1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:02,580 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. 2 00:00:02,580 --> 00:00:37,479 Concise commentary on the book *Identification Cards for the Surahs of the Noble Qur'an*, 3 00:00:37,479 --> 00:00:43,520 by Dr. Muhammad ibn 'Abd al-'Aziz ibn 'Umar Naseef, may Allah preserve him. 4 00:00:43,520 --> 00:00:46,399 Surah al-Ma'idah. 5 00:00:46,399 --> 00:00:50,899 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah. 6 00:00:51,380 --> 00:00:55,500 Welcome to a new segment of the concise commentary on the identification cards. 7 00:00:55,500 --> 00:01:01,880 Today's chapter is Surah al-Ma'idah, and we will pause over three key reflections on it. 8 00:01:01,880 --> 00:01:10,079 Truthfully, today's reflections will not be directly tied to what is written in the diagrammatic outline, 9 00:01:10,079 --> 00:01:18,180 but rather offer insights for reciting this surah that, along with the outline, will aid in contemplation and benefit, Allah willing. 10 00:01:18,780 --> 00:01:25,060 The first reflection concerns the first quarter-rub' of a hizb in the surah, 11 00:01:25,060 --> 00:01:30,799 from the beginning of the surah up to the end of the eleventh verse. 12 00:01:30,799 --> 00:01:40,099 We notice that the phrase "and fear Allah" is repeated frequently across these two pages. 13 00:01:40,099 --> 00:01:46,689 “That which Allah giveth as spoil unto His messenger from the people of the townships, it is for Allah and His messenger and for the near of kin and the orphans and the needy and the wayfarer, that it become not a commodity between the rich among you. And whatsoever the messenger giveth you, take it. And whatsoever he forbiddeth, abstain (from it). And keep your duty to Allah. Lo! Allah is stern in reprisal.” (59:7) 14 00:01:46,769 --> 00:01:52,569 In the fourth verse: ◁ And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is swift in account. ▷ 15 00:01:52,569 --> 00:01:59,099 In the seventh verse: ◁ And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is Knowing of that within the breasts. ▷ 16 00:01:59,099 --> 00:02:05,099 In the eighth verse: ◁ And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what you do. ▷ 17 00:02:05,099 --> 00:02:13,280 And in the eleventh verse: ◁ And fear Allah, and upon Allah let the believers rely. ▷ 18 00:02:13,280 --> 00:02:21,479 We observe, first, that the Noble and Exalted Lord follows the command to maintain piety (taqwa) with a clause, 19 00:02:21,479 --> 00:02:30,620 and this clause frequently guides to that which aids in attaining piety. 20 00:02:30,620 --> 00:02:34,120 ◁ And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is severe in penalty. ▷ 21 00:02:34,120 --> 00:02:38,120 Remembering that Allah is severe in penalty increases piety in the heart. 22 00:02:38,120 --> 00:02:40,319 “They ask thee (O Muhammad) what is made lawful for them. Say: (all) good things are made lawful for you. And those beasts and birds of prey which ye have trained as hounds are trained, ye teach them that which Allah taught you; so eat of that which they catch for you and mention Allah's name upon it, and observe your duty to Allah. Lo! Allah is swift to take account.” (5:4) 23 00:02:40,849 --> 00:02:43,849 “Remember Allah's grace upon you and His covenant by which He bound you when ye said: We hear and we obey; And keep your duty to Allah. Lo! He knoweth what is in the breasts (of men).” (5:7) 24 00:02:43,849 --> 00:02:48,849 Remembering His knowledge, Glorified and Exalted be He, increases piety, and so on. 25 00:02:48,849 --> 00:02:52,849 Furthermore, consider another aspect: 26 00:02:52,849 --> 00:02:58,349 if a great personage among people were to order you once, twice, or thrice, 27 00:02:58,349 --> 00:03:02,349 even if you felt no shame before him, you would at least fear him— 28 00:03:02,349 --> 00:03:05,330 you would fear his power and control over you. 29 00:03:05,330 --> 00:03:09,830 So how is it with the Creator, who has commanded us to observe piety—I do not say merely five times, 30 00:03:09,830 --> 00:03:12,330 but rather the Qur'an is abounding with this phrase! 31 00:03:12,330 --> 00:03:17,330 Its repetition should never induce emotional numbness or indifference. 32 00:03:17,330 --> 00:03:22,830 Instead, every time you hear it, you should bring to mind that the Creator is saying to you: 33 00:03:22,830 --> 00:03:24,330 "Fear Allah," 34 00:03:24,330 --> 00:03:26,330 meaning: "Fear Me." 35 00:03:26,330 --> 00:03:29,830 Yet He specifically says "fear Allah" to invoke this majestic Name, 36 00:03:29,830 --> 00:03:33,830 along with all the attributes of majesty and perfection it carries. 37 00:03:33,830 --> 00:03:37,919 So whenever you hear "and fear Allah," hold yourself accountable: 38 00:03:37,919 --> 00:03:41,419 Where do we stand in implementing this great command? 39 00:03:41,419 --> 00:03:44,419 What ought to occupy our time 40 00:03:44,419 --> 00:03:47,919 is pondering how to truly embody it, 41 00:03:47,919 --> 00:03:49,919 and striving practically toward that goal 42 00:03:49,919 --> 00:03:52,419 by performing every commanded deed, 43 00:03:52,419 --> 00:03:54,520 avoiding every prohibited matter, 44 00:03:54,520 --> 00:03:57,520 and continuously asking, learning, and applying. 45 00:03:57,520 --> 00:03:59,520 As for the second reflection, 46 00:03:59,520 --> 00:04:03,020 it relates to the fact that most of this surah, 47 00:04:03,020 --> 00:04:06,520 and many of its verses, were revealed late in the Prophetic period. 48 00:04:07,020 --> 00:04:09,520 We say that many of its verses were revealed late, 49 00:04:09,520 --> 00:04:11,520 a well-known fact among scholars, 50 00:04:11,520 --> 00:04:14,520 even if a few of its verses were revealed earlier. 51 00:04:14,520 --> 00:04:17,519 Despite this, when we look at 52 00:04:17,519 --> 00:04:20,019 the rulings contained within the surah, 53 00:04:20,019 --> 00:04:25,519 we find them addressing matters that people might mistakenly view as secondary. 54 00:04:25,519 --> 00:04:29,519 Yet the detailed exposition of legal rulings in the Qur'an 55 00:04:29,519 --> 00:04:32,519 serves as proof that the Qur'an encompasses all of life. 56 00:04:32,519 --> 00:04:34,519 Consider, for example, Almighty Allah's saying: 57 00:04:34,519 --> 00:04:38,519 “O ye who believe! Strong drink and games of chance and idols and divining arrows are only an infamy of Satan's handiwork. Leave it aside in order that ye may succeed.” (5:90) 58 00:04:38,519 --> 00:04:40,519 ◁ ...and stone altars and divining arrows... ▷ 59 00:04:40,519 --> 00:04:42,649 Intoxicants are a drink, 60 00:04:42,649 --> 00:04:46,649 and numerous are the rulings regarding food and drink mentioned in this surah. 61 00:04:46,649 --> 00:04:50,709 Intoxicants are a beverage, games of chance are amusement, 62 00:04:50,709 --> 00:04:53,870 gambling is a recreational game—a form of diversion— 63 00:04:53,870 --> 00:04:55,870 while stone altars and divining arrows 64 00:04:55,870 --> 00:04:58,870 are tied to corrupt beliefs 65 00:04:58,870 --> 00:05:00,870 that existed during the pre-Islamic era of ignorance (Jahiliyyah). 