Explanation of the words of Ibn Malik (may Allah have mercy on him): "Shabbih bi-kaf wa biha al-ta'lil qad *** ya'na wa zayyidan li-tawkid ward."
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
The Shaykh : Then the author said:
"Shabbih bi-kaf" "Shabbih bi-kaf" means: use it for comparison. On this basis, the meaning is that the kaf is for comparison, and this is clear. For example, you say: Zayd is like the full moon, Zayd is like the sea, like the full moon in beauty, and like the sea?
The student: In knowledge.
The Shaykh : In generosity, or in knowledge, yes, both are said. Shabbih bi-kaf, and its examples are numerous in the Qur'an and outside the Qur'an[An-Nur 24:40] [Al-Baqarah 2:19] [Al-Baqarah 2:17] Its examples are numerous in the Qur'an and elsewhere, it comes for the compared thing
"Shabbih bi-kaf wa biha al-ta'lil qad *** ya'na"
Biha: a preposition and its object, attached to "ya'na" (is meant). Al-ta'lil: the subject. The sentence "qad ya'na": its predicate. What is the meaning of "ya'na"?
The student: It is intended.
The Shaykh : It is intended, meaning: and it may be intended for giving the reason. The kaf may come for giving the reason. "Qad" here indicates a small amount, and this is also the case regarding comparison, meaning the meaning of giving the reason in the kaf is small compared to the meaning of comparison. For example, His saying, the Exalted: The intention is not to compare the remembrance with guidance, but rather to give the reason for the command to remember by means of guidance. Yes, meaning: and remember Him for His guidance of you. Did you understand? For His guidance of you, so the lam here is for giving the reason. And similar to it, according to the correct opinion, is: Sahih al-Bukhari 3370 Meaning: because you prayed upon these, you are the owner of generosity first and last, so because you prayed upon this one, pray upon this one. With this meaning, the problem that many scholars raised regarding this hadith is resolved. They said: Sunan an-Nasa'i 1286Sahih (Darussalam) And it is known that the thing compared to is stronger than the thing compared. This is the known rule. It is known that the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) is better than these, so how is the better one compared to the lesser one? Did you get the point?
The student: Yes.
The Shaykh : Meaning: everyone answered with an answer. But if we say that the kaf here is for giving the reason, and that its mention is from the category of seeking nearness to Allah through His previous blessings before His subsequent blessings, if we say this, then the problem is resolved completely.
"Wa zayyidan li-tawkid ward" May Allah have mercy on Ibn Malik, meaning: and it came as an addition for emphasis. His saying: "Zayyidan" When he feared it would be said that it has no benefit, he said: "Li-tawkid" Did you understand? And if he said: Why did he not say it in what came before? Because he said: And in what came before, letters come as additions. We said: Because he is referring to a verse from the Qur'an that became famous among people, which is His saying, the Exalted:[Ash-Shuraa 42:11] Therefore, he specified that it is for emphasis, because the verse indicates the impossibility of the creation being like the Creator.
"Shabbih bi-kaf" "Shabbih bi-kaf" means: use it for comparison. On this basis, the meaning is that the kaf is for comparison, and this is clear. For example, you say: Zayd is like the full moon, Zayd is like the sea, like the full moon in beauty, and like the sea?
The student: In knowledge.
The Shaykh : In generosity, or in knowledge, yes, both are said. Shabbih bi-kaf, and its examples are numerous in the Qur'an and outside the Qur'an
Or [they are] like darknesses within an unfathomable sea
أَوْ كَظُلُمَاتٍ فِي بَحْرٍ لُجِّيٍّOr [it is] like a rainstorm from the sky
أَوْ كَصَيِّبٍ مِنَ السَّمَاءِTheir example is that of one who kindled a fire
مَثَلُهُمْ كَمَثَلِ الَّذِي اسْتَوْقَدَ نَارًا"Shabbih bi-kaf wa biha al-ta'lil qad *** ya'na"
Biha: a preposition and its object, attached to "ya'na" (is meant). Al-ta'lil: the subject. The sentence "qad ya'na": its predicate. What is the meaning of "ya'na"?
The student: It is intended.
The Shaykh : It is intended, meaning: and it may be intended for giving the reason. The kaf may come for giving the reason. "Qad" here indicates a small amount, and this is also the case regarding comparison, meaning the meaning of giving the reason in the kaf is small compared to the meaning of comparison. For example, His saying, the Exalted:
And remember Him as He guided you
وَاذْكُرُوهُ كَمَا هَدَاكُمْO Allah! Send Your Mercy on Muhammad and on the family of Muhammad, as You sent Your Mercy on Abraham and on the family of Abraham
اللهم صل على محمد وعلى آل محمد كما صليت على إبراهيم وعلى آل إبراهيمAlahumma salli 'ala Muhammad
اللهم صل على محمد كما صليتThe student: Yes.
The Shaykh : Meaning: everyone answered with an answer. But if we say that the kaf here is for giving the reason, and that its mention is from the category of seeking nearness to Allah through His previous blessings before His subsequent blessings, if we say this, then the problem is resolved completely.
"Wa zayyidan li-tawkid ward" May Allah have mercy on Ibn Malik, meaning: and it came as an addition for emphasis. His saying: "Zayyidan" When he feared it would be said that it has no benefit, he said: "Li-tawkid" Did you understand? And if he said: Why did he not say it in what came before? Because he said: And in what came before, letters come as additions. We said: Because he is referring to a verse from the Qur'an that became famous among people, which is His saying, the Exalted: