1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:02,700 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. 2 00:00:03,399 --> 00:00:08,099 "The Subtle Commentary on the Identification Cards 3 00:00:08,099 --> 00:00:11,099 of the Surahs of the Noble Qur'an" 4 00:00:11,300 --> 00:00:15,099 by Dr. Muhammad Ibn 'Abd al-'Aziz Ibn 'Umar Nasif, 5 00:00:15,099 --> 00:00:16,399 may Allah protect him. 6 00:00:17,000 --> 00:00:19,699 Surah al-Ma'un. 7 00:00:20,399 --> 00:00:21,899 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. 8 00:00:21,899 --> 00:00:23,500 All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the worlds, 9 00:00:24,000 --> 00:00:27,500 and peace and blessings be upon the Seal of the Prophets and Messengers, 10 00:00:27,500 --> 00:00:29,399 and upon his family and all of his Companions. 11 00:00:29,899 --> 00:00:33,200 We continue with the gentle commentary on the identification cards, 12 00:00:33,200 --> 00:00:35,700 and we have reached Surah al-Ma'un. 13 00:00:36,390 --> 00:00:38,390 I have three reflections on it. 14 00:00:38,789 --> 00:00:39,890 The first reflection 15 00:00:40,520 --> 00:00:42,920 is that the surah brings together two groups: 16 00:00:43,679 --> 00:00:46,579 a group that denies the Day of Recompense, 17 00:00:46,780 --> 00:00:50,679 and a hypocritical, ostentatious group. 18 00:00:51,280 --> 00:00:54,179 So, what is the common thread between the two groups? 19 00:00:54,579 --> 00:00:57,280 It is the malice of the inner self. 20 00:00:58,329 --> 00:01:00,829 For the one who denies the Day of Judgment 21 00:01:01,390 --> 00:01:02,689 has a corrupt, vile inner self, 22 00:01:02,689 --> 00:01:05,290 which leads to vile actions. 23 00:01:05,859 --> 00:01:07,959 Likewise, the one who shows off 24 00:01:08,359 --> 00:01:09,959 has a corrupt inner self, 25 00:01:10,549 --> 00:01:13,650 even though some of his outward deeds 26 00:01:14,239 --> 00:01:15,040 may appear good. 27 00:01:15,340 --> 00:01:17,939 However, there is no value to that outward goodness. 28 00:01:18,340 --> 00:01:20,239 This reminds me of the hadith 29 00:01:20,909 --> 00:01:24,010 in which the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) compared 30 00:01:24,510 --> 00:01:25,609 the hypocrite 31 00:01:25,909 --> 00:01:29,109 who recites the Qur'an to a sweet basil plant: 32 00:01:30,099 --> 00:01:31,500 its scent is pleasant, 33 00:01:32,379 --> 00:01:33,480 but its taste 34 00:01:34,079 --> 00:01:34,879 is bitter. 35 00:01:34,879 --> 00:01:35,879 And we seek refuge with Allah. 36 00:01:35,879 --> 00:01:37,480 A person might indeed be deceived 37 00:01:37,980 --> 00:01:39,079 by this outward appearance, 38 00:01:39,480 --> 00:01:42,079 but what truly matters is what lies within. 39 00:01:42,769 --> 00:01:43,469 As for 40 00:01:43,670 --> 00:01:45,769 the hypocrite—or in another narration, the wicked person— 41 00:01:46,170 --> 00:01:48,069 the wicked person who does not recite the Qur'an, 42 00:01:48,269 --> 00:01:50,269 his likeness is like that of 43 00:01:50,569 --> 00:01:51,469 the colocynth: 44 00:01:52,230 --> 00:01:54,230 it has no scent, and its taste is bitter. 45 00:01:55,019 --> 00:01:57,019 Thus, the one who denies the Day of Judgment 46 00:01:57,219 --> 00:01:58,420 is just like the colocynth, 47 00:01:59,450 --> 00:02:01,849 while the one who shows off in his prayer 48 00:02:02,450 --> 00:02:04,849 is most like the sweet basil plant. 49 00:02:05,769 --> 00:02:06,569 Both of them 50 00:02:06,769 --> 00:02:07,969 have an inner reality that is 51 00:02:08,469 --> 00:02:09,370 corrupt 52 00:02:09,770 --> 00:02:10,569 and bitter. 53 00:02:10,770 --> 00:02:11,569 We ask Allah 54 00:02:12,169 --> 00:02:12,870 for safety. 55 00:02:12,870 --> 00:02:14,069 As for the second reflection, 56 00:02:14,669 --> 00:02:18,569 it is a message to everyone who believes in the Day of Judgment: 57 00:02:19,090 --> 00:02:20,189 if this 58 00:02:20,490 --> 00:02:21,590 is the state and condition 59 00:02:22,360 --> 00:02:24,060 of the one who denies the Day of Judgment, 60 00:02:24,060 --> 00:02:25,860 then how ought you 61 00:02:25,960 --> 00:02:27,860 to be, O believer in the Day of Judgment? 62 00:02:27,860 --> 00:02:29,159 You believe in the Day of Recompense, 63 00:02:29,159 --> 00:02:31,060 so prove it through your deeds, 64 00:02:31,759 --> 00:02:33,860 and let that creed 65 00:02:34,590 --> 00:02:36,289 have an impact on your life. 66 00:02:37,080 --> 00:02:38,180 Stay completely away 67 00:02:38,379 --> 00:02:40,379 from the traits that 68 00:02:40,780 --> 00:02:41,979 are the direct fruits 69 00:02:42,180 --> 00:02:43,780 of denying the Day of Judgment. 70 00:02:44,800 --> 00:02:46,300 As for the third reflection, 71 00:02:46,699 --> 00:02:48,199 it pertains to the word *al-ma'un*, 72 00:02:48,300 --> 00:02:48,900 which 73 00:02:49,300 --> 00:02:50,599 is the name of the surah. 74 00:02:51,000 --> 00:02:52,199 It is a comprehensive 75 00:02:52,900 --> 00:02:53,599 word. 76 00:02:53,699 --> 00:02:54,699 For this reason, 77 00:02:55,000 --> 00:02:57,099 some scholars who synthesized the various exegetical views— 78 00:02:57,099 --> 00:02:59,699 since there are multiple interpretations of this verse, 79 00:03:00,099 --> 00:03:01,099 which are of the nature of 80 00:03:01,400 --> 00:03:02,199 complementary 81 00:03:02,800 --> 00:03:03,599 diversity— 82 00:03:03,900 --> 00:03:05,199 said that the root meaning of *al-ma'un* 83 00:03:05,199 --> 00:03:07,099 is the utility and benefit derived from anything. 84 00:03:07,199 --> 00:03:09,199 Thus, the meaning is that they withhold from people 85 00:03:09,199 --> 00:03:10,699 the benefits of what they possess. 86 00:03:11,500 --> 00:03:12,199 Indeed, 87 00:03:12,500 --> 00:03:14,300 I can say that the word *al-ma'un* 88 00:03:14,599 --> 00:03:15,699 reminds us 89 00:03:15,900 --> 00:03:17,300 of a societal characteristic 90 00:03:17,400 --> 00:03:19,199 by which you can discern 91 00:03:19,599 --> 00:03:20,400 their closeness 92 00:03:20,800 --> 00:03:21,500 to Allah, 93 00:03:21,699 --> 00:03:22,400 or discern, 94 00:03:22,900 --> 00:03:23,599 in phrasing 95 00:03:23,699 --> 00:03:24,800 more suited to the surah, 96 00:03:25,300 --> 00:03:27,300 their belief or disbelief in the Day of Judgment. 97 00:03:28,219 --> 00:03:29,319 For if you see them 98 00:03:29,520 --> 00:03:32,020 assisting one another as much as they can, 99 00:03:32,319 --> 00:03:34,020 lending what they can, 100 00:03:34,219 --> 00:03:35,719 and providing any form of benefit, 101 00:03:36,020 --> 00:03:37,719 then this is a clear sign 102 00:03:37,719 --> 00:03:38,620 that this 103 00:03:39,020 --> 00:03:39,719 person— 104 00:03:39,719 --> 00:03:40,819 indeed, this entire community— 105 00:03:41,120 --> 00:03:42,620 is upon goodness 106 00:03:42,819 --> 00:03:44,319 and truly believes in the Day of Recompense. 107 00:03:45,340 --> 00:03:47,439 But if you see these deeds diminishing 108 00:03:47,740 --> 00:03:48,439 and withering away, 109 00:03:48,939 --> 00:03:49,639 then this 110 00:03:49,939 --> 00:03:51,039 portends grave danger. 111 00:03:51,340 --> 00:03:52,539 We ask Allah for safety. 112 00:03:52,939 --> 00:03:53,840 And Allah knows best. 113 00:03:53,840 --> 00:03:55,340 May Allah send blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, 114 00:03:55,340 --> 00:03:57,139 and upon his family and all of his Companions. 115 00:03:57,539 --> 00:03:59,340 And all praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the worlds.