42.Examples of the Miracle of the Qur'an
Whoever reads through the Qur'an will realize that it
contains various levels of superiority through both the apparent and hidden
meanings that it mentions. Allah said,
﴿الركِتَـبَأُحْكِمَتْ ءايَـتُهُ ثُمَّ فُصِّلَتْ مِن
لَّدُنْ حَكِيمٍ خَبِيرٍ﴾
(Alif Lam Ra. (This is) a Book, the verses whereof are
perfect (in every sphere of knowledge, etc.), and then explained in detail from
One (Allah), Who is Wise and well-acquainted (with all things)) (11:1)
So the expressions in the Qur'an are perfect and its
meanings are explained. Further, every word and meaning in the Qur'an is
eloquent and cannot be surpassed. The Qur'an also mentioned the stories of the
people of the past; and these accounts and stories occurred exactly as the
Qur'an stated. Also, the Qur'an commanded every type of righteousness and
forbade every type of evil, just as Allah stated,
﴿وَتَمَّتْ كَلِمَةُ رَبِّكَ صِدْقاً وَعَدْلاً﴾
(And the Word of your Lord has been fulfilled in truth and
in justice) (6:115). meaning, true in the stories it narrates and just in its
Laws. The Qur'an is true, just and full of guidance. It does not contain
exaggerations, lies or falsehood, unlike Arabic and other types of poems that
contained lies. These poems, conform with the popular statement, "The most
eloquent speech is the one that contains the most lies!'' Sometimes, one would
find a long poem that mainly contains descriptions of women, horses or alcohol.
Or, the poem might contain praise or the description of a certain person,
horse, camel, war, incident, fear, lion, or other types of items and objects.
Such praise or descriptions do not bring any benefit, except shed light on the
poet's ability to clearly and eloquently describe such items. Yet, one will
only be able to find one or two sentences in many long poems that elaborate on
the main theme of the poem, while the rest of the poem contains insignificant
descriptions and repetitions.
As for the Qur'an, it is entirely eloquent in the most
perfect manner, as those who have knowledge in such matters and understand
Arabic methods of speech and expressions concur. When one reads through the
stories in the Qur'an, he will find them fruitful, whether they were in
extended or short forms, repeated or not. The more these stories are repeated,
the more fruitful and beautiful they become. The Qur'an does not become old
when one repeats reciting it, nor do the scholars ever get bored with it. When
the Qur'an mentions the subject of warning and promises, it presents truths
that would make solid, firm mountains shake, so what about the comprehending,
understanding hearts When the Qur'an promises, it opens the hearts and the
ears, making them eager to attain the abode of peace - Paradise - and to be the
neighbors of the Throne of the Most Beneficent. For instance, on the subject of
promises and encouragement, the Qur'an said,
﴿فَلاَ تَعْلَمُ نَفْسٌ مَّآ أُخْفِىَ لَهُم مِّن قُرَّةِ
أَعْيُنٍ جَزَآءً بِمَا كَانُواْ يَعْمَلُونَ ﴾
(No person knows what is kept hidden for them of joy as a
reward for what they used to do) (32:17), and,
﴿وَفِيهَا مَا تَشْتَهِيهِ الاٌّنْفُسُ وَتَلَذُّ
الاٌّعْيُنُ وَأَنتُمْ فِيهَا خَـلِدُونَ﴾
((There will be) therein all that inner selves could desire,
and all that eyes could delight in and you will abide therein forever) (43:71).
On the subject of warning and discouragement;
﴿أَفَأَمِنتُمْ أَن يَخْسِفَ بِكُمْ جَانِبَ الْبَرِّ﴾
(Do you then feel secure that He will not cause a side of
the land to swallow you up) (17:68), and,
﴿أَءَمِنتُمْ مَّن فِى السَّمَآءِ أَن يَخْسِفَ بِكُمُ
الاٌّرْضَ فَإِذَا هِىَ تَمُورُ - أَمْ أَمِنتُمْ مِّن فِى السَّمَآءِ أَن
يُرْسِلَ عَلَيْكُمْ حَـصِباً فَسَتَعْلَمُونَ كَيْفَ نَذِيرِ ﴾
(Do you feel secure that He, Who is over the heaven (Allah),
will not cause the earth to sink with you, and then it should quake Or do you
feel secure that He, Who is over the heaven (Allah), will not send against you
a violent whirlwind Then you shall know how (terrible) has been My warning)
(67:16-17).
On the subject of threats, the Qur'an said,
﴿فَكُلاًّ أَخَذْنَا بِذَنبِهِ﴾
(So We punished each (of them) for his sins) (29:40). Also,
on the subject of soft advice, the Qur'an said,
﴿أَفَرَأَيْتَ إِن مَّتَّعْنَـهُمْ سِنِينَ - ثُمَّ
جَآءَهُم مَّا كَانُواْ يُوعَدُونَ - مَآ أَغْنَى عَنْهُمْ مَّا كَانُواْ
يُمَتَّعُونَ ﴾
(Tell Me, (even) if We do let them enjoy for years. And
afterwards comes to them that (punishment) which they had been promised. All
that with which they used to enjoy shall not avail them) (26:205-207).
There are many other examples of the eloquence, beauty, and
benefits of the Qur'an.
When the Qur'an is discussing Laws, commandments and
prohibitions, it commands every type of righteous, good, pleasing and
beneficial act. It also forbids every type of evil, disliked and amoral act.
Ibn Mas`ud and other scholars of the Salaf said, "When you hear what Allah
said in the Qur'an, such as,
﴿يَـأَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ﴾
(O you who believe!), then listen with full attention, for
it either contains a type of righteousness that Allah is enjoining, or an evil
that He is forbidding.'' For instance, Allah said,
﴿يَأْمُرُهُم بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَـهُمْ عَنِ
الْمُنْكَرِ وَيُحِلُّ لَهُمُ الطَّيِّبَـتِ وَيُحَرِّمُ عَلَيْهِمُ الْخَبَـئِثَ
وَيَضَعُ عَنْهُمْ إِصْرَهُمْ وَالاٌّغْلَـلَ الَّتِى كَانَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ﴾
(He (Muhammad ) commands them for Al-Ma`ruf (i.e. Islamic
Monotheism and all that Islam has ordained); and forbids them from Al-Munkar
(i.e. disbelief, polytheism of all kinds, and all that Islam has forbidden); he
allows them as lawful At-Tayyibat(i.e. all good and lawful things), and
prohibits them as unlawful Al-Khaba'ith (i.e. all evil and unlawful things), he
releases them from their heavy burdens and from the fetters (bindings) that
were upon them) (7:157).
When the Ayat mention Resurrection and the horrors that will
occur on that Day, and Paradise and the Fire and the joys and safe refuge that
Allah prepared for His loyal friends, or torment and Hell for His enemies,
these Ayat contain glad tidings or warnings. The Ayat then call to perform good
deeds and avoid evil deeds, making the life of this world less favorable and
the Hereafter more favorable. They also establish the correct methods and guide
to Allah's straight path and just legislation, all the while ridding the hearts
of the evil of the cursed devil.
43.The Qur'an is the Greatest Miracle given
to the Prophet
The Two Sahihs record that Abu Hurayrah said that the
Prophet said,
«مَا مِنْ نَبِيَ مِنَ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ إِلَّا قَدْ أُعْطِيَ
مِنَ الآيَاتِ مَا آمَنَ عَلَى مِثْلِهِ الْبَشَرُ، وَإنَّمَا كَانَ الَّذِي
أُوتِيتُه وَحْيًا أَوْحَاهُ اللهُ إِلَيَّ فَأَرْجُو أَنْ أَكُونَ أَكْثَرَهُمْ
تَابِعًا يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَة»
(Every Prophet was given a miracle, the type of which brings
mankind to faith. What I was given is a revelation that Allah sent down to me.
Yet, I hope that I will have the most following on the Day of Resurrection.)
This is the wording narrated by Muslim. The Prophet stated
that among the Prophets he was given a revelation, meaning, he was especially
entrusted with the miraculous Qur'an that challenged mankind to produce
something similar to it. As for the rest of the divinely revealed Books, they
were not miraculous according to many scholars. Allah knows best. The Prophet
was also aided with innumerable signs and indications that testify to the truth
of his prophethood and what he was sent with, all thanks and praise is due to
Allah.
44.Meaning of `Stones
Allah said,
﴿فَاتَّقُواْ النَّارَ الَّتِى وَقُودُهَا النَّاسُ
وَالْحِجَارَةُ أُعِدَّتْ لِلْكَـفِرِينَ﴾
(Then fear the Fire (Hell) whose fuel is men and stones,
prepared for the disbelievers) (2:24).
`Fuel' is wood, or similar substances, used to start and
feed a fire. Similarly, Allah said,
﴿وَأَمَّا الْقَـسِطُونَ فَكَانُواْ لِجَهَنَّمَ حَطَباً ﴾
(And as for the Qasitun (disbelievers who deviated from the
right path), they shall be firewood for Hell) (72:15), and,
﴿إِنَّكُمْ وَمَا تَعْبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ حَصَبُ
جَهَنَّمَ أَنتُمْ لَهَا وَارِدُونَ ﴾
﴿لَوْ كَانَ هَـؤُلاءِ ءَالِهَةً مَّا وَرَدُوهَا وَكُلٌّ
فِيهَا خَـلِدُونَ ﴾
(Certainly you (disbelievers) and that which you are
worshipping now besides Allah, are (but) fuel for Hell! (Surely) you enter it.
Had these (idols) been alihah (gods), they would not have entered there (Hell),
and all of them will abide therein) (21:98-99).
The stones mentioned here are the giant, rotten, black,
sulfuric stones that become the hottest when heated, may Allah save us from
this evil end. It was also reported that the stones mentioned here are the
idols and rivals that were worshipped instead of Allah, just as Allah said,
﴿إِنَّكُمْ وَمَا تَعْبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ حَصَبُ
جَهَنَّمَ﴾
(Certainly you (disbelievers) and that which you are
worshipping now besides Allah,are (but) fuel for Hell!) (21:28).
Allah's statement,
﴿أُعِدَّتْ لِلْكَـفِرِينَ﴾
(prepared for the disbelievers)
It appears most obvious that it refers to the Fire that is
fueled by men and stones, and it also may refer to the stones themselves. There
is no contradiction between these two views, because they are dependent upon
each other. `Prepared' means, it is `kept' and will surely touch those who
disbelieve in Allah and His Messenger . Ibn Ishaq narrated that Muhammad said
that `Ikrimah or Sa`id bin Jubayr said that Ibn `Abbas said,
﴿أُعِدَّتْ لِلْكَـفِرِينَ﴾
(prepared for the disbelievers),
"For those who embrace the disbelief that you
(disbelievers) have embraced.''
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