1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:03,000 In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful. 2 00:00:03,000 --> 00:00:32,469 The commentary entitled *Al-Ta'liq al-Latif* 3 00:00:32,469 --> 00:00:35,469 on the book *Bitaqat al-Ta'rif* 4 00:00:35,469 --> 00:00:38,469 *bi-Suwar al-Mushaf al-Sharif*, 5 00:00:38,469 --> 00:00:42,469 by Dr. Muhammad Ibn 'Abd al-'Aziz Ibn 'Umar Nasif, 6 00:00:42,469 --> 00:00:44,469 may Allah preserve him. 7 00:00:44,469 --> 00:00:46,469 Surah Sad. 8 00:00:46,469 --> 00:00:50,469 In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful. All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah. 9 00:00:50,469 --> 00:00:52,469 We continue with our commentary *Al-Ta'liq al-Latif* 10 00:00:52,469 --> 00:00:54,469 on *Bitaqat al-Ta'rif*, 11 00:00:54,469 --> 00:00:56,469 specifically with Surah Sad. 12 00:00:56,469 --> 00:00:58,469 I have three observations concerning it. 13 00:00:58,469 --> 00:01:00,469 The first observation pertains to an error 14 00:01:00,469 --> 00:01:02,729 that occurred in the book. 15 00:01:02,729 --> 00:01:04,730 If you look at the diagram 16 00:01:04,730 --> 00:01:06,730 regarding the order of the surah, 17 00:01:06,730 --> 00:01:08,730 specifically its chronological order of revelation, 18 00:01:08,730 --> 00:01:10,760 and naturally it concerns the dating of Surah Sad, 19 00:01:10,760 --> 00:01:12,760 it states that it is counted as the thirty-seventh, 20 00:01:12,760 --> 00:01:14,760 revealed after Surah al-Qamar and before Surah al-A'raf. 21 00:01:14,760 --> 00:01:16,890 This statement is correct. 22 00:01:16,890 --> 00:01:18,890 However, in the main body of the book, 23 00:01:18,890 --> 00:01:20,890 it says that it is widely considered the forty-second, revealed after Surah al-Furqan, 24 00:01:20,890 --> 00:01:22,890 and so forth. 25 00:01:22,890 --> 00:01:24,890 That is incorrect. 26 00:01:24,890 --> 00:01:26,890 That applies to Surah Fatir; 27 00:01:26,890 --> 00:01:28,890 this text was taken from the entry on Surah Fatir, 28 00:01:28,890 --> 00:01:30,890 as you would see if you compared them, and erroneously placed here. 29 00:01:30,890 --> 00:01:32,890 It is a sheer mistake. 30 00:01:32,890 --> 00:01:34,890 The correct position is what was established in the diagram: 31 00:01:34,890 --> 00:01:36,890 it is counted as the thirty-seventh, after al-Qamar and before al-A'raf. 32 00:01:36,890 --> 00:01:38,890 To this should be added 33 00:01:38,890 --> 00:01:40,890 that some of its verses suggest a later revelation, 34 00:01:40,890 --> 00:01:42,890 namely the verses mentioned 35 00:01:42,890 --> 00:01:44,890 in the contexts of revelation (Asbab al-Nuzul). 36 00:01:44,890 --> 00:01:46,890 There is disagreement 37 00:01:46,890 --> 00:01:48,890 regarding their authenticity, as it was narrated that they were revealed 38 00:01:48,890 --> 00:01:50,890 upon the death of Abu Talib, 39 00:01:50,890 --> 00:01:52,890 or during Abu Talib's illness, 40 00:01:52,890 --> 00:01:54,890 which was explained as his terminal illness, 41 00:01:54,890 --> 00:01:56,980 as mentioned by Ibn 'Atiyyah. 42 00:01:56,980 --> 00:01:58,980 Thus, the first pause is to correct this error. 43 00:01:58,980 --> 00:02:01,049 The second pause 44 00:02:01,049 --> 00:02:03,180 concerns a methodology 45 00:02:03,180 --> 00:02:05,180 outlined for us by this surah 46 00:02:05,180 --> 00:02:07,180 when denial, turning away, 47 00:02:07,180 --> 00:02:09,180 and obstinacy intensify 48 00:02:09,180 --> 00:02:11,180 on the part of opponents. 49 00:02:11,180 --> 00:02:13,210 What is required of a person? 50 00:02:13,210 --> 00:02:15,210 We learn the answer from this surah. 51 00:02:15,210 --> 00:02:17,210 For Allah, Glorified and Exalted be He, after the first page filled 52 00:02:17,210 --> 00:02:19,210 with the deniers' disbelief, said: 53 00:02:19,210 --> 00:02:21,240 "Be patient." 54 00:02:21,240 --> 00:02:23,270 Patience. 55 00:02:23,270 --> 00:02:25,270 Some people might take this word lightly; 56 00:02:25,270 --> 00:02:27,270 when someone says 57 00:02:27,270 --> 00:02:29,270 to another that 58 00:02:29,270 --> 00:02:31,270 people have turned away from obedience 59 00:02:31,270 --> 00:02:33,270 and immersed themselves in sins, 60 00:02:33,270 --> 00:02:35,270 and the response given is, "Be patient," 61 00:02:35,270 --> 00:02:37,270 he might think that this word 62 00:02:37,270 --> 00:02:39,270 is out of place, 63 00:02:39,270 --> 00:02:41,270 or that it is merely a sedative 64 00:02:41,270 --> 00:02:43,270 for emotional comfort, as they say. 65 00:02:43,270 --> 00:02:45,270 But this is entirely untrue. 66 00:02:45,270 --> 00:02:47,270 Patience is indispensable 67 00:02:47,270 --> 00:02:49,270 in the face of harm, denial, and rejection. 68 00:02:49,270 --> 00:02:51,430 If it comes from a disbeliever 69 00:02:51,430 --> 00:02:53,430 who has turned away completely, 70 00:02:53,430 --> 00:02:55,430 then without a doubt patience is required. 71 00:02:55,430 --> 00:02:57,430 And if it comes from a fellow Muslim 72 00:02:57,430 --> 00:02:59,430 who has fallen into many violations 73 00:02:59,430 --> 00:03:01,430 and indulged in sins, you equally require, 74 00:03:01,430 --> 00:03:03,849 while calling him to righteousness, to exercise patience. 75 00:03:03,849 --> 00:03:05,849 Patience, lest you be seduced and become 76 00:03:05,849 --> 00:03:07,849 like him, and so that you can persevere in calling him. 77 00:03:07,849 --> 00:03:10,009 Patience is therefore essential. 78 00:03:10,009 --> 00:03:12,039 Moreover, Allah, Glorified and Exalted be He, 79 00:03:12,039 --> 00:03:14,169 has mentioned, 80 00:03:14,169 --> 00:03:16,169 and explicitly cited in this surah what aids one in patience. 81 00:03:16,169 --> 00:03:18,169 Clearly, He said: "Be patient over what they say," 82 00:03:18,169 --> 00:03:20,169 and then He mentioned— 83 00:03:20,169 --> 00:03:22,169 and He began mentioning— 84 00:03:22,169 --> 00:03:24,169 and began recounting the stories: 85 00:03:24,169 --> 00:03:26,169 "and remember Our servant David," and then He said, 86 00:03:26,169 --> 00:03:28,169 mentioning Solomon along with him, then He said, 87 00:03:28,169 --> 00:03:30,169 "and remember Our servant Job," then He said, 88 00:03:30,169 --> 00:03:32,169 "and remember Our servants, 89 00:03:32,169 --> 00:03:34,169 Abraham and Isaac," 90 00:03:34,169 --> 00:03:36,169 and then He said, "and remember Ishmael." 91 00:03:36,169 --> 00:03:38,169 Thus, among the things that foster patience 92 00:03:38,169 --> 00:03:40,229 is remembering the Prophets 93 00:03:40,229 --> 00:03:42,490 and the righteous— 94 00:03:42,490 --> 00:03:44,810 here, specifically the Prophets. 95 00:03:44,810 --> 00:03:46,810 Recalling the stories of the Prophets 96 00:03:46,810 --> 00:03:48,810 aids in maintaining patience. 97 00:03:48,810 --> 00:03:50,840 Then He said, 98 00:03:50,840 --> 00:03:52,840 Glorified and Exalted be He: "This is 99 00:03:52,840 --> 00:03:54,840 a reminder, and indeed, for the righteous 100 00:03:54,840 --> 00:03:56,840 is a good place of return," and then He said, 101 00:03:56,840 --> 00:03:58,840 "This—and indeed, for the transgressors 102 00:03:58,840 --> 00:04:00,840 is an evil place of return." 103 00:04:00,840 --> 00:04:02,840 So, mentioning Paradise and Hellfire 104 00:04:02,840 --> 00:04:04,840 is also among the things that aid 105 00:04:04,840 --> 00:04:06,840 in this momentous matter: 106 00:04:06,840 --> 00:04:09,189 patience. 107 00:04:09,189 --> 00:04:11,189 Proceeding from this point, 108 00:04:11,189 --> 00:04:13,189 the third observation— 109 00:04:13,189 --> 00:04:15,189 which is closely connected to it 110 00:04:15,189 --> 00:04:17,189 and built upon it— 111 00:04:17,189 --> 00:04:19,220 is that when examining the theme of the surah, 112 00:04:19,220 --> 00:04:21,220 as known from its sections 113 00:04:21,220 --> 00:04:23,220 and contents, 114 00:04:23,220 --> 00:04:25,220 it speaks about the sheer intensity 115 00:04:25,220 --> 00:04:27,259 of the disbelievers' turning away, 116 00:04:27,259 --> 00:04:29,259 and the corresponding attitude 117 00:04:29,259 --> 00:04:31,259 required toward them. 118 00:04:31,259 --> 00:04:33,259 Then the author wrote: "to console the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him." 119 00:04:33,259 --> 00:04:35,259 No, it is not quite phrased like that. 120 00:04:35,259 --> 00:04:37,259 Regarding "the corresponding attitude required toward them," 121 00:04:37,259 --> 00:04:39,350 that phrase falls short; 122 00:04:39,350 --> 00:04:41,350 the required attitude is patience itself, 123 00:04:41,350 --> 00:04:43,350 not merely being consoled. 124 00:04:43,350 --> 00:04:45,350 He should have said: "patience, 125 00:04:45,350 --> 00:04:47,350 recalling the stories of the Prophets, 126 00:04:47,350 --> 00:04:49,350 and the Hereafter." 127 00:04:49,350 --> 00:04:51,540 For patience is what is demanded 128 00:04:51,540 --> 00:04:53,540 in the face of the disbelievers' rejection, 129 00:04:53,540 --> 00:04:55,769 and what aids in cultivating patience 130 00:04:55,769 --> 00:04:57,769 are the stories of the Prophets and the Hereafter. 131 00:04:57,769 --> 00:04:59,769 The accounts of these specific Prophets 132 00:04:59,769 --> 00:05:01,769 especially foster patience. 133 00:05:01,769 --> 00:05:03,899 Reflect upon them. 134 00:05:03,899 --> 00:05:05,899 We also observe— 135 00:05:05,899 --> 00:05:07,899 and this is an observation of 136 00:05:07,899 --> 00:05:09,899 subtle insight (lata'if)— 137 00:05:09,899 --> 00:05:11,899 that since the context 138 00:05:11,899 --> 00:05:13,899 was one of patience, 139 00:05:13,899 --> 00:05:15,899 when He described Paradise, He said: 140 00:05:15,899 --> 00:05:17,899 "Gardens of perpetual residence, whose doors 141 00:05:17,899 --> 00:05:20,180 will be opened for them." 142 00:05:20,180 --> 00:05:22,180 It is as though a person— 143 00:05:22,180 --> 00:05:24,410 and the general principle is that the reward corresponds to the nature of the deed— 144 00:05:24,410 --> 00:05:26,439 when obeying Allah, 145 00:05:26,439 --> 00:05:28,439 shuts many of the doors 146 00:05:28,439 --> 00:05:30,439 that might otherwise bring him 147 00:05:30,439 --> 00:05:32,439 deceptive worldly 148 00:05:32,439 --> 00:05:34,470 pleasures, 149 00:05:34,470 --> 00:05:36,470 by which he would compromise his religion. 150 00:05:36,470 --> 00:05:38,470 I do not claim that this is the formal Tafsir of the verse, 151 00:05:38,470 --> 00:05:40,470 but rather I say: 152 00:05:40,470 --> 00:05:42,470 the reward corresponds to the nature of the deed. 153 00:05:42,470 --> 00:05:44,470 Whoever desires the doors to be wide open for him 154 00:05:44,470 --> 00:05:46,470 on the Day of Resurrection 155 00:05:46,470 --> 00:05:48,600 in Paradise, 156 00:05:48,600 --> 00:05:50,600 must exercise patience 157 00:05:50,600 --> 00:05:52,600 here in this life. For patience entails a sense of 158 00:05:52,600 --> 00:05:54,600 constriction, whereas having doors opened 159 00:05:54,600 --> 00:05:56,600 offers expansive spaciousness. 160 00:05:56,600 --> 00:05:58,600 If a place is pleasant, 161 00:05:58,600 --> 00:06:00,600 it might suffice you even if the door is closed; 162 00:06:00,600 --> 00:06:02,600 yet opening the door adds further spaciousness 163 00:06:02,600 --> 00:06:04,600 and freedom. 164 00:06:04,600 --> 00:06:06,600 Thus, it was most fitting, 165 00:06:06,600 --> 00:06:08,660 when urging towards patience, 166 00:06:08,660 --> 00:06:10,730 to remind the believer of this 167 00:06:10,730 --> 00:06:12,730 reward, 168 00:06:12,730 --> 00:06:14,730 which stands in direct contrast 169 00:06:14,730 --> 00:06:16,730 to the constriction of patience—just as He stated in Surah 170 00:06:16,730 --> 00:06:18,730 al-Insan, where 171 00:06:18,730 --> 00:06:20,730 He explicitly mentioned patience, saying: 172 00:06:20,730 --> 00:06:22,730 “And hath awarded them for all that they endured, a Garden and silk attire;” (76:12) 173 00:06:22,730 --> 00:06:24,730 "and silk garments." For Paradise 174 00:06:24,730 --> 00:06:26,730 is vast, whereas this world 175 00:06:26,730 --> 00:06:28,980 and patience entail hardship and constriction; 176 00:06:28,980 --> 00:06:30,980 Paradise offers soft silk, 177 00:06:30,980 --> 00:06:33,139 whereas patience involves 178 00:06:33,139 --> 00:06:35,370 a degree of roughness, 179 00:06:35,370 --> 00:06:37,430 a psychological hardship. 180 00:06:37,430 --> 00:06:39,430 So, whenever a person keeps this reward in mind, 181 00:06:39,430 --> 00:06:41,430 he will endure this 182 00:06:41,430 --> 00:06:43,500 trial with patience. 183 00:06:43,500 --> 00:06:45,500 All praise is due to Allah, first and last, 184 00:06:45,500 --> 00:06:47,500 outwardly and inwardly. 185 00:06:47,500 --> 00:06:49,500 May Allah send blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his family and Companions. 186 00:06:49,500 --> 00:06:51,500 And all praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds.