WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.500 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. 00:00:02.500 --> 00:00:37.539 "The Graceful Commentary on the Book of Introductory Profiles of the Noble Qur'an's Surahs" 00:00:37.539 --> 00:00:43.539 By Dr. Muhammad Ibn Abdul-Aziz Ibn Umar Nasif, may Allah preserve him. 00:00:43.539 --> 00:00:46.039 Surah As-Sajdah. 00:00:46.039 --> 00:00:50.039 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah. 00:00:50.890 --> 00:00:53.890 We continue with our graceful commentary on the introductory profiles, 00:00:53.890 --> 00:00:56.390 and we are now with Surah As-Sajdah. 00:00:56.390 --> 00:00:57.890 I have three points to pause and reflect upon regarding it. 00:00:57.890 --> 00:01:02.640 The first pause is to highlight several matters. 00:01:02.640 --> 00:01:10.870 In fact, I committed myself in the book to including only what I deemed established as authentic (sahih) or acceptable (hasan). 00:01:10.870 --> 00:01:14.870 Even though weak reports concerning many of the issues presented in this book 00:01:14.870 --> 00:01:18.870 are considered acceptable to cite by many scholars, 00:01:18.870 --> 00:01:21.959 I nevertheless preferred that the book adhere strictly to this standard. 00:01:21.959 --> 00:01:26.959 Therefore, you find among the names of the Surah a narration from some of the Tabi'un; 00:01:26.959 --> 00:01:28.959 in truth, I did not intend to include it, 00:01:28.959 --> 00:01:31.959 yet it appears here. 00:01:31.959 --> 00:01:33.959 The fact is, it ought to be deleted. 00:01:33.959 --> 00:01:36.959 An oversight simply occurred in this regard. 00:01:36.959 --> 00:01:42.030 I should only have noted that Al-Munjiyah was given this name because 00:01:42.030 --> 00:01:44.030 it was described as such by some of the Tabi'un. 00:01:44.030 --> 00:01:47.280 I said "it was reported" (wurida), and using this word was deliberate, 00:01:47.280 --> 00:01:50.280 so that it is understood that it requires further verification. 00:01:50.280 --> 00:01:53.640 Therefore, while still on this same point, 00:01:53.640 --> 00:01:57.640 I point out that among the Surah's virtues is what was reported on the authority of Abu Hurayrah. 00:01:57.640 --> 00:02:00.640 In fact, it is definitively established from Abu Hurayrah, as it is in Sahih al-Bukhari. 00:02:00.640 --> 00:02:03.829 Thus, the appropriate word here is "it is established" (thabata). 00:02:03.829 --> 00:02:06.829 Likewise, concerning what follows: "and it was reported that the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 00:02:06.829 --> 00:02:08.830 would not sleep until he recited 00:02:08.830 --> 00:02:10.830 Alif-Lam-Mim Tanzil al-Sajdah." 00:02:10.830 --> 00:02:12.830 All of these should use the expression "it is established." 00:02:12.830 --> 00:02:16.960 An oversight occurred at times due to a lack of focus; 00:02:16.960 --> 00:02:20.960 with a lapse in concentration, the word "established" sometimes gets replaced by "reported" or the like. 00:02:20.960 --> 00:02:24.960 So this will be corrected, and I ask Allah to make that easy in the second edition. 00:02:24.960 --> 00:02:27.960 Furthermore, among the virtues of the Surah, as is evident 00:02:27.960 --> 00:02:30.960 and well known, is that it is recited during the Fajr prayer 00:02:30.960 --> 00:02:34.050 on Friday, along with Surah Al-Insan. 00:02:34.050 --> 00:02:39.050 This is even more well known than reciting it every night along with Surah Al-Mulk. 00:02:39.050 --> 00:02:42.280 The Prophet, peace be upon him, would not sleep until he recited 00:02:42.280 --> 00:02:45.280 As-Sajdah and Al-Mulk. 00:02:45.280 --> 00:02:47.280 This encourages us to give it great care and attention. 00:02:47.280 --> 00:02:49.280 Here, I would like to highlight something: 00:02:49.280 --> 00:02:52.280 whenever it is established in the Sunnah to recite something at a specific time or place, 00:02:52.280 --> 00:02:55.280 be eager to observe it, for it possesses a spiritual light 00:02:55.280 --> 00:02:59.280 recognized by whoever strives to follow the Sunnah in such matters. 00:02:59.280 --> 00:03:01.280 There is no need for me to turn to what is merely permissible, 00:03:01.280 --> 00:03:03.280 such as reciting another surah, 00:03:03.280 --> 00:03:06.280 when this particular surah exists, which the Prophet, peace be upon him, recited. 00:03:06.280 --> 00:03:09.280 Why should I abandon the Sunnah for something else? 00:03:09.280 --> 00:03:12.469 Am I claiming it is prohibited? No, I am not saying that, 00:03:12.469 --> 00:03:15.469 nor am I anyone of authority to say so, nor does fiqh rule that doing so is forbidden 00:03:15.469 --> 00:03:17.469 or disliked. 00:03:17.469 --> 00:03:19.469 But why should a person abandon what is superior? 00:03:19.469 --> 00:03:21.469 The superior choice is always to follow the Sunnah. 00:03:21.469 --> 00:03:23.469 Occasionally, it may be for educational purposes 00:03:23.469 --> 00:03:25.469 that one deviates from the Sunnah on rare occasions. 00:03:25.469 --> 00:03:27.469 But as for deliberately seeking variation 00:03:27.469 --> 00:03:29.469 in a matter where the Prophet, peace be upon him, recited 00:03:29.469 --> 00:03:31.469 something established, 00:03:31.469 --> 00:03:33.469 there is no doubt that adhering to it is best. 00:03:33.469 --> 00:03:35.469 It contains a light known only to those who have experienced it. 00:03:35.469 --> 00:03:38.469 Strive to follow the Sunnah in your recitation, 00:03:38.469 --> 00:03:40.469 and in the designated places where 00:03:40.469 --> 00:03:42.469 specific surahs are recited, and the like, 00:03:42.469 --> 00:03:44.469 for in that lies immense good. 00:03:44.469 --> 00:03:46.469 I recall someone mentioning: 00:03:46.469 --> 00:03:48.469 "I used to recite Surah Al-A'la every night 00:03:48.469 --> 00:03:50.560 in the Witr prayer, 00:03:50.560 --> 00:03:52.599 in the two rak'ahs before the Witr. 00:03:52.599 --> 00:03:54.599 Sometimes I would become lazy about it, 00:03:54.599 --> 00:03:56.599 or I would want to recite 00:03:56.599 --> 00:03:58.599 from where I had reached in my regular Qur'anic portion (wird). 00:03:58.599 --> 00:04:00.599 Yet when I recited, I did not feel the presence of my heart, 00:04:00.599 --> 00:04:02.599 whereas whenever I recited this particular surah, 00:04:02.599 --> 00:04:04.599 I sensed its profound awe and reverence in this prayer." 00:04:04.599 --> 00:04:06.599 Indeed, there is wisdom and profound secrets behind it; 00:04:06.599 --> 00:04:08.599 we comprehend some, while much remains hidden from us. 00:04:08.599 --> 00:04:10.599 It is sufficient for us that the Bringer of Glad Tidings, 00:04:10.599 --> 00:04:12.599 peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 00:04:12.599 --> 00:04:14.599 recited it on this occasion. 00:04:14.599 --> 00:04:17.009 Then I move on, 00:04:17.009 --> 00:04:19.009 in my third pause, 00:04:19.009 --> 00:04:21.009 to the chronology of the Surah's revelation. 00:04:21.009 --> 00:04:23.009 It is counted as the seventy-second surah 00:04:23.009 --> 00:04:25.009 according to the well-known view, revealed after Surah An-Nahl 00:04:25.009 --> 00:04:27.009 and before Surah Nuh. 00:04:27.009 --> 00:04:29.009 A report has been narrated that may indicate it was— 00:04:29.009 --> 00:04:31.009 the more precise 00:04:31.009 --> 00:04:33.009 phrasing to write 00:04:33.009 --> 00:04:35.009 is: "A report has been narrated that may indicate 00:04:35.009 --> 00:04:37.009 that part of it..." 00:04:37.009 --> 00:04:39.009 A report has been narrated that may indicate it was 00:04:39.009 --> 00:04:41.839 prior to the incident of the Night Journey (al-Isra). 00:04:41.839 --> 00:04:43.839 This is a subtle scholarly issue. 00:04:43.839 --> 00:04:45.839 Some of the salaf (early generations) 00:04:45.839 --> 00:04:47.839 interpreted the words of Allah the Exalted: 00:04:47.839 --> 00:04:49.839 "And We certainly gave Moses the Scripture..." 00:04:49.839 --> 00:04:51.839 “We verily gave Moses the Scripture; so be not ye in doubt of his receiving it; and We appointed it a guidance for the Children of Israel.” (32:23) 00:04:51.839 --> 00:04:53.839 as referring to the Night of al-Isra, 00:04:53.839 --> 00:04:55.839 so it served as a promise to the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 00:04:55.839 --> 00:04:57.839 that he would meet Moses 00:04:57.839 --> 00:04:59.939 on the Night of al-Isra, 00:04:59.939 --> 00:05:02.290 and indeed, he met him, peace be upon him. 00:05:02.290 --> 00:05:04.290 From this, I transition 00:05:04.290 --> 00:05:06.290 to another matter, which is that 00:05:06.290 --> 00:05:08.290 a comprehensive survey of all the reports 00:05:08.290 --> 00:05:10.290 and traditions 00:05:10.290 --> 00:05:12.290 found in the Prophetic biography (Seerah), 00:05:12.290 --> 00:05:14.290 in the books of Tafsir, 00:05:14.290 --> 00:05:16.290 and in other sources wherein 00:05:16.290 --> 00:05:18.290 a verse is cited as evidence, 00:05:18.290 --> 00:05:20.290 could unveil many critical insights for us 00:05:20.290 --> 00:05:22.290 regarding the chronology of revelation. 00:05:22.290 --> 00:05:24.389 Thus, this matter requires an extensive, meticulous survey 00:05:24.389 --> 00:05:26.389 and demands a major 00:05:26.389 --> 00:05:28.389 academic project sponsored by a university, for instance. 00:05:28.389 --> 00:05:30.480 I would suggest 00:05:30.480 --> 00:05:32.480 that this be carried out 00:05:32.480 --> 00:05:34.480 by starting with the book 00:05:34.480 --> 00:05:36.480 *Al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir* 00:05:36.480 --> 00:05:38.480 by Ibn Ashur, for he 00:05:38.480 --> 00:05:40.480 pays an unmatched degree of attention to this subject, unlike 00:05:40.480 --> 00:05:42.480 any other exegete within the scope of my reading. 00:05:42.480 --> 00:05:44.480 He gives exceptional attention to the chronology 00:05:44.480 --> 00:05:46.550 of revelation, and scrutinizes 00:05:46.550 --> 00:05:48.550 many verses 00:05:48.550 --> 00:05:50.800 with invaluable, precise analyses. 00:05:50.800 --> 00:05:52.800 If these detailed remarks were compiled—and they are numerous— 00:05:52.800 --> 00:05:54.800 a single doctoral dissertation would not suffice for them; 00:05:54.800 --> 00:05:57.189 rather, even studying just 00:05:57.189 --> 00:05:59.189 some of the long surahs, such as Al-Baqarah, might well suffice 00:05:59.189 --> 00:06:01.189 for a master's thesis. 00:06:01.189 --> 00:06:03.189 The meticulous care of Ibn Ashur 00:06:03.189 --> 00:06:05.189 is truly immense. 00:06:05.189 --> 00:06:07.189 These discussions need compilation 00:06:07.189 --> 00:06:09.480 and thorough, deliberate study. 00:06:09.480 --> 00:06:11.480 One should not merely settle 00:06:11.480 --> 00:06:13.480 for what he mentions, may Allah have mercy on him, at the beginning 00:06:13.480 --> 00:06:15.480 of each surah, for there he offers only a summary; 00:06:15.480 --> 00:06:17.480 rather, when examining the individual verses, he scrutinizes them deeply, 00:06:17.480 --> 00:06:19.480 remarking: "Perhaps it was revealed concerning such-and-such," 00:06:19.480 --> 00:06:21.480 or "Perhaps it was revealed prior to such-and-such, because it contains 00:06:21.480 --> 00:06:23.569 this and that." 00:06:23.569 --> 00:06:25.569 I believe that if his work were thoroughly studied, 00:06:25.569 --> 00:06:27.569 we would also derive a comprehensive methodology 00:06:27.569 --> 00:06:29.569 for determining the chronology of revelation. 00:06:29.569 --> 00:06:31.569 Even though the chronology of revelation 00:06:31.569 --> 00:06:33.569 has been treated in a fine, dedicated book, 00:06:33.569 --> 00:06:35.569 it remains primarily theoretical 00:06:35.569 --> 00:06:37.569 and concise; it is entitled 00:06:37.569 --> 00:06:39.569 *Ilm Tarikh Nuzul* 00:06:39.569 --> 00:06:41.600 *Ayat al-Qur'an al-Karim wa Suwarih* (The Science of the Chronology of the Revelation of the Qur'an's Verses and Surahs), 00:06:41.600 --> 00:06:43.600 co-authored by Dr. Ahmad 00:06:43.600 --> 00:06:45.600 Khalid Shukri and Mr. 00:06:45.600 --> 00:06:47.600 Imran Samih Nazzal, 00:06:47.600 --> 00:06:50.019 if my pronunciation of the name is correct, 00:06:50.019 --> 00:06:52.019 and published in Jordan. 00:06:52.019 --> 00:06:54.759 This book provides a sound theoretical framework, 00:06:54.759 --> 00:06:56.759 but Ibn Ashur 00:06:56.759 --> 00:06:58.759 applied this methodology extensively throughout his work. 00:06:58.759 --> 00:07:00.759 Therefore, it truly deserves, 00:07:00.759 --> 00:07:02.759 as I mentioned, to be adopted as an academic project 00:07:02.759 --> 00:07:04.759 spanning several theses, 00:07:04.759 --> 00:07:06.759 to comprehensively survey everything written by 00:07:06.759 --> 00:07:08.759 the erudite scholar, may Allah have mercy on him, 00:07:08.759 --> 00:07:10.759 on this subject. 00:07:10.759 --> 00:07:12.759 I shall limit myself to this amount. 00:07:12.759 --> 00:07:14.759 May Allah send blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and all his companions. 00:07:14.759 --> 00:07:16.759 And all praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the worlds.