66 00:05:00,870 --> 00:05:03,379 Thus, the rulings of the Sacred Law 67 00:05:03,379 --> 00:05:05,379 are not restricted to just one facet of life; 68 00:05:05,379 --> 00:05:08,379 rather, they encompass every single dimension of human life. 69 00:05:08,379 --> 00:05:11,379 “O ye who believe! Strong drink and games of chance and idols and divining arrows are only an infamy of Satan's handiwork. Leave it aside in order that ye may succeed.” (5:90) 70 00:05:11,379 --> 00:05:13,379 ◁ ...and stone altars and divining arrows... ▷ 71 00:05:13,379 --> 00:05:15,379 ◁ ...are but definement from the work of Satan, so avoid it... ▷ 72 00:05:15,379 --> 00:05:18,379 Here, a critic might object, saying: 73 00:05:18,379 --> 00:05:21,379 "Have you inserted religion into everything, even into play?" 74 00:05:21,379 --> 00:05:25,379 The answer comes at the very end of this magnificent surah, 75 00:05:25,379 --> 00:05:29,379 in a conclusion linked to the entire surah, 76 00:05:29,379 --> 00:05:31,379 as several scholars have pointed out. 77 00:05:31,379 --> 00:05:34,379 The Exalted Lord says in the final verse of the surah: 78 00:05:34,379 --> 00:05:39,379 “Unto Allah belongeth the Sovereignty of the heavens and the earth and whatsoever is therein, and He is Able to do all things.” (5:120) 79 00:05:39,379 --> 00:05:42,379 ◁ ...and He is over all things competent. ▷ 80 00:05:42,379 --> 00:05:44,420 Reflect upon this verse: 81 00:05:44,420 --> 00:05:47,420 it connects to every single ruling mentioned in the surah. 82 00:05:47,420 --> 00:05:49,420 Whenever you encounter someone objecting 83 00:05:49,420 --> 00:05:52,449 to any legal ruling in this surah 84 00:05:52,449 --> 00:05:54,449 or to the rulings of the Sacred Law in general— 85 00:05:54,449 --> 00:05:56,449 asking why it even interferes in people's play, asserting that 86 00:05:56,449 --> 00:05:58,449 they must govern themselves by divine law 87 00:05:58,449 --> 00:06:01,449 even in their play, entertainment, food, 88 00:06:01,449 --> 00:06:04,449 drink, and all their circumstances— 89 00:06:04,449 --> 00:06:08,449 know that the Sacred Law must possess supreme authority. 90 00:06:08,449 --> 00:06:12,449 The command that governs even permissible acts 91 00:06:12,449 --> 00:06:17,449 is a legal ruling. What reinforces this principle in human souls 92 00:06:17,449 --> 00:06:20,449 “Unto Allah belongeth the Sovereignty of the heavens and the earth and whatsoever is therein, and He is Able to do all things.” (5:120) 93 00:06:20,449 --> 00:06:23,540 is that He alone possesses the absolute right 94 00:06:23,540 --> 00:06:26,540 to declare this lawful and that unlawful, 95 00:06:26,540 --> 00:06:30,540 this prohibited and that excused, and so forth. 96 00:06:30,540 --> 00:06:33,990 He said: ◁ ...and He is over all things competent. ▷ 97 00:06:33,990 --> 00:06:36,990 The sovereignty is His sovereignty, so He decrees whatever He wills, 98 00:06:36,990 --> 00:06:41,149 and absolute power belongs to Him. 99 00:06:41,149 --> 00:06:44,149 We are entirely in His grasp, whether we obey Him or disobey Him. 100 00:06:44,149 --> 00:06:46,149 How beautiful a verse this is 101 00:06:46,149 --> 00:06:50,149 with which the surah concludes and to which all its rulings are tied! 102 00:06:50,149 --> 00:06:55,149 So whenever you learn a legal ruling and wish 103 00:06:55,149 --> 00:06:59,149 to find the inner strength to carry it out or abstain from it, 104 00:06:59,149 --> 00:07:01,149 hold fast to this verse: 105 00:07:01,149 --> 00:07:03,149 “Unto Allah belongeth the Sovereignty of the heavens and the earth and whatsoever is therein, and He is Able to do all things.” (5:120) 106 00:07:03,149 --> 00:07:05,149 ◁ ...and He is over all things competent. ▷ 107 00:07:05,149 --> 00:07:08,149 Perhaps this verse reminds you of the end of Surah al-Baqarah: 108 00:07:08,149 --> 00:07:10,149 ◁ To Allah belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth... ▷ 109 00:07:10,149 --> 00:07:13,149 “Unto Allah (belongeth) whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is in the earth; and whether ye make known what is in your minds or hide it, Allah will bring you to account for it. He will forgive whom He will and He will punish whom He will. Allah is Able to do all things.” (2:284) 110 00:07:13,149 --> 00:07:16,149 ◁ ...He forgives whom He wills and punishes whom He wills, ▷ 111 00:07:16,149 --> 00:07:18,149 ◁ ...and Allah is over all things competent. ▷ 112 00:07:18,149 --> 00:07:19,149 Notice the striking similarity! 113 00:07:19,149 --> 00:07:22,149 That surah was filled with legal rulings, 114 00:07:22,149 --> 00:07:23,149 and this surah is likewise. 115 00:07:23,149 --> 00:07:26,149 This brings us to the third reflection, 116 00:07:26,149 --> 00:07:30,149 which is to ponder the very first sentence of the surah— 117 00:07:30,149 --> 00:07:34,149 “O ye who believe! Fulfil your indentures. The beast of cattle is made lawful unto you (for food) except that which is announced unto you (herein), game being unlawful when ye are on the pilgrimage. Lo! Allah ordaineth that which pleaseth Him.” (5:1) 118 00:07:34,149 --> 00:07:37,629 alongside the verse just before the final verse, 119 00:07:37,629 --> 00:07:44,629 namely Allah's saying: ◁ Allah will say, "This is the Day when their truthfulness will benefit the truthful." ▷ 120 00:07:44,629 --> 00:07:46,629 If you fulfill your covenants 121 00:07:46,629 --> 00:07:50,699 and follow Allah's commands detailed in this surah, 122 00:07:51,699 --> 00:07:57,699 then rejoice! For on the Day of Resurrection, matters will be exactly as Allah promised: 123 00:07:57,699 --> 00:08:03,699 “Allah saith: This is a day in which their truthfulness profiteth the truthful, for theirs are Gardens underneath which rivers flow, wherein they are secure for ever, Allah taking pleasure in them and they in Him. That is the great triumph.” (5:119) 124 00:08:03,699 --> 00:08:08,300 ◁ They will have gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever, ▷ 125 00:08:08,300 --> 00:08:10,300 ◁ Allah being pleased with them and they with Him. ▷ 126 00:08:10,300 --> 00:08:12,300 ◁ That is the great attainment. ▷ 127 00:08:12,300 --> 00:08:20,660 Therefore, these two verses should be kept in mind throughout the recitation of the entire surah. 128 00:08:20,660 --> 00:08:23,660 Whoever is able—and it is not overly difficult, 129 00:08:23,660 --> 00:08:25,660 though success is granted only to those whom Allah enables— 130 00:08:25,660 --> 00:08:28,660 whoever can stand in night prayer reciting this surah, 131 00:08:28,660 --> 00:08:30,660 completing it entirely in a single night, 132 00:08:30,660 --> 00:08:34,659 or at least reciting it in one sitting, even during the day, 133 00:08:34,659 --> 00:08:37,659 many of its profound meanings will be unveiled to them. 134 00:08:37,659 --> 00:08:41,659 The connection between its beginning and its end will become clear, 135 00:08:41,659 --> 00:08:44,659 as will the link between all its verses and its beginning, 136 00:08:44,659 --> 00:08:47,820 and the link between all its verses and its conclusion. 137 00:08:47,820 --> 00:08:50,820 I ask Allah to grant benefit to me and to you through the Magnificent Qur'an, 138 00:08:50,820 --> 00:08:53,820 and to make this surah a proof for us, not against us. 139 00:08:53,820 --> 00:08:55,820 May Allah send peace and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, 140 00:08:55,820 --> 00:08:57,820 and upon his family and all his Companions. 141 00:08:57,820 --> 00:08:59,820 Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds.