WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.759 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. 00:00:30.300 --> 00:00:32.299 A Gentle Commentary 00:00:32.299 --> 00:00:35.299 on the book "Identification Cards 00:00:35.299 --> 00:00:38.299 for the Surahs of the Noble Qur'an" 00:00:38.299 --> 00:00:42.299 by Dr. Muhammad Ibn Abdul-Aziz Ibn Umar Nasif, 00:00:42.299 --> 00:00:44.460 may Allah preserve him. 00:00:44.460 --> 00:00:46.460 Surah al-Waqi'ah. 00:00:46.460 --> 00:00:48.460 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. 00:00:48.460 --> 00:00:50.460 Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds, 00:00:50.460 --> 00:00:53.460 and may peace and blessings be upon His brothers among the prophets and messengers, 00:00:53.460 --> 00:00:55.460 and upon his family and all his Companions. 00:00:55.460 --> 00:00:58.460 We continue with our gentle commentary on the "Identification Cards," 00:00:58.460 --> 00:01:02.460 and we have arrived at Surah al-Waqi'ah. 00:01:02.460 --> 00:01:04.519 I have three points to make regarding it. 00:01:04.519 --> 00:01:07.519 The first point concerns the reasons for the revelation of the surah. 00:01:07.519 --> 00:01:12.549 He stated: "One reason for revelation was reported depicting the beliefs of the disbelievers." 00:01:12.549 --> 00:01:16.549 And that reason, as mentioned in the adopted book, 00:01:16.549 --> 00:01:20.549 is what was narrated by Muslim and others 00:01:20.549 --> 00:01:22.680 on the authority of Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him), 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), 00:01:26.680 --> 00:01:28.680 and the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: 00:01:28.680 --> 00:01:31.680 'Some of the people became grateful this morning, while others became disbelievers.' 00:01:31.680 --> 00:01:34.680 They said, 'This is a mercy that Allah Almighty has bestowed.' 00:01:34.680 --> 00:01:38.680 While some of them said, 'Such and such a star was right.' 00:01:38.680 --> 00:01:40.680 So the verses were revealed." 00:01:40.680 --> 00:01:42.680 I have pointed out in the book 00:01:42.680 --> 00:01:45.680 the disagreement regarding accepting this reason of revelation, 00:01:45.680 --> 00:01:48.680 by my statement: "And concerning it being the reason of revelation, there is dispute." 00:01:48.680 --> 00:01:50.680 The detailed examination of this dispute is to be found in 00:01:50.680 --> 00:01:53.680 the book "Al-Muharrar fi Asbab al-Nuzul" 00:01:53.810 --> 00:01:55.810 by Dr. Khalid al-Muzayni, 00:01:55.810 --> 00:01:58.810 where he elaborated and spoke at length. 00:01:58.810 --> 00:02:01.810 Among the points he made 00:02:01.810 --> 00:02:05.810 is that what was mentioned was not a specific single event 00:02:05.810 --> 00:02:07.810 on account of which the verses were revealed. 00:02:07.810 --> 00:02:09.810 He also observed that some exegetes 00:02:09.810 --> 00:02:11.810 who were attentive to hadiths, 00:02:11.810 --> 00:02:13.810 such as al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir, 00:02:13.810 --> 00:02:16.810 did not mention this narration, 00:02:16.810 --> 00:02:19.810 nor did they consider it a reason for revelation. 00:02:19.810 --> 00:02:23.810 Furthermore, there are other hadiths 00:02:23.810 --> 00:02:25.810 narrated from some of the Companions, 00:02:25.810 --> 00:02:28.810 some of which are more authentic than this hadith, 00:02:28.810 --> 00:02:31.810 that describe the situation 00:02:31.810 --> 00:02:34.810 and what people did when rain fell, 00:02:34.810 --> 00:02:37.810 without mentioning it as a reason for revelation. 00:02:37.810 --> 00:02:40.810 In addition, I note that Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) 00:02:40.810 --> 00:02:43.810 was not present during this event, 00:02:43.810 --> 00:02:46.939 because the surah is Meccan, 00:02:46.939 --> 00:02:48.939 and according to this, Ibn Abbas 00:02:48.939 --> 00:02:52.939 did not witness the time when these verses were revealed. 00:02:52.939 --> 00:02:55.939 For all of these reasons, 00:02:55.939 --> 00:02:58.939 and perhaps he alluded to others in his discussion, 00:02:58.939 --> 00:03:01.939 this reason of revelation was not deemed acceptable by 00:03:01.939 --> 00:03:03.939 Dr. Khalid al-Muzayni, 00:03:03.939 --> 00:03:05.939 whereas Dr. Isam al-Humaydan accepted it. 00:03:05.939 --> 00:03:07.939 The second point concerns the opening of the surah. 00:03:07.939 --> 00:03:09.939 He stated: "It opened with a conditional clause." 00:03:09.939 --> 00:03:12.939 If you refer back to page fifteen, 00:03:12.939 --> 00:03:15.939 you will find that the surahs opened with a conditional clause 00:03:15.939 --> 00:03:17.939 are seven surahs. 00:03:17.939 --> 00:03:19.939 Al-Waqi'ah is the first—or rather the second—surah 00:03:19.939 --> 00:03:22.939 opening with a conditional clause according to the arrangement of the Mus-haf, 00:03:22.939 --> 00:03:25.939 followed by al-Munafiqun, al-Takwir, al-Infitar, 00:03:25.939 --> 00:03:28.939 al-Inshiqaq, al-Zalzalah, and an-Nasr. 00:03:28.939 --> 00:03:30.939 These are seven surahs. 00:03:30.939 --> 00:03:32.939 Had they been mentioned here, 00:03:32.939 --> 00:03:35.939 it would have been more appropriate, for many who read the book 00:03:35.939 --> 00:03:38.939 might not refer back to the introduction at all, 00:03:38.939 --> 00:03:41.939 or they might consult it initially and then forget about it; 00:03:41.939 --> 00:03:44.939 remembering similar openings 00:03:44.939 --> 00:03:46.939 aids in contemplation. 00:03:46.939 --> 00:03:49.939 It is noticeable that most of these surahs 00:03:49.939 --> 00:03:51.939 speak about the Day of Resurrection: 00:03:51.939 --> 00:03:55.939 al-Waqi'ah, al-Takwir, al-Infitar, al-Inshiqaq, and al-Zalzalah. 00:03:55.939 --> 00:03:58.939 It is clear that these are surahs speaking about the Day of Resurrection, 00:03:58.939 --> 00:04:02.939 and there is no need to contrive that all these surahs 00:04:02.939 --> 00:04:04.939 share a single theme. 00:04:04.939 --> 00:04:07.939 If such a connection appears without contrivance, that is well and good; 00:04:07.939 --> 00:04:10.939 otherwise, there is nothing obliging the reflective person 00:04:10.939 --> 00:04:13.939 and reader of the Qur'an to find a relationship 00:04:13.939 --> 00:04:16.939 between every two similar surahs, 00:04:16.939 --> 00:04:20.939 or to force and contrive one. 00:04:20.939 --> 00:04:23.939 Thus, most of these surahs, without doubt, 00:04:23.939 --> 00:04:25.939 speak about the Day of Resurrection, 00:04:25.939 --> 00:04:28.939 and it begins with the conditional particle "idha" (when), 00:04:28.939 --> 00:04:31.939 which signifies the certainty of the condition being fulfilled in the future. 00:04:31.939 --> 00:04:34.939 It is a definite matter, and it is followed 00:04:34.939 --> 00:04:36.939 by the past tense verb "waqa'at" (befalls), 00:04:36.939 --> 00:04:39.939 which also confirms its definite occurrence, 00:04:39.939 --> 00:04:42.939 because the past tense is used to express an absolute future certainty. 00:04:42.939 --> 00:04:44.970 As for the third and final point, 00:04:44.970 --> 00:04:46.970 it concerns the placement of the surah. 00:04:46.970 --> 00:04:48.970 He stated: "It is the fifty-sixth surah, 00:04:48.970 --> 00:04:50.970 and among its correlations with ar-Rahman 00:04:50.970 --> 00:04:54.970 is its comprehensive discourse on the Day of Resurrection." 00:04:54.970 --> 00:04:57.970 Indeed, the complementarity between the two surahs, 00:04:57.970 --> 00:05:01.000 along with their similarities and differences, 00:05:01.000 --> 00:05:04.000 is wondrous and worthy of contemplation. 00:05:04.000 --> 00:05:07.000 For you are able, meaning if you state 00:05:07.000 --> 00:05:10.129 the theme of the surah by contemplating its name 00:05:10.129 --> 00:05:12.160 and its sections— 00:05:12.160 --> 00:05:14.160 and it is more precise to say "its passages," 00:05:14.160 --> 00:05:17.160 to align with what was mentioned regarding the passages of the surah— 00:05:17.160 --> 00:05:20.160 by reflecting upon its name and passages, 00:05:20.160 --> 00:05:23.160 it becomes evident that the Resurrection, by way of evidence, encouragement, and warning, 00:05:23.160 --> 00:05:25.540 is among its most prominent themes. 00:05:25.540 --> 00:05:28.540 The same can be said of Surah ar-Rahman 00:05:28.540 --> 00:05:30.540 due to the strong resemblance between the two surahs. 