Qxpiv May, 2007 By Shabbir Ahmed, M. D., Florida Chief Adviser and Editor: Hossein Kowsari, California Reviewed by: Abdullah Ali Bashoeb, Hijaz

Surah 60. Al-Mumtahinah – The Lady Under Oath

[Author’s Note] This is the 60th Surah of the Qur’an and it has 13 verses. This Surah has some brand new concepts not yet expounded in the previous chapters. God enjoins upon believers kindness and compassion toward all human beings. He permits them to fight those who attack them on account of Faith or evict them from their homelands.

In Prophet Abraham and his blessed companions is an excellent pattern of conduct for all humanity.

With the Glorious Name of Allah, the Instant and Sustaining Source of all Mercy and Kindness

60:1 O You who have chosen to be graced with belief! Do not take My enemies – who are your enemies as well – for friends. Do you extend love and friendship to them when they reject the Truth that has come to you, driving out the Messenger and you because you believe in God, your Lord? If you are committed to strive in My way and to seek My approval, befriend them not. Do you show them friendship in secret, when I am best Aware of what you conceal and what you reveal? And whoever among you does that, he has certainly strayed from the right way. [3:117]

60:2 If they ever overcome you, they will divide you, and smite you with their hands and tongues causing much disruption. For, they will love to see you reject the Truth. [‘Idia = Wedge = Wedge of division = Enmity = Dissension = Distance. Su = Disruption = Imbalance = Evil = Inequity]

60:3 (Divine Ideology comes first. Know that) Your family, relatives and your children will not avail you on the Resurrection Day. He will decide between you on individual merit alone. And God is Seer of all that you do.

60:4 Indeed there is an Excellent Pattern for you in Abraham, and his companions. They said to their folk, “Certainly, we stay clear of you and of what you worship instead of God. We denounce you and between us and you has arisen distance and aversion until you believe in God alone.” The only exception was Abraham’s saying to his father, “I will indeed pray for your forgiveness, although I have no power to achieve anything from God on your behalf.” Then he prayed, “Our Lord! In You we place our trust, unto You we turn, and unto You is the Final Destination. [9:113, 14:41, 19:47, 33:21, 58:22]

60:5 Our Lord! Let us not be made a target of persecution at the hands of the rejecters. And protect us, our Lord!” Surely, You, You alone are the Mighty, the Wise.” [Ghafarah = Helmet, armor = Protection = Forgiveness = Preservation = Absolution of faults = Protection against intrinsic or extrinsic loss]

60:6 In them, indeed, you have an excellent pattern, for anyone who looks forward to God and the Last Day. And whoever turns away, behold! God; He is Independent, the Owner of all Praise.

60:7 It may well be that God will bring about affection between you and those whom you now consider enemies. Certainly, God is Able to do all things. (He is the Powerful Appointer of His Laws.) And God is Forgiving, Merciful.

60:8 God does not forbid you from being kind, and fully equitable to those who do not fight you on account of Religion, and do not evict you from your homelands. Indeed, God loves those who lead a just, balanced life.

[Deen = Divinely Prescribed System of Life = Way of life = Collective system of living = Religion]

60:9 God forbids you from befriending only those who fight you on account of Religion and evict you from your homelands, or help others in evicting you. Those who befriend them, will be wrongdoers.

60:10 O You who have chosen to be graced with belief! When believing women come to you as immigrants, investigate their case, although only God is best Aware of their faith. Once you establish that they are indeed believers, do not return them to the rejecters of the Truth. They are not lawful for the rejecters, nor are the rejecters lawful for them. Give the rejecters what they have spent on them (as dowry). And there is no blame on you if you marry these women, when you have given them their due marital gift. And do not hold on to wedlock with women who continue to deny the Truth. And you may ask them for the dowry you had paid, just as the rejecters have the right to ask the return of what they spent. This is the Judgment of God. He judges between you, for God is All Knowing, All Wise.

60:11 If the dower of a believer’s immigrant wife has gone to the disbelievers, at your turn (when a believing woman comes to you for asylum, the government will) compensate your men from what they had given (to their disbelieving wives as dower). Be mindful of God in Whom you are believers.

60:12 O Prophet! When believing women come unto you taking oath of allegiance to you (they shall pledge that they will)

- Not associate anyone with God.

- Not steal the rights of others.
- Not commit immodesty.
- Neither kill their children, nor deprive them of good rearing.
- Not indulge in fabricating slander, either overtly or covertly.
- Not disobey you in the Qur’anic Values.

When they have made the pledge, accept their allegiance and ask God to bestow upon them the protection of forgiveness. For, certainly, God is Forgiving, Merciful.

60:13 O You who have chosen to be graced with belief! Do not befriend a people whom God has condemned. Of the Hereafter they are already in despair – just as the deniers of the Truth despair (the resurrection) of those who are in the graves.

Surah 61. As-Saff – The Rank

[Author’s Note] This is the 61st Surah of the Qur’an. It has 14 verses. A believer should say what he means, and mean what he says. And never promise what he does not or will not do.

With the Glorious Name of Allah, the Instant and Sustaining Source of all Mercy and Kindness

61:1 All things in the heavens and all things on earth are striving to manifest the glory of God and to fulfill His plan. For, He is the Almighty, the Wise.

61:2 O You who have chosen to be graced with belief! Why do you say what you do not do?

61:3 It is very disgusting in the Sight of God that you say what you do not do.

61:4 Truly, God loves those who fight in His Cause in columns as if they were a rock solid wall.

61:5 (The people of Moses frequently said what they did not do, so) Moses had to tell them, “O My people! Why do you hurt me, even though you know that I am God’s Messenger to you?” But when they kept deviating, God let their hearts deviate. For, God does not guide those who keep drifting away from their word. [Faasiq = One who drifts away - from? - depends on the context]

61:6 And (the same happened when) Jesus son of Mary said, “O Children of Israel! Indeed, I am a Messenger of God unto you. I confirm (the Truth in) the Torah, and give you the good news of a Messenger to come after me whose name shall be Ahmad (The Praised One).” But when he has come unto them with the self-evident Truth, the People of the Scripture say, “This is obvious magic (spellbinding utterance).”

[Gospel of John: 14:16, 15:26, 16:7 Paracletos = Comforter, from original Greek Periclytos = The praised one. In Aramaic, Mawhamana = The praised one]

61:7 Who does greater wrong than he who invents a lie against God when he is invited to Islam? God does not guide the wrongdoing folk.

[Zaalimeen = Those who relegate the Truth = Oppressors = Those who displace something from its rightful place = Violators of human rights = Wrongdoers = Those who disregard moral Values]

61:8 They aim to put out God’s light with their mouths (utterances), but God has willed to spread His light in all its fullness, however hateful this may be to the deniers.

61:9 He it is Who has sent forth His Messenger with the Guidance, and the Religion of Truth, that He may make it prevail over all religions (other systems of life) however hateful this may be to those who ascribe partners to Him. [9:31-33, 13:31, 14:48, 18:48, 41:53, 48:28, 51:20-21, 61:9]

61:10 O You who have chosen to be graced with belief! Shall I tell you of a trade that will save you from a painful doom (in both lives)?

61:11 That you put your faith in God and His Messenger and strive in the Cause of God with your wealth and person. This is for your own good, if you but knew. [9:111]

61:12 He will guard you from trailing behind in humanity, and admit you into Gardens beneath which rivers flow, and into beautiful mansions in the Gardens of Eden, (Gardens of Eternal Bliss). That is the Supreme Triumph.

61:13 And yet another thing that you so dearly love! Help from God and imminent victory (soon in this very life). So give good news to the believers (O Prophet!)

61:14 O You who have chosen to be blessed with belief! Be God’s helpers. As an example - Jesus son of Mary said to the disciples, “Who are my helpers for God?” They said, “We are God’s helpers.” Thus a group from the Children of Israel accepted him, and another group rejected him. Then We strengthened those who believed, against their foe, and they became triumphant.

