MAJLIS MUSINGS

RUMI’S CAVE | LONDON

Between one Q-Majlis gathering and the next we will be posting out our #MajlisMusings sharing a select number of salient points from the verses studied. These reflections will be high level and they are discussed in much more depth within each session allowing attendees to develop a real relationship with the Qur’an.

Musing as a noun is a period of reflection and Musing as an adjective is characterised by deep thought. This is one the most fundamental types of engagement with the Qur’an and through the Q-Majlis sessions this is precisely what we want to achieve. A reflective journey for both the heart and the mind through the words of God.

Scroll down for Sura Qasas (Q. 28) musings.

MUSINGS: VERSES 1

طسٓمٓ۝

Ta, Seen, Meem

Q. 28:1

One of the functions of these cryptic letters is to grab the attention of the audience – this is a skill we need to learn how to do

They encourage us to understand the Qur’an: There are 29 surahs which start with words made up of cryptic letters in the Qur’an i.e. words we don’t know the meaning of – there are approximately 88,000 words which we do know the meaning of which shows where our focus should be when we read the Qur’an.

They teach us to be humble: God has chosen letters that we know but combines them in to words that we don’t know – We don’t know everything therefore we must humble ourselves when engaging with the Qur’an and come to it as empty vessels so God can fill us with the light of revelation.

MUSINGS: VERSES 2-4

تِلۡكَ ءَايَـٰتُ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ ٱلۡمُبِينِ۝

These are the verses of the Scripture that makes things clear

Q. 28:2

Ayaat has been translated to verses but is more frequently used as Sign – a sign is something that indicates to something other than itself i.e. Scripture will lead you to God.

Makes things clear and provide clarity – The Qur’an clarifies multiple topics i.e. i) The divine nature of revelation ii) The seal of prophecy iii) the rectification of Humans iv) Historical Narratives and lessons that can be learnt, etc.

  نَتۡلُواْ عَلَيۡكَ مِن نَّبَإِ مُوسَىٰ وَفِرۡعَوۡنَ بِٱلۡحَقِّ لِقَوۡمٍ۬ يُؤۡمِنُونَ۝

We recount to you (Prophet) part of the story of Moses and Pharaoh, setting out the truth (Haqq) for people who believe.

Q. 28:3

What is the significance of “Part of the story” being recounted – God only reveals that which is beneficial – there is wisdom in the lack of detail – move to meaning and don’t get caught in the details.

Haqq is commonly translated as truth – in this context it can also mean a story that is narrated with purpose. These epic accounts are revealed for guidance not for mere entertainment.

مِّنۡہُمۡ يُذَبِّحُ أَبۡنَآءَهُمۡ وَيَسۡتَحۡىِۦ نِسَآءَهُمۡ‌ۚ إِنَّهُ ۥ كَانَ مِنَ ٱلۡمُفۡسِدِينَ۝  إِنَّ فِرۡعَوۡنَ عَلَا فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَجَعَلَ أَهۡلَهَا شِيَعً۬ا يَسۡتَضۡعِفُ طَآٮِٕفَةً۬           

Pharaoh made himself high and mighty in the land and divided the people into different groups: one group he oppressed, slaughtering their sons and sparing their women – he was one of those who spread corruption.

Q. 28:4

The introduction of Good and Evil i.e. Moses vs Pharaoh – God establishes the character traits of Pharaoh from the beginning and the power he was afforded – he could do whatever he wanted and nobody could stop him

Pharaoh makes himself High and Mighty using Divide and Rule – Qur’an takes you to the root cause therefore we must use revelation to unite together with the aim to connect to God – not for worldly desire.

MUSINGS: VERSES 5-6

وَنَجۡعَلَهُمُ ٱلۡوَٲرِثِينَ۝ وَنُرِيدُ أَن نَّمُنَّ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ ٱسۡتُضۡعِفُواْ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَنَجۡعَلَهُمۡ أَٮِٕمَّةً۬

But We wished to favour those who were oppressed in the land, to make them leaders, the ones to survive

Q. 28:5

This verse brings out the key concepts of Patience and Trust – God shows that He will test you up until your personal limit so be patient in this and have trust in the Divine Plan

Leaders need to serve the people and not themselves – the period of the test is training for those who will go on to lead to learn how to act and how not to act.

مَّا ڪَانُواْ يَحۡذَرُونَ۝ وَنُمَكِّنَ لَهُمۡ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَنُرِىَ فِرۡعَوۡنَ وَهَـٰمَـٰنَ وَجُنُودَهُمَا مِنۡهُم

to establish them in the land, and through them show Pharaoh, Haman and their armies the very thing they feared

Q. 28:6

Tyrants/Oppressors are always afraid of losing their worldly power, they are always on edge therefore they will conduct heinous acts against those they rule in order to preserve this illusion.

Why was Pharaoh and his men given time? This shows that God, from His Mercy, gives everybody the required time and space in order to return back to Him in total surrender. This is supported with Prophecy, Revelation and outward signs – on the day of Judgement Pharaoh won’t have any excuse. How are we utilising our time with revelation?

MUSINGS: VERSES 7

ٱلۡمُرۡسَلِينَ۝ وَلَا تَخَافِى وَلَا تَحۡزَنِىٓ‌ۖ إِنَّا رَآدُّوهُ إِلَيۡكِ وَجَاعِلُوهُ مِنَ وَأَوۡحَيۡنَآ إِلَىٰٓ أُمِّ مُوسَىٰٓ أَنۡ أَرۡضِعِيهِ‌ۖ فَإِذَا خِفۡتِ عَلَيۡهِ فَأَلۡقِيهِ فِى ٱلۡيَمِّ

And We inspired to the mother of Moses, “Suckle him; but when you fear for him, cast him into the river and do not fear and do not grieve. Indeed, We will return him to you and will make him [one] of the messengers.”

Q. 28:7

“We inspired” – inspired in the Arabic (أَوْحَيْنَا) comes from the same root as revelation. God also uses the Majestic “We” when referencing the source of the inspiration. These two concepts combined illustrate the high rank of Moses’ mother as an intimate friend of God whilst indicating the gravity of the situation which requires this type of intervention directly from God.

The timing of God’s Help: Everyone is tested according to their own rank/limit and Gods help will only come once the individual has reached their limit. A mother suckling her child is the pinnacle of human attachment, therefore Tawwakul would have to be at its maximum to carry out Gods command. This shows God is always there for us but never on our terms – Gods help comes when it is needed and not when it is wanted

“Do not fear and do not grieve” – Fear is an emotion derived from an unrealised outcome of the future. Grief is an emotion derived from a realised outcome of the past. The intimate friends of God have neither fear nor grief as they live in the present. As for the past, Repent. As for the future have trust and hope in Gods promise. As for the present – react prophetically.

Tawakkul: The inspiration from God comes in the form of a command to cast the baby into the river with a promise of the child being returned with no mention of destination – rationally this is counter opposite of what one would do if they were attempting to protect a child from Pharaoh. Here the concept of Tawakul is introduced i.e. reliance upon God.

Tawhid & Tawakkul: Reliance upon God (Tawakkul) is directly correlated with the level of tawhid one has acquired i.e. how much you “know” God. Increase in tawhid = Increase in strength of Tawwakul and vice versa. This is a lifetime endeavour for every individual on the path to God and the seeker must understand that it takes time to build up strength of tawhid and tawakkul within oneself.

Levels of Tawakkul:  According to Ibn Juzayy al-Kalbi the levels of Tawakkul can be summarised into three  ascending levels:

The lowest level – just as a person relies upon their trusted agent who without any doubt is sincere and looks out for one’s own best interests i.e. self-serving

The intermediate level – just as an infant relies upon their mother – knows none other than her and does not seek refuge except with her – an awareness that God is always looking after you even when you’re not calling out

The highest level – Just as a deceased relies upon his washer – having submitted themselves completely knowing that in reality they have no power/control whatsoever.

Eloquence: Verse seven of this surah is said to be one of the most eloquent verses within the Qur’an. Using a limited number of words (22) God conveys for example two commands, two prohibitions and two articles of news:

Two Commands – i) Suckle him; but when you fear for him, ii) cast him into the river

Two Prohibitions – i) Do not fear and ii) Do not grieve

Two Articles of News – i) We will return him to you and ii) will make him [one] of the messengers.”

MUSINGS: VERSES 8

وَهَـٰمَـٰنَ وَجُنُودَهُمَا ڪَانُواْ خَـٰطِـِٔينَ۝  فَٱلۡتَقَطَهُ ۥۤ ءَالُ فِرۡعَوۡنَ لِيَڪُونَ لَهُمۡ عَدُوًّ۬ا وَحَزَنًا‌ۗ إِنَّ فِرۡعَوۡنَ  

Pharaoh’s household picked him up––later to become an enemy and a source of grief for them: Pharaoh, Haman, and their armies were wrongdoers

Q. 28:8

God is the best of planners – in the year where baby boys were to be executed it is said Pharaohs own guards pick up baby Moses, by pass the whole security system and take the child straight inside the palace walls.

God interjects – this is a key technique God uses in the Qur’an to remind the reader of the purpose of the story. One can be emotionally compelled to empathise with someone taking in a child however God interjects twice – once clarifying that it is part of His plan “later to become an enemy and a source of grief for them”, and secondly to clarify why this is the case “Pharaoh, Haman, and their armies were wrongdoers”.

Power over time – it is stipulated in the verse that Moses was “later to become an enemy and a source of grief”. The ascendency to power whether physical or spiritual takes time, there is a process in place and this is the sunnah of Allah. Belief in God and righteous actions should not be conflated with unrealistic ideas of instant success – there is a Divine wisdom in this for those who can discern.