03:09,430 --> 00:03:11,560 is built upon the cause. 71 00:03:11,560 --> 00:03:13,560 Moreover, if we look at the entire context, 72 00:03:13,560 --> 00:03:15,560 we say that one of the greatest 73 00:03:15,560 --> 00:03:17,560 causes of victory—in fact, it is 74 00:03:17,560 --> 00:03:19,560 a prerequisite among the causes of victory— 75 00:03:19,560 --> 00:03:21,560 is that Muslims truly believe 76 00:03:21,560 --> 00:03:23,560 in that which was revealed 77 00:03:23,560 --> 00:03:25,560 to their Prophet Muhammad, 78 00:03:25,560 --> 00:03:27,560 may Allah bless him and 79 00:03:27,560 --> 00:03:30,300 his family and Companions. 80 00:03:30,300 --> 00:03:32,300 Furthermore, the third name that 81 00:03:32,300 --> 00:03:34,300 was mentioned by Imam al-Biqa'i, 82 00:03:34,300 --> 00:03:36,300 and which he affirmed in the book, 83 00:03:36,300 --> 00:03:38,389 is *Al-Ladhina Kafaru* ("Those Who Disbelieved"). 84 00:03:38,389 --> 00:03:40,389 The reality is that the surah identifies those who disbelieved; 85 00:03:40,389 --> 00:03:42,389 you will find their traits described in a manner that calls 86 00:03:42,389 --> 00:03:44,389 for fighting them, 87 00:03:44,389 --> 00:03:46,520 clarifies their ultimate fate, 88 00:03:46,520 --> 00:03:48,520 and shows that it is utter ruin. 89 00:03:48,520 --> 00:03:50,520 There is no doubt 90 00:03:50,520 --> 00:03:52,520 that keeping the traits of the disbelievers in mind 91 00:03:52,520 --> 00:03:55,060 is exceptionally important 92 00:03:55,060 --> 00:03:57,060 in such a context. 93 00:03:57,060 --> 00:03:59,060 Hence, the surah drew contrasts 94 00:03:59,060 --> 00:04:01,060 illustrating the qualities of the believers 95 00:04:01,060 --> 00:04:03,060 so that their resolve might be elevated, 96 00:04:03,060 --> 00:04:05,060 while exposing the conditions of the disbelievers 97 00:04:05,060 --> 00:04:07,060 so as to strengthen the believers 98 00:04:07,060 --> 00:04:09,060 in fighting them. 99 00:04:09,060 --> 00:04:11,060 The third and final point 100 00:04:11,060 --> 00:04:13,060 concerns the word *thumma* ("then"). 101 00:04:13,060 --> 00:04:15,060 I may have mentioned this before, 102 00:04:15,060 --> 00:04:17,060 but I want to state it explicitly here 103 00:04:17,060 --> 00:04:19,060 so that it stands as 104 00:04:19,060 --> 00:04:21,060 an independent point 105 00:04:21,060 --> 00:04:23,060 and receives proper focus. 106 00:04:23,060 --> 00:04:25,060 This is a consistent convention throughout the book, 107 00:04:25,060 --> 00:04:27,060 except for whatever human errors 108 00:04:27,060 --> 00:04:29,060 or typographical mistakes might occur. 109 00:04:29,060 --> 00:04:31,129 The word *thumma* ("then"), 110 00:04:31,129 --> 00:04:33,129 whenever it appears in the context 111 00:04:33,129 --> 00:04:35,129 of the surah's thematic sections, 112 00:04:35,129 --> 00:04:37,129 indicates 113 00:04:37,129 --> 00:04:39,129 the start of a new section. 114 00:04:39,129 --> 00:04:41,129 Observe with me, in Surah 115 00:04:41,129 --> 00:04:43,129 Muhammad, peace be upon him, 116 00:04:43,129 --> 00:04:45,129 under the division of its parts, 117 00:04:45,129 --> 00:04:47,129 he said it contains three sections, 118 00:04:47,129 --> 00:04:49,129 and then he listed numbers: 7, 119 00:04:49,129 --> 00:04:51,129 16, and 25. 120 00:04:51,129 --> 00:04:53,129 These numbers are the beginning verses of each section. 121 00:04:53,129 --> 00:04:55,220 Then we notice, 122 00:04:55,220 --> 00:04:57,220 since they are three sections, 123 00:04:57,220 --> 00:04:59,220 the discussion of the first section begins with his words: 124 00:04:59,220 --> 00:05:01,220 "In it is an encouragement toward victory..." 125 00:05:01,220 --> 00:05:03,220 Here begins the discussion of the first section. 126 00:05:03,220 --> 00:05:05,220 Then, when the word *thumma* appears, 127 00:05:05,220 --> 00:05:07,220 the discussion has moved 128 00:05:07,220 --> 00:05:09,220 to the second section, which begins with verse 129 00:05:09,220 --> 00:05:11,379 sixteen. 130 00:05:11,379 --> 00:05:13,379 Then the subsequent *thumma* marks the section beginning with verse 131 00:05:13,379 --> 00:05:15,379 twenty-five. 132 00:05:15,379 --> 00:05:17,379 This helps one track 133 00:05:17,379 --> 00:05:19,480 the various sections. 134 00:05:19,480 --> 00:05:21,480 Someone might ask: "Why did you not print 135 00:05:21,480 --> 00:05:23,480 the actual verses that begin the sections?" 136 00:05:23,480 --> 00:05:25,480 This was a matter 137 00:05:25,480 --> 00:05:27,480 about which consultation took place, 138 00:05:27,480 --> 00:05:29,480 and I, along with those I consulted, concluded 139 00:05:29,480 --> 00:05:31,480 that it is preferable to omit them so that 140 00:05:31,480 --> 00:05:33,959 the book does not become overly lengthy. 141 00:05:33,959 --> 00:05:35,959 Thus, this word *thumma* points to 142 00:05:35,959 --> 00:05:37,959 the sections; if one keeps the Mus-haf 143 00:05:37,959 --> 00:05:39,959 close at hand and follows the sections, 144 00:05:39,959 --> 00:05:41,959 they can write the verse down in their own copy, 145 00:05:41,959 --> 00:05:43,959 if they wish, in the margin, 146 00:05:43,959 --> 00:05:45,959 for example. 147 00:05:45,959 --> 00:05:47,959 And this is the last thought I will conclude with: 148 00:05:47,959 --> 00:05:49,959 it is highly recommended 149 00:05:49,959 --> 00:05:51,959 to read the book alongside one's complete recitation (khatmah) 150 00:05:51,959 --> 00:05:53,959 of the Qur'an. 151 00:05:53,959 --> 00:05:55,959 When you complete the Qur'an in Ramadan, 152 00:05:55,959 --> 00:05:57,959 before you begin a surah, pause 153 00:05:57,959 --> 00:05:59,959 for five minutes, 154 00:05:59,959 --> 00:06:01,959 read its introductory profile, 155 00:06:01,959 --> 00:06:03,959 and then proceed. 156 00:06:03,959 --> 00:06:05,959 For that, by Allah's leave, will have a wonderful impact. 157 00:06:05,959 --> 00:06:07,959 I will suffice with this much. 158 00:06:07,959 --> 00:06:09,959 May Allah bless Muhammad, and his family and all his Companions. 159 00:06:09,959 --> 00:06:11,959 All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all creation.