WEBVTT

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In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

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A brief commentary

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on the book *Identification Cards*

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*for the Surahs of the Noble Qur'an*,

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by Dr. Muhammad Ibn 'Abd al-'Aziz Ibn 'Umar Nasif,

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may Allah preserve him.

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Surah Saba'.

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In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

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All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings

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be upon the Messenger of Allah,

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and upon his family, his Companions, and all who follow him perpetually.

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A brief commentary

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on the identification cards,

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focusing on Surah Saba'.

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Here we observe that Saba' is the name of a tribe,

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and this tribe

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was ungrateful for Allah's favors, as depicted in this surah.

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Although the surah mentions Dawud

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and Sulayman,

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it was not named after either of them;

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rather, it was named Saba'.

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This indicates the primary objective of the surah,

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as it addresses the disbelievers

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first and foremost,

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rather than the righteous servants of Allah, even though it mentions them.

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Therefore, regarding the surah's central theme,

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the author wrote that it is recognized by pondering its distinct sections.

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However, it is more accurate to say

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that it is recognized by reflecting upon its name

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and the opening verses of its sections.

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For its name

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signifies its theme;

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as soon as you hear "Saba',"

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you recall that it addresses the disbelievers,

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while also speaking of others,

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because the Qur'an pairs intimidation with encouraging hope.

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The second point

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concerns the opening verses of its sections,

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which I suggested adding the word "openings" to describe,

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as they also help

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in discerning the surah's central theme:

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namely, refuting the disbelievers.

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Thus, these openings begin

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with mentioning the disbelievers:

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"And those who disbelieve say..."

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There are multiple verses containing the phrase:

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"And those who disbelieve say."

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The first is:

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"And those who disbelieve say,

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'The Hour will not come to us,'"

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in the third verse;

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and in the seventh verse,

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which marks the second section of the first part:

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"And those who disbelieve say,

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'Shall we direct you to a man...?'"

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Whenever such an assertion is repeated,

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you will find between one assertion and the next

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a refutation or guidance.

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Then comes

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the second part, which also begins:

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"And those who disbelieve say..."

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“And those who disbelieve say: We believe not in this Qur'an nor in that which was before it; but oh, if thou couldst see, when the wrong-doers are brought up before their Lord, how they cast the blame one to another; how those who were despised (in the earth) say unto those who were proud: But for you, we should have been believers.” (34:31)

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“And those who disbelieve say: We believe not in this Qur'an nor in that which was before it; but oh, if thou couldst see, when the wrong-doers are brought up before their Lord, how they cast the blame one to another; how those who were despised (in the earth) say unto those who were proud: But for you, we should have been believers.” (34:31)

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These verses

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demonstrate that the surah

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primarily addresses the disbelievers.

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At its conclusion, there is a dreadful warning

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directed at the disbelievers,

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right at the end of the surah.

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Hence, the author wrote: "Concluding with a threat

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depicting their state amidst terror

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in a manner..."

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He wrote here: "wondrous and terrifying" (badi'an mari'an),

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but this is an error;

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it should be "appalling or terrifying."

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It is wondrous in terms of language and rhetoric,

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yet profoundly terrifying.

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“Couldst thou but see when they are terrified with no escape, and are seized from near at hand,” (34:51)

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“Couldst thou but see when they are terrified with no escape, and are seized from near at hand,” (34:51)

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Returning briefly to the third point:

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within this surah,

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alongside these statements

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of the disbelievers—and you will find

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this in the sections of the surah

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on the second line

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from the bottom—the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him,

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is directly instructed

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on how to refute them:

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"Say," "Say," "Say."

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This recurs across many surahs,

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but I wished to emphasize here

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that a Muslim must base

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his refutations of the disbelievers,

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his answers to

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their misconceptions,

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and his dealings with them

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in general, upon

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divine revelation.

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If one desires to follow

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the way of the Prophet, peace be upon him—

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adhering to his Sunnah and his methodology—

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“Say: This is my Way: I call on Allah with sure knowledge. I and whosoever followeth me - Glory be to Allah! - and I am not of the idolaters.” (12:108)

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“Say: This is my Way: I call on Allah with sure knowledge. I and whosoever followeth me - Glory be to Allah! - and I am not of the idolaters.” (12:108)

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there is no need to search

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for alternative solutions.

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The Qur'an and the Sunnah of the Chosen Prophet

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from 'Adnan—which is the practical implementation of that Qur'an—

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are the sole means

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by which our da'wah,

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our answers, our rebuttals,

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and our interactions with the disbelievers

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can be sound and upright.

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This will serve as a path to their guidance,

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should Allah decree guidance for them,

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and ensure that we have fulfilled

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our duty toward them.

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This is what I wished to note regarding this surah,

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and I ask Allah to grant success to all.

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May Allah send peace and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad,

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and upon his family and all his Companions. All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds.