1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:02,759 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. 2 00:00:30,300 --> 00:00:32,299 Gentle Commentary 3 00:00:32,299 --> 00:00:35,299 on the book *Identification Cards* 4 00:00:35,299 --> 00:00:38,299 for the Surahs of the Noble Qur'an, 5 00:00:38,299 --> 00:00:42,299 by Dr. Muhammad Ibn Abd al-Aziz Ibn Umar Nasif, 6 00:00:42,299 --> 00:00:44,390 may Allah preserve him. 7 00:00:44,390 --> 00:00:45,890 Surah al-Naml (The Ant). 8 00:00:45,890 --> 00:00:47,390 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. 9 00:00:47,390 --> 00:00:49,390 Praise be to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon 10 00:00:49,390 --> 00:00:50,890 the Messenger of Allah. 11 00:00:50,890 --> 00:00:53,390 We continue with our gentle commentary 12 00:00:53,390 --> 00:00:55,390 on the book *Identification Cards* 13 00:00:55,390 --> 00:00:57,549 by Muhammad Nasif. 14 00:00:57,549 --> 00:00:59,710 I have mentioned his name here 15 00:00:59,710 --> 00:01:01,710 because some brothers asked, 16 00:01:01,710 --> 00:01:03,710 "What is this book 17 00:01:03,710 --> 00:01:06,829 that you are commenting on?" 18 00:01:06,829 --> 00:01:08,829 Today, we are with Surah 19 00:01:08,829 --> 00:01:11,469 al-Naml. 20 00:01:11,469 --> 00:01:13,469 I have three reflections regarding it. 21 00:01:13,469 --> 00:01:15,730 The first reflection: 22 00:01:15,730 --> 00:01:17,730 It is mentioned in the schematic diagram 23 00:01:17,730 --> 00:01:19,859 and in the book itself 24 00:01:19,859 --> 00:01:21,859 that Surah al-Naml 25 00:01:21,859 --> 00:01:23,920 is one of the *Mathani*. 26 00:01:23,920 --> 00:01:26,019 It is stated in the diagram, 27 00:01:26,019 --> 00:01:28,019 under its classification, 28 00:01:28,019 --> 00:01:30,019 that it is one of the *Mi'in* (surahs of about one hundred verses). 29 00:01:30,019 --> 00:01:32,019 It was written as *Mi'atayn* (two hundred), which is an error. 30 00:01:32,019 --> 00:01:34,019 It is not one of the *Mi'atayn*, 31 00:01:34,019 --> 00:01:36,299 nor is it one of the *Mi'in*. 32 00:01:36,299 --> 00:01:38,299 The term *Mi'atayn* is not used here in these classifications; 33 00:01:38,299 --> 00:01:40,299 rather, the term used is *Mi'in*. 34 00:01:40,299 --> 00:01:42,299 It is, in fact, one of the *Mathani*. 35 00:01:42,299 --> 00:01:44,299 If you observe its merit, 36 00:01:44,299 --> 00:01:46,299 you will find that its merit 37 00:01:46,299 --> 00:01:48,299 is among the *Mathani* given to the Prophet (peace be upon him) 38 00:01:48,299 --> 00:01:50,299 in place of the Gospel. 39 00:01:50,299 --> 00:01:52,299 I mean, on the same page, 40 00:01:52,299 --> 00:01:54,299 a surah is either classified as this 41 00:01:54,299 --> 00:01:56,299 or as that. 42 00:01:56,299 --> 00:01:58,299 It has been previously noted that 43 00:01:58,299 --> 00:02:00,299 the hadith written 44 00:02:00,299 --> 00:02:02,299 on the twelfth page of the book 45 00:02:02,299 --> 00:02:04,299 was recorded using a weak narration, 46 00:02:04,299 --> 00:02:06,299 and this is a mistake. 47 00:02:06,299 --> 00:02:08,750 The correct version is what 48 00:02:08,750 --> 00:02:10,750 has been narrated from the Prophet (peace be upon him): 49 00:02:10,750 --> 00:02:12,750 "I was given the seven [long surahs] in place of the Torah, 50 00:02:12,750 --> 00:02:14,750 and I was given the 51 00:02:14,750 --> 00:02:16,750 *Mi'in* in place of the Psalms, 52 00:02:16,750 --> 00:02:18,750 and I was given the 53 00:02:18,750 --> 00:02:20,750 *Mathani* in place of the Gospel, and I was favored with the *Mufassal*." 54 00:02:20,750 --> 00:02:22,750 We have already discussed 55 00:02:22,750 --> 00:02:24,750 the meaning of the *Mi'in*, *Mathani*, and *Mufassal*, 56 00:02:24,750 --> 00:02:27,460 and the seven long surahs. 57 00:02:27,460 --> 00:02:29,460 Someone might say— 58 00:02:29,460 --> 00:02:31,460 and they have the right to ask—why not pause at this issue? 59 00:02:31,460 --> 00:02:33,460 Many surahs were not addressed 60 00:02:33,460 --> 00:02:35,460 as to whether they are *Mi'in* or *Mathani* 61 00:02:35,460 --> 00:02:38,000 or among the seven long ones. 62 00:02:38,000 --> 00:02:40,000 The truth is that the importance of this issue 63 00:02:40,000 --> 00:02:42,000 lies in several matters. 64 00:02:42,000 --> 00:02:44,000 The first is that the Prophet (peace be upon him) divided the Qur'an 65 00:02:44,000 --> 00:02:46,000 based on this classification, 66 00:02:46,000 --> 00:02:48,000 so it is incumbent upon us 67 00:02:48,000 --> 00:02:50,000 to pay attention to it. 68 00:02:50,000 --> 00:02:52,000 This will become clear, Allah willing, when we reach 69 00:02:52,000 --> 00:02:54,000 the *Mufassal*, 70 00:02:54,000 --> 00:02:56,000 for knowledge of the *Mufassal* 71 00:02:56,000 --> 00:02:58,000 has several unique benefits 72 00:02:58,000 --> 00:03:00,319 that will appear there. 73 00:03:00,319 --> 00:03:02,319 The scholars have subtle indications, 74 00:03:02,319 --> 00:03:04,319 and the matter requires further 75 00:03:04,319 --> 00:03:06,319 research into the *fiqh* 76 00:03:06,319 --> 00:03:08,319 of this hadith which 77 00:03:08,319 --> 00:03:10,319 I read: "I was given in place of 78 00:03:10,319 --> 00:03:12,319 the Torah the seven, and I was given in place of 79 00:03:12,319 --> 00:03:14,319 the Psalms the *Mi'in*, and I was given in place of the Gospel the *Mathani*, 80 00:03:14,319 --> 00:03:16,319 and I was favored with the *Mufassal*." 81 00:03:16,319 --> 00:03:18,319 I included it in the book as a following [of tradition], 82 00:03:18,319 --> 00:03:20,319 yet it requires 83 00:03:20,319 --> 00:03:22,319 reflection and research, so that perhaps 84 00:03:22,319 --> 00:03:24,319 my Lord will make it easy for me 85 00:03:24,319 --> 00:03:26,319 or for someone else to write about it 86 00:03:26,319 --> 00:03:28,319 and reflect more deeply. 87 00:03:28,319 --> 00:03:30,319 But as I said, regarding the *Mufassal*, 88 00:03:30,319 --> 00:03:32,319 some benefits 89 00:03:32,319 --> 00:03:34,319 of this classification 90 00:03:34,319 --> 00:03:36,319 will become apparent. 91 00:03:36,319 --> 00:03:38,319 The second reflection: It came 92 00:03:38,319 --> 00:03:40,319 regarding the subject of Surah al-Naml. 93 00:03:40,319 --> 00:03:42,319 After mentioning its subject, 94 00:03:42,319 --> 00:03:44,319 it was stated at the end of the discussion: 95 00:03:44,319 --> 00:03:46,319 "Just as the merit of knowledge 96 00:03:46,319 --> 00:03:48,509 and the discussion about it 97 00:03:48,509 --> 00:03:50,509 is very apparent in the surah." 98 00:03:50,509 --> 00:03:52,509 The truth is 99 00:03:52,509 --> 00:03:54,509 that this was apparent 100 00:03:54,509 --> 00:03:56,509 to me the day I wrote the book, 101 00:03:56,509 --> 00:03:58,509 but every time I reflected on 102 00:03:58,509 --> 00:04:00,509 the surah more, 103 00:04:00,509 --> 00:04:02,509 I became more certain of it, and my 104 00:04:02,509 --> 00:04:04,509 understanding of it increased, by the grace of Allah first 105 00:04:04,509 --> 00:04:06,509 and last. I concluded that 106 00:04:06,509 --> 00:04:08,509 the entire surah is linked to knowledge, 107 00:04:08,509 --> 00:04:10,509 or most of it. 108 00:04:10,509 --> 00:04:12,509 The fundamental theme of the surah 109 00:04:12,509 --> 00:04:14,509 is perhaps the knowledge of Allah, 110 00:04:14,509 --> 00:04:16,509 and wisdom is added to it. 111 00:04:16,509 --> 00:04:18,509 Knowledge is clear in the surah. 112 00:04:18,509 --> 00:04:20,509 I say here 113 00:04:20,509 --> 00:04:22,509 that in some places, 114 00:04:22,509 --> 00:04:24,509 such as the story of Solomon, 115 00:04:24,509 --> 00:04:26,509 "And We gave David and Solomon knowledge," 116 00:04:26,509 --> 00:04:28,509 and the story of Salih (peace be upon him), 117 00:04:28,509 --> 00:04:30,509 how their plotting was their own undoing: 118 00:04:30,509 --> 00:04:32,509 "We destroyed them and their people, all of them. 119 00:04:32,509 --> 00:04:34,509 So those are their houses, desolate because of the wrong they did. 120 00:04:34,509 --> 00:04:36,509 Indeed in that is a sign for a people who know." 121 00:04:36,509 --> 00:04:38,509 And in other verses, you find 122 00:04:38,509 --> 00:04:40,509 the issue of knowledge. 123 00:04:40,509 --> 00:04:42,509 But even in the verses where it is not apparent, 124 00:04:42,509 --> 00:04:44,509 you realize that it has a connection to knowledge. 125 00:04:44,509 --> 00:04:46,579 This leads us 126 00:04:46,579 --> 00:04:48,579 to the 127 00:04:48,579 --> 00:04:50,579 third reflection. 128 00:04:50,579 --> 00:04:52,579 The third reflection 129 00:04:52,579 --> 00:04:54,579 looks at the second section 130 00:04:54,579 --> 00:04:56,579 or the second part of the surah. 131 00:04:56,579 --> 00:04:58,740 The surah has an introduction 132 00:04:58,740 --> 00:05:00,740 that introduces the Book, 133 00:05:00,740 --> 00:05:02,959 praises it, 134 00:05:02,959 --> 00:05:04,959 and clarifies the state of 135 00:05:04,959 --> 00:05:06,959 the opponents who do not believe in the Hereafter. 136 00:05:06,959 --> 00:05:08,959 Then comes a section 137 00:05:08,959 --> 00:05:10,959 containing stories 138 00:05:10,959 --> 00:05:12,959 where there is a clear indication of knowledge. 139 00:05:12,959 --> 00:05:14,959 As for the second part, 140 00:05:14,959 --> 00:05:16,959 which is what I want to talk about— 141 00:05:16,959 --> 00:05:18,959 and the discussion of it follows 142 00:05:18,959 --> 00:05:20,959 from the second point 143 00:05:20,959 --> 00:05:22,959 or the second reflection— 144 00:05:22,959 --> 00:05:24,959 if you reflect upon it, 145 00:05:24,959 --> 00:05:26,959 you will find that the first verse in it, 146 00:05:26,959 --> 00:05:28,959 in the second part, is: "Say, 'Praise be to Allah,'" 147 00:05:28,959 --> 00:05:30,959 and the last verse 148 00:05:30,959 --> 00:05:32,959 in this section, 149 00:05:32,959 --> 00:05:34,959 which is the last verse of the surah, 150 00:05:34,959 --> 00:05:37,180 is: "And say, 'Praise be to Allah.'" 151 00:05:37,180 --> 00:05:39,180 Between them are directives 152 00:05:40,180 --> 00:05:42,180 on how to call the ignorant 153 00:05:42,180 --> 00:05:44,310 and lead them to knowledge, 154 00:05:44,310 --> 00:05:46,310 and it clarifies that their denial 155 00:05:46,310 --> 00:05:48,310 was due to 156 00:05:48,310 --> 00:05:50,310 their lack of concern for knowledge, 157 00:05:50,310 --> 00:05:52,310 and their denial was 158 00:05:52,310 --> 00:05:53,310 without knowledge. 