Al-Quran Al-Kareem – Tafsir (Exegesis) Lesson 120

 

I seek shelter in Allah from the rejected Satan. In the name of Allah, the most gracious, the most Merciful.

There is sublime information on this matter in the 182^nd verse of Surah al-Baqarah [2]. That said, we have already recited the verse of the Quran that says, “they ingest fire into their bellies.” See this verse of the Quran that says be just is the 27^th verse of Surah al-Nisa [4].

Now, back in the jahiliyyah – ignorance period, which is before Islam, women and children had no rights in inheritance. Women, and the children whether girl or boy could not become inheritors. Islam made women and children inheritors, by giving them this right. See, it is Allah who personally made the distribution between the heirs. This is set forth in the Quran by Allah. This is not even made by the Prophet for his words are not in the Quran. It is all Allah’s words – kalam. As for hadith-i sharifs, they are our Prophet’s words, actions, and sayings (kavl).

The hadiths are not considered as ayat – verse. The ayat – sings/verses in Al-Quran Al-Karim are the utterances (kalam) of Allah.

When Aws b. Thābit died, his wife Ümmü Kahle, radiyallahu anhum wa anhā, was left with three daughters. Meaning she was left a widow with three children who are now orphans, and they were given nothing. Then, these verses came.

This is important!

These verses were revealed, and this way Janâb-i Haqq commanded them to give the shares of that woman and her children. See, the religion (din) of Islam is gradual in a way. The revolution happened gradually and step by step. In addition, there has been a complete legal reform. The real human rights and the real law has been set forth in the best possible manner through this method. And if there have been somewhat good developments in the world, it is fair to say that they are in a way inspired by Islam. It would have been much better had they adopted Islam completely.

That said, some people perceive Islam at their whim, but because iman (belief) is a matter of hidayat (guidance), there are so many people who are unable to obtain the iman aspect of this, but there are some who perceive its worldly aspect.

Besides, the momentum in the advancements in discoveries have started with Islam.

There is a report that says the mother was given one eighth share, and two thirds share was spared for the daughters.

Now, the following hadith is in Bukhari, Muslim, and others: “A person cannot become a believer (mu’min) unless wants for his brother what he loves for himself.” See, you have to worry about the lives of others the way you worry about yourself. There is such a thought of mercy and faith in Islam. And this is Islam. A conscience that wants good things for itself, but neglects others is not a real conscience. It has nothing to do with Islam.

See, the later verses were revealed once people started fearing the orphans. What did they say? See, some people cut relations with the orphans for they feared them. Janâb-i Haqq gave a warning here.

[2:220] “It is better to set right their affairs, and if you associate with them, they are of course your brothers.” Do not leave them out in the cold, says Allah. This is because Muslims cannot leave them in the cold either, this is because they are orphans and they need to be looked after.

In the jahiliyyah – ignorance period they excluded women and children from the inheritance through adoption, hilf practice, and nesep (affinity).

 

Time Stamp: 5:00

 

So, what did Islam do? Islam abrogated them, and brought forth a brand-new and divine judicial system. In inheritance the children come before the mother or father. This is important. See, in inheritance, the secondary (farʿ) – children come before the primary (asl) – parents. It is said that the 75^th verse of Surah al-Anfal [8] abrogated the concepts of covenant and adoption in inheritance, as well as hijra (migration), and becoming brothers.

That is, it is said that the previous provisions were abrogated once the verses of inheritance were revealed. See, they were making agreements, adopting children, or using hijra (migration), or becoming brothers in the religion, just like the brotherhood between the ansar (helpers) and the muhajireen.

It is said that these were abrogated with the revelation of the verses of inheritance, and this way the sharia (law) was renewed. See, the former provisions were abrogated and new ones were brought. The following concepts had settled: inheritance through madhab, marriage, or by freeing slaves and agreement.

The brother of Thābit was told to give two thirds of it to the daughters and one third to the mother, and keep the rest. So, it means that Thābit only had one brother. Aws b. Thābit who died had one brother, and it means that he was in a tough situation and this is why he was not left out. See, the religion (din) of Islam does not left anyone aggrieved or wronged no matter where they are. Islam extends its merciful hands over them as well.

In the 151^st verse of Surah al-An’am [6], Allah’s will is His command, and this constitutes a necessity (wajib). This is important! Whether Allah spoke His will, or gave advice, this is a command, and constitutes a necessity (wajib). Therefore, that command should be fulfilled.

That said, Islam loaded many burdens on men. For example, the expenses in the family, wedding expenses, dower (mahr) expenses, and there is also helping poor relatives, and children; all these expenses and the obligation to fulfil all the needs of the children, along with all the obligations with regards to the expenses in the family belong to men.

He shall feed at least two people; this is men’s obligation. See, the income has to be high in order to meet the expenses. As these burdens are on men, it would be against justice, economy, and cruelty against reason to give women equal or more share. That is, seeing that the burden on one side is much higher, you need to ensure justice and level the playing field.

If you don’t, then you violate the principle of justice and equality. If you load more burdens on one side, and make him equal to whom you have loaded less burden, then this does not constitute justice and equality. This only ruins and damages equality.

See, every burden has its troubles and bounties. The bounties are in correlation with the troubles; therefore, you need to make a just distribution by taking into consideration that you have loaded more to one side. This is what Islam did, and Islam equalized this all very fine. Yet some people who do not understand Islam only see one side of the medallion. So, what does the mindset that do not see the other side of the medallion do?

 

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They say women are given less and men are given more but that is not the case. “He who violates the limit becomes his own antonym.” Remember this! “He who violates the limit becomes his own antonym.”

Women have certain traits men lack. Men have attributes that women lack. The female is not the same or similar of the male, rather it is its opposite, peer, and equal. They are such great mates in fulfilling their innate duties. And they come after men. The woman may make the capital given by men work. See, in marriage (nikah), men are obliged to give women dower (mahr), which is a capital. Then the woman may make that money work, and augment it. They come after men in terms of innate strength. Meaning, women have a kinder structure and you cannot load the same burden that you load on men. Women are kind creatures, and they come after men in terms of strength.

Therefore, you need to provide social rights and settings for women based on their power. It is clear that women are short in strength. Women are not more powerful than men. The exceptions do not break the rule here, and this difference has been determined as two thirds or two to one. In a general sense, if a woman is paid 50 euros per day, then a man has to take 75 euros or 100 euros. But which man are we referring to? This should be the case when all expenses are provided by the man.

The diyāt (blood money) a woman has to pay is half of what a man has to pay. We see here that men are obliged to pay in full while the women pay half. That is, if they face such a charge. It is not paid by life, rather it is paid by financial value. So, we see here that women are burdened with less than half of what men are burdened. Men are obliged to pay the punishment in full while the women have been burdened with half of it when they are guilty.

It is a necessity of rights and benefits to have the male manage economical assets. This is important! It is a necessity of rights and benefits to have the male manage economical assets.

With that said, women cannot be excluded from economical prestige. It is for the benefit of both parties when the power of the male and the female unites. In that event you’ll see a powerful and blissful family. So, do not ever discriminate between them! Men and women in a family are single, and they gain strength through each other.

As for the liabilities, they must be in correlation with power and strength. Women’s assets should be left to them. See, women do not have to spend anything here, but men are obliged to spend. Women’s assets should be left to them, and men should assume the liability of expenses due to his advantage of power. See, this is because men are innately more powerful, and that is why Janâb-i Haqq commanded men to do the spending, and wanted women’s assets to be left to them. However, women are free and through their own free will they may spend, this is if they are voluntary, but this is not obligatory.

Ja’far al-Sadiq said that Hawwa (Eve) took a grain from the forbidden three and ate it.

 

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This is the opinion of Ja’far al-Sadiq. He said Hawwa (Eve) took a handful and hid it, and then she took another handful and gave it to Adam. He said that she made her share twofold. In other words, our mother Hawwa (Eve) took more for herself, and gave less to Adam, he said. He is referring to our mother Hawwa (Eve). Then, Allah changed it, and made the opposite of what she did. He said that Allah had changed it.

This is a narration (rivayat) of Al-Alusi and Fakhr al-Din al-Razi on the authority of Ja’far al-Sadiq. This is not a verse of anything.

Now, as an expression of the beginningless (azali) law of rights, the following is reported in Kutub al-Sittah.

The hodja is reciting the original text of the following hadith in Arabic.

“Time roams about in its form on the day Almighty Allah created the heavens and the earth,” said our Prophet.

Meaning, he said that if the justice of Islam is implemented well, the world will be renewed to its state in the moment it was created, and he said there will be peace on earth, and humanity will find peace. It is only that divine justice and social justice should be implemented.

If the inheritors are two girls, then two thirds are given to them. Only Ibn Abbas said half should be given. If there is a single male child, the father and mother get one sixth and the rest belongs to the boy, but this is when he is the only child. If there are two or more than two girls, then the girls take all of it. It is said they take two thirds, and the remaining one third belongs to father and mother. If there is only a single female child, she will take half, and one third is given to father and mother, and the remaining one third belongs to the father.

Now, what is fundamental is that there are three parts and one third belongs to the mother and the father, and the girl takes the half of the two thirds, and the remaining one third belongs to the father again.

There are the العصبة – aswabah who take the remaining share, and the father is amongst the aswabah. If there are no children among the inheritors, one third of it belongs to the mother and the rest belongs to the father, and if the father is alone, then he will take all of it. He will take everything including the remaining share because he is alone.

See, two shares of one sixth is equal to one share of one third. These are in the following order: at first there is the debt, and after that comes the will, and after the will comes inheritance distribution.

Almighty Allah, by His knowledge and wisdom decided and made this an obligation. That said, your inadequate minds cannot encompass this.

If you try to encompass Allah’s knowledge (ilm) by your intellect (aql) then you cannot fully comprehend it, but try to understand Al-Quran Al-Karim well, you’ll still not be able to fully comprehend all hidden causes (hikmat) of it, but believe that it is filled to brim with wisdom (hikmat), and believe not Allah will not do wrong.

It is said that you should not say, “if only had this happened,” rather submit it to Allah’s knowledge (ilm). Now, you may think in your mind that if this or that had been different, and wonder about other possibilities but in those cases you should never be mistaken! Rather submit it to the knowledge (ilm) of Allah because Allah knows best all the hidden causes (hikmat) behind it. Won’t Allah know of His creature? Then again, won’t the creator, the master of justice know? Won’t the All-Knowing Being know? Won’t Allah, the Omnipotent know? Surely, Allah knows everything, and what do we need to do? We need to know our inability, and believe in Allah, and submit ourselves to Allah.

 

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Al-Quran Al-Kareem – Tafsir (Exegesis) Lesson 121

 

On the 13^th – 23^rd verses of Surah Ali Imran [3].

 

The hodja is reciting the 13^th and 14^th verses of Surah Al-Nisa [4].

“Sadaqa Allah al-‚Azem (Allah Almighty has spoken the truth).”

I seek shelter in Allah from the rejected Satan. In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

Dearest and most venerable friends!

Our lecture on the life-giving Al-Quran Al-Karim that gives life to all souls and all hearts, which is the source of the endless bliss that Almighty Allah brought forth continues.

We’ll first read the verses of the Quran and give you their core meanings and then we’ll move on and present you certain discovery notes, or rather exegetical notes and certain information, and this way we’ll continue our lecture.

Nurture your heart and soul well with Al-Quran Al-Karim. See, if your heart and soul continue to feast in this garden where the sacred contents of the Quran, which is in the verses of the Quran, which is actually heaven on earth, then it will always find life. This way your heart and soul will prepare for immortality, and this is a blessing of Allah.

See, all these provisions (hukm), have been placed by Allah, and these are the lines drawn by Allah. Al-Quran Al-Karim and Islam are the laws and provisions (hukm) of Allah. Bear this in mind, these are the lines drawn by Allah.

Don’t you ever step outside of the line drawn by Allah Ta’ala. Stay within the boundaries of Islam, and do not get out.

“These are the limits of Allah, and whoever obeys Allah and the Messenger, Allah will admit him to Gardens with rivers flowing underneath them, and they will abide therein forever. And this is the great success.”

See, Al-Quran Al-Karim mentions the great success here in the 13^th verse.

“And this is the great success,” says the Quran.

See, it is Al-Quran Al-Karim and Islam what prepares you for this great salvation so that you may earn this life of endless bliss.

That is why we say prepare for this great salvation, because no one can save you, nor save us, the only saviour is iman (faith), Islam, Al-Quran Al-Karim, Allah and the Messenger. With that said, the mujtahids and ālims (Islamic scholars) who know Islam well are the pioneers or means of this work.

“And whoever disobeys Allah and the Messenger, and transgresses the limits set by Allah – Allah will place him into Fire wherein they shall abide forever. And for him there is a humiliating punishment.”

See, there is reward for obedience and punishment for disobedience. Al-Quran Al-Karim explains both what gives life and what makes life an eternal misery.

There is no life against the will of Allah. You have to find another god in order to say you won’t listen to the laws of Allah and still find life, but there is no other god.

 

Time Stamp: 4:54

 

That said, Al-Quran Al-Karim, shining from the heart of our beloved Prophet to the whole universe says the following while manifesting these truths one by one.

Astaizu billah:

The hodja is reciting the 15^th verse of Surah Al-Nisa [4].

Call four witnesses from among you for those of your women who commit zinā. If they testify then confine them in their houses until death comes to them or Allah makes a way for them.”

This was the punishment for zinā in these first days of Islam, but new provisions (hukm) were placed by other verses later, and a part of these were abrogated.

Furthermore, Almighty Rabb (Lord) says:

The hodja is reciting the 16^th, 17^th, and 18^th verses of Surah Al-Nisa [4].

In the 17^th verse Almighty Rabb commands: “The repentance which Allah said it will be accepted is for those who commit sin out of ignorance and repent right after. Allah accepts their repentances. Allah is Al-Alīm, Al-Hakīm (All-Knowing, All-Wise).”

“Otherwise, the repentances of those who commit sins and say, “I repent now,” when death approaches them are not accepted. The repentances of those who die as disbelievers (kāfir) are not accepted either. We have prepared for them a painful punishment (in the afterlife).”

“We have prepared,” said Allah.

Now, we need to pay utmost attention to this! The repentance here is that which is committed in ignorance. And the moment you realize what you did was a sin, and the moment you learn it was a sin, you need to repent immediately and renounce it. Yet some people do not repent knowingly, and they insist on sinning; theirs is not repentance, rather it is deliberate rebellion against Allah.

The hodja is reciting the 19^th verse of Surah Al-Nisa [4].

