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 A Gentle Commentary 3 00:00:32,299 --> 00:00:35,299 on the book "Identification Cards 4 00:00:35,299 --> 00:00:38,299 for the Surahs of the Noble Qur'an" 5 00:00:38,299 --> 00:00:42,299 by Dr. Muhammad Ibn Abdul-Aziz Ibn Umar Nasif, 6 00:00:42,299 --> 00:00:44,460 may Allah preserve him. 7 00:00:44,460 --> 00:00:46,460 Surah al-Waqi'ah. 8 00:00:46,460 --> 00:00:48,460 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. 9 00:00:48,460 --> 00:00:50,460 Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds, 10 00:00:50,460 --> 00:00:53,460 and may peace and blessings be upon His brothers among the prophets and messengers, 11 00:00:53,460 --> 00:00:55,460 and upon his family and all his Companions. 12 00:00:55,460 --> 00:00:58,460 We continue with our gentle commentary on the "Identification Cards," 13 00:00:58,460 --> 00:01:02,460 and we have arrived at Surah al-Waqi'ah. 14 00:01:02,460 --> 00:01:04,519 I have three points to make regarding it. 15 00:01:04,519 --> 00:01:07,519 The first point concerns the reasons for the revelation of the surah. 16 00:01:07,519 --> 00:01:12,549 He stated: "One reason for revelation was reported depicting the beliefs of the disbelievers." 17 00:01:12,549 --> 00:01:16,549 And that reason, as mentioned in the adopted book, 18 00:01:16,549 --> 00:01:20,549 is what was narrated by Muslim and others 19 00:01:20,549 --> 00:01:22,680 on the authority of Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him), 20 00:01:22,680 --> 00:01:26,680 who said: "Rain fell upon the people during the time of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), 21 00:01:26,680 --> 00:01:28,680 and the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: 22 00:01:28,680 --> 00:01:31,680 'Some of the people became grateful this morning, while others became disbelievers.' 23 00:01:31,680 --> 00:01:34,680 They said, 'This is a mercy that Allah Almighty has bestowed.' 24 00:01:34,680 --> 00:01:38,680 While some of them said, 'Such and such a star was right.' 25 00:01:38,680 --> 00:01:40,680 So the verses were revealed." 26 00:01:40,680 --> 00:01:42,680 I have pointed out in the book 27 00:01:42,680 --> 00:01:45,680 the disagreement regarding accepting this reason of revelation, 28 00:01:45,680 --> 00:01:48,680 by my statement: "And concerning it being the reason of revelation, there is dispute." 29 00:01:48,680 --> 00:01:50,680 The detailed examination of this dispute is to be found in 30 00:01:50,680 --> 00:01:53,680 the book "Al-Muharrar fi Asbab al-Nuzul" 31 00:01:53,810 --> 00:01:55,810 by Dr. Khalid al-Muzayni, 32 00:01:55,810 --> 00:01:58,810 where he elaborated and spoke at length. 33 00:01:58,810 --> 00:02:01,810 Among the points he made 34 00:02:01,810 --> 00:02:05,810 is that what was mentioned was not a specific single event 35 00:02:05,810 --> 00:02:07,810 on account of which the verses were revealed. 36 00:02:07,810 --> 00:02:09,810 He also observed that some exegetes 37 00:02:09,810 --> 00:02:11,810 who were attentive to hadiths, 38 00:02:11,810 --> 00:02:13,810 such as al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir, 39 00:02:13,810 --> 00:02:16,810 did not mention this narration, 40 00:02:16,810 --> 00:02:19,810 nor did they consider it a reason for revelation. 41 00:02:19,810 --> 00:02:23,810 Furthermore, there are other hadiths 42 00:02:23,810 --> 00:02:25,810 narrated from some of the Companions, 43 00:02:25,810 --> 00:02:28,810 some of which are more authentic than this hadith, 44 00:02:28,810 --> 00:02:31,810 that describe the situation 45 00:02:31,810 --> 00:02:34,810 and what people did when rain fell, 46 00:02:34,810 --> 00:02:37,810 without mentioning it as a reason for revelation. 47 00:02:37,810 --> 00:02:40,810 In addition, I note that Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) 48 00:02:40,810 --> 00:02:43,810 was not present during this event, 49 00:02:43,810 --> 00:02:46,939 because the surah is Meccan, 50 00:02:46,939 --> 00:02:48,939 and according to this, Ibn Abbas 51 00:02:48,939 --> 00:02:52,939 did not witness the time when these verses were revealed. 52 00:02:52,939 --> 00:02:55,939 For all of these reasons, 53 00:02:55,939 --> 00:02:58,939 and perhaps he alluded to others in his discussion, 54 00:02:58,939 --> 00:03:01,939 this reason of revelation was not deemed acceptable by 55 00:03:01,939 --> 00:03:03,939 Dr. Khalid al-Muzayni, 56 00:03:03,939 --> 00:03:05,939 whereas Dr. Isam al-Humaydan accepted it. 57 00:03:05,939 --> 00:03:07,939 The second point concerns the opening of the surah. 58 00:03:07,939 --> 00:03:09,939 He stated: "It opened with a conditional clause." 59 00:03:09,939 --> 00:03:12,939 If you refer back to page fifteen, 60 00:03:12,939 --> 00:03:15,939 you will find that the surahs opened with a conditional clause 61 00:03:15,939 --> 00:03:17,939 are seven surahs. 62 00:03:17,939 --> 00:03:19,939 Al-Waqi'ah is the first—or rather the second—surah 63 00:03:19,939 --> 00:03:22,939 opening with a conditional clause according to the arrangement of the Mus-haf, 64 00:03:22,939 --> 00:03:25,939 followed by al-Munafiqun, al-Takwir, al-Infitar, 65 00:03:25,939 --> 00:03:28,939 al-Inshiqaq, al-Zalzalah, and an-Nasr. 66 00:03:28,939 --> 00:03:30,939 These are seven surahs. 67 00:03:30,939 --> 00:03:32,939 Had they been mentioned here, 68 00:03:32,939 --> 00:03:35,939 it would have been more appropriate, for many who read the book 69 00:03:35,939 --> 00:03:38,939 might not refer back to the introduction at all, 70 00:03:38,939 --> 00:03:41,939 or they might consult it initially and then forget about it; 71 00:03:41,939 --> 00:03:44,939 remembering similar openings 72 00:03:44,939 --> 00:03:46,939 aids in contemplation. 73 00:03:46,939 --> 00:03:49,939 It is noticeable that most of these surahs 74 00:03:49,939 --> 00:03:51,939 speak about the Day of Resurrection: 75 00:03:51,939 --> 00:03:55,939 al-Waqi'ah, al-Takwir, al-Infitar, al-Inshiqaq, and al-Zalzalah. 76 00:03:55,939 --> 00:03:58,939 It is clear that these are surahs speaking about the Day of Resurrection, 77 00:03:58,939 --> 00:04:02,939 and there is no need to contrive that all these surahs 78 00:04:02,939 --> 00:04:04,939 share a single theme. 79 00:04:04,939 --> 00:04:07,939 If such a connection appears without contrivance, that is well and good; 80 00:04:07,939 --> 00:04:10,939 otherwise, there is nothing obliging the reflective person 81 00:04:10,939 --> 00:04:13,939 and reader of the Qur'an to find a relationship 82 00:04:13,939 --> 00:04:16,939 between every two similar surahs, 83 00:04:16,939 --> 00:04:20,939 or to force and contrive one. 84 00:04:20,939 --> 00:04:23,939 Thus, most of these surahs, without doubt, 85 00:04:23,939 --> 00:04:25,939 speak about the Day of Resurrection, 86 00:04:25,939 --> 00:04:28,939 and it begins with the conditional particle "idha" (when), 87 00:04:28,939 --> 00:04:31,939 which signifies the certainty of the condition being fulfilled in the future. 88 00:04:31,939 --> 00:04:34,939 It is a definite matter, and it is followed 89 00:04:34,939 --> 00:04:36,939 by the past tense verb "waqa'at" (befalls), 90 00:04:36,939 --> 00:04:39,939 which also confirms its definite occurrence, 91 00:04:39,939 --> 00:04:42,939 because the past tense is used to express an absolute future certainty. 92 00:04:42,939 --> 00:04:44,970 As for the third and final point, 93 00:04:44,970 --> 00:04:46,970 it concerns the placement of the surah. 94 00:04:46,970 --> 00:04:48,970 He stated: "It is the fifty-sixth surah, 95 00:04:48,970 --> 00:04:50,970 and among its correlations with ar-Rahman 96 00:04:50,970 --> 00:04:54,970 is its comprehensive discourse on the Day of Resurrection." 97 00:04:54,970 --> 00:04:57,970 Indeed, the complementarity between the two surahs, 98 00:04:57,970 --> 00:05:01,000 along with their similarities and differences, 99 00:05:01,000 --> 00:05:04,000 is wondrous and worthy of contemplation. 100 00:05:04,000 --> 00:05:07,000 For you are able, meaning if you state 101 00:05:07,000 --> 00:05:10,129 the theme of the surah by contemplating its name 102 00:05:10,129 --> 00:05:12,160 and its sections— 103 00:05:12,160 --> 00:05:14,160 and it is more precise to say "its passages," 104 00:05:14,160 --> 00:05:17,160 to align with what was mentioned regarding the passages of the surah— 105 00:05:17,160 --> 00:05:20,160 by reflecting upon its name and passages, 106 00:05:20,160 --> 00:05:23,160 it becomes evident that the Resurrection, by way of evidence, encouragement, and warning, 107 00:05:23,160 --> 00:05:25,540 is among its most prominent themes. 108 00:05:25,540 --> 00:05:28,540 The same can be said of Surah ar-Rahman 109 00:05:28,540 --> 00:05:30,540 due to the strong resemblance between the two surahs. 