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 --> 00:00:32,210 The commentary series: "At-Ta'liq al-Latif 3 00:00:32,210 --> 00:00:35,210 'ala Kitab Bitaqat at-Ta'rif 4 00:00:35,210 --> 00:00:38,210 bi-Suwar al-Mushaf ash-Sharif", 5 00:00:38,210 --> 00:00:42,210 by Dr. Muhammad Ibn 'Abd al-'Aziz Ibn 'Umar Nasif, 6 00:00:42,210 --> 00:00:44,369 may Allah preserve him. 7 00:00:44,369 --> 00:00:46,369 Surah al-Insan. 8 00:00:46,369 --> 00:00:48,369 In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful. 9 00:00:48,369 --> 00:00:51,369 All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah. 10 00:00:51,369 --> 00:00:53,369 We continue with the commentary series, 11 00:00:53,369 --> 00:00:55,369 exploring the profile cards of the surahs, now with Surah al-Insan. 12 00:00:55,369 --> 00:00:57,369 I would like to make three brief reflections on it. 13 00:00:57,369 --> 00:00:59,369 The first reflection 14 00:00:59,369 --> 00:01:01,369 concerns the virtues of this surah. 15 00:01:01,369 --> 00:01:03,369 Reciting this surah during the Fajr prayer 16 00:01:03,369 --> 00:01:05,370 on Friday, 17 00:01:05,370 --> 00:01:07,370 alongside Surah as-Sajdah, 18 00:01:07,370 --> 00:01:11,370 is from those surahs that the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, used to recite 19 00:01:11,370 --> 00:01:13,370 in specific prayers 20 00:01:13,370 --> 00:01:15,370 or at specific times. 21 00:01:15,370 --> 00:01:17,400 One should be eager to observe them, 22 00:01:17,400 --> 00:01:19,400 first and foremost out of following the Sunnah, 23 00:01:19,400 --> 00:01:21,400 and out of a desire— 24 00:01:21,400 --> 00:01:23,400 a desire to imbibe 25 00:01:23,400 --> 00:01:25,400 what a person needs spiritually 26 00:01:25,400 --> 00:01:27,400 in this prayer, secondly. 27 00:01:27,400 --> 00:01:29,400 For the Prophet, peace be upon him, would not specify 28 00:01:29,400 --> 00:01:31,530 a surah except for profound wisdom, 29 00:01:31,530 --> 00:01:33,530 peace and blessings be upon him. 30 00:01:33,530 --> 00:01:35,530 We are in need of listening to 31 00:01:35,530 --> 00:01:37,530 and reciting this surah 32 00:01:37,530 --> 00:01:39,530 in this specific setting, even if it may seem somewhat long; 33 00:01:39,530 --> 00:01:41,719 yet in reality, it is not long. 34 00:01:41,719 --> 00:01:43,719 That is, reciting both as-Sajdah and al-Insan together 35 00:01:43,719 --> 00:01:45,719 constitutes a moderate recitation in prayer, 36 00:01:45,719 --> 00:01:47,719 not a lengthy one, 37 00:01:47,719 --> 00:01:49,719 even if we tend to perceive it as long. 38 00:01:49,719 --> 00:01:51,719 Thirdly, for the imams: 39 00:01:51,719 --> 00:01:53,719 if they choose to practice this Sunnah, 40 00:01:53,719 --> 00:01:55,719 they ought to recite deliberately and calmly. 41 00:01:55,719 --> 00:01:57,719 That is, they should recite 42 00:01:57,719 --> 00:01:59,719 at the same pace at which they normally recite 43 00:01:59,719 --> 00:02:01,719 in their prayers throughout the rest of the week. 44 00:02:01,719 --> 00:02:03,719 Reciting more Qur'an does not mean one should rush, 45 00:02:03,719 --> 00:02:05,719 especially if rushing 46 00:02:05,719 --> 00:02:07,719 undermines reflecting on the meaning 47 00:02:07,719 --> 00:02:09,780 and moving the hearts. 48 00:02:09,780 --> 00:02:11,780 I recall once 49 00:02:11,780 --> 00:02:13,780 that an imam, 50 00:02:13,780 --> 00:02:15,780 whose own mosque was undergoing 51 00:02:15,780 --> 00:02:17,780 renovation, 52 00:02:17,780 --> 00:02:19,780 would attend another mosque. 53 00:02:19,780 --> 00:02:21,780 I happened to pray behind him there. 54 00:02:21,780 --> 00:02:23,780 The regular imam was delayed, 55 00:02:23,780 --> 00:02:25,780 so they put this visiting imam forward to lead. 56 00:02:25,780 --> 00:02:27,780 He decided to recite Surah as-Sajdah and Surah al-Insan, 57 00:02:27,780 --> 00:02:29,780 but perhaps felt pressured by the congregants, 58 00:02:29,780 --> 00:02:31,780 so he rushed at an alarming, 59 00:02:31,780 --> 00:02:33,780 extreme speed, 60 00:02:33,780 --> 00:02:35,909 to the point that 61 00:02:35,909 --> 00:02:37,909 he made an egregious mistake in an ayah where no one normally errs 62 00:02:37,909 --> 00:02:40,039 in Surah al-Insan. 