In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.
"The Subtle Commentary
on the Book of Profile Cards
for the Surahs of the Noble Qur'an"
by Dr. Muhammad Ibn 'Abd al-'Aziz Ibn 'Umar Nasif,
may Allah preserve him.
Surah al-Ma'arij.
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.
We are still with "The Subtle Commentary on the Profile Cards."
We have reached Surah al-Ma'arij,
and I have three reflections on it.
The first reflection concerns its names.
It was mentioned in the card that among its names is "al-Waqi'."
The author said: "Because it occurs in its opening."
Of course, what is meant is that the word *waqi'*
occurs in its opening.
Therefore, had it been stated: "Because the word *waqi'* occurs in its opening,"
it might have been clearer.
Here is a beneficial insight
from the Tafsir of Ibn 'Ashur,
which is among the works of Tafsir that pay the greatest
attention
to the names of the surahs.
In it, there are numerous pointers that might
not be found
in this manner in any other book,
specifically in the introductions he provides before beginning
the exegesis of any surah.
He said: "These three names,
which are:
*al-Ma'arij*, *Sa'ala*, and *al-Waqi'*—"
and he may also add to them
*Sa'ala Sa'il*.
Al-Tahir mentioned *Sa'ala Sa'il*,
*al-Ma'arij*, and *al-Waqi'*.
He said: "These three names
are adapted from words
that occur at its beginning." This is
obvious, but
I am only quoting what I quoted in order to mention what follows it.
He said: "And the most specific of them
to it—"
because the most specific of these three names
to this surah is the phrase
*Sa'ala Sa'il*,
"because nothing like it occurs elsewhere;
however,
the dominant designation given to it became
*Surat al-Ma'arij*,
because it is lighter."
Al-Tahir Ibn 'Ashur always offers subtle
explanations.
He says that *Sa'ala Sa'il*
is the most distinctive phrase for this surah,
because it is not found in any other surah,
so it was the most deserving to be its name.
Yet, the dominant designation given to it became
*Surat al-Ma'arij*, which is the common name we use today.
He said: "Because it is lighter,"
meaning lighter in pronunciation.
One of the reasons a particular name becomes widespread
is that it is lighter to pronounce.
This is a subtle observation
from Imam
al-Tahir Ibn 'Ashur.
The second reflection concerns its theme.
In fact, the stated theme
requires modification.
It is more accurate
to say that its theme is:
expressing astonishment at the hastiness
of man, and clarifying
the remedy for
that hastiness
in facing the Day of Resurrection.
The reality is that
the two themes—the theme of hastiness
and the theme of the Resurrection—are deeply interwoven
in the surah,
in a manner that can only be found
in the Magnificent Qur'an.
I move from this
to the third reflection.
Of course, the remedy is clearly evident in
the characteristics mentioned:
"Except the observers of prayer..." through the rest of those qualities.
The third reflection
is that these names—
and *al-Ma'arij* (the Ways of Ascent) is what I will focus on—
are part of the remedy.
If we say that the surah speaks
about hastiness and its remedy,
what does that have to do with the name *al-Ma'arij*?
*Al-Ma'arij* is part of the remedy.
Whoever knows the Owner of the Ways of Ascent,
Glorified and Exalted is He,
and that the angels and the Spirit ascend to Him
in a Day
the measure of which is
fifty thousand years—
whoever conceptualizes this reality,
his hastiness will vanish.
"Indeed, they see it as distant, but We see it
as near." All of this,
along with recognizing
the true value of the time we live in,
and that there is no
comparison between it and the decree
with our Lord, Glorified and Exalted is He,
causes man to refrain
from haste.
Thus, the name of the surah
points to the greatness of Allah,
which calls us to deliberate
and reflect.
Regarding *al-Ma'arij*,
the exegetes have differed on its meaning.
“From Allah, Lord of the Ascending Stairways” (70:3)
They said its meaning is the Owner of High Ranks,
Stations, Virtues,
and Blessings.
I mentioned this as an explanation
of the word's meaning;
otherwise, His saying: "The angels and the Spirit ascend to Him"
is what contains the explicit reminder
that the affair
ought not
to be based
upon haste.
"The angels and the Spirit ascend to Him in a Day
the measure of which is
fifty thousand years."
We ask Allah to grant us
proper deliberation and patience.
And may Allah send blessings upon our Prophet
Muhammad, and upon his family and companions
altogether. All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds.