WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.700 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. 00:00:03.640 --> 00:00:05.719 The story of our mother Eve. 00:00:08.660 --> 00:00:11.779 The lesson from the story of our mother Eve. 00:00:13.699 --> 00:00:14.699 O Eve. 00:00:15.279 --> 00:00:18.679 We have reached the end of this story. 00:00:18.679 --> 00:00:21.160 From the stories of the Noble Qur'an. 00:00:21.420 --> 00:00:23.399 The story of our mother Eve. 00:00:24.219 --> 00:00:27.199 We began the story's episodes on the first day 00:00:27.199 --> 00:00:29.559 of the blessed month of Ramadan. 00:00:29.859 --> 00:00:32.960 And we conclude the story on the twenty-seventh day 00:00:32.960 --> 00:00:34.100 of the month. 00:00:34.460 --> 00:00:36.859 So, it is twenty-seven episodes. 00:00:37.259 --> 00:00:41.500 I ask Allah, the Exalted, to accept them from us 00:00:41.859 --> 00:00:44.219 and to benefit us all through them. 00:00:45.039 --> 00:00:47.039 And today's episode, O Eve, 00:00:47.439 --> 00:00:50.759 is about the general lesson from this story. 00:00:52.490 --> 00:00:55.130 Muhammad Rashid Rida, may Allah have mercy on him, said: 00:00:55.840 --> 00:00:58.439 "As for the summary of its lessons, 00:00:58.960 --> 00:01:02.439 it is that we must know ourselves, 00:01:02.439 --> 00:01:05.560 with our instincts and our readiness for perfection, 00:01:05.959 --> 00:01:08.719 and what hinders us from it, 00:01:09.159 --> 00:01:11.680 diverting us from it towards deficiencies. 00:01:12.280 --> 00:01:15.400 And the most beneficial thing that helps us in nurturing it (ourselves) 00:01:15.879 --> 00:01:19.000 is Allah's covenant to us that we worship Him alone, 00:01:19.519 --> 00:01:22.719 and that we do not worship Satan or anyone else with Him, 00:01:23.359 --> 00:01:27.200 and that we remember Him and do not forget Him, lest we forget ourselves 00:01:27.680 --> 00:01:31.599 and neglect to purify and polish it with the polish of repentance 00:01:32.120 --> 00:01:36.359 whenever Satan's whispers taint it. 00:01:37.290 --> 00:01:38.730 For if it is left, 00:01:39.049 --> 00:01:41.969 it becomes rust and a corrupting imprint upon it. 00:01:42.650 --> 00:01:45.569 And nothing has corrupted the souls of humankind and degraded them 00:01:45.569 --> 00:01:49.010 except the negligence of their intellects and insights regarding it, 00:01:49.689 --> 00:01:53.569 leaving them like a feather in the wind of desires and passions, 00:01:54.129 --> 00:01:56.730 and the whispers of the devils of misguidance. 00:01:57.519 --> 00:02:00.000 So, the intelligent person must know its value 00:02:00.480 --> 00:02:06.480 and be more eager for it than their eagerness for any precious jewels they might possess 00:02:06.959 --> 00:02:08.639 or cherished treasures. 00:02:09.530 --> 00:02:13.650 For their eagerness for such things is only for its sake. 00:02:14.289 --> 00:02:18.849 And they expend it when necessary on the most insignificant things it requires. 00:02:19.610 --> 00:02:24.810 This is by seeking for it the utmost perfection it aspires to, 00:02:25.409 --> 00:02:31.250 and holding it accountable each day, once or more, for the effort expended towards that goal, 00:02:31.849 --> 00:02:36.490 and for combating what hinders it, such as desires and whispers. 00:02:37.210 --> 00:02:42.810 And to set up the just scale for what is ambiguous to it among opinions and thoughts, 00:02:43.330 --> 00:02:47.009 so that it may know the essence of truth and goodness and adhere to them, 00:02:47.490 --> 00:02:51.810 and their opposites, evil and falsehood, and avoid them." 00:02:53.509 --> 00:02:55.750 Sayyid Qutb, may Allah have mercy on him, said: 00:02:56.539 --> 00:02:59.379 "And indeed, it is not merely a story; 00:03:00.099 --> 00:03:02.900 rather, it is a depiction of the reality of human beings, 00:03:03.379 --> 00:03:06.819 to inform him of the reality of his nature and origin, 00:03:07.300 --> 00:03:09.180 and the surrounding worlds, 00:03:09.740 --> 00:03:12.219 and the destiny that governs his life, 00:03:12.819 --> 00:03:15.500 and the path that Allah is pleased with for him, 00:03:16.180 --> 00:03:18.180 and the trials he encounters, 00:03:18.659 --> 00:03:20.819 and the fate that awaits him. 00:03:21.810 --> 00:03:26.969 The first reality we draw from the story of human creation, 00:03:27.569 --> 00:03:29.569 is, as we have said before, 00:03:30.129 --> 00:03:32.530 the harmony between the nature of the universe 00:03:32.849 --> 00:03:35.050 and the creation of the human being, 00:03:35.729 --> 00:03:39.569 and the divine decree encompassing the universe and humanity, 00:03:40.169 --> 00:03:45.449 which makes this creation a predetermined destiny, not a random occurrence. 00:03:46.199 --> 00:03:49.560 It also makes the harmony between them the norm. 00:03:50.430 --> 00:03:55.349 Those who do not know Allah, Glorified be He, nor appreciate Him as He should be appreciated, 00:03:56.030 --> 00:04:01.310 measure His decrees and actions by their own petty human standards. 00:04:02.449 --> 00:04:04.449 And we, by the grace of Allah and His guidance, 00:04:05.250 --> 00:04:07.449 look at this vast universe, 00:04:08.050 --> 00:04:12.610 and do not feel the panic and terror that the traveler James Jeans speaks of. 00:04:13.449 --> 00:04:17.449 Rather, we feel awe and reverence for the Creator of this universe, 00:04:18.170 --> 00:04:22.129 and we feel the grandeur and beauty manifested in His creation. 00:04:22.889 --> 00:04:26.689 And we feel tranquility and familiarity with this friendly universe, 00:04:27.569 --> 00:04:29.009 which Allah created, 00:04:29.529 --> 00:04:32.569 and created us within it in harmony and coordination. 00:04:33.370 --> 00:04:37.129 Its immensity startles us, just as its precision startles us, 00:04:37.889 --> 00:04:40.529 but we do not panic or become distressed, 00:04:41.129 --> 00:04:44.410 nor do we feel lost, nor do we anticipate destruction. 00:04:45.209 --> 00:04:47.370 For our Lord and its Lord is Allah. 00:04:48.329 --> 00:04:51.009 And we deal with it with ease and affection, 00:04:51.449 --> 00:04:52.610 familiarity and trust. 00:04:53.329 --> 00:04:57.009 And we expect to find within it our provisions and sustenance, 00:04:57.529 --> 00:04:59.449 our livelihoods and our enjoyment. 00:05:00.009 --> 00:05:02.610 And we hope to be among the grateful. 00:05:03.410 --> 00:05:04.490 Allah, the Most High, says: 00:05:05.129 --> 00:05:10.610 “And We have given you (mankind) power in the earth, and appointed for you therein livelihoods. Little give ye thanks!” (7:10) 00:05:11.089 --> 00:05:13.290 "Little do you thank." 00:05:15.089 --> 00:05:19.850 The second reality drawn from the story of human creation 00:05:20.529 --> 00:05:24.449 is the dignity of this unique being among living creatures, 00:05:25.129 --> 00:05:27.250 the magnitude of the role entrusted to him, 00:05:27.810 --> 00:05:31.850 the breadth of horizons and scopes within which he operates, 00:05:32.490 --> 00:05:35.769 and the diversity of worlds with which he interacts, 00:05:36.290 --> 00:05:39.209 within the bounds of his servitude to Allah alone. 