“O, you who believe! It is not lawful for you that you inherit the women by force. It is also not lawful for you to constraint them so that you may take a part of the dower (mahr) you have given them. Except that they commit a clear immorality. And live with them in kindness. But if you dislike them, then perhaps even though you dislike something and Allah has placed abundant good in it.

 

Time Stamp: 10:26

 

The hodja is reciting the 20^th verse of Surah al-Nisa [4].

“If you desire to take a wife in place of another, then even if you have given the first one a quintal of mahr, do not take anything away from her. Would you take it back by slandering her and committing a manifest wrong?”

Does this ever fit with Islam at all? Does this ever fit with humanity at all?

The hodja is reciting the 21^st verse of Surah al-Nisa [4].

“And how could you take what you have given back after having enjoyed each other intimately, and she took from you a firm commitment?”

Upon marriage men give mahr to women, and if the marriage has been consummated, and they have become man and wife, then it does not matter how much mahr he had given to her, it belongs to that woman, and the man cannot ever take it back.

The hodja is reciting the 22^nd verse of Surah al-Nisa [4].

“Except what has passed before in jahiliyyah,” the situation before Islam is referred here. “Do not marry women who your fathers married. Indeed, it was an immorality, and hateful, and it was an evil tradition.”

The hodja is reciting the 23^rd verse of Surah al-Nisa [4].

“Marrying the following is forbidden to you: Your mothers, and your daughters, and your sisters, and your father’s sisters, and your mother’s sisters, daughters of your brothers and sisters, and your milk-mothers, and your milk-sisters, and the mothers of your wives, and your step-daughters under your care who are born of your women with whom you have had intercourse, but if you have not had intercourse with their mothers, there is no sin on you to marry them.

However, if you had intercourse with their mothers, you cannot ever marry your step-daughters. That said, he who marries a girl cannot marry her mother, and he who marries a woman cannot marry her daughter.

“And wives of your (own) sons, those who are from your loins,” meaning you cannot marry your daughters-in-law.

Also, it is haram to marry two sisters simultaneously.

 

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“However, what has passed in the jahiliyyah period has passed. Indeed, Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most-Merciful.”

The religion (din) of Islam has abolished the ignorance period before it which was called jahiliyyah. That said, the previous sins of those who became Muslims were forgiven.

As long as they observed the commands of Islam after they have become Muslims, and they do not commit any sin that they have committed back then, and endeavour to be good Muslims.

Now, let us convey certain exegetical notes regarding these verses of the Quran. Allah Ta’ala (c.c.) who is the Most Exalted wants us to live in the world by Allah’s own laws and rules. See, the name of these laws and rules if Islam. These sacred laws are the sharia (law) of Islam. That said, the real Law-Maker is only Allah Ta’ala (c.c.). The laws of others only bind themselves, but the laws of Allah bind the believers, and they also balance the accounts of the disbelievers, and manifests justice.

Allah is the absolute ruler, the master of the kingdom (mulk), and Allah’s laws are in effect. This is the case in the world, in the grave, and in the afterlife. See, Almighty Allah is the absolute and sole ruler without beginning or an end. Allah is the sole omnipotent ruler. Nobody but Allah is a ruler.

Mankind was created as successors on earth to implement the commands of Allah, to implement the most sacred laws, all this in Allah’s service. Islam is to accept the sovereignty of Allah, otherwise if you go ahead and spend your wealth foolishly, be cruel to people and deal people unfairly, do not accept the sacred laws, and see your own impositions as “law”; then you will answer Allah for these. Whoever obeys the false gods and tyrants and serves them will answer Allah.

Now, let us contemplate on these verses of the Quran. In these verses, in the verses on inheritance, which are the previous verses, and these verses too; there are verses for siblings from the same mother. There are also verses for siblings who have the same father and mother, and the distribution of the inheritance is present.

In the jahiliyyah period people would inherit the women of those who died, they would either take her for themselves or sell her. In other words, women were accepted as meta before Islam. They would also prevent them from getting married, they would not allow her to marry. See, they were not treating women like people, they were seeing women like a different creature.

This is one of the narrations that came from Ibn Abbas.

In the 12^th verse the world “kalāla” was mentioned. The heirship of siblings who do have no parents or children is called kalāla. The siblings who are kalāla take one sixth if they are one boy and one girl. We see here that the boy and the girls get equal share, and the boy does not get twice, meaning the girl and the boy get the same share.

The ulama also said kalāla means siblings who have the same mother, so the matter of kalāla is disputed. There is a dispute among the sahabah (companions) in this matter.

 

Time Stamp: 20:00

 

For example, Abu Bakr (r.a.) said kalāla refers to those other than mother, father, and children. Meaning he said kalāla is the inheritor other than the mother, father, and the children. This is the most well-established opinion, and this has been preferred as the most distinguished view. As for Umar (r.a.) he said, kalāla refers to those other than the children, and he added that he was feeling ashamed for he objected to Abu Bakr.

It’s also reported that he said it refers to those other than the father and the children, and we can clearly see that this kalāla matter is in dispute, but the judgement should be passed based on the canon.

The inheritance verses have abrogated wasiyat (will). There was wasiyat (will) before the revelation of the inheritance verses, and that is why the inheritance verses have abrogated the validity of wasiyat (will).

“There is no wasiyat (will) for any heir.”

Do you see? There is no wasiyat (will) for any heir. As for those who are not heirs, there is no more than one third. There is no wasiyat (will) for the heirs, and for those who are not heirs, there is no more wasiyat (will) than one third. These narrations are present in Kutub al-Sittah, and foremost Bukhari al-Shareef.

“One third is also a lot, but it is better for you to leave your heirs as rich heirs rather than poor heirs.” The afore hadith is narrated in Sahih-i Muslim, Bukhari al-Shareef, and the other Kutub al-Sittah.

“It is best two choose one of the two, and implement it for both.”. This has been said about choosing between two matters, meaning if two matters are at hand, you should choose the better option.

Then again, it is said that the repentance of those who grow too weak to commit sins is not accepted. See, we need to repent and ask for forgiveness at all times. We need to repent and ask for forgiveness and not go back to committing sins, rather we need to be sincerely regretful. That said, the necessary amends should be made for each sin. Think of a man who became too weak to commit sin, whether it is because of old age, or it is because of sickness, for some reason he cannot commit any sins now, and it is said that the repentances of such people are not accepted. The one who said it is Muhammad Sayyid Qutb.

But if you ask me, everyone should endeavour to repent and ask for forgiveness in a truly sincere manner, with nasuh tawbah (sincere repentance).

Fahisha is the name used for extreme indecency and zinā.

It is said that a woman’s outburst against her husband, giving rise to disturbance, is a manifest fuhsh (indecent). This is a narration from Ibn Abbas. Meaning, giving rise to disturbance is such a bad act that it is considered fuhsh (indecent). The women who outburst against their husbands were mentioned in the narration.

That said, whoever commits a fuhsiya (immoral) such as adultery (zinā), whether it may be a woman or a man, this is an extremely immoral act and is called fuhsiya, and fahisha (indecency) is one of these immoral acts.

In another occurrence, Umar (r.a.) had suggested 12 oka for mahr. Then, a woman had read the 20^th verse to Umar, and Umar said she was right, and he was wrong.

 

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Now, the woman recited the 20^th verse which is about the matter of mahr. Now, good women should be appreciated and bad women should not be treated in a cruel and arbitrary manner, rather justice should be implemented. There is no cruelty or arbitrary conduct in Islam. That is why you cannot say you can do anything to a bad person because they are bad. You cannot be unjust or cruel towards them just because. You can only do what divine justice says.

Now, one day Umar (r.a.) had expressed his opinion on mahr, and suggested twelve oka as mahr. Then a woman came forth, and recited the 20^th verse to Umar. See, this is how a real woman should be, she was a woman who knew the Quran. So, when she recited the 20^th verse to Umar, he did not object to her, and said she was right and he was wrong.

Actually, what Umar said is right, however what that woman said was also right. So, in what context are they right? See, there may be people who give a quintal of mahr who can afford it. In this context the woman was right as the verse suggested. As for what Umar said, not all people have such wealth, and Umar had suggested 12 oka for those who cannot afford such amounts. Yet there may be people who cannot even afford 12 oka. How is a man who can’t afford such an amount get hold of that much mahr? So, it means that the religion (din) of Islam commands everyone in accordance with their ability.

This was what Umar had said, but he appreciated what that woman said. This is due to his grandeur. See, grand people accept the truth no matter from whom they hear it. As for criticism, grand people appreciate it if someone criticizes them. The grand people do not want people to praise themselves, rather they enjoy criticism, and they love righteous and true criticism.

Now, let us talk about what is haram in regards to married women. For example, a woman who has been married cannot be married to someone else. She must divorce her husband first, because a married woman can neither marry someone else, nor can she allow anyone to trample her husband’s honour.

It is just that there are different laws and rules regarding slave girls, prisoners of war, and war environment. There are different provisions (hukm) that are to be implemented in those cases, they are different.

In terms of reason (aql), caution, strength, prophethood, leadership, and guardianship, and jihād (struggle), men are given more power by Janâb-i Haqq. Almighty Allah has given more power to men, and made them guardians. This is why the physical and spiritual structure of men and their power is not equal to that of women. This is said by Abus Suud, who was a great Islamic scholar (alim). He is a grand Ottoman Islamic scholar (alim).

“Trade based on mutual consent is legitimate,” Ibn-i Kathīr.

 

 

Now, if you marry a woman, then her daughter is forbidden for you and vice versa. This was mentioned in the 23^rd verse. Let us clarify this with an example, the following is an answer given to a question about this: For example, let’s say you married a woman, from then on you cannot marry her mother anymore, but if you have married the mother in the first place, then you cannot marry her daughter anymore. However, this is if the marriage has been consummated in the complete sense. Only then this provision (hukm) is valid, otherwise fake marriages or the ones that are made only on paper are not counted.

 

Time Stamp: 30:10

 

These rules apply after people consummate the marriage, and become real husband and wife. That said, Ibn-i Abbas said: “If the verse contains, fire, wrath, punishment, or curse.”

They have asked him, “What are the major sins?” Ibn Abbas said the following. Radeyallahu anhum wa ardahum ajmain. “If the verse contains fire, if it contains wrath, if it contains punishment, and if it contains curse, then major sins are mentioned in them.” He also said the number of major sins is not seven, but it is close to seven hundred. In other words, he said that there are almost seven hundred major sins.

Some say it is seven, and others say it is seventeen, there are some sources that suggest these numbers, but Ibn Abbas said there are almost seven hundred major sins. Some say it is seven, and some say it is seventeen, there are certain sources that say this but these are the uppermost major sins, otherwise minor or major they are all sins.

“Minor sins grow through persistence.”

For example, let’s say a person does not mind the sin because it is a minor one, but insists on committing minor sins. He says that the minor sins grow as long as they continue to commit them.

“Major sins can be erased through repentance.”

Please pay attention now, this is among the reports that are among the records of Al-Qurtubi.

That said, in a narration under record in the sources of Wahidi and Mujahid: Our mother Umm Salama (r.a.) had asked about women’s status in matters like war and inheritance, and then the 32^nd verse was revealed.

Janâb-i Haqq had set forth the provision regarding women. This way Janâb-i haqq had abrogated the 33^rd verse, inheritance by agreement and inheritance of muhajireen to the ansar.  So, which verse abrogated it? See, it was the 75^th verse of Surah al-Anfal. Once the verses of inheritance came, the provisions of the other verses were removed. They were abrogated. Now, in the source of this news there is ulama such as Hasan al-Basri and Ibn Kathīr.

So, let us talk about time limit or rather timeout. For example, the time limit regarding zinā. The time limit regarding zinā is one month in major cities, and it is four months in remote villages, and it is 6 months at most. The witnesses must show up and testify within that period of time. So, if someone is being judged for zinā in court, then the witnesses must come and testify between one month and six months. This is for the manifestation of divine justice.

See, the punishment for zinā was house confinement until death or until divine decree came. Then, Allah sent down the 2^nd verse of Surah al-Nūr, and this way the other verses were abrogated. Meaning, the religion (din) of Islam has renewed everything in itself. The religion (din) of Islam, and the sharia (law) of Islam as a whole is brand-new, and until Qiyamah, it will always be ahead of all times, for it has always brought brand-new provisions.

Nobody can make this renewal. Allah Ta’ala made this renewal personally, because the decrees (hukm) belong to Allah, and it is Allah who abrogates the previous decree (hukm) via the next decree (hukm).

 

Time Stamp: 35:05

 

In a report that comes from al-Mujahid, it is said that the verse is about sadomy between males. This is the 16^th verse of Surah al-Nisa [4]. It is said that this verse is for sadomy between men. Then again, Isfahani Ebu Muslim has preferred this view.

It is also said that the 15^th verse is about adultery, and the 16^th verse is about fornication, and it is said in hadith-i sharifs that these were abrogated with the 2^nd verse of Surah al-Nūr. From then on, the punishment for adultery and the punishment for fornication was determined in the later verses.

It is said that the repentance of those who commit sins and insist on it, is not accepted from him. Think of a man who knowingly committed sin, and then Azrail came and asked him for his life, and death approached him. May Allah protect us. It is said that neither his repentance nor his faith (iman) is accepted when death approaches. The damage is done, he should have repented and adopted faith (iman) before. The repentance and faith (iman) before death approaches are valid. Meaning, it is said that if he could repent before death approached him, and he could adopt faith (iman), then these are valid. It is also said that there should be a time to do a good deed after he believes. If anything, enough time to do a good deed should pass after one has believed and repented. So, if enough time to do a good deed has passed after he believed, and then Azrail came and took his life, then his repentance is valid, and his faith (iman) is valid.

On the other hand, those who postpone repentance until such a late time are in a complete danger. One should not fall into that situation at all. That said, no one should forget the following. In the 53rd verse of Surah az-Zumar our Rabb says, “Do not despair of the mercy (rahmat) of Allah.” So, do not ever abandon hope from Allah’s rahmat (mercy). Do not ever give up hope, for Almighty Allah is not a Being from whom you can give up your hope. That said, Allah is not a Being from whose punishment you can be sure of. Do not be sure regarding the punishment either, for the punishment is too severe, and Allah’s justice is perfect, and Allah’s rahmat (mercy) has encompassed everything.

You should be in the middle way amid the two. See: Bayna’l Khawf Ve’r Raja – Between Hope and Fear. It is an obligation of the believer to live between hope and fear.

They used to withhold women by force, they would neither marry them nor let them marry someone else. Pay attention now, the Quran addresses them.

Those people confine women forcibly, and neither they marry them, nor let someone else marry them. They would prevent women from getting married. See, this is such a constraint in many families, there are also wrong customs and traditions left from the jahiliyyah period, and they have no correlation whatsoever with Islam.

Mister! Marry her like a man or do not prevent the woman whom you divorced from marrying someone else. No one should prevent marriage. Neither her parents, nor the husband’s family, nor their children, no one! Those who want to marry should be able to get married.

 

Time Stamp: 39:55

 

He says, be kind and conscientious in bed, spending, words, and conversation. Our beloved Prophet and the religion of Islam says: “Be kind in every matter. Behave like a Muslim, be serious and intimate, and be affectionate but most importantly behave in a moderate manner. “Be kind to your woman and conscientious in bed, in spending and expenses, and in conversation.”

Abide by the marriage contract (nikah), and the provisions (hukm) of the Book and the Sunnah. Now, don’t forget that you have given a promise with the marriage contract (nikah). You said, “I am taking this woman to my safekeeping according to Islamic rules,” and your wife said yes to you in accord with the Islamic rules. This kind of a contract was made in the marriage ceremony (nikah).

He says, “marriage contract (nikah)”, pay attention now! Abide by the provisions (hukm)
of the Book and the Sunnah. If you do, then you’ll have a happy family through a happy marriage (nikah), and this way you will have established a blissful home.

On the other hand, if one of them does not abide by the provisions (hukm) of the Book and the Sunnah, then he or she has endangered his/her marriage (nikah) and his/her iman (belief). If one of them acts in a way that will destroy the marriage contract (nikah) and the iman (belief), then the marriage contract (nikah) and the marriage becomes invalid.

That is why we say there cannot be a marriage without iman (belief). There should be iman (belief) and Islam, and both should be Muslims so that a real nikah (marriage contract) and a real marriage may occur. Their home will be a blissful home. This way, a blissful home will be established.

The following hadith is in Bukhari al-Shareef and Kutub al-Sittah.

The hodja is reciting the original text of the hadith in Arabic.

“Whoever abandons my sunnah is not of my ummah.”

“You have taken them by the entrustment of Allah. You are made lawful (halal) for each other by Allah’s word.”

Now, what does this mean? Let us understand this correctly.

“You have taken them by the entrustment of Allah. You are made halal by Allah’s word.”

See, every command of Janâb-i Haqq and Islam have been offered to us as an entrustment. Allah told us to preserve every command of Islam, and marriage contract (nikah) is one of them, and being mindful of the marriage contract (nikah) means preserving the entrustment that Allah Ta’ala offered you.

In the marriage contract (nikah) the woman is entrusted with the man. So, you have to protect this entrustment, and observe the rights and remedies of the woman. When you wish her to worship Allah, you must worship Allah yourself and give her a good example.

“You are made halal by Allah’s word,” what is that word of Allah?

That is to say “lā ʾilāha ʾillallāh Muhammad rasūlu llāh.” “By the command of Allah, and the word of the Prophet; promising to obey all the commands and rules of Islam, I take you as my wife.” And she will say, “I take you as my husband.” See, this way a covenant has been made in the matrimony (nikah), a contract has been made.

“You are made halal by Allah’s word,” so what happened? The husband and wife became halal for each other. That happened by Allah’s word, and this word of Allah is the kalima tawhid (word of unity) that contains Islam in itself.

“lā ʾilāha ʾillallāh Muhammad rasūlu llāh,” – “There is no deity but Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.”

The entire religion (din) of Islam is in this word as a summary.

See, when you recite this, you will have recited the kalima tawhid (word of unity), and kalima shahada (testimony of faith).

Your heart confirms all essentials of the fundamentals (amantu) and your tongue recites it, and by these kalimas (words) you have taken that woman as your halal, and she said yes, and a mutual acceptance and compliance occurred.

See, both parties have accepted and complied, this is the essential provision (hukm) of matrimony (nikah).

 

Time Stamp: 45:26

 

You have been made halal for each other by Allah’s word, and you believed in the whole of Islam, and in accordance with the Islamic rules, the wife must observe her husband’s rights, and vice versa. It is said that you have been made halal for each other. So, from then on you are halal for each other.

Did they complete the matrimony? If they did, then the man and the wife are halal for each other. Bear these in mind! Otherwise, you can simply perform a civil marriage, but if there is no iman (belief) and Islam in the contents of that civil marriage, and if your heart did not observe this side of the matrimony; and if you only considered this as a formality, and only perceived the physical and literal aspect of matrimony, then it is not an Islamic matrimony (nikah).

The essentials of an Islamic matrimony (nikah) are mutual agreement and acceptance, but there should be iman (belief) and Islam in your soul. You need to have believed in Islam as a whole, your heart needs to confirm, and your tongue needs to recite, and through these sacred word (i.e., kalima tawhid) you’ll take that woman as wife, and that woman will take you as husband.

This is how the acceptance should happen, and the things besides this are formalities. Islam is not a formality and families sure don’t continue with formalities, and if you think you’ll be happy just because you put your trust in civil marriage, then civil marriage may only slightly benefit you in the matters of legacy. See, if both sides do not obey the laws and rules of Allah Ta’ala, then they will not be happy with each other even if you perform one hundred civil marriages. With that said, if there is enough iman (belief) and Islam inside and outside, then you can go ahead and perform your civil marriage. In that case it will be an apparent measure, it will do you no harm. However, pay close attention to the essentials. What is essential is that iman (belief), Islam, and morals should be complete in both the woman and the man who are to be married.

Let’s say you married someone who doesn’t obey the divine rules, who doesn’t fear Allah, who doesn’t love Allah with every fibre of their being. What can a civil marriage do? How will it save you? The man may resort to numerous cheats and tricks and still do what he wants to do.

On the other hand, a faithful person cannot be unfair to you in the slightest. Why? Because Allah will bring him/her to the account. A faithful person will consider this, besides a faithful person is already a sea of love, and he/she will love you and respect you. See, if the husband-and-wife love and respect each other by observing the divine principles and divine measures, then there will be nothing but bliss with them. They will not cheat you off your rights even if you told them, for they can’t.

See, if you snatch away the religion, iman (belief), and akhlaq (morality) from humanity, and leave them to rot, and try to build something solid in their place – then you will have built a building on a ticking bomb. That building, or rather that marriage will explode. See, a home built on a ticking bomb will surely explode, and that home will come down. The same way, if your mate has no morality, religion, iman (belief), fear of Allah, love of Allah; and if they don’t listen to the divine laws, then will you place police to stand over him/her.

 

Time Stamp: 50:00

 

Let’s say you did; will you place another officer to stand over the first one? Will you go to court every single day in pursuit of justice? This is no way to establish a blissful home. Bear this in mind! The judge of a religious and devout person must be in his heart, the prosecutor must be in his heart, and the law-enforcements must be in his heart. See, these are all fear of Allah, and justice of Allah.

See, a man or woman who believes in the laws and rules of Allah with a heart and a soul that has love of Allah, fear of Allah, neither needs a prosecutor nor a judge, nor police, nor someone else. This is because it is Allah who controls that person, and he/she will know this and believe this.

They will know that they are in the presence of Allah, for it is Allah who created us and Allah is closer to us than ourselves. So, women should marry men who have this iman (belief), and men should marry women who have this iman (belief), because if you do then your matrimony becomes a right and real nikah.

See the marriages in the jahiliyyah period which was before Islam, and the non-Islamic marriages that neglect Islam today. Back in the jahiliyyah period women were considered an inheritance, they would consider women as something inherited. In other words, they would view women as an object. See, before Islam they were not considering women as human beings. Then, Islam gave women so much value to women. In Islam men and women constitute a single body, and both are invaluable, they are both precious.

That said, before Islam they were doing such abominable things, and today’s abominable actions have surpassed that of the jahiliyyah period. See, they were marrying their fathers’ wives. These are strictly forbidden in the religion (din) of Islam.

Now, let us see an ultimatum given by Janâb-I Haqq to all disbelievers who do not accept Islam and the Islamic rules:

The hodja is reciting an excerpt of the 40^th verse of Surah al-A’raf.

See the 40^th verse of Surah al-A’raf. Now, what does Janâb-i Haqq say? The gates of the Janna (Paradise) will not be opened for them, until the camel passes through the needle’s eye.” They will not be able to get out of Jahannam (Hell).

Can a camel pass through the needle’s eye? It cannot, meaning it is impossible for them to enter Janna (Paradise). Be mindful of the status of those who deny Allah, and the Islamic laws and rules that Allah set forth, and the Islamic sharia (law), and the order of Allah. Be mindful of the status of the mindset of those who directly deny Allah Ta’ala, and the principles of Allah. Neither their matrimonies (nikahs) are real, nor their lives are real.

It is not possible for a Muslim to be happy with a non-Muslim, and their matrimony (nikah) is not real. A believer should marry a believer. Teach this to your daughters and your sons.

Now, there are also non-Islamic and non-sharia states founded in the world, and what should you do if you are living in one of these states? You have to live all the rules of your own religion while living under their rule, and under their sovereignty.

See, you have to live by all rules of your religion, and their constitutions have articles on freedom of religion and conscience, but there are some who violate the constitution and mess with the people’s right to live the way they believe. So, be a sincere Muslim, and other sincere Muslims should unite.

See, they should pursue their rights via legitimate ways, and teach their place, but how? Say, “O, that man and others who stand over the law and constitution! I have rights here, there is freedom of belief, and freedom of conscience, and freedom of worship here! I have a right to live the way I believe in these articles, and you are extorting my rights here, so give me my rights!”

You should say this to those who don’t give you your rights, but we have no word against those who do give people their rights, we’re saying these to the imposers and those who violate their own laws, and those who stand over the law and violate them.

 

Time Stamp: 55:45

 

That is why the couples who get married, or the couples who like to get married should pay utmost caution to the Islamic rules and Allah Ta’ala’s commands about the matter of matrimony (nikah). What we have been narrating to you is only a small portion of the fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence). See, we’re discovering the verses of Al-Quran Al-Karim, and we are conveying exegetical notes, and the details of these matters are in fiqh. You’ll see a huge book when you search for matrimony (nikah) in fiqh (jurisprudence). The couples who are to get married have to thoroughly know the juridical (fiqh) aspects of Islam regarding matrimony (nikah). Everybody has to know these matters, and people should marry by knowing and obeying those laws and rules. Islam is a religion of knowledge (ilm) and wisdom (irfan).

See, some people don’t know the basics (amantu), they don’t know the audhu basmala, they don’t even know the meaning of kalima shahada (testimony of faith). Yet they still get married, why? Their hearts are undeveloped, their knowledge is undeveloped, and they have not seen a single piece of knowledge, weren’t educated, but they have grown physically, and these people get married. Do you know how many problems they encounter when they get married? Just search the divorce numbers in Europe. See the number of broken homes, and also see the current status in Turkey Also, see the places where Islam is being lived. See, those who live in concert with knowledge (ilm) and wisdom (irfan) are always happy. However, there are those who live the traditional Islam, and there are so-called Muslims, there are people who only portray themselves as Muslims, and they are experiencing major difficulties.

There are also those who truly experience Islam with its aspects such as knowledge and understanding. See, can you do without the Quran, knowledge (ilm), and wisdom (irfan)? A person should at least know the catechism of his religion from a to z. He must know the pillars of the religion at first, and then he should constantly educate and develop himself.

Now, let’s talk about who we cannot marry. The 23^rd verse of Surah al-Nisa said those whom you cannot ever marry. Now, let me narrate a summary of these. With that said, the details of these are fiqh related matters. The details regarding fiqh may be told as needed, or as we enquire, or let’s say everyone should endeavour to learn them.

Now, you all know the first ones. It is haram to marry your mother, paternal grandmother, maternal grandmother, or rather grannies. A person cannot ever marry his mother, paternal grandmother, maternal grandmother, or rather grannies. That said, a person cannot ever marry his daughters, grandchildren, or grandchildren of grandchildren. A person cannot ever marry his own daughter, his own grandchild, or grandchild of a grandchild. And you cannot ever marry your sisters, whether you only share the same mother or father.

 

Time Stamp: 59:58

 

Meaning if you have a sibling with whom you have the same father, or a sibling with whom you share the same mother, they are still full siblings, and you cannot marry them. Moreover, siblings of your father or grandfather, and father’s sisters are unmarriageable. Also, mother’s siblings and grandmother’s siblings, and mother’s sisters are unmarriageable. The nieces are unmarriageable as well. All nieces are unmarriageable. Now, these are the ones whom you cannot marry because they are close relatives.

Another matter is the matter of wet nursing, which is called riḍā‘ (الرضاع). Now, you cannot marry your milk-mothers, milk-sisters, milk-aunts (paternal), milk-aunts (maternal), and milk-nieces. Meaning these are the people whom you cannot marry due to suckling.

The hodja is reciting the original text of the following hadith in Arabic.

“Those who are haram to marry because of bloodline are also haram to marry through breastfeeding.”

We see here that the same relatives that are haram due to bloodline, are also haram to marry through breastfeeding.”

“You can compare the two,” he said.

See, fourteen forbidden and unmarriageable relatives were counted here, and we count the following as well: You cannot marry your wives’ mothers, you cannot marry them ever. You cannot marry your wives’ mothers. You cannot marry your step-daughters. See, if you married their mother and the marriage has been consummated, then your step-daughters are haram for you, and you cannot take them as wives. You cannot marry your daughters-in-law. You cannot marry the wives of your grandchildren. Please, bear these in mind! Only the wives of step-sons are an exception here. They have been left out of this provision (hukm).

Then again, you cannot marry two sisters simultaneously.

“Marrying a girl and her paternal or maternal aunt simultaneously is forbidden,” this has been narrated in Bukhari Shareef and Kutub al-Sittah. So, bear this in mind! You cannot marry two sisters simultaneously, and it is forbidden to marry a girl and her paternal or maternal aunt simultaneously.

Some narrations suggest this was valid in the sharia (law) of Ya’qub (a.s.) and they say this was abrogated.

A narration from Ahmad ibn Hanbal: “They are the worst,” said our Prophet. Who is the worst? That is those who narrate and spread secret sexual lives of a husband and wife. “They are the worst creatures.” See, whoever discloses the secret sexual life between husband and wife is the worst. It does not matter who discloses, it may be the wife or the husband. Our Prophet has forbidden this, and considered those who do it evil people.

Additionally, there is the matter of islah (betterment) of women. Janâb-i Haqq has placed certain rules for women who can’t get along with their husbands, for women who are difficult to get on with, and says advise them, give that woman some advice. However, if she does not listen to the advice, or reason, then keep away from them in bed, and as the last resort turn your back.

 

Time Stamp: 1:05:00

 

A narration came from Ibn Abbas saying one should try not to divorce, and pursue a reasonable course of action in order not to break ties. There is also a verse of the Quran that says to appoint two arbitrators from each side. That said, it is also suggested by Al-Quran Al-Karim to utilize ta’dib (disciplining) without hurting or harming them. See, the Creator knows the creatures best. Allah knows how they can be disciplined (tarbiya), and knows how to deal with those who are unreceptive to tarbiya.

Now, after announcing these, let me say one should not hurry, and do not lead it to divorce. Divorce should be considered only after you have tried everything. If you’re up against the wall and there is nothing you can do, then divorce can be considered as a last resort. Otherwise, you should review the remedies in the religion of Islam. Islam says don’t attempt to divorce unless there is nothing else you can do.

Now, after suggesting this, it is also said that whether it is a short-term friendship or the longest one, you should always observe the rights between friends. See, it is said that you should respect each other’ rights and behave decently, and preserve your friendship.

Then again, don’t be like those who hide their wealth to not spend it on zakat (alms) or jihād (struggle). Don’t be like those who did not herald the coming of Prophet Muhammad, or like those who concealed the verses of Torah because „his coming“ was written in them. Bear this in mind, understand the glorious Quran and Islam well, and do not ever conceal any of the verses. He is warning us that if we do otherwise, what befell on the Jews and the Christians will befall on us.

 

Time Stamp: 1:07:46

 

–          The End        –

 

Al-Quran Al-Kareem – Tafsir (Exegesis) Lesson 122

 

I seek shelter in Allah from the rejected Satan. In the name of Allah, the most gracious, the most Merciful.

On the 24th -25^th verses of Surah al-Nisa [4].

 

The hodja is reciting the 24^th verse of Surah al-Nisa [4].

Except the slave girls you possess as bondwomen, and it has been forbidden to you to marry married women. These are the decrees (hukm) Allah made obligatory (fard) upon you. As to others than these, it has been made halal for you to seek them in marriage by desiring chastity, not committing zinā (fornication), by giving them their dowries (mahr) from your wealth. So, give them their dowries (mahr) in exchange of what you enjoy by marrying them as an obligation (fard). After you ensure the obligation by presenting the dowry (mahr), there is no sin on you in what you mutually agree. Surely, Allah is knowing of everything best, and Possessor of Decree (Hukm), and Wisdom (Hikmat).

We see here that Janâb-i Haqq set forth the commands in the matter that you cannot marry women in wedlock who have husbands, and also set forth the other commands in this verse. See, Al-Quran Al-Karim should be known well by all Muslims, and this information should be brushed up every day.

Astaizu billah: The hodja is reciting the 25^th verse of Surah al-Nisa [4].

Our Almighty Rabb (Lord) commands: “Whoever among you is not able to afford the means to marry the free chaste and believing women, then he may marry such believing slave girls whom your hands possess, with the permission of their masters. Allah knows your iman (faith) better than you. You are from one another. So, marry them with the permission of their owners and give them their dowries (mahr) according to the tradition in a fair manner, and marry the chaste ones who do not commit fornication (zinā) and those who do not take secret lovers.”

This is important! Marry those who do not commit fornication (zinā) and those who do not take secret lovers.

“Then, if they commit adultery (fuhsh) after they are married, then for them is half of the punishment that is on the free chaste women. These decrees (hukm) are for those among you who fears committing sin, and if it is better for you if you are patient. Allah is Al-Ghāfur, Ar-Rahim, Oft-Forgiving, Oft-Merciful.

 

Time Stamp: 4:58

 

–          The End        –

Al-Quran Al-Kareem – Tafsir (Exegesis) Lesson 123

 

I seek shelter in Allah from the rejected Satan. In the name of Allah, the most gracious, the most Merciful.

Now, let me make the following explanations regarding the 24th and 25th verses. It is clearly understood that marriage with twenty-one types of women has been forbidden. We need to bear this in mind, and especially the new generations need to know these well. So, teach these to your children, and your generation. There is also the status in the dar al-harb (territory of war) and captivity, and the decrees (hukm) regarding these should be known as well. The haram ones are not commands of a sultan; they are commands of Allah. Don’t forget this! The haram ones are not the commands of a sultan, nor are they from a ruler, they are not from a human. Clearly, they are solid commands of Allah. These are the commands and laws of Allah, so bear them in mind! Marriage is legitimate. It is Tahsīn Al-Nafs and reproduction. Surely, the humanity will reproduce. As for the wisdom (hikmat) behind this, it is Tahsīn Al-Nafs. What does it mean? It means to save the nafs (self) from harams, fornication (zinā), and to ensure reproduction of humanity by protecting humanity, and foremost the generation.

So, beware of this wisdom (hikmat)! Marriage is not only for lust, and the marriage made only for lust and to keep a mistress for some time is invalid. Bear this in mind! Marriage for keeping a temporary mistress is invalid, and you cannot perform a marriage (nikah) to keep a mistress for a few days, rather marriage (nikah) is made for life.

However, if an unsolicited status emerges, and leads to divorce, that is different. Otherwise, marriage (nikah) is made for life. That is why the marriages performed only for temporary lust are not considered real. So, bear this in mind! Now, what is essential in terms of nafs (self) and chastity? What is essential is to preserve it, and protect yourself from haram, and preserve your chastity. See, there are numerous halal things in the heavens and on the earth! There are incalculable amounts of halals everywhere. As for the number of harams, they are few. One should not leave all these halal ways and go to what is haram.

See, the wisdom (hikmat) behind this is that Almighty Allah loves chaste people, and wants people to obey Allah’s own laws. And this is an absolute right of Allah, for Allah is the unique ruler, and the kingdom of all the worlds belong to Allah.

See, the legitimate marriages are done for protecting the generation, and to discipline (islah) the nafs (self); these are the main elements of the spirit of a legitimate marriage. It is important to live chaste lives. Then again, there is no mubah when it comes to nafs (self) and chastity (namus). Rather, there is preserving it, and what is essential is to preserve it. Chastity (namus) is amongst the inviolable rights, and fornication (zinā) is strictly forbidden.

Now, let us talk about drahoma. In certain wrong (bātil) religions drahoma is the money given by a woman to a man in order to attract him. Now, let’s say a woman wanted to get rid of her husband, she may give back the dowry (mahr) she took from her man, or if she is wealthy enough, she may give anything to get rid of her husband. However, this is valid when there are reasons that necessitate for her to get rid of her husband.

Time Stamp: 5:03

 

Then again, in the 237^th verse of Surah al-Baqarah [2], there are certain situations where half of the dowry (mahr) is given back. For example, when a couple got married but they did not consummate the marriage. There is also a chance to donate the entire dowry (mahr). See, she may give back half of it, this is in a case where a couple got married but did not consummate the marriage, and in this case the man may donate the entire dowry (mahr).

Then again, the verse of the Quran says: “Those who are married to free believing women cannot take slave women,” bear this in mind! Let’s say you are married to a free and noble woman, and you cannot take slave women as a second wife. So, this is a decree on marriage, and the following is the opinion of Al-Imam Al-Azam: “A man who can afford marrying a free woman cannot marry a slave woman instead.” This is disliked (makruh) according to Al-Imam Al-Azam, and haram (sinful) according to Imam al-Shafi’i.

See, they had houses for fornication (zinā), and they had secret homes where people take in secret lovers, and this was in the jahiliyyah period before Islam. Islam has strictly forbidden taking secret loves, fornication (zinā), and brothels. Islam wants everyone to be chaste. So, let the single people get married, and those who can afford should help them get married.

Single people should observe a fast until such an opportunity comes, and they should never incline towards fornication (zinā). See, fear of fornication (zinā) makes marriage a necessity (wajib). It is an obligation (wajib) upon a person to marry if he has the means to fulfil the terms of marriage and he is in danger of committing fornication (zinā). Also, Umar said: “He who marries a slave girl has lost half his freedom.” This is narrated as Umar’s own saying.

“No animal would forcibly mate with its female if it’s not ready.”

Pay attention to this!

“No animal would forcibly mate with his female if she is not ready.”

There is no fornication (zinā) even in the animals, and their instincts do not allow it. Bear this in mind! It has been observed that a male camel would not mate with a female if she has been vaccinated.

We see here that not there is no fornication (zinā) even in the innate natures (fitrah) of animals. They are doing what their innate nature (fitrah) binds them, and mating occurs whenever the female is ready.

With that said, the 11st verse of Surah al-Ra’d [11] says, “Allah does not change the condition of a people unless they change themselves.” Pay attention to this! Unless a person changes his own character, and distorts his morals, and gets involved with abominable affairs, and insists on evil and bankrupts himself, Allah does not change the status of anyone, and they change their status themselves.

If the principles (usul) of the Quran or the Sunnah approves it, then the previous sharia laws become valid as well.

 

Time Stamp: 9:42

 

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Al-Quran Al-Kareem – Tafsir (Exegesis) Lesson 124

 

I seek shelter in Allah from the rejected Satan. In the name of Allah, the most gracious, the most Merciful.

So, bear these in mind! Unless Al-Quran Al-Karim and Sunna al-Shareef confirm, the previous ones are not valid.

“It is necessary to observe the outside flow of life and the wisdom (hikmat) through experience.” See, pay attention to this as well. We see here that one should look at the outside flow of life and the wisdom (hikmat) through experience, and see the outside from within, and vice versa. That is, trying to understand it through the glorious farasat (keen eye) of the glorious Quran.

The hodja is reciting an excerpt of the 2^nd verse of Surah al-Hashr [59].

“So take a lesson, O those endowed with insight!” said Allah. See, a person should be able to derive lessons through experience. One should see when he looks to the heavens and the earth, and be able to derive object lessons. See, a person should be able to derive object lessons from what he sees and hears around, in the media, and in the east and the west. However, the essential lesson should be taken from Allah, the Messenger, Al-Quran Al-Karim, and the Sunnah.

The fact that Allah is ar-Rahman (Most Gracious) comes before the cause. Pay attention now, Janâb-i Haqq is ar-Rahman (Most Gracious) without a beginning (azali). Allah was ar-Rahman (Most Gracious) back when causes did not exist. See, it is Allah who created the causes. Allah’s Law-Making comes with knowledge (ilm) and hidden causes (hikmat). See, if Allah has made a law, then there is knowledge (ilm) and wisdom (hikmat) with it, and Allah being ar-Rahman (Most Gracious) comes before the causes. You should understand these well! Allah’s Law-Making comes with knowledge (ilm) and wisdom (hikmat).

See, if Janâb-i Haqq placed a law or a rule in Islam, know that there are hidden causes (hikmat) in it. The laws of Allah brim over with hidden causes (hikmat). Your mind may or may not perceive them, but know that even if it does perceive some it may not perceive others, but Allah’s (c.c.) laws brim over with hidden causes (hikmat).

Allah’s being ar-Rahim (Most Gracious) is upon the order of the causes. This is important! All the words have been created as a manifestation of Rahmat al-Rahman (Blessing of the Most Gracious). However, Janna (Paradise) is given as a reward of iman (belief) and good deeds (amal-e-saleh), which is Rahmat al-Rahim (Blessing of the Most Merciful).

See, this explains the matter that it is upon the order of the causes. So, pay close attention here! Allah’s being ar-Rahim (Most Gracious) Is upon the order of the causes. This is not based on desire but wisdom (hikmat), this is a result of wisdom (hikmat).

If you obey and believe Allah and do good deeds, then what does Rahmat al-Rahim (Blessing of the Most Merciful) do with you? See, Janâb-i Haqq rewards you upon the order of the causes with Rahmat al-Rahim (Blessing of the Most Merciful), which is the Janna (Paradise).

Bear this in mind!

Force and oppression are not permissible (jaiz), because Islam is such a religion that people have to acknowledge it with pleasure, and they have to perform their worship on their own free will and with pleasure. See, even if you force someone to accept Islam, which is right and real, then neither his worship nor his belief will be real. That is why force and oppression are not permissible (jaiz). See, no good comes from deeds done by force and oppression, and such belief is no longer pleasurable. Besides, a person who forces and oppresses people will eventually be inflicting cruelty (zulm).

“It removes the ties that bind heavy burdens,” see, the religion of Islam has completely removed heavy burdens.

 

Time Stamp: 5:00

 

Islam has prepared life as a most blissful setting. Islam means environment of trust and happiness; and Islam is a blissful way of life. That is why there are no hardships in Islam, and those who portray Islam hard are those who don’t know Islam. We see these truths when we read the 157th verse of Surah al-A’raf [7]. Then again, Janâb-i Haqq said this in the 185th verse of Surah al-Baqarah: Allah desires ease for you, not hardship,” because the religion of Islam is the result of Almighty Allah’s will and murad (command).

See, Allah has personally chosen Islam by Allah’s own holy will, and is pleased with Islam. That is why the religion of Islam is a religion of bliss, and it is the divine command. See, understand and comprehend this murad al-ilahi (divine command) well, and live Islam.

See, Janâb-i Haqq said in the 78th verse of Surah al-Hajj [22], “Allah not placed for you any obstacle in the religion.”

Also, “Allah does not task any soul beyond its capacity, and won’t.” This passage is present in the 286th verse of Surah al-Baqarah, and it is also mentioned in other verses.

Now, in Kashf-ul-Hafā, narrated on the authority of Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Prophet Muhammad (asw) says: “I have brought you the easy and tolerant hanīf religion.” See, this is a saying of our Prophet, he said that he has brought them the hanīf religion that is easy and tolerant. So, what does hanīf mean? It refers to the religion of monotheism (tawhid) that denies polytheism. It refers to Allah’s oneness, and Allah’s greatness and sublimity and that Allah is attributed with perfect attributes (sifāt) and that Allah is free from imperfect attributes (sifāt). He said that he has brough them the religion of bliss that Allah [who is One] has send forth, and added that there is all kinds of ease and tolerance in Islam.

On one side there are virtuous acts that are called fazilat, and on the other side there are permits that are called ruhsat.

Now, Ibn Abbas (r.a.) said the following about the 8 verses of Surah al-Nisa [49]: “They are better for this ummah than everything over which the sun rises and sets.” See, the Quran is beneficial entirely, and there are secret glad tidings and treasures hidden in these 8 verses. This is a narration from Al-Alusi and Al-Suyuti.

These 8 verses of Surah al-Nisa [4] are the following: 26^th, 27^th, 28^th, 31^st, 40^th, 48^th, 110^th, 116^th, and 117^th verses. So, study the contents of these verses for there are many treasures and glad tidings for you in them. May Janâb-i Haqq make us attain all those glad tidings.

 

Time Stamp: 8:57

 

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