Self-destructive Delusion

Qur'aanic Verses 70:1 & 70:2:

Transliterations:

1. Saala sa-ilun biAAathabin waqiAAin

2. Lilkafireena laysa lahu dafiAAun

Translations:

1. A questioner questions punishment that is bound to befall

2. Those who suppress the Truth.¹ There is none to defend ........

Study Note:

1. If a non-believer is told that Allah will punish him for his disbelief, he is bound to question its veracity. “I have been a disbeliever for years now, but no punishment has come to me because of my disbelief” he is bound to retort. He does not believe that this worldly life is a log drawn-out test. He does not believe that Allah would not punish him instantly for every wrong he does. He does not believe that Allah is giving him a long rope. He does not believe that Allah gives punishment in this life itself, only if such punishment is necessary for general continuance of this worldly life, or to give a warning to people that what they are doing is not good. He does not believe in the Hereafter, where he will be judged on his performance in this world and then rewarded and punished accordingly. He does not believe that he will be resurrected after death for this final Judgment. He thinks that this worldly life is the be-all and end-all of human existence. He is in a self-destructive delusion.

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An extract from yet-to-be-published Qur'aanic Studies Manzil VII.

Mohammad Shafi

The Absolute Truth

Qur'aanic Verse 69:50:

Transliteration:

50. Wa-innahu lahasratun AAala alkafireena

Translation:

50. And, indeed, it [the Qur’aan] is certainly a cause of regret for those who suppress the Truth.⁶

^{Study Note:}

6. The Qur’aan is the absolute Truth as the next Verse 51 reiterates. Every human being subconsciously knows it to be so. But his greed and prejudice and the temptations of this life come in the way of his recognizing this Truth. One who succumbs to these satanic influences will regret it when the Truth becomes crystal clear in the Hereafter.

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An extract from yet-to-be-published Qur'aanic Studies Manzil VII.

Mohammad Shafi

Prophet Punished!

Qur'aanic Verse 68:48:

Transliteration:

48. Faisbir lihukmi rabbika wala takun kasahibi alhooti ith nada wahuwa makthoomun

Translation:

48. So wait patiently for your Lord’s decree! And be not like the companion of the fish, calling out in distress.⁵

^{Study Note:}

5. This is a reference to Prophet Yunus [Jonas]. He was punished – yes, Allah punishes His Prophets too, if they go wrong – because he became impatient of the continued intransigence of his people and left them without divine sanction. After he suffered punishment, in this world itself, he was pardoned for being sincerely penitent. Allah Almighty has given the example of this Prophet for us Muslims to learn a lesson from it. The lesson is that we should never ever forsake our belief – belief in Allah and in His Book of Guidance, the Qur’aan – whatever the circumstances. Our belief is being continuously tested variously – whether through personal losses and calamities or through social setbacks for the community as a whole. We should never waver while on these tests. We should ever be firm and steady. Allah is our Maula. Our success then is assured!

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An extract from yet-to-be-published Qur'aanic Studies Manzil VII.

Mohammad Shafi

Straight Road

Qur'aanic Verse 67:22:

Transliteration:

22. Afaman yamshee mukibban AAala wajhihi ahda amman yamshee sawiyyan AAala siratin mustaqeemin

Translation:

22. Is he who walks falling on his face [stumbling] better guided, or he who walks upright on a straight road?²

^{Study Note:}

2. People, unsure of the purpose of human life, stumble on uncertainly in their lives. They do not often know what to do. They are like a kite with its string cut. But people who honestly and truly follow Islam are sure of the purpose of human life. They walk upright on a straight road.

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An extract from yet-to-be-published Qur'aanic Studies Manzil VII.

Mohammad Shafi