Introduction to Reflecting on the Noble Qur'an and Its Exegesis
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The Shaykh : He does not spread his wings in the sky except in remembrance of knowledge for his community, until he left his community upon a straight path, its night like its day, and none deviates from it except one who is destroyed. For this reason, the Qur'an that was revealed to him was an explanation of everything, as Allah the Exalted said: [An-Nahl 16:89]. The Qur'an contains news of what came before us, news of what will come after us, and the rulings between us. Whoever holds fast to it is saved, and whoever neglects it falls into destruction and ruin. For this reason, I advise myself and you to reflect upon the Book of Allah (Mighty and Majestic) with the reflection of one who understands. If its meaning is opened up to us, that is what is sought; otherwise, we return to the exegesis of the Noble Qur'an.
And the exegesis of the Noble Qur'an is on four levels:
The first level: that Allah the Exalted explains His speech with His speech.
The second level: that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) explains the speech of his Lord.
The third level: that the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) explain the speech of Allah.
The fourth level: that the Tabi'un explain the speech of Allah.
So these are four levels. The highest is the first and the second. That is: the explanation of Allah's speech by His speech, and the second is the explanation of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) of the speech of his Lord, the third is the explanation of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them), and the fourth is the explanation of the Tabi'un.
An example of explaining the Noble Qur'an with the speech of Allah (Blessed and Exalted is He) is the saying of Allah (Blessed and Exalted is He):[Al-Qari'ah 101:1-3] What is this al-Qari'ah? He explained it by His saying: [Al-Qari'ah 101:4] This is al-Qari'ah.
And likewise His saying (Blessed and Exalted is He):[An-Nisa 4:71] So His saying: is explained by His saying: [An-Nisa 4:71] The point of this is that His saying: is ... His saying: [An-Nisa 4:71]. And accordingly, the meaning of thabata (steadfastness) is what? Individuals.
We knew that from the mention of its equivalent opposite.
And likewise His saying (Blessed and Exalted is He):[Al-Qari'ah 101:9-10] The answer is . So this is a scorching fire.
And the examples of this are many.
As for the explanation of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) of the speech of his Lord, it also has examples. Among them is the saying of Allah the Exalted:[Al-Anfal 8:60] What is meant by strength? The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) explained it by his saying: Sahih Muslim 1917. Thus the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) explained it, and shooting in every age is according to its standard. In the time of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), shooting was with the bow and arrow.
In our time today, shooting is with what? What? Above cannons, above guns. With missiles and bombs. So if we learn this weapon, we are complying with the command of Allah (Mighty and Majestic):[Al-Anfal 8:60].
Another example is the saying of Allah (Blessed and Exalted is He):[Yunus 10:26] What is meant by al-Hasanah (the good) and what is meant by al-Ziyadah (the increase)?
What is meant by al-Hasanah is Paradise, because it is the best abode. I ask Allah to make me and you among its inhabitants. It is al-Hasanah. The best of abodes is the abode of Paradise.
As for al-Ziyadah, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) explained it as looking at the Face of Allah.
This, I mean looking at the Face of Allah, is above the pleasure of Paradise.
In Paradise is what no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and what has not occurred to the heart of any human. But looking at the Face of Allah (Exalted and Majestic is He) is above that. And it is an increase.
And who explained al-Ziyadah with that? Answer. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). And there is no saying for anyone after the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).
As for the explanation of the Companions of the speech of Allah, it is much. If you wish to look into it, return to the exegesis of Ibn Kathir or Ibn Jarir, and likewise what came from the Tabi'un.
And We have sent down to you the Book as clarification for all things and as guidance and mercy and good tidings for the Muslims.
ونزلنا عليك الكتاب تبيانا لكل شيء وهدى ورحمة وبشرى للمسلمينAnd the exegesis of the Noble Qur'an is on four levels:
The first level: that Allah the Exalted explains His speech with His speech.
The second level: that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) explains the speech of his Lord.
The third level: that the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) explain the speech of Allah.
The fourth level: that the Tabi'un explain the speech of Allah.
So these are four levels. The highest is the first and the second. That is: the explanation of Allah's speech by His speech, and the second is the explanation of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) of the speech of his Lord, the third is the explanation of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them), and the fourth is the explanation of the Tabi'un.
An example of explaining the Noble Qur'an with the speech of Allah (Blessed and Exalted is He) is the saying of Allah (Blessed and Exalted is He):
(1) The Striking Calamity - (2) What is the Striking Calamity? (3) And what can make you know what is the Striking Calamity?
القارعة * ما القارعة* وما أدراك ما القارعةIt is the Day when people will be like moths, dispersed,
يوم يكون الناس كالفراش المبثوثAnd likewise His saying (Blessed and Exalted is He):
[either] go forth in companies or go forth all together.
فانفروا ثباتا أو انفروا جميعاGo forth in groups
انفروا ثباتاor go forth all together.
أو انفروا جميعاGo forth in groups
انفروا ثباتاor go forth all together.
أو انفروا جميعاWe knew that from the mention of its equivalent opposite.
And likewise His saying (Blessed and Exalted is He):
(9) His refuge will be an abyss. (10) And what can make you know what that is?
فأمه هاوية وما أدراك ماهيهA scorching fire
نار حاميةAnd the examples of this are many.
As for the explanation of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) of the speech of his Lord, it also has examples. Among them is the saying of Allah the Exalted:
And prepare against them whatever you are able of power
وأعدوا لهم ما استطعتم من قوةBeware, strength consists in archery. Beware, strength consists in archery. Beware, strength consists in archery.
ألا إن القوة الرمي ألا إن القوة الرمي ألا إن القوة الرميIn our time today, shooting is with what? What? Above cannons, above guns. With missiles and bombs. So if we learn this weapon, we are complying with the command of Allah (Mighty and Majestic):
And prepare against them whatever you are able of power
وأعدوا لهم ما استطعتم من قوةAnother example is the saying of Allah (Blessed and Exalted is He):
For them who have done good is the best [reward] and extra
للذين أحسنوا الحسنى وزيادةWhat is meant by al-Hasanah is Paradise, because it is the best abode. I ask Allah to make me and you among its inhabitants. It is al-Hasanah. The best of abodes is the abode of Paradise.
As for al-Ziyadah, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) explained it as looking at the Face of Allah.
This, I mean looking at the Face of Allah, is above the pleasure of Paradise.
In Paradise is what no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and what has not occurred to the heart of any human. But looking at the Face of Allah (Exalted and Majestic is He) is above that. And it is an increase.
And who explained al-Ziyadah with that? Answer. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). And there is no saying for anyone after the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).
As for the explanation of the Companions of the speech of Allah, it is much. If you wish to look into it, return to the exegesis of Ibn Kathir or Ibn Jarir, and likewise what came from the Tabi'un.