Subhanallah! There's more to surah fatiha than my understanding of it. May Allah increase us all in knowledge.

Still following...

Surah Baqarah

This surah was revealed in medina. For the first time, the prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) has real contact with Jewish and christian communities. Allah builds a beautiful argument that leads to the birth of a new nation. One of the central themes of the surah is belief in the message,

Ayah 1

1. Alif-lam-meem

These are Huroof al Muqatta’aat – Disjointed letters/Separated letters… They are spread across the Quran in different forms.

No one knows what it means….

After asking for guidance in the fatiha, Allah begins with words we can’t even understand, this is important because it puts our attitude in check. Do not come to this book expecting that you know everything, come to this book understanding and acknowledging that you know nothing and that Allah only knows… Until you have the attitude of intellectual humility, you cannot take in what guidance is supposed to be. Alif-lam-meem puts the human being in his place.

This raises the Question ‘why don’t i know’?’ ‘How come i do not understand what this is?’... You do not know what this is because it is from a higher source , He gives you from his knowledge whatever He wills… The next word points that why…

Ayah 2

2. Thalika alkitabu la rayba feehi hudan lilmuttaqeena

Common translation (yusuf ali): This is the Book; in it is guidance sure, without doubt, to those who fear Allah.

There are multiple ways of understating this ayah, we will go through all of them…

Thalika alkitabu

Thalika means ‘That’

‘That’ (Thalika) in Arabic is a pointing word; It is demonstrative noun for something distant. The closer pointer is ‘Hadda’ (this). The Quran was already been recited at the time of revelation but not written , how come Allah uses the word ‘ That’ ?

This is because the word ‘kitab’ is. Normally translated as book, it actually means something written, etched or carved in or documented. When Allah refers to the written, he refers to the actual documented Quran is in the heavens (the ummul kitab (mother of all books)); that is with Allah, in the al-Lawh al-Mahfuz (Guarded Tablet). The use of the word ‘ That’ is appropriate because, it refers to something very very far away…

This book is from a divine source , come to it with intellectual humility.

Thalika alkitabu la rayba

this means: That is in fact the book, no doubt

This is answering the request for guidance in the fatiha… this Quran is no doubt the book that offers that guidance. This is what you were asking for, no doubt.

It is the continuation of that conversation…

Thalika alkitabu la rayba feehi

This means: That is in fact the book, no doubt in it

This means that this book has a special quality, and the quality is that there can be no doubt whatsoever in this book. Whatever you read in this book whether you understand it or not , one thing is clear,There is no doubt. For anyone that come to it with the right attitude, that doubt is not possible.

Allah goes ahead and explains for whom in which this book there is no doubt whatsoever… The muttaqiun.... For people who want to protect themselves.

Thalika alkitabu la rayba feehi hudan

This means: That is in fact the book, no doubt in it is guidance sure

Thalika alkitabu la rayba feehi hudan lilmuttaqeena

This means: That is in fact the book, no doubt in it is guidance sure for the Muttaquin (people with taqwa)

In order words, only those who come to this book with genuine concern for the truth will find guidance.

EX: There are people looking for religion out of curiousity, for them it is like a shopping experience. Picking and choosing what they like from different faiths. Some are looking at religion for intellectual curiousity, some are looking for a philosophical world view.

Then there is particular kind of person, looking for the truth because he knows that his well-being depends on it. One who is concerned with their safety.

That is what Muttaquin means… They might not be muslims yet but if they are concerned about the truth and their safety, when they truly go out on a hunt, there is no doubt about it that it is in this Quran, they will find guidance.

Because they had the attitude of wanting to protect themselves, they will find guidance in this book.

The Muttaquin could be muslim or not yet muslim…

Ayah 3

Allatheena yu/minoona bialghaybi wayuqeemoona alssalata wamimma razaqnahum yunfiqoona

Usually translated (yusuf Ali): Who believe in the Unseen, are steadfast in prayer, and spend out of what We have provided for them;

Allatheena yu/minoona bialghaybi

This statement refers to those who believe in the unseen right now (the muslims) and those who have the potential to believe in the future even though they are not yet musims… The present tense in Arabic covers what happens now and what will happen in the future….

A proper english translation will be … Who believe/will be coming to believe in the unseen…

wayuqeemoona alssalata

And they establish the prayer…

The connection between these two things have to be clearly understood, when ideas are put together in the Quran, there is a reason they are put together in a certain order.

Firstly , Allah calls these people who will no doubt find guidance in this book as those that want to protect themselves,

The first quality of these guys is that they believe in the unseen,

In other words, they want to protect themselves from something that is in the unseen, It is easy to protect yourself from dangers in the seen world. … These people have a greater sense of understanding and realize that there may be a greater danger to their well-being than what they see in front of them….

In the beginning of our relationship with Allah, we might first want to protect ourselves from the punishment of Allah, but as we grow, we learn to love Allah more and try not to disappoint Allah by falling short of what is required of us. The relationship matures overtime…

Having a consciousness of the unseen is a trait of these people… There are seeking to protect themselves, they put themselves on guard…. What happens when someone is on guard, they can sleep off, they could tire,…. In other to keep the consciousness strong, there is the institution of salah (prayer).

The establishment of the salah reminds them of the unseen. It reminds them…. Salah (usually translated as prayer) means connection, It is connection with Allah by connecting us to this guidance without doubt, the Quran….

The salah ensures that that consciousness stays alive and the belief in the unseen stays strong…. It is much easier to forget the unseen than the seen, that is why we need the reminder.

wamimma razaqnahum yunfiqoona

spend out of what We have provided for them

These people recognise that whatever they have, has been given to them from the unseen. it is easy for them to spend because they recognize this is from the unseen….. Everything is logically tied to each other….

Everything is natural consequence of this belief in the unseen and these people who will no doubt find guidance in this book …

Ayah 4

Waallatheena yu/minoona bima onzila ilayka wama onzila min qablika wabial-akhirati hum yooqinoona

Usual translation (Yusuf Ali): And who believe in the Revelation sent to thee, and sent before thy time, and (in their hearts) have the assurance of the Hereafter.

Waallatheena yu/minoona bima onzila ilayka wama onzila min qablika

Then Allah says: They are the people that believe and are going to believe in what was sent to you and was sent much before you….

Now there are three main areas of faith (Iman) that the Quran highlights

- Belief in Allah - Belief in the message - Belief in Afterlife

The faith in the message encompasses belief in the angels who deliver the message, the prophets and the books….

In Surah baqarah, belief in the message is a major theme of the surah… From the second ayah, the emphasis was on faith in the message… Keep this in mind…. It is a very important part of the surah….

By using the word ilayka, Allah indicates that the revelation is a privilege and a gift we have been given…

In modern times, there are people that spread the fitnah of believing in another messenger after the prophet, groups like ahmadiyya , The response to this is in the beginning of the Quran (this ayah).. The ayah clearly tells us to believe in only two messages, The one revealed to the prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him) and the ones revealed way before him… There is no messenger coming with any revelation after him…

People who are going to successfully protect themselves are the ones who believe in two revelations, the one revealed to the prophet and the one revealed way before the prophet…. There is no other category.

If you want to be a person of Taqwa, these are the only two options…

wabial-akhirati hum yooqinoona

Then Allah says: And infact these are the people especially when it comes to the afterlife, they are thoroughly convinced……

This last statement, yaqin is mentioned . yooqinoona means to have conviction like you can see it…. The kind of belief is so strong it can’t be broken.

The ones with taqwa believe in the afterlife like they can see it, like they experience it.

This is not the first time the afterlife has been implied…. Allah said earlier that this book is sure guidance for those who protect themselves… what danger are they to protect themselves from?

What they are to protect themselves from is the afterlife….

So while they always had that sentiment as Muttaqin, Once revelation comes, that sentiment is cemented and now they are absolutely certain of it, as if they can see it….

See how it ties together… SubhanAllah…

Ayah 4

Waallatheena yu/minoona bima onzila ilayka wama onzila min qablika wabial-akhirati hum yooqinoona

Usual translation (Yusuf Ali): And who believe in the Revelation sent to thee, and sent before thy time, and (in their hearts) have the assurance of the Hereafter.

Waallatheena yu/minoona bima onzila ilayka wama onzila min qablika

Then Allah says: They are the people that believe and are going to believe in what was sent to you and was sent much before you….

Now there are three main areas of faith (Iman) that the Quran highlights

- Belief in Allah - Belief in the message - Belief in Afterlife

The faith in the message encompasses belief in the angels who deliver the message, the prophets and the books….

In Surah baqarah, belief in the message is a major theme of the surah… From the second ayah, the emphasis was on faith in the message… Keep this in mind…. It is a very important part of the surah….

By using the word ilayka, Allah indicates that the revelation is a privilege and a gift we have been given…

In modern times, there are people that spread the fitnah of believing in another messenger after the prophet, groups like ahmadiyya , The response to this is in the beginning of the Quran (this ayah).. The ayah clearly tells us to believe in only two messages, The one revealed to the prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him) and the ones revealed way before him… There is no messenger coming with any revelation after him…

People who are going to successfully protect themselves are the ones who believe in two revelations, the one revealed to the prophet and the one revealed way before the prophet…. There is no other category.

If you want to be a person of Taqwa, these are the only two options…

wabial-akhirati hum yooqinoona

Then Allah says: And infact these are the people especially when it comes to the afterlife, they are thoroughly convinced……

This last statement, yaqin is mentioned . yooqinoona means to have conviction like you can see it…. The kind of belief is so strong it can’t be broken.

The ones with taqwa believe in the afterlife like they can see it, like they experience it.

This is not the first time the afterlife has been implied…. Allah said earlier that this book is sure guidance for those who protect themselves… what danger are they to protect themselves from?

What they are to protect themselves from is the afterlife….

So while they always had that sentiment as Muttaqin, Once revelation comes, that sentiment is cemented and now they are absolutely certain of it, as if they can see it….

See how it ties together… SubhanAllah…

Ayah 5

Ola-ika AAala hudan min rabbihim waola-ika humu almuflihoona

Usual translation: (yusuf Ali): They are on (true) guidance, from their Lord, and it is these who will prosper.

Ola-ika AAala hudan min rabbihim

Then Allaah say: Those are the people that are committed to guidance from their master…

Allah uses "those", a pointing pronoun again…

Allah is addressing people who are not yet on that level and pointing to the standards that they have to get…

I.e Like i tell a child, : “ Make sure you emulate those kids”

Allah started with guidance and comes back to guidance again in this ayah…. Allah gave the qualities of those people that protect themselves, these are the people that are truly committed to guidance..

There are many people that will claim they are committed to guidance but the way to tell who is committed to guidance for real is this litmus test .

waola-ika humu almuflihoona

And those are infact the real one that are going to succeed

In other words, they will be those, who will fake it and not succeed

Now Allah has given two noun attributes to the people of guidance

i. Muttaquin : Those who protect themselves

ii. muflihoon : Those who succeed

3rd week- Surah Baqarah (6-7)

3rd week - 20th December - 27th December..

I am hoping that more people can contribute as we go on, in sha Allah.

Alif-Lam-Mim.
These letters and others like Ya Sin,Ha Meem etc. are known as Al-Muqattaat i.e. the abbreviated letters.There are 29 letters in the Arabic Alphabet (if hamza and alif are considered as two letters) and there are 29 surahs that have the abbreviated letters prefixed to them.
The meaning and purpose of these letters is uncertain.

Thalika alkitabu la rayba feehi hudan lilmuttaqeena
This is the Book (the Quran),whereof there is no doubt,a guidance to those who are Al-Muttaqun[the pious].
Al-Muttaqun means those who fear Allah much (abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds which He has forbidden) and love Allah much (perform all kinds of good deeds which He has ordained).

Allah says a book of guidance for who fear Allah,not a book of guidance for those who rejects faith(disbelievers).
Allah says in the glorious Quran in Surah Al-Isra 17:82 -And We send down of the Quran that which is a healing and a mercy to those who believe and it increases the Zâlimûn (polytheists and wrong-doers) nothing but loss.So if you don't believe in the oneness of Allah and fear Allah,you can't receive guidance from the Quran.

Allatheena yuminoona bialghaybi wayuqeemoona alssalata wamimma razaqnahum yunfiqoona
Who believe in the Ghaib(the unseen) and perform As-Salat,and spend out of what we have provided for them.

Al-Ghaib literally means a thing not seen.But this word includes vast meanings:
Belief in Allah,Angels,Allah's messengers,the day of resurrection etc.It also includes what Allah and his messenger informed about the knowledge of the matters of the past,present and future. E.g. News about the creation of heavens and earth,news about paradise and hell etc.

So those who believe in the unseen which entails Allah(swt) and fear Allah by offering Salât and spending what Allah has bestowed on them and these are part of worship which is the sole purpose of creation[Surah Ad-Dhariyat 51:56].
An healthy body requires 3 daily meals for proper functioning,so does an healthy soul requires a minimum of five daily prayer in order to be conscious of the unseen.Also spending in Allah's way to purify one's wealth.

Waallatheena yuminoona bima onzila ilayka wama onzila min qablika wabialakhirati hum yooqinoona
And who believe in which has been sent down (revealed) to you (Muhammad) and in [the Taurat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel), etc.] which were sent down before you and they believe with certainty in the Hereafter.

Belief in the Message:Allah says in the glorious Quran that in every age He has sent a messenger to each Ummah[Surah An-Nahl 16:36].What were the books sent down before prophet Muhammad(pbuh)? By name,only four revealed books were mentioned in the Quran:The Zaboor was the given to Dawud(pbuh),Taurah to Musa(pbuh),Injeel to Isa(pbuh) and the Quran to Muhammad(pbuh).Other prophets too were given a revelation for the guidance of their people[Surah An-Nisa 4:163].
Belief in the hereafter,that heaven and hell exist,passing over the sirat,weighing of good and bad deeds etc are true and None of these are fables.

Olaika AAala hudan min rabbihim waolaika humu almuflihoona
They are on (true) guidance from their Lord, and they are the successful.
The first five verses of this Surah entails the six articles of faith.
Belief in Allah,his Angels,Qadar(destiny)[All these are entails in the Unseen],
the day of Judgement,His messengers,his revealed books.
Then Allah says whosoever believes in these articles of Faith are on the true guidance from Him and they are successful.This is the guidance we are yearning for in Surah Al-Fatiha.May Allah(swt) in his infinite mercy strengthens our Imaan(Ameen).

Amin.
Interesting thread.May Allah reward all the posters.Maybe if we carry the in-depth meaning of the quran along while reciting,we wouldn't av to always rush through our salah as if we are being forced to pray.
May Allah grant us beneficial knowledge and understanding of the deen.Amin

Ayah 6

After talking about those who protect themselves, Allah talks about the opposite group... Those who reject, ....

Inna allatheena kafaroo sawaon AAalayhim aanthartahum am lam tunthirhum la yu/minoona

Usually translated: (Yusuf Ali) As to those who reject Faith, it is the same to them whether thou warn them or do not warn them; they will not believe.

Inna allatheena kafaroo

Allah says: No doubt, those who have disbelieve…

This is in contrast to those who believe,

The first thing that was mentioned about those who believe is that they have no doubt in this book whatsoever. So here when Allah mentions those who have disbelieved, it includes those who even have a shred of doubt in the book too.

You believe in this book entirely without no shred of doubt. If you have a shred of doubt, you have fallen into kufr (disbelief).

It is the contrast between the two groups…

Also, this is not all non-muslims, Allah already covered those non-muslim who have the potential to come to belief in Ayah 3, “ those who believe and who will come to believe in the unseen…..”

This is important to note because it is not fair to call every non-Muslim a kafir (disbeliever). That is not what the Quran does…

The Quran does make an assessment of those who have been given plenty of opportunity to see this book, experience the character of the prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and still disbelieved and rejected after a long time. Kafir refers to those who bury the seed of truth deep inside of themselves. The fitrah, Allah gave them has been choked to death. At this point, they are at the point of no return.

So Allah says of these people…

sawaon AAalayhim aanthartahum am lam tunthirhum la yu/minoona

At this point, whether you warn them or not, there are not going to believe.

In essence, the Quran is saying of this group of people that they don’t believe and they won’t believe…. This ayah was in reference to some of the Quraish of mecca who had rejected the Quran and the prophet for a long time. Imagine, these people experienced this incredible Quran without the filter of translation as it was already in their language and the best of speakers, the prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) giving it to them, yet they hid the truth inside of themselves, choked their conscience and became lost…..

Allah continues about this group:

Ayah 7

Khatama Allahu AAala quloobihim waAAala samAAihim waAAala absarihim ghishawatun walahum AAathabun AAatheemun

Usually translated: (yusuf Ali) Allah hath set a seal on their hearts and on their hearing And on their eyes is a veil; great is the penalty they (incur).

Khatama Allahu AAala quloobihim waAAala samAAihim

So for this particular group that is bent on disbelief:

Allah says: Allah has placed a seal upon their hearts and upon their hearing…

So why did Allah mention their hearts first?

Everything that has been talked about so far has to do with the heart..

i. There is no doubt about the book ; doubt is in the heart

ii. The Muttaquin (those with taqwa); Taqwa is in the heart

ii. Belief in the unseen; faith is the heart

All that have been mentioned so far is a matter of the heart so when Allah talks about the punishment for those who have stubbornly rejected faith, He talks about sealing the heart first.. This is part of the beauty of the Quran everything is so perfectly aligned…

In surah Jathiyah, Allah talks about sealing their ear (hearing), comes first, also in line with the theme of discussion

[Prophet], consider the one who has taken his own desire as a god, whom God allows to stray in the face of knowledge, sealing his ears and heart and covering his eyes– who can guide such a person after God [has done this]? Will you [people] not take heed? (Surah 45:23)

waAAala absarihim ghishawatun

Then Allah says: Even on their eyes there is a cover;

When a person heart is sealed, it means they are no longer interested in the message. When they are no longer interested in the message, no matter what you say to them, it won’t matter… the warning the prophet gives is experienced by the ear. When the heart is gone that warning won’t have any impact. All they hear are things they can make fun of, things they can joke around with..

Now Allah says, even on their eyes there is a cover, This means that they will see the flawless character of the prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) or in our case the beautiful Islamic practices and they won’t even see it for what it is..

Allah continues:

walahum AAathabun AAatheemun

And for these people especially, there is great punishment

In the beginning of the fatiha, Allah called himself master of the nations of people… Allah classifies humanity into different groups here..

So far Allah has divided humanity into two groups

i. Those who believe or have the potential of believing

ii. Those who would not believe, no matter what…

There is a third group, these are people of weak character, the hypocrite… This leads us to the next ayah

4th week- Surah Baqarah (8-20)

4th week - 27th December - 3rd January..

I am hoping that more people can contribute as we go on, in sha Allah.

Inna allatheena kafaroo sawaon AAalayhim aanthartahum am lam tunthirhum la yuminoona
Verily,those who disbelieve,it is the same to them whether you warn them or do not warn them,they will not believe.

Disbelieve in what? These are those people that reject faith,believe not in the oneness of Allah nor the unseen and the revealed books.They are in contrast to the believers.Allah says in Al-Anam 6:110 -And We shall turn their hearts and their eyes away (from guidance),as they refused to believe therein for the first time,and We shall leave them in their trespass to wander blindly.The moment someone chooses a path,then Allah strengthens him on the path he has chosen.The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said:If the believer commits a sin,a black spot appears on his heart.If he repents,gives it up and seeks forgiveness,his heart is cleansed,but if he does more then (that spot) increases until it covers his heart.That is the raan (covering of sin)[Ahmad and At-Tirmidhi].But when a disbeliever commits a sin,he won't repent and keeps on committing the sin rejecting the worship of Allah,worshipping others besides Allah,then it's the same if you warn such people,they won't believe because Allah has placed a seal on their hearts for their wrongdoings.
Allah wronged not the disbelievers,but they used to wrong themselves by rejecting faith[Surah Yunus 10:44].

We should note that not all non-muslims are Kaffir.A Kaffir is someone that knows what truth is,but bent on agreeing to it.Allah says in Surah An-Naml 27:14 -And they belied them (those Ayat) wrongfully and arrogantly,though their ownselves were convinced thereof[That the ayats are true and Allah's the true Ilah].So see what was the end of the Mufsidun (disbelievers,disobedient to Allah,evil-doers,liars).A Kaffir will know the truth,but still rejects it.
This leads us to the next Ayah.


Khatama Allahu AAala quloobihim waAAala samAAihim waAAala absarihim ghishawatun walahum AAathabun AAatheemun
Allah has set a seal on their hearts and on their hearings,and on their eyes there is a covering.Theirs will be a great torment.

The Arabic word qalb used in this verse means the heart.It also means intelligence or centre of understanding.Thus the above verse also mean that Allah has put a seal on the intelligence of the kuffaars (unbelievers) and they will not understand and believe.Why would Allah seal the understanding of the disbelievers? Allah says in Surah Al-Muttafiffin 83:14 -Nay! But on their hearts is the Ran (covering of sins and evil deeds) which they used to earn. So,the hearts of disbelievers are sealed because of their evil deeds and them rejecting faith.
There is also a covering on their eyes,Allah says in Surah Yunus 10:43 -And among them are some who look at you,but can you guide the blind,— even though they see not?.

We ask Allah to keep us on the straight path(Ameen).

tbaba1234: 4th week- Surah Baqarah (8-20)

4th week - 27th December - 3rd January..

I am hoping that more people can contribute as we go on, in sha Allah.

Isn't that too long? **just saying**

ʝαzααкυмυℓℓαнυ кнαуʀ.

lanrexlan: Isn't that too long? **just saying**

4th week - 27th December - 10th January..

Same theme

I thought you guys were sharing jewels

I hope am not late.

Signing in.

lanrexlan:

.A Kaffir is someone that knows what truth is,but bent on agreeing to it..

U mean to say ''disagree'' ?

kayword:

U mean to say ''disagree'' ?

Yeah,disagree and rejects the truth.Allah says in the glorious Qu'ran in Surah Al-Muminoon 23:86-87 -Say:Who is (the) Lord of the seven heavens,and (the) Lord of the Great Throne? They will say:Allah.
Say:Will you not then fear Allah (believe in His Oneness,obey Him,believe in the Resurrection and Recompense for each and every good or bad deed).So a Kaffir knows Allah(swt)is the originator of the universe and He alone deserved to be worshipped,but yet he doesn't fear Allah by abstaining from what Allah has forbidden and performing the good which Allah has ordained.

This thread is dead,brother onegig waiting for you.

lanrexlan: This thread is dead,brother onegig waiting for you.

Salam

Just seeiing this. Been quite busy with going up and down>

Might add something later. Barka |Jumah

onegig:

Salam

Just seeiing this. Been quite busy with going up and down>

Might add something later. Barka |Jumah

No problem bro,seems like everyone is busy.