63 00:02:40,039 --> 00:02:42,069 As he was reciting, 64 00:02:42,069 --> 00:02:44,069 he suddenly realized that 65 00:02:44,069 --> 00:02:46,069 he had made a glaring mistake— 66 00:02:46,069 --> 00:02:48,330 no, 67 00:02:48,330 --> 00:02:50,330 he simply carried on reciting, 68 00:02:50,330 --> 00:02:52,330 then tried to correct it and continued. 69 00:02:52,330 --> 00:02:54,330 What compelled him to slip into such an error 70 00:02:54,330 --> 00:02:56,330 that could potentially invalidate his prayer? 71 00:02:56,330 --> 00:02:58,330 It may sometimes be beneficial 72 00:02:58,330 --> 00:03:00,330 to forego this Sunnah, 73 00:03:00,330 --> 00:03:02,360 or to vary 74 00:03:02,360 --> 00:03:04,360 the recitation, 75 00:03:04,360 --> 00:03:06,360 for a valid Sharia interest. 76 00:03:06,360 --> 00:03:08,360 However, if 77 00:03:08,360 --> 00:03:10,360 you are able to uphold this Sunnah, 78 00:03:10,360 --> 00:03:12,360 give it its proper due of deliberate composure 79 00:03:12,360 --> 00:03:14,360 in recitation and melodious chanting (tartil). 80 00:03:14,360 --> 00:03:16,360 For it is a magnificent surah that we truly need. 81 00:03:16,360 --> 00:03:18,360 As for the second reflection, 82 00:03:18,360 --> 00:03:20,360 it relates to what was mentioned regarding 83 00:03:20,360 --> 00:03:22,360 the placement of the surah: namely, that it comes 84 00:03:22,360 --> 00:03:24,360 right after Surah al-Qiyamah. The former described 85 00:03:24,360 --> 00:03:26,360 the Day of Resurrection, whereas this one details 86 00:03:26,360 --> 00:03:28,580 Paradise, while also referencing the Hellfire. 87 00:03:28,580 --> 00:03:30,580 One notices that Surah al-Qiyamah 88 00:03:30,580 --> 00:03:32,580 was more intense in inducing awe and dread; 89 00:03:32,580 --> 00:03:34,580 from beginning to end, 90 00:03:34,580 --> 00:03:36,580 warning and fright were predominant, 91 00:03:36,580 --> 00:03:38,580 though not entirely devoid of encouragement. 92 00:03:38,580 --> 00:03:40,580 Here, it is the reverse, which is why the exegetes noted: 93 00:03:40,580 --> 00:03:42,580 this surah gives a detailed account of Paradise— 94 00:03:42,580 --> 00:03:44,620 the description of Paradise is elaborated at length— 95 00:03:44,620 --> 00:03:46,620 while only briefly alluding to the Fire: 96 00:03:46,620 --> 00:03:48,620 "Indeed, We have prepared for the disbelievers chains..." 97 00:03:48,620 --> 00:03:50,620 aside from a few other scattered verses. 98 00:03:50,620 --> 00:03:52,620 But the majority of the surah 99 00:03:52,620 --> 00:03:54,620 focuses on Paradise. Therefore, 100 00:03:54,620 --> 00:03:56,620 whoever wishes to read extensively about Paradise, 101 00:03:56,620 --> 00:03:58,620 among the finest 102 00:03:58,620 --> 00:04:00,780 and most beautiful passages 103 00:04:00,780 --> 00:04:02,780 that a person 104 00:04:02,780 --> 00:04:04,780 ought to ponder are the verses of Surah al-Insan, 105 00:04:04,780 --> 00:04:06,870 while consulting the books of Tafsir 106 00:04:06,870 --> 00:04:08,870 that have paid special attention 107 00:04:08,870 --> 00:04:10,870 to elucidating these verses 108 00:04:10,870 --> 00:04:12,870 through hadith and through other Qur'anic verses 109 00:04:12,870 --> 00:04:14,870 prior to that, 110 00:04:14,870 --> 00:04:16,970 as well as the sayings of the Companions and the Tabi'un. 111 00:04:16,970 --> 00:04:18,970 The third and final reflection 112 00:04:18,970 --> 00:04:21,100 deals with 113 00:04:21,100 --> 00:04:23,100 the thematic sections of the surah. 114 00:04:23,100 --> 00:04:25,100 It was mentioned that the first section 115 00:04:25,100 --> 00:04:27,100 contains an urging to succeed in life's test 116 00:04:27,100 --> 00:04:29,160 through showing gratitude to Allah. 117 00:04:29,160 --> 00:04:31,160 One might also add, 118 00:04:31,160 --> 00:04:33,160 for clarity: "and through not falling into disbelief," 119 00:04:33,160 --> 00:04:35,160 based on His words, Exalted is He: 120 00:04:35,160 --> 00:04:37,160 “Lo! We have shown him the way, whether he be grateful or disbelieving.” (76:3) 121 00:04:37,160 --> 00:04:39,160 and before that: "from a drop of mingled fluid... and We made him hearing and seeing," 122 00:04:39,160 --> 00:04:41,160 "Indeed, We guided him to the way, be he grateful..." 123 00:04:41,160 --> 00:04:43,160 “Lo! We have shown him the way, whether he be grateful or disbelieving.” (76:3) 124 00:04:43,160 --> 00:04:45,160 "...or ungrateful." 125 00:04:45,160 --> 00:04:47,160 Thus, both gratitude 126 00:04:47,160 --> 00:04:49,160 and ingratitude were indicated, whereas here 127 00:04:49,160 --> 00:04:51,160 only gratitude was highlighted in the outline. 128 00:04:51,160 --> 00:04:53,160 Of course, whoever upholds gratitude 129 00:04:53,160 --> 00:04:55,160 is safely protected from disbelief; 130 00:04:55,160 --> 00:04:57,160 nevertheless, stating it explicitly is fitting 131 00:04:57,160 --> 00:04:59,160 given what follows immediately after. He then mentioned a brief 132 00:04:59,160 --> 00:05:01,160 reference to the fate of the disbeliever, 133 00:05:01,160 --> 00:05:03,160 followed by a detailed description of the fate of the grateful. 134 00:05:03,160 --> 00:05:05,160 Notice how He said: "either grateful 135 00:05:05,160 --> 00:05:07,379 or ungrateful," 136 00:05:07,379 --> 00:05:09,420 indicating two paths 137 00:05:09,420 --> 00:05:11,420 and two distinct groups. 138 00:05:11,420 --> 00:05:13,420 Then He said: "Indeed, We have prepared for the disbelievers 139 00:05:13,420 --> 00:05:15,420 chains and shackles and a blaze." 140 00:05:15,420 --> 00:05:17,420 This corresponds to the ungrateful disbeliever. 141 00:05:17,420 --> 00:05:19,670 Then He said: "Indeed, the righteous...", 142 00:05:19,670 --> 00:05:21,670 and the verses proceeded to speak at great length 143 00:05:21,670 --> 00:05:23,670 about what corresponds to the grateful, 144 00:05:23,670 --> 00:05:25,670 along with all the delightful details contained therein. 145 00:05:25,670 --> 00:05:27,670 So the opening mentioned 146 00:05:27,670 --> 00:05:29,800 the grateful first, then the ungrateful; 147 00:05:29,800 --> 00:05:31,800 subsequently, 148 00:05:31,800 --> 00:05:33,800 He described the ungrateful very briefly, 149 00:05:33,800 --> 00:05:35,800 and then elaborated on the grateful 150 00:05:35,800 --> 00:05:37,800 at length. 151 00:05:37,800 --> 00:05:39,800 This deliberate shift in order— 152 00:05:39,800 --> 00:05:41,800 where the default expectation might be to mention "either grateful or ungrateful", 153 00:05:41,800 --> 00:05:43,800 and then discuss the grateful first, 154 00:05:43,800 --> 00:05:45,990 followed by the ungrateful— 155 00:05:45,990 --> 00:05:47,990 was inverted. 156 00:05:47,990 --> 00:05:49,990 Such inversion holds subtle benefits 157 00:05:49,990 --> 00:05:51,990 and rhetorical points in every single context. 158 00:05:51,990 --> 00:05:53,990 Whenever you observe such advancement or deferral 159 00:05:53,990 --> 00:05:55,990 between the mention of the people of Paradise and the people of Hell, seek out the underlying wisdom, 160 00:05:55,990 --> 00:05:57,990 for this is among the things that aid contemplation; 161 00:05:57,990 --> 00:05:59,990 then consult the works 162 00:05:59,990 --> 00:06:01,990 of the scholars. 163 00:06:01,990 --> 00:06:04,019 Among what is said here 164 00:06:04,019 --> 00:06:06,149 is that since the discussion 165 00:06:06,149 --> 00:06:08,149 of the grateful would be long, it was placed last, 166 00:06:08,149 --> 00:06:10,410 even though gratitude was introduced first, 167 00:06:10,410 --> 00:06:12,410 signaling its primacy and honor. 168 00:06:12,410 --> 00:06:14,439 Yet it was deferred in detail 169 00:06:14,439 --> 00:06:16,439 because the verse "Indeed, We have prepared for the disbelievers chains..." 170 00:06:16,439 --> 00:06:18,439 is concise; 171 00:06:18,439 --> 00:06:20,439 once concluded, 172 00:06:20,439 --> 00:06:22,439 the listener's mind is left completely free and receptive thereafter 173 00:06:22,439 --> 00:06:24,439 to dwell upon the mention of the people 174 00:06:24,439 --> 00:06:26,439 of obedience. 175 00:06:26,439 --> 00:06:28,439 And Allah is the Granter of success. 176 00:06:28,439 --> 00:06:30,439 May Allah send blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and Companions.