1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:02,759 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. 2 00:00:30,300 --> 00:00:32,299 The concise commentary 3 00:00:32,299 --> 00:00:35,299 on the book *Profile Cards 4 00:00:35,299 --> 00:00:38,299 of the Surahs of the Noble Mus-haf* 5 00:00:38,299 --> 00:00:42,299 by Dr. Muhammad Ibn Abdul-Aziz Ibn Umar Nassif, 6 00:00:42,299 --> 00:00:44,329 may Allah preserve him. 7 00:00:44,329 --> 00:00:46,329 Surah ar-Rahman. 8 00:00:46,329 --> 00:00:47,329 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. 9 00:00:47,329 --> 00:00:48,329 All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all creation, 10 00:00:48,329 --> 00:00:49,329 and may peace and blessings 11 00:00:49,329 --> 00:00:51,329 be upon the Seal of the Prophets and Messengers, 12 00:00:51,329 --> 00:00:54,329 and upon all his family and Companions. 13 00:00:54,329 --> 00:00:56,329 We continue with our concise commentary 14 00:00:56,329 --> 00:00:58,329 on the profile cards, focusing today on Surah ar-Rahman. 15 00:00:58,329 --> 00:01:00,329 I have three points of reflection regarding it. 16 00:01:00,329 --> 00:01:02,329 The first reflection 17 00:01:02,329 --> 00:01:05,329 concerns what is mentioned in the book regarding the name of the Surah, 18 00:01:05,329 --> 00:01:07,329 and that among its names is 19 00:01:07,329 --> 00:01:09,329 "the Bride of the Qur'an." 20 00:01:09,329 --> 00:01:11,329 He stated that this is based on the report of the hadith: "Everything has 21 00:01:11,329 --> 00:01:14,329 a bride, and the bride of the Qur'an is ar-Rahman." 22 00:01:14,329 --> 00:01:17,329 It was noted in the footnote that this hadith is denounced (*munkar*), 23 00:01:17,329 --> 00:01:19,329 cited, of course, from *as-Silsilah ad-Da'ifah*. 24 00:01:19,329 --> 00:01:22,329 Here, someone might ask: "Why then do you mention this hadith?" 25 00:01:22,329 --> 00:01:25,329 The truth is that this hadith was mentioned incidentally, not as an original proof. 26 00:01:25,329 --> 00:01:27,329 It was not cited as primary evidence, 27 00:01:27,329 --> 00:01:30,329 but rather to clarify why 28 00:01:30,329 --> 00:01:32,329 some scholars called it 29 00:01:32,329 --> 00:01:34,329 "the Bride of the Qur'an." As I mentioned 30 00:01:34,329 --> 00:01:36,329 in the opening episodes, 31 00:01:36,329 --> 00:01:38,329 with regard to the names of the Surahs, 32 00:01:38,329 --> 00:01:40,329 reliance was placed on the book 33 00:01:40,329 --> 00:01:42,329 *Masā'id an-Nazar* by al-Biqa'i, 34 00:01:42,329 --> 00:01:44,329 alongside consulting his Tafsir. 35 00:01:44,329 --> 00:01:46,329 Al-Biqa'i listed among its names 36 00:01:46,329 --> 00:01:47,329 "the Bride of the Qur'an." 37 00:01:47,329 --> 00:01:49,329 Where did this name come from? 38 00:01:49,329 --> 00:01:52,329 It came based on this hadith, 39 00:01:52,329 --> 00:01:54,329 which has been graded 40 00:01:54,329 --> 00:01:55,329 as denounced (*munkar*). 41 00:01:55,329 --> 00:01:57,329 I believe that this 42 00:01:57,329 --> 00:01:59,329 clarifies the matter 43 00:01:59,329 --> 00:02:01,329 in this manner. Likewise, for other Surahs, 44 00:02:01,329 --> 00:02:03,329 where names were adopted 45 00:02:03,329 --> 00:02:05,329 based on a weak report, 46 00:02:05,329 --> 00:02:07,329 a denounced narration, or the like, 47 00:02:07,329 --> 00:02:09,330 this is clarified simply to explain the origin of the name. 48 00:02:09,330 --> 00:02:11,330 This contrasts with the virtues (*fada'il*), in which I only mention 49 00:02:11,330 --> 00:02:13,330 what appears to me 50 00:02:13,330 --> 00:02:15,330 to be authentic, as well as regarding 51 00:02:15,330 --> 00:02:17,330 the occasions of revelation (*asbab an-nuzul*), 52 00:02:17,330 --> 00:02:19,330 while relying on the specific book 53 00:02:19,330 --> 00:02:21,330 designated for the occasions of revelation. 54 00:02:21,330 --> 00:02:23,330 The second reflection 55 00:02:23,330 --> 00:02:25,330 concerns the opening of the Surah. He stated: 56 00:02:25,330 --> 00:02:27,330 "It opens with an informative declarative sentence." 57 00:02:27,330 --> 00:02:29,330 We have previously seen that Surahs opening 58 00:02:29,330 --> 00:02:31,330 with an informative sentence are numerous. 59 00:02:31,330 --> 00:02:33,330 He noted: "And it is uniquely distinguished..." 60 00:02:33,330 --> 00:02:35,330 Here one must pause whenever an opening is uniquely distinct; 61 00:02:35,330 --> 00:02:37,330 it truly warrants reflection. He said: "It is uniquely distinguished by being 62 00:02:37,330 --> 00:02:39,330 the only Surah 63 00:02:39,330 --> 00:02:41,330 that begins with one of the names of Allah." 64 00:02:41,330 --> 00:02:43,330 We saw recently in Surah al-Qamar 65 00:02:43,330 --> 00:02:45,330 that its opening resembled 66 00:02:45,330 --> 00:02:47,330 the opening of Surah al-Anbiya'. 67 00:02:47,330 --> 00:02:49,330 Here, however, it is the only Surah 68 00:02:49,330 --> 00:02:51,330 that opens with one of the names of Allah. 69 00:02:51,330 --> 00:02:53,330 Such distinctiveness 70 00:02:53,330 --> 00:02:55,330 in the Qur'an, 71 00:02:55,330 --> 00:02:57,330 or textual uniqueness— 72 00:02:57,330 --> 00:02:59,330 a story mentioned in only one Surah, 73 00:02:59,330 --> 00:03:01,330 or a word mentioned in only one 74 00:03:01,330 --> 00:03:03,330 specific place— 75 00:03:03,330 --> 00:03:05,330 these matters are prime subjects 76 00:03:05,330 --> 00:03:07,330 for study and contemplation, 77 00:03:07,330 --> 00:03:09,330 because there must be profound wisdom 78 00:03:09,330 --> 00:03:11,330 behind that. 79 00:03:11,330 --> 00:03:13,330 Indeed, reflecting upon the opening 80 00:03:13,330 --> 00:03:15,330 of Surah ar-Rahman 81 00:03:15,330 --> 00:03:17,330 greatly aids in profound contemplation 82 00:03:17,330 --> 00:03:19,330 of this noble Surah. 83 00:03:19,330 --> 00:03:21,330 Furthermore, I would say, 84 00:03:21,330 --> 00:03:23,330 within the bounds of my knowledge 85 00:03:23,330 --> 00:03:25,330 —without claiming exhaustive research— 86 00:03:25,330 --> 00:03:27,330 I say that those who discourse upon 87 00:03:27,330 --> 00:03:29,330 Allah's name *ar-Rahman* (the Most Gracious) 88 00:03:29,330 --> 00:03:31,330 do not give this Surah 89 00:03:31,330 --> 00:03:33,330 its due share of attention in 90 00:03:33,330 --> 00:03:35,330 explaining the meaning of the name *ar-Rahman* 91 00:03:35,330 --> 00:03:37,330 and its manifestations. 92 00:03:37,330 --> 00:03:39,330 This overlooks a tremendous resource 93 00:03:39,330 --> 00:03:41,330 for understanding the name *ar-Rahman*. 94 00:03:41,330 --> 00:03:43,330 It has a well-known linguistic meaning, 95 00:03:43,330 --> 00:03:45,330 and so forth, as mentioned by 96 00:03:45,330 --> 00:03:47,330 the scholars who wrote on the Most Beautiful Names of Allah. 97 00:03:47,330 --> 00:03:49,330 But when we have an entire Surah 98 00:03:49,330 --> 00:03:51,330 whose name is one of the names of Allah, 99 00:03:51,330 --> 00:03:53,330 and which begins with this unique opening, 100 00:03:53,330 --> 00:03:55,330 one ought to pause before this Surah 101 00:03:55,330 --> 00:03:57,330 for a long time 102 00:03:57,330 --> 00:03:59,330 to attain deep understanding (*tafaqqah*) 103 00:03:59,330 --> 00:04:01,330 of the meaning of Allah's name 104 00:04:01,330 --> 00:04:03,330 *ar-Rahman*. 105 00:04:03,330 --> 00:04:05,330 Therefore, I believe 106 00:04:05,330 --> 00:04:07,330 that regarding the central theme of the Surah, it is better 107 00:04:07,330 --> 00:04:09,330 to add a word to the statement: 108 00:04:09,330 --> 00:04:11,330 "A reminder of divine favors and blessings" 109 00:04:11,330 --> 00:04:13,330 —this is obvious, as "So which of the favors of your Lord will you deny?" 110 00:04:13,330 --> 00:04:15,330 is repeated throughout— 111 00:04:15,330 --> 00:04:17,329 "urging 112 00:04:17,329 --> 00:04:19,329 the worship of the Owner of Majesty and Honor." 113 00:04:19,329 --> 00:04:21,329 Perhaps it is more fitting, 114 00:04:21,329 --> 00:04:23,329 in a way that draws attention to the significance of the name *ar-Rahman* in the Surah, 115 00:04:23,329 --> 00:04:25,329 to say: "urging the worship 116 00:04:25,329 --> 00:04:27,329 of ar-Rahman, the Owner of Majesty and Honor." 117 00:04:27,329 --> 00:04:29,329 "The Owner of Majesty and Honor" was explicitly mentioned 118 00:04:29,329 --> 00:04:31,329 because it appears in the Surah 119 00:04:31,329 --> 00:04:33,329 twice: once in the middle of the Surah, 120 00:04:33,329 --> 00:04:35,329 “There remaineth but the Countenance of thy Lord of Might and Glory.” (55:27) 121 00:04:35,329 --> 00:04:37,329 and at the end of the Surah: "Blessed is the name of your Lord, 122 00:04:37,329 --> 00:04:39,329 Owner of Majesty and Honor." Meanwhile, *ar-Rahman* 123 00:04:39,329 --> 00:04:41,329 is how the Surah opens, 124 00:04:41,329 --> 00:04:43,329 and it is the name of the Surah. 125 00:04:43,329 --> 00:04:45,329 Thus, it would be beneficial 126 00:04:45,329 --> 00:04:47,329 here to insert the word 127 00:04:47,329 --> 00:04:49,329 *ar-Rahman*, 128 00:04:49,329 --> 00:04:51,329 so that the phrasing becomes: "urging the worship 129 00:04:51,329 --> 00:04:53,329 of ar-Rahman, the Owner of Majesty 130 00:04:53,329 --> 00:04:55,329 and Honor." 131 00:04:55,329 --> 00:04:57,329 As for the third reflection, 132 00:04:57,329 --> 00:04:59,329 it concerns the dating of the Surah. 133 00:04:59,329 --> 00:05:01,329 I have previously noted that the term "order 134 00:05:01,329 --> 00:05:03,329 of revelation of the Surah" 135 00:05:03,329 --> 00:05:05,329 should ideally be amended to read simply 136 00:05:05,329 --> 00:05:07,389 "the revelation of the Surah," 137 00:05:07,389 --> 00:05:09,389 and that the word "its dating," 138 00:05:09,389 --> 00:05:11,389 found in the diagram, 139 00:05:11,389 --> 00:05:13,389 should preferably be written as "its era." 140 00:05:13,389 --> 00:05:15,389 Here I would like to mention 141 00:05:15,389 --> 00:05:17,389 that if you examine 142 00:05:17,389 --> 00:05:19,389 the dating of the Surah's revelation 143 00:05:19,389 --> 00:05:21,389 in the diagram, you will find it 144 00:05:21,389 --> 00:05:23,389 often more abbreviated 145 00:05:23,389 --> 00:05:25,389 than what is stated in the main text 146 00:05:25,389 --> 00:05:27,389 of the book. In the main text, 147 00:05:27,389 --> 00:05:29,389 Surah ar-Rahman is considered the ninety-seventh 148 00:05:29,389 --> 00:05:31,389 according to the well-known view, revealed after 149 00:05:31,389 --> 00:05:33,389 Surah ar-Ra'd and before Surah al-Insan, 150 00:05:33,389 --> 00:05:35,389 though the preponderant view is that it is Meccan. 151 00:05:35,389 --> 00:05:37,389 The correct view is that it is Meccan, 152 00:05:37,389 --> 00:05:39,389 and reports indicate 153 00:05:39,389 --> 00:05:41,389 that it was revealed before the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) 154 00:05:41,389 --> 00:05:43,389 openly proclaimed what he was commanded. 155 00:05:43,389 --> 00:05:45,389 However, if we look at the diagram, 156 00:05:45,389 --> 00:05:47,389 we find only the phrase: "Considered the ninety-seventh 157 00:05:47,389 --> 00:05:49,389 according to the well-known view, after ar-Ra'd 158 00:05:49,389 --> 00:05:51,389 and before al-Insan." This statement 159 00:05:51,389 --> 00:05:53,389 is outweighed (*marjuh*), 160 00:05:53,389 --> 00:05:55,389 for the preponderant view is that it is Meccan. 161 00:05:55,389 --> 00:05:57,389 So when someone reads this text 162 00:05:57,389 --> 00:05:59,389 in this abbreviated form, 163 00:05:59,389 --> 00:06:01,389 it creates confusion for them. 164 00:06:01,389 --> 00:06:03,389 This well-known report, 165 00:06:03,389 --> 00:06:05,389 as we noted, 166 00:06:05,389 --> 00:06:07,389 contains weakness, is subject to critique, 167 00:06:07,389 --> 00:06:09,389 and has been debated; 168 00:06:09,389 --> 00:06:11,389 it was mentioned solely due to its fame, 169 00:06:11,389 --> 00:06:13,389 unless contradicted by stronger evidence, 170 00:06:13,389 --> 00:06:15,490 and indeed it has been contradicted. 171 00:06:15,490 --> 00:06:17,490 Perhaps this occurred in other Surahs 172 00:06:17,490 --> 00:06:19,519 as well, where abbreviation 173 00:06:19,519 --> 00:06:21,519 in the diagram led to 174 00:06:21,519 --> 00:06:23,519 this issue. Allah willing, 175 00:06:23,519 --> 00:06:25,519 it will be corrected in the upcoming edition. 176 00:06:25,519 --> 00:06:27,519 So please amend it on your end 177 00:06:27,519 --> 00:06:29,519 and add it to the diagram; 178 00:06:29,519 --> 00:06:31,519 it ought to be added. 179 00:06:31,519 --> 00:06:33,519 Note also that 180 00:06:33,519 --> 00:06:35,519 the expression "and it has been reported" 181 00:06:35,519 --> 00:06:37,519 indicates that 182 00:06:37,519 --> 00:06:39,519 the matter is open to possibility, 183 00:06:39,519 --> 00:06:41,519 and that the report is not decisively established 184 00:06:41,519 --> 00:06:43,519 within the scope of my research, but rather subject to difference of opinion, 185 00:06:43,519 --> 00:06:45,519 or that I was unable 186 00:06:45,519 --> 00:06:47,519 to definitively evaluate 187 00:06:47,519 --> 00:06:49,519 the chain of narration for one reason or another. 188 00:06:49,519 --> 00:06:51,519 Therefore, the word "reported" 189 00:06:51,519 --> 00:06:53,519 signals this nuance, 190 00:06:53,519 --> 00:06:55,519 showing that the matter is not 191 00:06:55,519 --> 00:06:57,519 firmly established, unlike when it is expressed 192 00:06:57,519 --> 00:06:59,519 in other sections as "authentically established." 193 00:06:59,519 --> 00:07:01,519 I ask Allah to grant success to me and to you 194 00:07:01,519 --> 00:07:03,519 in all that He loves and is pleased with. 195 00:07:03,519 --> 00:07:05,519 May Allah send blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions. 196 00:07:05,519 --> 00:07:07,519 All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all creation.