Dr Osama Al-Azhari
Minister of Awqaf (Charitable Endowments)
Dear readers, all honourable Egyptian people, and all daughters and sons of the Arab and Muslim nations, welcome to a new journey with the Ever-Glorious Qur’an, where we dive into the depths of its thirteenth part, extracting pearls from its treasures, guidance from its lights, and the noble values and principles that Allah has bestowed within its eloquence.
In this episode, I bring for you from this wondrous part lessons and verses by which we illuminate ourselves in the darknesses of life, and by which we find guidance upon the paths of goodness and truth. For within it there are subtleties and wisdoms, precise divine allusions, sublime meanings, and moral and educational treasures, deserving of contemplation and reflection.
The first point
The first place at which we pause is the saying of Allah the Exalted: “And decidedly there is not a thing excepting that its treasuries are in Our Providence, and in no way We send it down except in a known estimate.” (Qur’an 15: 21)
Allah the Exalted says: Everything in existence has its stocks with Us; I am He Who created it; I am He Who sustains it, and We send it down only in a known measure, in accordance with Divine Wisdom, for Allah bestows His mercy upon whom He wills. Knowledge has its stores with Allah, and likewise clemency, generosity, and bounty, and eminence in this world and the Hereafter. Allah possesses everything, in its entirety.
In this sense, a poet said:
O He Whose stores of sustenance lie in the word “Be,”
Bestow upon us, for all good is with Thee!
And our master Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said:
If Allah’s aid to His servant flows without cease,
From every realm, his succor shall increase.
But if no help from Allah reaches the youth,
His striving’s harvest yields but bitter truth.
I, the humble servant seeking Allah, would like to complete this meaning, thus saying:
Should God’s support unending to His servant flow,
His ventures hit their mark, His love through hearts will grow.
Success shall mate with every aim he dares pursue,
The world yields to his will – His heart at peace lies true.
The heavens lend their aid, His helpers stand as one,
Wise in thought and lead, His counsel brightly shone.
To his Lord he returns, salvation’s light arrayed,
Upon Divine kindness, firm his trust is stayed
The second point
The second place at which we pause from this part is the saying of Allah the Exalted: “And in no way did We create the heavens and the earth and whatever is between them except with the truth; and surely the Hour is indeed coming up, so pardon, with beautiful pardoning.” (Qur’an 15: 85)
Allah has described four places in His Book with beauty. Among them is: “So pardon, with beautiful pardoning.” (Qur’an 15: 85). He also said: “So beautiful patience.” (Qur’an 12: 18). He also said: “And forsake them with a beautiful forsaking.” (Qur’an 73: 10). And He the Exalted said: “So allow them (the necessary) enjoyment and release them a beautiful release.” (Qur’an 33: 49)
The third point
The third place at which we pause from this part is the saying of Allah the Exalted: “And the cattle – He created them; for you in them is warmth and various uses (i.e., profits) and of them ye eat.” (Qur’an 16: 5)
The warmth in cattle is due to the wool, fur, and hair taken from them. We also derive benefits from them in dairy products and meats. Yet there is another meaning beyond these meanings in His saying: “And wherein is comely (service) for you while you are bringing them home and while you are driving them to pasture.” (Qur’an 16: 6). Accustom yourselves to witnessing the meaning of beauty in all things. The beasts are sent out to pasture first and return second; but the Qur’anic arrangement is otherwise. It places beauty when you bring them home to rest first, and when you send them out to pasture second. Why this ordering? The scholars said: Because when they are sent out to pasture early in the day, they are hungry, so they go to the field scattered. Yet when they have eaten and are satisfied, they return arranged in order, so beauty appears in its utmost form. Therefore, “When you bring them home to rest” was placed before “when you send them out to pasture.”
The final reflection
The final point in this part is with His saying: “Surely, Ibrahim (Abraham) was a nation, (i.e., a leader, Imam) devout to Allah, unswervingly upright, and he was not of the associators, (Those who associate others with Allah).” (Qur’an 16: 120)
The word “nation” (ummah) has appeared in the Noble Qur’an forty-eight times, and it revolves around five meanings. Sometimes it comes with the meaning of a community of humans. Allah the Exalted said: “And as soon as he was within reach of the water(s)of Madyan, he found there a whole company (literally, a nation of mankind) of the citizens watering.” (Qur’an 28: 23)
Secondly, it comes with the meaning of a group of non-humans. Allah the Exalted said: “And in no way is there a beast (moving)in the earth nor a bird flying with its two wings except that they are nations like you.” (Qur’an 6: 38)
Thirdly, with the meaning of a way followed. Allah the Exalted said: “No indeed, (but) they have said: Surely we found our fathers upon a course (Literally, a nation is a community; following a leadership or a religion) and surely we are guided upon their tracks.” (Qur’an 43: 22)
Fourthly, it comes with the meaning of a period of time. Allah the Exalted said: “And the one who (was) delivered of the two said and recollected after some time, ‘I will ( myself) fully inform you of its interpretation. So, send me forth.’” (Qur’an 12: 45)
Fifthly: with the meaning of a man distinguished by perfections. Therefore, Allah the Exalted said: “Surely, Ibrahim (Abraham) was a nation, (i.e., a leader, Imam) devout to Allah, unswervingly upright, and he was not of the associators, (Those who associate others with Allah).” (Qur’an 16: 120)
As we have said before, Allah has with Him the stores of all things. Thus, Allah opened these stores to Abraham wide open, giving him knowledge, clemency, generosity, bounty, governance, prophethood, and selection.
conclusion
The stores of bounty are in Allah’s Hand. Beauty Allah has embedded in all things, even in cattle. He who adorns himself for Allah in his inward nature, Allah adorns his outward form, and makes him a nation among people, as did Abraham, peace be upon him.
Until we meet again with a new part of Qur’an, stay noble, stay safe.