Surah 62. Al-Jum'ah – The Congregation

[Author’s Note] This is the 62nd Surah of the Qur’an and it has 11 verses. This Surah emphasizes that the Book of God must be understood and acted upon. Merely reciting or showing reverence is not enough. Friday must not be equated with Sabbath since we find in 62:10 that Muslims are expected to work seeking God’s Bounty on this day as on other days of the week.

With the Glorious Name of Allah, the Instant and Sustaining Source of all Mercy and Kindness

62:1 All that is in the heavens and all that is on earth strive to manifest the glory of God, the King Supreme, the Impeccable, the Almighty, the Wise.

62:2 He it is Who has sent a Messenger among those who had never before received a Scripture – to convey unto them His messages, to make them grow in humanity, to instruct them in the Scripture and wisdom, Judgment and establishment of God’s Rule on earth - whereas before that they were obviously lost in error,

[Ummi = Gentile = Non-Israelite = Unlettered = A nation (the Arabs) that had never received a Scripture before. Zaku, Tazkiah = Growth = Purity from vice = Development of the ‘self’ = Self-actualization. Hikmah = wisdom = Judgment = Governance = Political Rule]

62:3 And (sent for) others who have not yet joined them in place and time. For, He is Almighty, the Wise.

62:4 Such is God’s Bounty – which He bestows upon him who is willing to receive it. (His light is available to whoever turns it on) For, God is the Lord of the magnificent Bounty.

62:5 [The Book of God is to be read and understood, and not placed in high niches] The example of those who were entrusted with Torah, and did not apply it in their daily lives, is that of the donkey that carries a load of books. Miserable indeed is the example of people who deny God’s messages with their actions. God does not guide people who displace the Revelation from its rightful status.

[Kizb = Belie = Give lie = Deny in practice. Kufr = Reject openly = Darkness = Denial = Ingratitude = Concealing. Zulm = Dislodge from the rightful place = Relegate the Truth = Give preference to conjecture = Oppression = Wrongdoing = Violation of human rights]

62:6 Say, “O You who are Jewish! If you claim that you are friends to God to the exclusion of the rest of mankind, then long for death if you are truthful!” (And hope to meet with your Lord for Eternal Bliss.)

62:7 But they will never long for it because of what their hands have sent ahead. And God is fully Aware of the wrongdoers. [2:94-96. See Zulm, 62:5]

62:8 Say, “Certainly, the death from which you shrink so much is bound to overtake you, and then you will be returned to the Knower of the Invisible and Visible. And then He will inform you of what you had been doing.”

62:9 O You who have chosen to be graced with belief! When the call for Salaat is announced on the Day of the Congregation, hasten to the remembrance of God and leave your commerce. That is for your own good if you use your knowledge to understand.

62:10 And when the prayer is ended, disperse freely in the land and seek of God’s Bounty. And remember God often so that you may prosper.

62:11 Yet when they see some bargain or entertainment, they rush to it, and leave you standing. Say, “What is with God is better than all entertainment and all bargain. God is the Best of providers.”

Surah 63. Al-Munaafiqoon – The Hypocrites

[Author’s Note] This is the 63rd Surah of the Qur’an. It has 11 verses. Hypocrisy is a personality disorder. It not only indicates a difference in word and action, but it is the antithesis to Conviction. A person with Conviction can be trusted in his word and action. On the contrary a hypocrite cannot be trusted. Linguistically the term Munaafiq is interesting. It refers to a person who, upon entering a situation, habitually looks for a way out. That is how rats in the wild dig their tunnels with one real opening and the other a fake opening just superficially covered with dust, in order to escape a predator. At places, the Qur’an terms their state as “a disease of the hearts.” It is to be noted that the hypocrites are not necessarily a group of people. They walked around the exalted Prophet as they do in every community today.

With the Glorious Name of Allah, the Instant and Sustaining Source of all Mercy and Kindness

63:1 When the hypocrites come to you (O Prophet), they say, “We bear witness that you are indeed God’s Messenger.” Yes, God knows that you are truly His Messenger, and God bears witness that the hypocrites are in fact liars.

63:2 They make their oaths and proclamation of Faith a cover so that they may bar others from the Path of God. Miserable indeed is what they do.

63:3 This, because they profess (before you) that they have believed whereas afterward (among their folk) they reject the Truth. And so a seal has been set upon their hearts, thus they understand not. [Variation between utterance and action hampers the power of reasoning within human psyche 61:2-5]

63:4 When you see them, their looks may impress you. And if they speak, you are inclined to listen to their speech. But they are like wooden logs propped up. They think that every call is directed against them. These are the real enemies, so beware of them. God condemns them. How are they deluded! [Wooden logs = Empty of inner strength, unable to stand at their own feet]

63:5 And when it is said to them, “Come! God’s Messenger will ask for your forgiveness”, they shake their heads, and you see them pause, and then draw back in false pride. [Istighfar = Protection of forgiveness = Absolving the faults through good deed = Preservation of the ‘self’]

63:6 It is the same for them whether you pray for their forgiveness, or not pray for their forgiveness. God will not forgive them. For, behold, God does not guide people who keep drifting away. [Fisq = Drifting away = Slip out of sense = Move away from reason = = Drift away from discipline = Defy Divine Commands]

63:7 They are the one who say, “Do not spend anything on those who are with God’s Messenger, so that they leave.” However, unto God belong the treasures of the heavens and the earth, but the hypocrites cannot grasp this truth. [Ansar, the Muslim residents of Madinah, were supporting the needy Mahaajireen or immigrants from Makkah]

63:8 And they say, “Indeed, when we return to Madinah, the honored ones will expel from there the contemptible ones.” However, all honor belongs to God and to His Messenger and to the believers. But the hypocrites do not realize this. [The hypocrites, holding the believers in contempt, said that upon returning from Banu Musta’liq in 5 AH]

63:9 O You who have chosen to be graced with belief! Let not your wealth or your children distract you from the remembrance of God. Those who do this are the losers.

63:10 And spend on others of what We have provided you with, before death comes to one of you. And he then says, “My Lord! If only You would delay this for a short while, so that I could give in charity and be among the righteous.”

63:11 But never does God grant delay to a person when the time appointed has arrived. And God is well Aware of all you do.

Surah 64. At-Taghaabun – The Ultimate Loss and Gain

[Author’s Note] This is the 64th Surah of the Qur’an. It has 18 verses. ‘Taghabun’ pertains to mutual loss and gain in daily lives, business or battle. It also indicates the Ultimate Loss and Gain on the Day of Judgment.

With the Glorious Name of Allah, the Instant and Sustaining Source of all Mercy and Kindness

64:1 Whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on earth relentlessly strive to fulfill God’s plan, and manifest His glory. To Him belongs the Supreme Kingdom, and all Universe is a living witness of His Praise. And He is Able to do all things. [He is the Powerful Appointer of due measure of all things]

64:2 He it is Who created you (and endowed you with free will). Hence, one of you is a denier of the Truth and one of you chooses to be graced with belief. And God is Seer of all you do.

64:3 He created the heavens and the earth in Truth and with a Sublime Purpose. And He formed you and formed you so well with beautiful potentials. And unto Him is the Final Destination.

64:4 He knows every detail in the Highs and the Lows and He knows what you conceal and what you reveal. For, God is Knower of what is in the hearts.

64:5 Has not the news reached you of those who denied the Truth in the earlier times, and so they did taste the calamity for their (wrong) decisions? And for them was a painful chastisement.

64:6 This, because their messengers kept coming to them with self-evident Truth, but they said, “Shall mere human beings guide us?” And so they rejected and turned away. But God is ever Self-Sufficient. And God is Independent, Owner of Praise.

64:7 Those who reject the Truth think that they will never be raised again. Say, “Yes indeed, by my Lord! You will be raised again. And then you will be informed of what you really accomplished. For, this is easy for God.”

64:8 Therefore, put your faith in God, His Messenger and the Light which We have revealed. For, God is fully Aware of what you do [And how your deeds affect your ‘selves’ according to the Law of Cause and Effect]

64:9 The Day when He shall gather you all on the Day of Gathering, that will be the Day of loss and gain. And whoever chooses to be graced with belief, and helps others, God will blot out the imprints of his faults and admit him into Gardens beneath which rivers flow, therein to abide forever. That is the Supreme Triumph.

64:10 But those who disbelieve and deny Our messages, such are companions of the Fire. They will abide therein – what a miserable destination!

64:11 (Nothing happens haphazardly in the Universe.) No calamity befalls but according to the Laws of God. Whoever (understands this and) believes in God guides himself deep down in his heart. God is the Knower of all things (and events).

[Nations that understand the Laws in Nature are better equipped to take preventive measures against natural disasters. Izn = Leave = Permission = Laws]

64:12 Obey God and obey the Messenger. But if you turn away, the duty of Our Messenger is only to convey the Message clearly. [Obeying God and His Messenger would mean obeying the Central Authority. 3:32]

64:13 God! There is no deity but Him. On God, then, let the believers put their trust. [They know that His Laws never change]

64:14 O You who have chosen to be graced with belief! Among your spouses and your children may be those who distance you from your higher objectives. So be careful on that account! But if you forgo their attitude, overlook the obstacles and protect them and yourself from the detrimental effects of disharmony, you will be taking the Hue of God. Certainly, God is Protecting, Nurturing.

[Then the whole family will strive for the noble Mission. Much Tasreef-il-Aayaat (looking at other verses) has gone into the rendition of this verse. 2:85, 2:98, 60:2. ‘Idia, ‘Udwaan, ‘Adu = Wedge = Creating distance between hearts = Discord = Opposition = Enmity = Schism = Division = Remoteness. Ghafarah = Protection. Hue of God, here meaning protecting and nurturing 2:138. Safh = Overlook = Create room in the heart = ‘Afw = Forgo = Absolve = Forgive. Raheem = Merciful = From Rahm meaning womb, Nurturing, as the womb nurtures the fetus without returns. Nourisher of the entire Universe]

64:15 Your wealth and children provide you with a test. (If you keep balance), with God is a tremendous reward. [64:14, 2:221]

64:16 So be mindful of God as best as you can. Listen, and obey, and keep your resources open for others. That is good for your own ‘selves’. Those who are saved from their own greediness are truly successful.

64:17 If you lend unto God a goodly loan, He will multiply it for you and will grant you the protection of forgiveness. God is Appreciative, Clement.

64:18 Knower of the Invisible and the Visible, the Mighty, the Wise.

Surah 65. At-Talaq – Divorce

[Author’s Note] This is the 65th Surah of the Qur’an. It has 12 verses. God holds man accountable only to the extent what He has given to him. Some very important Laws for divorce are propounded in this Surah in addition to 2:228-234, 4:3, 4:19, 4:35, 4:128, 33:49, 58:1 65:1-4.

According to the Qur’an, there is absolutely no room for an instant divorce. The process must take months in order to allow reconsideration on the part of the husband and wife. It is highly unfortunate and shameful that Muslim jurists have been ignoring and practically revoking these clear verses of the Book of God for centuries, in favor of their own conjecture. According to their erroneous edicts if a husband utters the word ‘Divorce’ three times in anger or under any kind of duress or even in a stage drama or movie, divorce takes effect instantly. What a mockery of the Qur’an!

It is interesting to note that the so called Fuqaha (Jurists and Mullahs) who otherwise uphold Hadith in preference to the Word of God, conveniently disregard even their 'treasure' whenever it suits their purpose. They even 'abrogate' the Qur’anic verses against Hadith! In this instance, there is a Hadith in Ibn Majah. The exalted Prophet is reported to have said, "La talaqa fil Ighlaq" = There is absolutely no divorce under any kind of duress, coercion, suddenness, anger etc. This Hadith which is in total harmony with the Qur’an remains obscure to the 'Ulema'.

Incidentally, there is another beautiful Hadith that strikes a chord with 65:2. The exalted Prophet is reported to have said: O People! Just this verse of the Qur’an should suffice you: Anyone who is mindful of God (His Commands), He will grant a way out for him (from difficult situations).

With the Glorious Name of Allah, the Instant and Sustaining Source of all Mercy and Kindness

65:1 O Prophet! When you men intend to divorce women, make sure that the waiting period is observed. Keep precise account of this interim. Be mindful of God, your Lord. Never expel them from THEIR homes, nor shall they themselves leave their homes unless they commit open immorality. These are, then, the limits imposed by God. And whoever crosses God's limits, certainly, hurts one’s own ‘self’. You do not know that God may bring about thereafter a new situation (help create reconciliation).

[Note that homes belong to women. The waiting period before a divorced woman or a widow can remarry, has been explained before and reiterated now. (65:4, 2:228, 2:234). There is no waiting period for women with whom husbands have had no intimate relations. 33:49]

65:2 And so when they have reached their waiting term, either retain them in kindness or part with them in kindness. And let there be two just persons among you to witness, and establish the evidence straight for God. This exhortation is for him who believes in God and the Last Day. And anyone who is mindful of God, He will grant a way out for him (from difficult situations).

65:3 And will provide for him in a manner he has not expected. And whoever places his trust in God, He will suffice him. Indeed, God always brings His Command to pass. Indeed, for all things God has appointed a due proportion.

65:4 And such of your women as no longer expect menstruation, as well as those women who do not habitually menstruate (for any reason), to resolve your doubts, their waiting period is ordained to be three months. For those who are pregnant, the waiting period ends when they deliver their burden. Anyone who is mindful of God, He will make his condition easy for him.

[Note the word Hamlahunna = Their burden = What they carry, - instead of ‘their baby or child’. Hence, the term includes abortion, conditions such as moles, and all kinds of abnormal pregnancies and outcomes]

65:5 That is the Commandment of God that He reveals unto you. Anyone who is mindful of God, He will absolve his faults and increase his reward.

65:6 Let them (the divorced women) live where you live with the same standard of living that you have, and according to your best means. Harass them not to make life difficult for them. And if they are pregnant, spend on them freely until they deliver their burden. Then, if they nurse your baby, give them their due recompense. And frequently consult together amicably. And if both of you find it difficult, let another woman suckle the baby on his behalf. [The husband will pay for the services of a foster mother]

65:7 Let the affluent man give according to his affluence, and the poor man give according to what God has given him. God does not burden any human being with more than what He has given him. God will soon bestow relief after hardship.

65:8 And how many a community has rebelled against the Command of its Lord and His messengers! Hence, We called each to account with a stern accounting and punished it with an exemplary punishment.

65:9 And thus it tasted the calamitous end of its own doing. For, the consequence of their deeds was an utter loss.

65:10 God has readied for them awful suffering (in the Hereafter as well). So always be mindful of God, O People of understanding – who have chosen to be graced with belief! For, indeed, God has sent down to you a (Glorious) Reminder.

65:11 (Reminder through) A Messenger who conveys to you clear messages of God so that he might lead those who have chosen to be graced with belief, and set things right, from the depths of darkness into the Light. And whoever believes in God and works for the good of others, He will admit such persons into Gardens beneath which rivers flow, therein to abide forever. Indeed, God has readied for them a most excellent provision. [5:15-16, 7:157, 76:4]

65:12 God is He who has created seven cosmic systems, and like them, of the lows. Through all of them descends His Command that you may know that God has power over all things. And that God encompasses all things in His knowledge.

[Sab’a = Seven = Several. Every high has its low, hence every heaven or sky has its ‘earth’]