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In this article, IBRAHIM OKSAS and NAZEEMA AHMED discuss the need to continue our deep contemplation of the Quran to understand its meaning and messages.
EMERGING from the glorious month of Ramadaan with its sacred distinction as the month of the Quran, it is fitting for us in the months to come, to continue our deep contemplation on the Quran to understand its meaning and messages.
In his contemporary Quranic tafsir the Risale-i Nur, Bediuzzaman Said Nursi reiterates that the All-Wise Quran is simultaneously a book of law, a book of prayer, a book of wisdom, a book of worship, a book of command and summons, a book of invocation, and a book of thought.
Additionally, the Quran addresses every age and class of people in its stories and historical narratives, and while being contextual, they also point out a universal principle applicable to everyone at all times. Bediuzzaman cites the Quran’s often repeated threats of ‘the wrongdoers, the wrongdoers,’ and the punishment and retribution for their wrongdoing visited on the peoples of ‘Ad and Thamud and Firoun’.
These repetitions in the Quran draw attention to the unequalled tyranny and oppression perpetrated at the present time, but the repetition of the salvation of Prophets like Nabi Ibrahim (AS) and Nabi Musa (AS) gives consolation to the oppressed believers.
Bediuzzaman gives the example of the ayah: ‘Truly your Sustainer is the Almighty, the Most Compassionate,’ which is repeated eight times in Sura Ta-Sin-Mim (Ash Shu’ara, 26:9). Repeating the salvation of the Prophets whose stories are told in this Sura, and the punishments of their peoples, teaches that while Allah (SWT’s) might requires the torments of those wrongdoing peoples, His Compassion requires the Prophets’ salvation.
Bediuzzaman contends that repetition is necessary due to the repetition of need, and the Quranic ayah repeating the truths of Tawhid and Allah (SWT’s) Necessary Existence indicate the need to strengthen knowledge of Allah SWT and love for Him. Regarding the repetition of certain ayah, they also instruct numerous different levels of people who have differing needs and whose benefit from these ayah also differ.
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For example, repeating the description of an infinite, awesome, all-embracing revolution that, by destroying completely the vast universe and changing its shape at the Day of Rising, the removal of this world and establishing the mighty Hereafter in its place, mankind’s wrongdoing, which brings to anger the earth and the heavens, these Quranic repetitions indicate that mankind are in need of such repetitions at all times. The Quran describes these events in a most eloquent and lucid style exactly corresponding to the requirements of the subject, and its repetition should inspire awe and wonderment in the believers’ hearts rather than induce fear.
Bediuzzaman shares that among the miraculous features of the Quran is that it makes known that the smallest and seemingly unimportant things in ordinary, everyday events are within its compassionate view and in the sphere of its will and regulation.
For example, the Quran attaching importance to even the minor events involving the Sahaba in the establishment of Islam and the codification of the Sharia, shows than rather than being simply historical narratives, these particular events denote universal principles in establishing Islam and the Sharia, and from which we should take lessons and instruction, especially in the face of increasing misguidance, heedlessness and doubts.
Another example cited by Bediuzzaman is the phrase: ‘In the Name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate,’ while being a single ayah, it is repeated 114 times in the Quran. He says that this truth of the Bismillah is a truth which binds the Divine Throne and the earth, and it illuminates the cosmos, and for which everyone is in need all the time.
Even if this ayah was repeated millions of times, there would still be a need for it. In fact, there is need and longing for it, not only every day like bread, but every moment like air and light.
And, for example, the repetition of the ayah: ‘Then which of the favours of your Sustainer will you deny?’ (Ar Rahman,55:16), and the ayah: ‘On that Day woe to the deniers!’ (Al Mursalat,77:19),threateningly warns mankind and the jinn across the centuries and the heavens and the earth.
It warns of the unbelief, ingratitude, and wrongdoing of those who bring the universe and the heavens and earth to anger, who spoil the results of the world’s creation, who violate the rights of all created beings and who deny the Majesty of Allah (SWT’s) Rule.
Bediuzzaman states that should this general lesson which concerns thousands of truths be repeated thousands of times, there would still always be a need for it.
Bediuzzaman shares as another example, the repetition of the phrase ‘Glory be unto You! There is no god but You: Mercy! Mercy! Save us, deliver us, preserve us, from Hellfire!’ in the supplication of Rasulullah (SAW) called Jawshan al-Kabir, which is a true and authentic supplication of the Quran.
He says that this phrase contains the greatest truth and the most important of the three supreme duties of creatures in the face of Allah (SWT’s) Rububiyyah (Lordship), these are:
- the glorification and praise of Allah and declaring Him to be All-Holy.
- and the most awesome question facing man, which is his being saved from eternal misery.
- and worship, which is the most necessary result of human impotence. So, if it is repeated thousands of times, it is still few.
Bediuzzaman concludes these contemplations on the Quran by citing other miraculous features of the All-Wise Quran which include the reality that if all men and jinn were to gather together, they would be unable to produce the like of it.
Additionally, the Quran speaks completely appropriately with all mankind and all beings, it is inscribed with eagerness in the hearts of millions of hufaaz,it does not cause weariness through its frequent and numerous repetitions,despite its many obscure passages and sentences, it settles perfectly in the delicate and simple heads of children, it is as agreeable as Zamzam water in the ears of the sick, the dying, and those distressed by a few words and it gains for its students happiness in this world and the next.
