Weekly Classroom Themes – Secondary

Interacting with the Qur’an

In the Name of Allah; Most-Merciful, Most-Compassionate.

Let us inshaAllah take an example of Amir al Mu’mineen (Leader of the Believers) Ali ibn abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) who interacted intimately with the Qur’an.  On one occasion Hijr ibn Qays al-Madri spent a night with Ali (may Allah be pleased with them), and he noticed something while Ali was praying his night prayers. He was reciting Surah al Waqi’ah (56) and when he reached the verses that read:

“Have you seen that which you emit? Is it you who creates it, or are We the Creator?” (56:58-59)

Ali said: “No, rather it is You, O’ Lord,” three times. He continued reading until he reached the verses which read:

“And have you seen that [seed] which you sow? Is it you who makes it grow, or are We the grower?” (56:63-64)

Ali responded to these verses in saying: “No, rather it is You, O’ Lord,” three times. He continued his recitation until he reached the verses that read:

“And have you seen the water that you drink? Is it you who brought it down from the clouds, or is it We who bring it down?” (56: 68-69)

Ali again said, three times: “No, rather is it You, O’ Lord.” And again when he reached the verses:

“And have you seen the fire that you ignite? Is it you who produced its tree, or are We the producer?” (56:71-72)

He said: “No, rather is it You, O’ Lord.”

May Allah be pleased with Ali ibn abi Talib.

Questions:

What everyday lessons do we gather from Surah al Waqi’ah (56)?

Reflect on the devotion and love that Ali ibn abi Talib has for the Qur’an.

What virtuous qualities/characteristics does Ali ibn abi Talib have and what can we learn from the incident described?

Describe a moment where you deeply reflected on a verse of the Qur’an in prayer.

Reflect on the properties of water, fire and trees and list some of the ways they benefit humans and animals.

Group Assignment:

• 
  The class plants a seed (for example, from a tomato plant) and watches it grow. Reflect on its growth and development. How does this plant benefit humans?
  

Week 12

Disputing (jadal)

In the Name of Allah; Most-Merciful, Most-Compassionate.

"And We have certainly diversified in this Qur'an for the people from every [kind of] example; but man has ever been, most of anything, [prone to] dispute." (18:54)

Scholars of Tafsir mention that this verse provides many benefits for the believers. The first and most clear of which is that Allah has diversified the information conveyed in the Qur'an (such as facts, stories, explanations, and mental illustrations) so that each and every person can relate and be called to the message of Allah in a unique way. Likewise, Allah says that the Qur'an was sent as a clarification, a guidance, mercy and a good tiding for believers (16:89). Following this, Allah directs us to the reasons why some reject His message. Humankind has a weakness for being boastful and proud and for following traditions blindly. As a result we may fall into is persistent argumentativeness.

Allah uses the word jadal in this verse having the meaning of disputing with stubborn adherence to one's own position, without regard for seeking Truth and/or using reason. This may be related to what was mentioned above, pride. Such a person, engaging in jadal, argues for the sake of argument. Differences of opinion are natural amongst humankind; a result of diversity in comprehension, capacity, education, insight, socio-cultural context and so on. Allah is warning us, however, not to become consistently argumentative. Rather, the believers must follow standards and ethics when expressing and sharing ideas and opinions.

In our modern times we see that jadal has become common place, be it on internet websites/forums or in masajid. However, the early scholars of Islam avoided such argumentation. Rather, they accepted what was based upon evidence, and divergent evidence-based ideas were considered an addition to the field of jurisprudence. As time progressed, such differences became a source of internal strife and preoccupying those without knowledge of the etiquettes of seeking and sharing of knowledge. The companions (may Allah be pleased with them all) listened attentively to other opinions and then investigated the matter with sincere and open mindedness. An evidence-based approach allowed for all opinions to be considered, even if it went against their own opinion and understanding.

A noble example of this is Leader of the Believers, Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him). He held positions that differed from others on certain issues. For example, he made wudu' before every salaah based upon Allah's saying: "O you who believe! When you intend to offer al-salaah, wash your faces..." (5:6). He also held that the traveler must fast based upon Allah's saying: "So whoever of you sights the month [Ramadan], he must observe sawm that month" (2:185). These were positions he held that were based upon evidence. The noble and honoured companions did not divide, consistently argue or hate one another for such positions. May Allah protect us from this. Let us take this example from the Leader of the Believers and avoid stubborn disputing without wisdom.

As Imam al-Shafi'i (may Allah have mercy on him) said: "Never do I debate a man with a desire to hear him err in his speech, or to expose the flaws in his argument, and thus vanquish him. Whenever I face an opponent in debate I silently supplicate, ‘O Lord, help him so that truth may manifest itself in his heart and on his tongue. If it be that the truth is on my side, may he follow me; and if the truth be on his side, may I follow him.’” Muslims, therefore, must speak with wisdom and use good instruction, as Allah says:

"Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction, and argue with them in a way that is best. Indeed, your Lord is most knowing of who has strayed from His way, and He is most knowing of who is [rightly] guided." (16:125)

And Allah knows best.

Questions:

Why should following religious matters blindly be avoided?

What lesson do you take away from Surah 18 verse 54?

How does pride affect clear judgement?

Is blind following common in Muslim communities throughout the world?

Why should we follow an evidence-based approach?

What can be learned from Imam al-Shafi'i (may Allah have mercy on him)?

What are some ways we can avoid arguing/disputing?

Week 13