QURʾĀNIC REFLECTIONS

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Fleeing Donkeys

January 24, 2013

Do you know to what the Lord of the Worlds likens those who turn away from the Qur`ān? Donkeys. Fleeing donkeys.   [Then what is the matter with them that they are, from the Reminder (the Qur`ān), turning away As if they were alarmed donkeys Fleeing from a lion.] Muddathir:49-51 Al-Qurṭubī, a commentator of Tafsīr explains that there are two ways in which a person turns away from the Qur`ān: 1. by denying it outright. 2. By not acting according…

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January 20, 2013

The first thing to start with (when seeking ʿilm) is memorisation of the Glorious Qur`ān, as it is the most imperative of sciences. The salaf would only teach Ḥadīth and Fiqh to those who had committed the Qur`ān to memory. Imām an-Nawawī, in: المجموع شرح المهذب ٨٨/١…

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Sūrah al-Kahaf: Preparing for a Greater Test

January 18, 2013

Most of Ahl al-ʿIlm, post-reflecting on sūrah al-Kahaf, have concluded that the main purpose of this sūrah is to provide guidance for surviving and overcoming fitan (trials, tests) The four main fitan highlighted in this sūrah, including their solutions, are: 1. Test in religion, and how to survive it. 2. Test in wealth, and how to avoid a ‘poor investment’. 3. Test in knowledge, at the essence of knowing is being thankful to Allāh. 4. Test in leadership, and how…

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January 15, 2013

Temporary amnesia during exams, anyone? A duʿā` to prevent that: نسأل الله أن ينفعنا بما قرأنا و يرده إلينا عند الحاجة Translation: We ask Allāh to make what we have read beneficial for us and to return it to us in times of necessity. Transliteration: Nas`al Allāh an yanfaʿanā bemā qara`nā wa yarudhu ilayna ʿind al-ḥājah. A naḥow professor of mine often makes this duʿā` at the end of each class. NOTE: This is not a duʿā` from the Qur`ān…

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January 10, 2013

The person who does not have knowledge, understanding, piety and the ability to contemplate will never comprehend even the smallest delight of the Qur`ān. Al-Zarkashī, in: البرهان في علوم القرآن ٢/ ١٧١…

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January 7, 2013

The one acceptant of a sin is like the one sinning. Commentary on sūrah an-Nisā` by Sheikh al-ʿAlāma ʿAbdur-Raḥmān as-Saʿdī.…

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