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Contemplate His Signs - The Eleventh Session
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Twitter account @Dr_EyadQun
We welcome our followers on YouTube and Facebook to this eleventh session of the program "To Ponder Its Verses." We apologize for the technical glitch that occurred at the start of the broadcast due to a device malfunction, which forced us to delay slightly. Our questions today will be from the twenty-first and twenty-second parts of the Holy Quran.
Question: Some people turn away from the monotheism of God Almighty because they want to avoid the consequences of this monotheism, such as thanking Him for His blessings and the obligations that follow. Mention three words from a verse that remind you of this meaning from today's parts.
Contemplation: These words appeared in Chapter Al-Ankabut: {And when they board a ship, they supplicate God, sincere to Him in religion. But when He delivers them to the land, at once they associate others with Him * That they may deny what We have given them and that they may take enjoyment, for they are going to know}. The "L" here is the "L of Causality," meaning they committed polytheism to reach the point of denying the blessing; because if they acknowledged monotheism, they would be required to give thanks for the blessing, fulfill God's right regarding wealth, and refrain from prohibitions. They do not want that, so they committed polytheism to slip away from these consequences and enjoy their desires.
Question: A verse that speaks about the continuous sovereignty and sustenance of God over His creation from today's parts.
Question: Mention a verse that contains the meaning of diverting a person from carrying the worry of provision (sustenance), such that the indication in it is somewhat subtle (other than the usual explicit verses).
Contemplation: Imam Al-Qurtubi said in its interpretation: "Meaning, if a person had provision the weight of a mustard seed in these places, God would bring it until He drives it to the one for whom it is provision." The meaning here directs the servant not to be preoccupied with provision to the point of neglecting prayer and enjoining good, because provision is coming inevitably even if it were inside a rock.
Question: When a person looks at genetic diseases or congenital defects, they might think that the vast number of creatures is a cause for errors to occur unintentionally. Mention a verse that negates this thought.
Contemplation: This verse confirms that God's power and His encompassment of billions of humans is like His power and encompassment of a single soul. Nothing occurs in creation "inadvertently" or as an "unintentional error" due to the large number of creatures; rather, everything is decreed with wisdom. What we see as congenital defects are for divine wisdoms that we will detail in the "Journey of Certainty" episodes.
Question: The idea of "relativity of truth" is being promoted today, suggesting that a Muslim does not hold a monopoly on the truth. Mention a verse that indicates the invalidity of this talk.
Contemplation: This verse cuts off the path to diluting Islamic identity; truth is one and not multiple. Either the Muslim is upon guidance and others are in error, or vice versa. Since Islam is the truth, whatever is besides it is clear error, and there is no gray area in the foundations of monotheism.
Question: God's mercy exists even in the occurrence of calamities for the disbeliever. Mention a verse that reminds you of this meaning.
Contemplation: The "nearer punishment" refers to the calamities of this world, and the purpose of them is "that perhaps they will return." This warning through calamity is, in reality, a mercy from God upon the disbeliever so that they may return to their Lord before the occurrence of the greater punishment (the punishment of the Hereafter).
Question: Among the signs of a hypocrite is being gentle with polytheists and harsh with believers. Mention three words from a verse that show their ill-treatment of believers.
Contemplation: Hypocrites show affection and gentleness to the enemies of the religion, but when they are safe from fear, they unleash their sharp tongues upon the believers with harm and slander. This is among the signs of practical and heart-based hypocrisy.
Question: A verse that contains encouragement to memorize the Holy Quran in the hearts.
Question: Mention a verse in which God rebukes the polytheists for attributing to God what they hate for themselves (such as a partner or daughters).
Question: A noble verse that included the three levels of knowledge (striving/reasoning, receiving/guidance, and reading/study).
Contemplation: Ibn Ashur said: The verse included the levels of acquiring knowledge: "without knowledge" (reasoning and acquisition), "or guidance" (receiving from a guiding mentor), "or an enlightening Book" (reading sound books).
Question: No one can prevent you from following the truth with your heart; the most an oppressor possesses is the attempt to divert you outwardly. Mention one word from a verse in Chapter Saba that refers to this meaning.
Contemplation: In the words of the Almighty: {Did we avert you from guidance after it had come to you?}, the arrogant ones denounced the claim of the oppressed that they had misled them. The arrogant person possesses the power to avert someone from the "path of truth" through coercion, but he does not possess the power to avert someone from "guidance," which is the action of the heart and its being guided by the light of revelation. Therefore, he said to them: {Rather, you were criminals}, meaning you are the ones who chose misguidance with your hearts.
Question: Just as the response to supplication has various forms, so too does Allah reward good deeds in various ways. Mention a word from a verse that reminds you of this meaning.
Contemplation: In His statement, the Most High says: "And whatever you spend of anything (in His Cause), He will replace it" (Surah Saba', 39:40). Allah did not specify the type of replacement. The scholars (such as Ibn Arabi and Ibn Ashur) said: The replacement could be wealth, or reward in the Hereafter, or health in the body, or blessing in offspring, or averting a predetermined harm. So the word "Yukhlifuhu" is general and includes all types of divine compensation.
Contemplation (Continued): This meaning opens for the believer the door of contentment and certainty; not every expenditure in the way of Allah must return as monetary wealth in this world, but the replacement could be the averting of a disease that was going to befall you, or guidance to an obedience that you would not have reached, or the storing of a great reward on the Day of Judgment. For Allah, the Most High, is "The Creator, The Provider" who knows the benefit of His servant in the type of replacement that He leads him to.
Thus, we have reached the end of the eleventh session of "Contemplate His Verses." We apologize once again to our brothers following on Facebook and YouTube for the technical confusion that occurred at the beginning of the broadcast, and we thank you for your patience and distinguished interaction.
Reminder to Participants:
Glory be to You, O Allah, and praise. We bear witness that there is no god but You. We seek Your forgiveness and repent to You. Peace be upon you, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings.