In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.
A Gentle Commentary on the Book *Bitaqat al-Ta'rif*
*bi-Suwar al-Mushaf al-Sharif* (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-Sharh.
In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful. All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds,
and may peace and blessings be upon the seal of the prophets and messengers,
and upon all his family and companions.
We are continuing with the gentle commentary
on *Bitaqat al-Ta'rif*,
and with Surah al-Sharh, concerning which I have three reflections.
The first reflection
pertains to the central theme of the surah,
as it serves as an extension of Surah al-Duha, as noted in the book.
Both of them speak about the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him,
highlighting his esteemed status and offering him divine guidance.
We observe that whenever a matter is repeated in the Qur'an—
whenever a theme is reiterated—
or indeed even when a single verse recurs, it reveals a distinct beauty and an entirely new facet
in the other surah.
And this holds true here as well.
For Surah al-Duha addresses the Messenger of Allah,
demonstrating his high standing
and guiding his conduct,
as does Surah al-Sharh.
Yet, upon contemplation, one finds no mere repetition;
rather, careful reflection uncovers exceedingly subtle nuances.
Notice,
as just a single example,
the difference between the words of the Exalted:
"Did He not find you..."
and His words: "Have We not expanded..."
In "Did He not find you,"
the Exalted refers to Himself in the singular and did not say: "Did We not find you?"
Whereas concerning the expansion of the breast,
He said: "Have We not expanded," and did not say: "Have I not expanded?"
And in this
lie several profound considerations.
Among them is
that the expansion of the breast,
the removal of burdens,
and the elevation of renown
are matters
of which human beings are entirely incapable.
A detailed elaboration of this would take long
regarding the elevation of renown,
but it is manifestly self-evident regarding the removal of sins and burdens;
and the expansion of the breast proceeds directly from Allah,
Glorified and Exalted be He.
One cannot even imagine
otherwise.
However, when it comes to finding an orphan and sheltering him,
or finding one astray in any sense of confusion and guiding him,
or finding one in poverty and enriching him—
these are things that might be conceived as occurring through someone other than Allah.
Indeed,
Allah may guide a servant,
enrich him,
or provide him shelter,
yet a person might mistakenly imagine that apparent, worldly means were what
brought this outcome about for him.
Thus, the singular pronoun was employed where shared agency might mistakenly be presumed,
namely where partners might be imagined:
"Did He not find you an orphan..."
"and He found you lost..." and "He found you poor..."
Whereas the plural of majesty was employed
in matters
where shared agency cannot possibly be imagined, serving to magnify His majesty:
"Have We not expanded for you your breast? And We removed from you your burden,"
and then He said: "And We raised high for you your renown."
For these divine favors
are matters wherein no shared agency can ever be presumed; hence the plural of majesty
is fitting to convey grandeur.
Conversely, where shared agency might mistakenly be presumed, the singular
completely dispels
that misconception.
And Allah knows best.
As for the second reflection,
I had already alluded to it during our study of Surah al-Duha;
namely, that
this praise bestowed upon the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him,
may
prompt the question: what is our share,
as the community of believers, from these verses that extol
and praise the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him?
To this we say: your share of them
is directly proportionate to your adherence
to your Prophet, peace be upon him.
This insight was pointed out by Ibn al-Qayyim
in some of his writings:
the expansion of the breast,
the alleviation of burdens,
and the elevation of renown—
you have an allotted share of them
in proportion to your following of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him.
Consider
the state
of Muslims,
particularly with regard to the elevation of renown
and the expansion of the breast.
As for the removal of burdens, that is an unseen matter known only to Allah.
But the expansion of the breast manifests most visibly—
indeed,
its manifestation
corresponds in exact measure
with one's adherence to the Prophet, peace be upon him.
This is clearly seen among scholars who act upon their knowledge
and
those who follow in their footsteps among sincere seekers of knowledge.
The same holds true regarding the elevation of renown:
read the books of history
to see what they record concerning
those who have passed on in our Ummah,
whether they were righteous or wicked.
See whose mention is elevated
and whose memory is preserved with high praise—they are none other than the devoted followers
of our Prophet, peace be upon him.
The pause,
the third and final reflection,
concerns the name of the surah:
*Al-Sharh* (The Expansion).
According to one of its two meanings,
"expansion" here encompasses the physical opening of the chest
through the actual splitting of the chest,
for his chest, peace be upon him, was indeed opened,
as is well established,
and then purified,
as documented in the books of the Prophetic biography (Seerah) and the Sunnah.
It also encompasses the expansion of the breast in the sense of
psychological peace,
inner solace, and spaciousness of the heart.
“Is he whose bosom Allah hath expanded for Al-Islam, so that he followeth a light from his Lord, (as he who disbelieveth)? Then woe unto those whose hearts are hardened against remembrance of Allah. Such are in plain error.” (39:22)
And this latter meaning
is among the greatest things people strive to attain in this worldly life.
Yet the only path to it
is the very path I pointed out in
the second reflection: their path is to follow the Prophet, peace be upon him.
Whoever follows him most closely shall possess the most expanded breast, even if he endures the most constricted worldly livelihood.
I ask Allah to expand our breasts.
Allah is Most High and knows best.
May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon our Prophet Muhammad,
and upon his family and companions, and may He grant them abundant peace.