The nice comment on the book of cards identifying the surahs of the Holy Qur’an | D. Muhammad Nassif

0:00 In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.

0:02 *The Graceful Commentary on the Identification Cards for the Surahs of the Noble Qur'an*,

0:37 by Dr. Muhammad Ibn 'Abd al-'Aziz Ibn 'Umar Nassif, may Allah preserve him.

0:43 Surah al-Mumtahanah.

0:46 In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful. All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds,

0:50 and peace and blessings be upon the Seal of the Prophets and Messengers,

0:53 and upon all his family and companions.

0:56 We continue with our graceful commentary on the identification cards,

1:00 and we have arrived at Surah al-Mumtahanah, regarding which I have three reflections.

1:04 The first reflection concerns the opening of this magnificent surah,

1:09 for its beginning resembles both Surah al-Ma'idah and Surah al-Hujurat,

1:14 as all of them begin with: "O you who have believed."

1:18 I wish to focus more closely on al-Hujurat and al-Mumtahanah,

1:23 considering that both are relatively short when compared to al-Ma'idah,

1:28 so their central themes are much more closely aligned,

1:31 and this is particularly evident in Surah al-Mumtahanah.

1:34 Both surahs begin with the call to faith,

1:36 yet Surah al-Hujurat seems to regulate internal relationships

1:43 among the believers, even in instances of fighting between them:

1:46 "And if two factions among the believers should fight..."

1:48 And prior to that, it addresses the believers' relationship with their Lord,

1:51 then with their Prophet, and then among themselves;

1:54 thus, it rectifies internal affairs, so to speak.

1:58 As for Surah al-Mumtahanah, it addresses external affairs and the stance toward the disbelievers.

2:06 In both surahs, the opening address was: "O you who have believed."

2:10 It is indeed faith that motivates a person both internally and externally;

2:18 it drives one in their relationship with their Lord, with their Prophet, with their fellow brethren, with their enemies,

2:24 and with those who differ from them in creed.

2:27 In all of this, what motivates the Muslim is faith,

2:32 and this is a reality that should never escape our minds;

2:35 rather, we derive our decisions from the faith that Allah has placed in our hearts

2:44 and which He has called us to substantiate through righteous deeds.

2:48 The second reflection concerns the mention of women in the surah,

2:53 as this mention of women underscores the principle of contextual correlation (munasabah) between verses.

3:01 For some students of knowledge find it problematic and ask: "Why do you assert that there is correlation between the verses?

3:06 Why can they not simply address disparate topics?"

3:08 Observe now Surah an-Nisa'—

3:10 Surah an-Nisa', I mean Surah al-Mumtahanah.

3:13 It mentions women, yet if you examine the rulings pertaining to women in this surah—

3:19 namely the emigrating women and their pledge of allegiance to the Messenger of Allah—

3:24 you will find these rulings to be entirely fitting with the overall theme of this surah.

3:29 And if you find rulings concerning women in another surah, you will find them harmonizing with that particular surah, and so on.

3:36 Thus, whenever a single theme recurs across different surahs,

3:39 you will find that in each surah it aligns seamlessly with the surah's central objective,

3:44 which confirms that each surah possesses an overarching context and correlation among its verses.

3:48 This is readily apparent, but this instance serves to reinforce this reality:

3:56 namely, the reality that there is profound coherence among the verses.

3:59 As for the third and final reflection, it concerns a crucial matter:

4:03 when you see controversy and dispute intensifying among people regarding an issue,

4:11 you must turn to the Qur'an.

4:13 When you see people differing over a matter, some pulling east and others pulling west,

4:18 do not think for a moment that the Qur'an has overlooked this issue:

4:23 "And We have sent down to you the Book as clarification for all things."

4:28 So when you see people disputing over the issue of interacting with disbelievers

4:35 and the proper stance toward them, you need only read Surah al-Mumtahanah,

4:43 and you will see moderation, clarity, and the matter presented as it truly is.

4:51 And if anything proves difficult for you to grasp, read the words of the exegetes of the early centuries,

4:56 and the statements of the Companions and the Tabi'un, and consult the Tafsir of at-Tabari;

5:00 for it neither exceeds proper bounds nor falls short, but rather adheres strictly to the pure Sunnah.

5:08 I ask Allah to grant us all success in doing that which He loves and is pleased with.

5:11 And may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon our Prophet Muhammad, and upon all his family and companions.

5:15 And all praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds.

The nice comment on the book of cards identifying the surahs of the Holy Qur’an | D. Muhammad Nassif | Surah Al-Mumtahina

Transcript