00:05:30.540 --> 00:05:33.540 Yet, along with this, there are differences and complementarity. 00:05:33.540 --> 00:05:36.860 Among the similarities, for instance, 00:05:36.860 --> 00:05:41.060 is the mention of two categories of saved believers 00:05:41.060 --> 00:05:43.060 in each of the two surahs: 00:05:43.060 --> 00:05:46.060 “But for him who feareth the standing before his Lord there are two gardens.” (55:46) 00:05:46.060 --> 00:05:48.060 "And besides them there are two other gardens," 00:05:48.060 --> 00:05:50.060 and in al-Waqi'ah: "And the foremost ones, the foremost," 00:05:50.060 --> 00:05:53.060 and "the companions of the right hand—what are the companions of the right hand?" 00:05:53.060 --> 00:05:55.310 Meanwhile, in both surahs, 00:05:55.310 --> 00:05:58.310 only one category of disbelievers is mentioned: 00:05:58.310 --> 00:06:01.310 "the companions of the left hand" in al-Waqi'ah, 00:06:01.310 --> 00:06:02.310 and in ar-Rahman, the criminals. 00:06:02.310 --> 00:06:06.310 “This is hell which the guilty deny.” (55:43) 00:06:06.310 --> 00:06:09.310 Furthermore, you find no repetition between the two surahs 00:06:09.310 --> 00:06:12.310 in describing the bliss of the former 00:06:12.310 --> 00:06:16.310 or the punishment of the other group; 00:06:16.310 --> 00:06:19.310 rather, you find in each surah what is not in the other. 00:06:19.310 --> 00:06:22.310 Moreover, you find that Surah ar-Rahman 00:06:22.310 --> 00:06:27.540 begins with His name, Exalted and Glorified is He, "ar-Rahman" (The Most Gracious), 00:06:27.540 --> 00:06:30.540 thereby presenting encouragement and hope; 00:06:30.540 --> 00:06:32.540 whereas Surah al-Waqi'ah begins with: "When the Inevitable Event befalls, 00:06:32.540 --> 00:06:34.540 there is no denial of its occurrence, 00:06:34.540 --> 00:06:36.540 bringing low, raising high; 00:06:36.540 --> 00:06:38.540 when the earth is shaken with a violent convulsion..." 00:06:38.540 --> 00:06:41.540 up to the end of the verses. 00:06:41.540 --> 00:06:45.540 You find that awe and warning are what Surah al-Waqi'ah begins with. 00:06:45.540 --> 00:06:48.540 Hope and encouragement are fitting for the name of Surah ar-Rahman, 00:06:48.540 --> 00:06:52.540 while awe and warning are likewise fitting for the name of Surah al-Waqi'ah. 00:06:52.540 --> 00:06:54.540 Furthermore, you find in both surahs 00:06:54.540 --> 00:06:58.540 proofs from reality for the oneness and greatness of Allah, 00:06:58.540 --> 00:07:02.540 alongside an allusion to the Resurrection or an argument for it, 00:07:02.540 --> 00:07:04.540 yet you find them in both surahs 00:07:04.540 --> 00:07:06.540 presented in distinct manners: 00:07:06.540 --> 00:07:09.540 you find them in Surah al-Waqi'ah in the middle of the surah, 00:07:09.540 --> 00:07:11.540 and you find them in Surah ar-Rahman 00:07:11.540 --> 00:07:14.540 at the beginning of the surah, namely the enumeration of favors. 00:07:14.540 --> 00:07:18.699 The angles of reflection on these two surahs 00:07:18.699 --> 00:07:20.699 and their complementarity are very numerous. 00:07:20.699 --> 00:07:24.699 One of us can study both surahs together 00:07:24.699 --> 00:07:26.860 and memorize them— 00:07:26.860 --> 00:07:28.860 and they are usually memorized consecutively 00:07:28.860 --> 00:07:30.860 because they are in the same Juz'— 00:07:30.860 --> 00:07:32.860 and one can learn their Tafsir together, 00:07:32.860 --> 00:07:35.860 contemplate both of them together, and compare them, 00:07:35.860 --> 00:07:38.860 for that truly opens vast horizons. 00:07:38.860 --> 00:07:41.860 I ask Allah to grant me and you understanding of His Book, 00:07:41.860 --> 00:07:44.860 and to make it a light for us in our lives 00:07:44.860 --> 00:07:46.860 and after our deaths, 00:07:46.860 --> 00:07:48.860 and to make it a proof in our favor, 00:07:48.860 --> 00:07:50.860 not a proof against us. 00:07:50.860 --> 00:07:52.860 May Allah send blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, 00:07:52.860 --> 00:07:54.860 and upon his family and all his Companions, 00:07:54.860 --> 00:07:56.860 and praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds.