How to reconcile the fact that Allah speaks with the Qur'an when it is revealed with the fact that it was revealed from the Preserved Tablet as a single unit?
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The questioner : Shaykh, may Allah bless you, what is the reconciliation between Allah (Mighty and Majestic) speaking with the Qur'an when it is revealed, and the Qur'an being revealed from the Preserved Tablet as a single unit to the lowest heaven?
The Shaykh : This requires proof.
The questioner : That it was revealed as a single unit?
The Shaykh : Yes, exactly.
The questioner : What is established?
The Shaykh : I have what is established, because all the verses indicate that Allah speaks with the Qur'an when it is revealed. If it were established, we would say there is no objection to Allah revealing it as a single unit and then speaking with it when it is revealed, with Jibril receiving it from Him. But it is not established to this extent in my view.
But someone might say:[Al-Waqi'ah 56:77-78] This indicates that it exists in the Preserved Tablet. But we say that this is not a decisive text for the saying of Allah the Exalted [Ash-Shu'ara 26:196], meaning the Qur'an. And yet, the Qur'an was not written, but rather: it is [mentioned]. That is, its mention and its being brought to attention. In any case, Allah knows best. But we say that Allah undoubtedly speaks with the verse after the occurrence of the cause for which it was revealed.
And likewise, read His saying:[Al-Mujadila 58:1] How does He inform that He heard, while the speech has not yet occurred?
He informs about something that has already passed.
The Shaykh : ... whoever finds the red camel, let him call to it. Whoever finds it, let him call to it. The phrase does not make sense except with this.
The questioner : ...
The Shaykh : He looked at it, and if he looked, but: whoever calls to it, [it is] more eloquent. That is, between saying "O so-and-so... the red camel,"
And the one who thinks would say: "Whoever called me to the camel."
The questioner : ...
The Shaykh : This is the meaning of what we said, meaning it must be in this order.
The Shaykh : This requires proof.
The questioner : That it was revealed as a single unit?
The Shaykh : Yes, exactly.
The questioner : What is established?
The Shaykh : I have what is established, because all the verses indicate that Allah speaks with the Qur'an when it is revealed. If it were established, we would say there is no objection to Allah revealing it as a single unit and then speaking with it when it is revealed, with Jibril receiving it from Him. But it is not established to this extent in my view.
But someone might say:
(77) Indeed, it is a noble Qur'an (78) In a Register well-protected;
إنه لقرآن كريم في كتاب مكنونAnd indeed, it is [mentioned] in the scriptures of former peoples.
وإنه لفي زبر الأولينAnd likewise, read His saying:
Certainly has Allah heard the speech of the one who argues with you
قد سمع الله قول التي تجادلكAnd when you go out from your family
وإذا غدوت من أهلكThe Shaykh : ... whoever finds the red camel, let him call to it. Whoever finds it, let him call to it. The phrase does not make sense except with this.
The questioner : ...
The Shaykh : He looked at it, and if he looked, but: whoever calls to it, [it is] more eloquent. That is, between saying "O so-and-so... the red camel,"
And the one who thinks would say: "Whoever called me to the camel."
The questioner : ...
The Shaykh : This is the meaning of what we said, meaning it must be in this order.