110 00:05:30,540 --> 00:05:33,540 Yet, along with this, there are differences and complementarity. 111 00:05:33,540 --> 00:05:36,860 Among the similarities, for instance, 112 00:05:36,860 --> 00:05:41,060 is the mention of two categories of saved believers 113 00:05:41,060 --> 00:05:43,060 in each of the two surahs: 114 00:05:43,060 --> 00:05:46,060 “But for him who feareth the standing before his Lord there are two gardens.” (55:46) 115 00:05:46,060 --> 00:05:48,060 "And besides them there are two other gardens," 116 00:05:48,060 --> 00:05:50,060 and in al-Waqi'ah: "And the foremost ones, the foremost," 117 00:05:50,060 --> 00:05:53,060 and "the companions of the right hand—what are the companions of the right hand?" 118 00:05:53,060 --> 00:05:55,310 Meanwhile, in both surahs, 119 00:05:55,310 --> 00:05:58,310 only one category of disbelievers is mentioned: 120 00:05:58,310 --> 00:06:01,310 "the companions of the left hand" in al-Waqi'ah, 121 00:06:01,310 --> 00:06:02,310 and in ar-Rahman, the criminals. 122 00:06:02,310 --> 00:06:06,310 “This is hell which the guilty deny.” (55:43) 123 00:06:06,310 --> 00:06:09,310 Furthermore, you find no repetition between the two surahs 124 00:06:09,310 --> 00:06:12,310 in describing the bliss of the former 125 00:06:12,310 --> 00:06:16,310 or the punishment of the other group; 126 00:06:16,310 --> 00:06:19,310 rather, you find in each surah what is not in the other. 127 00:06:19,310 --> 00:06:22,310 Moreover, you find that Surah ar-Rahman 128 00:06:22,310 --> 00:06:27,540 begins with His name, Exalted and Glorified is He, "ar-Rahman" (The Most Gracious), 129 00:06:27,540 --> 00:06:30,540 thereby presenting encouragement and hope; 130 00:06:30,540 --> 00:06:32,540 whereas Surah al-Waqi'ah begins with: "When the Inevitable Event befalls, 131 00:06:32,540 --> 00:06:34,540 there is no denial of its occurrence, 132 00:06:34,540 --> 00:06:36,540 bringing low, raising high; 133 00:06:36,540 --> 00:06:38,540 when the earth is shaken with a violent convulsion..." 134 00:06:38,540 --> 00:06:41,540 up to the end of the verses. 135 00:06:41,540 --> 00:06:45,540 You find that awe and warning are what Surah al-Waqi'ah begins with. 136 00:06:45,540 --> 00:06:48,540 Hope and encouragement are fitting for the name of Surah ar-Rahman, 137 00:06:48,540 --> 00:06:52,540 while awe and warning are likewise fitting for the name of Surah al-Waqi'ah. 138 00:06:52,540 --> 00:06:54,540 Furthermore, you find in both surahs 139 00:06:54,540 --> 00:06:58,540 proofs from reality for the oneness and greatness of Allah, 140 00:06:58,540 --> 00:07:02,540 alongside an allusion to the Resurrection or an argument for it, 141 00:07:02,540 --> 00:07:04,540 yet you find them in both surahs 142 00:07:04,540 --> 00:07:06,540 presented in distinct manners: 143 00:07:06,540 --> 00:07:09,540 you find them in Surah al-Waqi'ah in the middle of the surah, 144 00:07:09,540 --> 00:07:11,540 and you find them in Surah ar-Rahman 145 00:07:11,540 --> 00:07:14,540 at the beginning of the surah, namely the enumeration of favors. 146 00:07:14,540 --> 00:07:18,699 The angles of reflection on these two surahs 147 00:07:18,699 --> 00:07:20,699 and their complementarity are very numerous. 148 00:07:20,699 --> 00:07:24,699 One of us can study both surahs together 149 00:07:24,699 --> 00:07:26,860 and memorize them— 150 00:07:26,860 --> 00:07:28,860 and they are usually memorized consecutively 151 00:07:28,860 --> 00:07:30,860 because they are in the same Juz'— 152 00:07:30,860 --> 00:07:32,860 and one can learn their Tafsir together, 153 00:07:32,860 --> 00:07:35,860 contemplate both of them together, and compare them, 154 00:07:35,860 --> 00:07:38,860 for that truly opens vast horizons. 155 00:07:38,860 --> 00:07:41,860 I ask Allah to grant me and you understanding of His Book, 156 00:07:41,860 --> 00:07:44,860 and to make it a light for us in our lives 157 00:07:44,860 --> 00:07:46,860 and after our deaths, 158 00:07:46,860 --> 00:07:48,860 and to make it a proof in our favor, 159 00:07:48,860 --> 00:07:50,860 not a proof against us. 160 00:07:50,860 --> 00:07:52,860 May Allah send blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, 161 00:07:52,860 --> 00:07:54,860 and upon his family and all his Companions, 162 00:07:54,860 --> 00:07:56,860 and praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds.