Sourate III

8/2/2019 Sourate III

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Sourate III

Context

Revelation of sourate III took place ~ year 3 post-Hijra Long sourates in general have a long continuation of revelation (just like sourate II) Not a lot of Fiqh (as opposed to sourate II) Revelation of Badr + Uhud Revelation concerning the Christian tradition ~ 30 verses (about Issa and Mariam)

o Similarly, Sourate II has many verses concerning the Bani Israil Again, the universal principles of religion, as discussed in Sourate II, is again

emphasized

(3:61) :o Took place in year 9 post-Hijra

(3:1) :

We do not know the significance of this verse, although many scholars have tried togive an interpretation.

(3:2) : Qayyum

1) He is eternity2) He is the One who gives the existence to all creatures

PS :o We do not fully understand all the Names/Attributes of Allah, such as this

one: Al-Hayyul Qayyum) Eg. Merciful

We cant understand the meaning in the Human way As Human cannot be merciful if he sees people needing help &

doesnt intervene

However, Allah seems to be doing that very often, yet He is themost Merciful

Eg. Just Similarly, we shouldnt understand Just in the human way

Etc.(3:3) :

Taurat (in Hebrew) means teaching Old Testament Injeel (comes from the Latin word Evangile) meaning good news

o 2 parts to the Injeel :i. Old Testament (Tanar in jewish) The Old Book

1. Consists of :a. 39 books for Protestant

i. 1st5 is Taurat


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1. PS : Taurat was lost & rewrittenlater in the 4th century beforeChrist (agreed among universitystudies)

ii. The remaining books are written by otherprophets after Musab. 46 books for Catholic

ii. The New Testament1. 27 books 4 Gospels (?), the rest are letters2. PS : Issa never left written docs, or prepared any docs at

all; he spoke, made miracles, & left a legacy which werelater written down by his followers.

3. PS : As for Taurat, Jews say that Mussa wrote it; Quransays there are the 10 Commandments tablet, andbetween the 10 commandments & Taurat, there aregreat deal of differences in the amount of content; the

question still remains whether Taurat has been writtenby Mussa or not

o PS : Prophet Ayub was an arab (not Jew) On the one hand, Quran said that Taurat/Injeel have been changed, yet Quran also

said theres lot ofLight in them! (21:48)

What does that mean?o Answer : the 3 main concepts of the essence of Religion are still present in

both!

PS :o The concept of Trinity is not clearly mentioned in the Bibleo It is very difficult to have the concept of Trinity after reading the Bibleo Biggest error in Injeel

Crucifixion of Jesus Jesus died for the sins of humanity (until today)

o But not every error lead to Hell, else, we will all be in Hell; as long as the3 main concepts remain (submit to One God, do good, firm believe in the

Hereafter), those people should be fine

o It is in that sense that Allah says in (3:3) : This Book came in truthconfirming the previous Books,

He sent down the Taurat & the Injeel really means that the Taurat and Injeel camefrom Him (not in the way Muhammad did, but still)

PS :o Allah has sent prophet to each nation, but He did not provide them with a

substantial Book like the Quran, which is not destined to a particular Nationat a particular, rather, it is destined to all Nations at all times until theJudgement Day.

o Errors of Muslims now and many scholars (not all) Some scholars think that whatever is found in Bible or Taurat has to

be followed if it doesnt contradict the Quran;


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This is a false reasoning, for :i. (3:4) A foretime, as a guidance to An-Nas

1. A foretime, in reference to the Taurat and Injeel2. An-Nas doesnt mean all of Humanity, but rather some

people

ii. In the Islamic world, Bible has never been a reference besidesthe Quran for understanding the Quran, i.e. the Quran is self-sufficient, the Quran explains itself

iii. Some relevant information and stories found in the Bible arealso summarized in the Quran

Quran completely abrogate the Books before it; the guidance is complete in theQuran, such that Muslims dont have to look in the Bible for further guidance;

But those Christians and Jews who decide to hold on to their Books, they couldas: He Who has sent down the Book to you with truth, confirming what came

before it, i.e. the 3 main principles of religion.

(3:4) : Furquan

o Means literally separatingo In one Ayat, Quran mentioned the battle of Badr as Ayul Furquano Allah gave Mussa Furquan (2:53)o (8:29)

So what is the meaning of Furquan?o Ans : Quran points to the idea that Muhminin are given Light that guides them

to a straight path (21:48 ???)o Furquan can be ~ Light

Those who are sincere, after a certain time of thinking and reflectionon the Quran, are given Light Nur as guidance (with the constant useof Aql & reading of the Quran)

Those who disbelieve His Signs, He is capable of all retributions & there will be agreat torment for them

o PS : The Jews/Christians/etc. Who have been exposed to the right message ofTruth (not from TV-news), & they choose to reject Islam & stay in their faith,this will be a great sin; however, if they maintain the essence of faith (believein Allah, good deeds & believe in Hereafter)(2:62), Allah can forgiveeverything to His will... except for Shirk.

(3:5) : Nothing is hidden from Allah (in the Earth or on the Heaven)

(3:6) :

He shapes you in the wombs as He wills Question : Why are these verses located here (3:5-6), in the context of previous

verses?


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o Ans : To make us become aware of a reality : There is Allah who is watching us, Who is fully aware of everything,

either we are alone or in group If we constantly think/aware of this reality, & we incorporate this

concept in our life, we will begin to have Iman in our hearts!

But this is not easy; let us just think of our everyday life... Even our prophet has forgotten Allah for an instant, in which case

Allah has reminded him to remember Him all the time. (18:23-24)

There is no one to worship, except Him who knows all, who created all, and who hasa plan for all.

PS :o Some people wonder why God allowed : natural catastrophy, dictators, Israel

state, W. Bush, etc. They should also ask why He created Ibliss? As Iblissmanifests himself though all these events! And we should also wonder whywe have guidance or Nur (which is the biggest gift)? We should also acceptsome lack of knowledge from our part, & leave Allah to carry out His plan, &

trust Him and obey Him fully.

(3:7) : Quran might be the only scripture giving the rules of how to understand and

interpret it.

In this Book, there are 2 types of verses :o MutashabihabTo resemble Allegorical : meaning not known to anyone

2 meanings : Allegorical: use of symbols to convey ideas

o Eg. Dreams : Contain many symbols These symbols can be used to interpret

foreseeing of events Dream of prophet Yussuf :

Star/Moon/Sun prostrating before him. Later represented by his brothers and

father prostrating before him. Dream of the pharaon :

7 thick cows followed by 7 thin ones. Interpreted by 7 years of good crops

followed by 7 years of bad crops

Ambiguous : more than 1 meaningo Eg. Hands of Allah :

Many interpret it and strongly insiston theirinterpretation, as a result, many Fitna happensbetween people of differentinterpretation/position

o Murkama : meaning clear/decisive Eg. The rules of Hajj, Ramadan, etc.


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The way of ruling, the way of judging are in this category of verses Those whose heart are deviated, they go after the Mutashabihab, looking for

hidden meanings, & they leave the Murkamao They try to reach a conclusion of a Mutashabihab verse, insisting on the final

meaning of theirs Tawil, & strongly rejecting other interpretation

o They look for interpretation that satisfies their desires, with disregard for theTrutho This results in Fitnah, confusion in society, with the net effect of decreasing

Imano PS : Not applicable to those who really try hard to look for some truths in the

verses, i.e. Heart deviated goes after Mutashabihab Go after Mutashabihab heart deviated

So quran means :o 1stgo after Murkama verses, then go after Mutashabihab

Murkama are the foundation of the Book (3:7) PS :

o There is a distinction to be made between : Following/trying to understand Mutashabihab, VS Selecting verses to follow selectively (mentioned elsewhere in a verse)

o When reading the Quran : from ayat to ayat, there can be connection or noconnection between them at all.

None knows its full hidden meanings [Tawil] except Allah (3:7)o Tawil :

Def : A final/clear full meaning of something that can be insisted on(no one knows the full meaning except Allah)

Doesntmean Tafsir, as it is not prohibited to try to do Tafsir And those with firm knowledge say that all ayats are from Allah And none receive guidance except

o those of understanding (who use logic and reasoning)o those who can go to the root of things (without crossing barriers fixed by

Allah)

PS : Soo All obligatory belief/binding practice have to be in Mukamat

PS : But even so, many interpretations of Mukamat can be possible, asit is the case now, with all the scholars

o Mutashabihab1. Are not there to mean that Allah wants to hide something from us

a. As the Quran is also mentioned as a Light and a clear Book(5:15)(3:184)

b. Are there because our language cannot make certain things clearc. Are also verses that mentioned concepts/events that are beyond

human experiencei. Eg. Allah, Jennah, Angels, Shaytan, Future happenings Gog

and Magog, etc.


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d. Rayb, Future, Allegories (stories mentioned in the Quran tryingto make a point and symbols), & ambiguity (more than 1meanings)

PS :o Alif-Lam-Mim :

Might not be Mutashabihab, rather an art-of-literature As no meanings were probably explained by the prophet & no

controversies existed in the meaning of those words since thebeginning of Islam

However, it could as well also be Mutashabihab, Allah knows besto 2 types of Arabic speaking way exist today :

Street (informal) Fu-sha (formal, in the news) closer to classical arabic, but even so, it

has been changed from classical Arabic; so how do we understandclassical Arabic words in Quran/Hadith? By understanding themeaning of that word found elsewhere in the Quran!

PS :o (2:106)

Revelation has evolved This goes against our idea of revelation as coming from Allah =

Perfect

But really, it is a reflection of human evolution (cultural, social,etc.), not of Allahs ideas evolution

o Eg. During the time of the cavemen, where no writtenlanguage existed or very primitive ones, & they receivedrevelation, could that revelation be better than the oneof Mussa or Muhammad?

There is evolution in revelation because there is evolution inhuman development (culture, knowledge, social condition, etc.)

It is then also acceptable and logical that the revelation canchange within 23 years

If the Quran took into consideration the evolution of humandevelopment during the time of revelation, is it now possible to allowpeople to choose between contradictory verses to follow (Eg. Questionconcerning alcohol), i.e. allowing people of lower level of faith toevolve with time, just as it was during the time of revelation?

Ans: The problem will be when will these people decide toswitch to a later revelation? Also, it is false to think that all revelations became morestrict/hard with time.

o Prayer Tahajjud at night was obligatory upon theprophet and his companions before Allah hascommanded the 5 daily prayers, as we know today.(73:1-9); then, He knows how difficult it was for the


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prophet and his companions and has relaxed it(73:20)(17:79).

o Similarly (2:187), it is now permissible for a marriedcouple to be intimate with each other the night ofRamadan, whereas it was not the case before this

revelation. Also, remember that laws can be modified according to circumstances

Eg.o Fasting time in North Poleo Omar not cutting hands because too many

thieves/poor (although, this well-known traditiondoesnthave support from known Hadith, either strongor weak)

But this has to be derived from a debate & consensus amongthe people of knowledge; it is still a delicate task thatnecessitates lots of good intention.

An example of abrogation of verse which the Quran makes clear: (73:20) The obligatory night prayer Tahajjud is now

abrogated, for believers are now encouraged to pray 2/3-1/3-1/2 of the night, or to do as much as one can, rather thanmaking it obligatory.

How to select which verse to abrogate, knowing that some verses areabrogated from (2:106)?

Ans :o According to the time of revelation, the earlier verses

should be abrogated for the later ones.o Sometimes, it is not clear cut (for some verses).

PS :o The selection of verses to be abrogated has to come

from debate-consensus of the majority, but when it isquestion of :

a. Truths & Falsehood,b. Justice & Injustice,c. Good & Evil

Do not follow the majority, but what we thinkis true, with the help of Quran & Hadiths we

know for sure is true.

o When it is question of conventional laws (time-day ofRamadan) or logistical laws follow the majority

o Eg. Praying towards N-E or S-E not a question ofgood/evilJust select one, as long as you want topray toward the Kibla.

(3:8) :


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Guidance is not something that comes once, & it stays there forever; after guidance,we can be misguided again.

Those who have knowledge of Allah (& understanding), they are aware of this. Never take guidance for granted (be careful if it happens). (35:27-28)

o Allah talks about different elements of natureo Only those of Allah's servant Ulama & those who have the knowledge fear

Him. Ulama here means

Scholars Scientists

PS : Now, many scientists are Kafirun, why?

o Because they only use their reason & thinking within alimited area, without questioning everything he sees orknows, i.e. questioning all the areas of life (they can be

very reasonable and consistently applying their aql inone area, yet being completely irrational in other areas).

o Need to have firm knowledge Healm reason andthinking on all things that exist & that happen in thisworld.

o Eg. Does a kid with great computer skills have firm

knowledge & understanding in all areas of life? Khadafi only has a few years left of life, why

doesnt he leave, instead he uses this time to

create destruction He is not using reason in allareas of life.

Same thing for us, we dont use reason in all areasof our lives for most of us

(3:9) : (3:7) Those of firm knowledge accept all in Quran (3:8) Those of firm knowledge pray for constant guidance (3:9) Those of firm knowledge are conscious of Hereafter Those of understanding & of knowledge

o Pray for guidanceo Conscious of Hereafter (3:190-194)o (3:190)

mentions men/women of understanding they use their reason in all area of life (not just a particular one)

o (3:191) Then they think deeply about the creation of Heaven and Earth For those do not exist without purpose


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Then they ask for salvation from Hello PS : Iman

Fear/consciousness/trust of Allah Hereafter Good deeds

(3:10) :

The Kafirun feels secure in this life with their possessions (kids, properties, $, etc.) But really, at the time of Judgement, all possessions will not give any protections

from Allah

They will be the fuel of Hellfire PS :

o Later on in the Quran, Allah says that even possessions will not benefit themin this world.

o Eg. Ben Ali, Moubarak, Kadafi, etc.o ***What gives them security in this life will not make them secure in

Hereafter

(3:11) :

Gives an exemple of the past Possessions of Pharaon becomes useless, even in this life/world PS :

o Knowledge alone doesnt give imano Eg. Non-believers study Quran & Hadtih day & night, yet they don


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o Be defeated not necessarily through violence, war; can also be throughspreading of the truth & reasoning (61:8-9).

o (3 :13) They saw them twice the amount their eyes see (8:43-44)

Who are being referred to here? The believers, or the Kufr? Each party sees the other as small (the believers and the Kufr) So if the Kufr see the believers as 2 x 300 = 600, it is still love for Allah/prophet

Do not take the disbelievers as allies instead of the Muhmino Doesnt mean dont take them as friends instead of Muhmin

PS : nowadayso Egypt (used to) take allies with Israel instead of Palestineo Pakistan with USA

Those who do so, there will not be Allah in anythingo Nothing good will result from that alliance

(3:118-119)o Applies to specific people who show rage at you in your back or who are

hostile to youo (3:118) Bitanah = friends, chummy

(5:51)o Else, there is no alliance of Muhammad with the King of Ethiopia

Documents

Sourate III