00:05:39.810 --> 00:05:45.370 This stands in complete contrast to materialistic, positivist, and sensual doctrines, 00:05:45.889 --> 00:05:50.810 which disregard his value as a fundamental, influential factor in the universe, 00:05:51.449 --> 00:05:56.850 attributing all importance to matter and its deterministic effects. 00:05:57.829 --> 00:06:02.189 Likewise, the magnitude of the role his Creator has given him is evident. 00:06:02.870 --> 00:06:07.350 For the cultivation of a planet and its dominion through Allah's vicegerency therein, 00:06:07.949 --> 00:06:10.509 regardless of the size of that planet, 00:06:11.069 --> 00:06:12.790 is indeed a great matter. 00:06:13.509 --> 00:06:18.269 And what becomes clear from the story and the collection of Qur'anic texts 00:06:18.990 --> 00:06:23.189 It is thus uniquely created, not on Earth alone, 00:06:23.750 --> 00:06:25.470 but in the entire universe. 00:06:26.230 --> 00:06:29.189 For other realms, such as the angels and jinn, 00:06:29.709 --> 00:06:32.470 and what only Allah knows of creation, 00:06:32.990 --> 00:06:34.550 have other functions. 00:06:35.350 --> 00:06:39.990 Likewise, they were created from other natures suited to these functions. 00:06:40.750 --> 00:06:45.629 And humanity's unique possession of these characteristics and functions 00:06:46.459 --> 00:06:49.300 is indicated by the saying of Allah Almighty: 00:06:50.259 --> 00:06:55.300 “Lo! We offered the trust unto the heavens and the earth and the hills, but they shrank from bearing it and were afraid of it. And man assumed it. Lo! he hath proved a tyrant and a fool.” (33:72) 00:06:55.980 --> 00:06:59.540 "Indeed, we offered the Trust to the heavens and the earth and the mountains, but they declined to bear it and feared it; but man [assumed it]." (Qur'an 33:72) 00:07:00.100 --> 00:07:02.139 And man bore it. 00:07:02.620 --> 00:07:05.660 “Lo! We offered the trust unto the heavens and the earth and the hills, but they shrank from bearing it and were afraid of it. And man assumed it. Lo! he hath proved a tyrant and a fool.” (33:72) 00:07:06.790 --> 00:07:11.350 Thus, he is unique in the entire universe with characteristics, 00:07:11.790 --> 00:07:13.470 including injustice and ignorance, 00:07:14.189 --> 00:07:16.230 alongside relative choice, 00:07:16.709 --> 00:07:21.189 and the capacity for progressive knowledge and self-will, 00:07:21.790 --> 00:07:23.949 and the ability for justice and knowledge, 00:07:24.470 --> 00:07:27.069 commensurate with the capacity for injustice and ignorance. 00:07:27.790 --> 00:07:29.470 This duality itself 00:07:29.949 --> 00:07:32.189 is his distinction that makes him unique. 00:07:33.250 --> 00:07:38.569 This importance that the story and the totality of Qur'anic texts bestow 00:07:38.569 --> 00:07:40.850 upon this human being 00:07:41.490 --> 00:07:46.970 is not limited to his role as vicegerent of the Earth with these unique characteristics, 00:07:47.689 --> 00:07:53.850 but its depiction is completed by contemplating the horizons and domains in which he moves, 00:07:54.410 --> 00:07:57.129 and the worlds with which he interacts. 00:07:58.000 --> 00:08:02.920 He interacts directly with his Glorious Lord, may He be exalted, 00:08:03.600 --> 00:08:05.439 He who created him with His own hand, 00:08:06.000 --> 00:08:10.879 and announced his birth in the highest assembly and in all existence through His utterance, 00:08:11.600 --> 00:08:15.199 and granted him Paradise, to eat from it wherever he wills, 00:08:15.839 --> 00:08:17.639 except for the forbidden tree. 00:08:18.430 --> 00:08:22.149 Then He granted him vicegerency of the Earth thereafter by His command, 00:08:22.750 --> 00:08:24.709 and taught him the foundation of knowledge, 00:08:25.350 --> 00:08:27.029 as in the verse of Al-Baqarah. 00:08:27.629 --> 00:08:30.629 “And He taught Adam all the names, then showed them to the angels, saying: Inform Me of the names of these, if ye are truthful.” (2:31) 00:08:31.310 --> 00:08:37.389 This is what we surmise to be the capacity for symbolic representation through words and names for the signified and the named, 00:08:38.110 --> 00:08:45.110 which is the foundation upon which the possibility of exchanging and generalizing knowledge throughout the entire human race is based. 00:08:45.750 --> 00:08:47.950 As we mentioned in Surah Al-Baqarah. 00:08:48.710 --> 00:08:51.870 And He gave him His counsel in Paradise and thereafter, 00:08:52.470 --> 00:08:57.470 and entrusted him with the special capacities that distinguish his species with its characteristics. 00:08:58.070 --> 00:09:00.669 And He sent him a messenger from among them with guidance. 00:09:01.230 --> 00:09:06.429 And He inscribed mercy upon Himself, that He would overlook his slip and accept his repentance. 00:09:07.110 --> 00:09:12.549 To the end of Allah's blessings upon this being unique in the entire universe. 00:09:13.539 --> 00:09:16.139 He ascends to the highest heavens 00:09:16.580 --> 00:09:18.940 and surpasses the ranks of the angels 00:09:19.500 --> 00:09:21.899 when he dedicates his servitude to Allah 00:09:22.379 --> 00:09:25.259 and progresses in it to its ultimate extent. 00:09:26.009 --> 00:09:29.570 Likewise, he descends to below the level of a beast 00:09:30.049 --> 00:09:32.330 when he takes his desires as his god 00:09:32.889 --> 00:09:38.330 and abandons the characteristics of his humanity and wallows in animalistic mire. 00:09:39.179 --> 00:09:41.100 And between these two domains 00:09:41.539 --> 00:09:46.500 are dimensions vaster than between the heavens and the earth in the sensory world, 00:09:46.820 --> 00:09:47.980 and the furthest reach 00:09:48.779 --> 00:09:51.620 And this is not all for anyone other than humankind. 00:09:52.379 --> 00:09:56.980 as this story and the rest of the texts suggest. 00:09:58.279 --> 00:09:59.000 He said: 00:09:59.639 --> 00:10:01.200 And the third reality 00:10:01.919 --> 00:10:03.320 is that this being, 00:10:03.759 --> 00:10:08.240 despite all its uniqueness, or because of it, 00:10:08.879 --> 00:10:11.600 is weak in some aspects of its constitution, 00:10:12.240 --> 00:10:17.440 to the point that it can be led to evil and plunged into the lowest depths 00:10:18.000 --> 00:10:19.639 of its desires. 00:10:20.419 --> 00:10:23.899 Among the foremost of its weaknesses is its desire for survival, 00:10:24.500 --> 00:10:26.820 and its weakness towards the love of dominion. 00:10:27.620 --> 00:10:31.340 And it is at its weakest and most abject state 00:10:31.860 --> 00:10:33.620 when it strays from Allah's guidance 00:10:34.100 --> 00:10:35.620 and surrenders to its whims, 00:10:36.139 --> 00:10:38.500 or surrenders to its persistent enemy, 00:10:39.100 --> 00:10:42.139 who has taken it upon himself to lead it astray 00:10:42.539 --> 00:10:43.940 with relentless effort, 00:10:44.500 --> 00:10:48.220 never tiring, nor abandoning any means. 00:10:49.259 --> 00:10:52.139 And so, Allah's mercy towards him necessitated 00:10:52.620 --> 00:10:55.179 not to leave him to his innate disposition alone, 00:10:55.580 --> 00:10:57.179 nor to his intellect alone, 00:10:57.899 --> 00:11:01.299 but to send messengers to him for warning and remembrance, 00:11:01.899 --> 00:11:07.299 as will be mentioned in a subsequent verse, in the context of commenting on the story. 00:11:08.159 --> 00:11:11.320 And this is the rock of salvation for him: 00:11:12.080 --> 00:11:17.200 salvation from his desires by shedding his whims and fleeing to Allah, 00:11:18.029 --> 00:11:23.029 and salvation from his enemy, who recoils and hides when his Lord is mentioned, 00:11:23.710 --> 00:11:25.950 and His mercy and wrath are remembered, 00:11:26.350 --> 00:11:28.230 and His reward and punishment. 00:11:29.149 --> 00:11:32.149 All of these are strengthening factors for his will, 00:11:32.669 --> 00:11:35.789 so that he may overcome his weakness and desires. 00:11:36.809 --> 00:11:39.610 And his first training was in Paradise, 00:11:40.129 --> 00:11:44.090 by imposing a prohibition upon him to strengthen this will, 00:11:44.730 --> 00:11:47.929 and manifest it in the face of temptation and weakness. 00:11:48.850 --> 00:11:51.850 And if he failed in the first test, 00:11:52.409 --> 00:11:56.570 that experience became an asset for him in what was to come. 00:11:57.320 --> 00:11:59.480 And among Allah's mercy towards him as well 00:12:00.039 --> 00:12:03.919 is that He made the door of repentance open to him at all times. 00:12:04.559 --> 00:12:06.720 So if he forgets and then remembers, 00:12:07.240 --> 00:12:09.240 and if he stumbles and then rises, 00:12:09.759 --> 00:12:11.840 and if he goes astray and then repents, 00:12:12.279 --> 00:12:14.279 he will find the door open to him. 00:12:14.679 --> 00:12:16.440 And Allah accepts his repentance 00:12:16.799 --> 00:12:18.279 and overlooks his missteps. 00:12:18.990 --> 00:12:20.990 So if he remains steadfast on his path, 00:12:21.429 --> 00:12:24.110 Allah will change his bad deeds into good ones, 00:12:24.629 --> 00:12:26.629 and multiply for him as He wills. 00:12:27.309 --> 00:12:32.789 And He did not make his first sin a written curse upon him and his offspring. 00:12:33.509 --> 00:12:36.269 There is no eternal sin. 00:12:36.870 --> 00:12:39.870 And there is no inherited sin. 00:12:40.389 --> 00:12:43.629 And no bearer of burdens shall bear the burden of another. 00:12:45.379 --> 00:12:46.179 And he said: 00:12:46.659 --> 00:12:48.259 And the fourth reality 00:12:48.860 --> 00:12:52.820 is the seriousness and authenticity of the battle with Satan. 00:12:53.220 --> 00:12:55.580 And its continuity and ferocity. 00:12:56.419 --> 00:12:58.419 It has become clear from the context of the story 00:12:58.940 --> 00:13:04.100 the insistence of this stubborn enemy on pursuing humankind in every state, 00:13:04.779 --> 00:13:07.820 and on approaching them from every direction, 00:13:08.299 --> 00:13:11.700 and on following them at every hour and moment. 00:13:12.470 --> 00:13:12.870 He said: 00:13:31.029 --> 00:13:34.350 The accursed one chose to practice this cunning 00:13:34.909 --> 00:13:38.110 and to view its practice in the long term, 00:13:38.870 --> 00:13:45.710 choosing this over pleading with Allah to forgive him for his sin in his open disobedience. 00:13:46.190 --> 00:13:48.389 And he heard his command directly. 00:13:49.250 --> 00:13:52.850 Then he clarified that he would sit for them on the path of Allah, 00:13:53.370 --> 00:13:55.210 preventing them from following it. 00:13:55.929 --> 00:14:01.649 And he only comes to them through their weak points and the avenues of desire. 00:14:02.450 --> 00:14:03.929 And there is no protector for them from him 00:14:04.370 --> 00:14:07.289 except by strengthening themselves with faith and remembrance, 00:14:07.889 --> 00:14:10.929 and by fortifying themselves against his seduction and whispers, 00:14:11.490 --> 00:14:13.370 and by rising above desires, 00:14:13.850 --> 00:14:16.049 and by subjugating desires to Allah's guidance. 00:14:17.039 --> 00:14:18.840 And the battle with Satan 00:14:19.240 --> 00:14:21.080 is the main battle. 00:14:21.879 --> 00:14:25.200 It is the battle against desires by following guidance, 00:14:25.840 --> 00:14:29.320 and the battle against lusts by the strength of will, 00:14:29.879 --> 00:14:32.799 and the battle against evil and corruption on earth, 00:14:33.440 --> 00:14:36.600 to which Satan leads his allies, 00:14:37.120 --> 00:14:40.360 by following Allah's law that benefits the earth. 00:14:41.220 --> 00:14:42.740 And the battle within the conscience 00:14:43.179 --> 00:14:45.580 and the battle in real life 00:14:46.220 --> 00:14:48.700 are connected, not separate. 00:14:49.419 --> 00:14:51.899 For Satan is behind them both. 00:14:52.740 --> 00:14:55.019 And the tyrannies that arise on earth 00:14:55.539 --> 00:14:58.700 to subjugate people to their dominion, their law, 00:14:59.179 --> 00:15:01.179 their values, and their scales, 00:15:01.740 --> 00:15:07.820 and to exclude Allah's dominion, His law, and the values and scales derived from His religion, 00:15:08.580 --> 00:15:10.779 are merely human devils, 00:15:11.139 --> 00:15:13.980 whom the jinn devils inspire. 00:15:14.740 --> 00:15:16.100 And the battle with them 00:15:16.419 --> 00:15:18.820 is the battle with Satan himself. 00:15:19.340 --> 00:15:21.259 And it is not far from it. 00:15:22.139 --> 00:15:24.980 And thus, the great battle is concentrated, 00:15:25.379 --> 00:15:26.860 the long and fierce one, 00:15:27.419 --> 00:15:31.259 in the battle with Satan himself and with his allies. 00:15:32.149 --> 00:15:36.750 And the Muslim feels, as he engages in the battle with his desires and lusts, 00:15:37.269 --> 00:15:40.750 and he engages in it similarly with the allies of Satan, 00:15:41.230 --> 00:15:44.750 the tyrants on earth, their followers, and their lackeys. 00:15:45.350 --> 00:15:48.870 And he engages in it with evil, corruption, and moral decay 00:15:49.350 --> 00:15:52.230 that they establish around them on earth. 00:15:53.029 --> 00:15:56.870 The Muslim feels, as he engages in all these battles, 00:15:57.470 --> 00:16:01.429 that he is truly engaged in one serious battle, 00:16:01.909 --> 00:16:03.350 a stern and fierce one. 00:16:03.990 --> 00:16:07.870 Because his enemy in it is determined and persistent in his path, 00:16:08.590 --> 00:16:10.269 and that jihad, from then on, 00:16:10.710 --> 00:16:12.750 will continue until the Day of Resurrection, 00:16:13.269 --> 00:16:15.590 in all its forms and spheres. 00:16:16.389 --> 00:16:20.870 And that they will come to him from every direction, diverting him from Allah's guidance. 00:16:22.539 --> 00:16:26.779 We ask Allah to protect us from the schemes of the devils among jinn and humans, 00:16:27.220 --> 00:16:29.779 and to guide us to the straight path, 00:16:30.340 --> 00:16:33.659 and to show us the truth as truth and grant us its following, 00:16:34.220 --> 00:16:38.299 and to show us falsehood as falsehood and grant us its avoidance. 00:16:39.080 --> 00:16:42.759 The story concludes by the grace of Allah, the Almighty. 00:16:43.320 --> 00:16:46.240 And praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. 00:16:47.590 --> 00:16:50.750 The story of our mother Eve.