Clarifying Everything - Episode 6: Meanings in the Sixth Part
Introduction and Announcement of Winners
Peace be upon you and the mercy of God, may God keep you, brothers and sisters. Today is the sixth session of our competition "Clarifying Everything."
Regarding the winners of yesterday's questions:
- First question: Sister Maryam Naff and Amal Al-Bia.
- Second question: Sister Umm Allah Qiya from Egypt, and Israa Mahmoud from Jordan.
- Third question: Sister Israa Mahmoud from Jordan, and Brother Omar Ismail from Egypt.
- Fourth question: Umm Malek Al-Ateebi.
- Fifth question: Isaac Sandouqa from Jordan.
- Sixth question: Muhammad Ibrahim from Egypt.
- Seventh question: Brother Ahmed from Norway.
We notice that the answers were limited to Jordan, Egypt, and Norway. Based on a request from one of the brothers, I will repeat the nine points that must be considered when reading the Quran at the end of the session, God willing.
Rules of the New Competition
Since the competition is very strong, we will set some rules:
- Priority to the correct text: We will give priority to those who provide the correct text of the verse. It is not acceptable to mention the verse by its meaning or by changing pronouns; whoever provides the exact text has priority.
- Writing method: If the verse is long, it is sufficient to mention its number with writing "the place of the evidence" from it. If the verse is short, we ask that it be written in full.
First Question: God's Testimony to the Truth by Itself
Question: Mention a verse that indicates that the truth stands by itself due to what God has placed in it of proofs of truthfulness, regardless of the stance of creation towards it (from the sixth part).
Correct Answer: Presented by Sister Hanan Abu Ruman from Jordan, it is the saying of God the Almighty:
"But Allah bears witness by what He has sent down to you. He has sent it down with His knowledge, and the angels bear witness [as well]. And sufficient is Allah as Witness." [An-Nisa: 166].
Contemplative Stop: Is the Argument from the Quran to the Truth of the Quran "Circular Reasoning"?
This verse contains great lessons. Some may find its meaning confusing, especially those following the episodes of "Journey of Certainty." In the episode "The Cocktail," it was mentioned that one of the fallacies of the followers of the myth of evolution is "circular reasoning," which is making the proof derived from the claim itself.
God forbid that there should be fallacies in His speech. A non-Muslim may say, "You say that God testifies to the truthfulness of the book He has revealed, and I do not accept that it is from God in the first place, so how can you argue to me with God's testimony?"
The Correct Meaning of the Verse:
The verse was revealed when the Jews were asked about the prophethood of Muhammad peace be upon him: "We do not testify to that." So God the Almighty said: "But Allah bears witness by what He has sent down to you." Notice that the verse did not say "bears witness to what He has sent down," but "by what He has sent down." That is, God's testimony was established through "the Quran itself" and what it contains of proofs:
- He sent it down with His knowledge: That is, it contains divine knowledge that can only be from God (miraculous eloquence, news of the unseen, scientific truths).
- Self-evident miracle: The Quran carries proof of its truthfulness in its arrangement and meanings, so the truth stands by itself and by what God has placed in it of proofs, whether creation testifies or not.
Second Question: Obedience and Reverence in a Moment of Blessing
Question: It is fitting for those whom God has blessed to be at the height of obedience and reverence to God the Almighty in a moment of blessing. Mention a verse that indicates this.
Correct Answer: Presented by Brother Osama Al-Rifai from Syria, it is the saying of God the Almighty:
"And We raised above them the mount for their covenant, and We said to them, 'Enter the gate bowing humbly...'" [An-Nisa: 154].
Place of the Evidence: "And We said to them, 'Enter the gate bowing humbly.'"
After the Children of Israel wandered in the desert for forty years, then God supported them and brought them into Jerusalem, God commanded them to show gratitude and reverence to Him by entering the gate "bowing" (i.e., humbling themselves in submission and gratitude).
This is the state of the prophets; the Prophet peace be upon him entered Mecca as a conqueror, humbling his head in submission to God until his beard touched the back of his she-camel. And Yusuf peace be upon him, at the peak of his empowerment, said: "My Lord, You have given me of the kingdom and taught me of the interpretation of narratives..."
Educational Message:
O you who have been blessed by God with marriage, or success, or sustenance; does it make sense to excel in disobeying God in a moment of blessing? (Such as parties of adornment or disturbance). The believer responds to the blessing with submission, not with arrogance.
Third Question: Natural Disposition and the Covering of Hearts
Question: No human is born with a corrupted natural disposition, but rather, their rejection of the truth is a result of their turning away from it the first time, thus corrupting their hearts so that they no longer accept the truth. Mention a verse that indicates this.
Correct Answer: Presented by Sister "Nour Al-Quran" from the Two Holy Mosques (Saudi Arabia), it is the saying of God the Almighty:
"...and their saying, 'Our hearts are wrapped up,' but Allah has sealed them because of their disbelief, so they believe not except a few." [An-Nisa: 155].
They claimed that their hearts were "wrapped" (i.e., covered by nature and do not understand what the Prophet says), but God responded to them that they were not like that originally, but "Allah has sealed them because of their disbelief." If a person rejects the truth the first time out of arrogance, God naturally punishes their heart so that they no longer see the light.
[To be continued]