159 00:05:53,310 --> 00:05:55,310 “Nay, but they denied that, the knowledge whereof they could not compass, and whereof the interpretation (in events) hath not yet come unto them. Even so did those before them deny. Then see what was the consequence for the wrong-doers!” (10:39) 160 00:05:55,310 --> 00:05:56,310 [They have no] knowledge of it. 161 00:05:56,310 --> 00:05:58,439 But in this surah, He said: 162 00:05:58,439 --> 00:06:00,439 "Rather, their knowledge is arrested regarding the Hereafter." 163 00:06:00,439 --> 00:06:02,439 “Nay, but doth their knowledge reach to the Hereafter? Nay, for they are in doubt concerning it. Nay, for they cannot see it.” (27:66) 164 00:06:02,439 --> 00:06:04,439 “Nay, but doth their knowledge reach to the Hereafter? Nay, for they are in doubt concerning it. Nay, for they cannot see it.” (27:66) 165 00:06:04,439 --> 00:06:06,439 And other such verses that 166 00:06:06,439 --> 00:06:08,439 clarify their ignorance and call them 167 00:06:08,439 --> 00:06:10,439 to knowledge by reflecting on the signs of Allah 168 00:06:10,439 --> 00:06:12,439 in the heavens and the earth. 169 00:06:12,439 --> 00:06:14,439 So, this second part 170 00:06:14,439 --> 00:06:16,439 of the surah, 171 00:06:16,439 --> 00:06:18,439 even if knowledge does not appear in it 172 00:06:18,439 --> 00:06:20,439 as clearly as in the first part— 173 00:06:20,439 --> 00:06:22,439 because the first part was speaking 174 00:06:22,439 --> 00:06:24,470 about people of insight, 175 00:06:24,470 --> 00:06:26,470 Solomon and others, 176 00:06:26,470 --> 00:06:28,470 and pointed to the ignorant—here, the focus 177 00:06:28,470 --> 00:06:30,470 is on calling these people to knowledge. 178 00:06:30,470 --> 00:06:32,470 And all knowledge is in the Qur'an. 179 00:06:32,470 --> 00:06:34,470 Here I say that 180 00:06:34,470 --> 00:06:36,470 Surah al-Naml requires 181 00:06:36,470 --> 00:06:38,470 a longer time and detailed research 182 00:06:38,470 --> 00:06:40,470 that gives us 183 00:06:40,470 --> 00:06:42,470 the landmarks of true knowledge 184 00:06:42,470 --> 00:06:44,470 upon which education should be based, 185 00:06:44,470 --> 00:06:46,470 whenever education is established 186 00:06:46,470 --> 00:06:48,470 anywhere—in schools, in universities, 187 00:06:48,470 --> 00:06:50,470 in any place 188 00:06:50,470 --> 00:06:52,470 where true knowledge is sought. 189 00:06:52,470 --> 00:06:54,500 It must not be absent 190 00:06:54,500 --> 00:06:56,500 from the Muslims: 191 00:06:56,500 --> 00:06:58,500 the knowledge intended in the Qur'an, 192 00:06:58,500 --> 00:07:00,500 the knowledge praised in the Qur'an. 193 00:07:00,500 --> 00:07:02,730 This is a very long subject, 194 00:07:02,730 --> 00:07:04,730 but it is apparent in Surah al-Naml, 195 00:07:04,730 --> 00:07:06,730 how it can be a model 196 00:07:06,730 --> 00:07:08,730 for discussing knowledge. 197 00:07:08,730 --> 00:07:10,730 Otherwise, as I said, 198 00:07:10,730 --> 00:07:12,730 the subject is vast and encompasses the entire Qur'an. 199 00:07:12,730 --> 00:07:14,730 I ask Allah 200 00:07:14,730 --> 00:07:16,730 to teach me and you. 201 00:07:16,730 --> 00:07:18,730 May Allah send peace upon our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and all his companions. 202 00:07:18,730 --> 00:07:20,730 ...and upon all of them, and praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds.