Al-Quran Al-Kareem – Tafsir (Exegesis) Lesson 202

 

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

Dearest friends! Our discovery notes continue. It is Almighty Allah (c.c.) who gives life to all people, all creatures, and the heavens. You see, this prescription of life that we present you is completely divine. Our lectures continue with the glorious Quran, the Holy Book of Almighty Allah, and its main (asl) meaning, and its life-giving discovery notes. Finding life is a prerequisite of happiness. These are life lessons, and talks of that which incorporates all kinds of happiness, and what makes people happy. See the 107^th verse of Surah al-Baqarah [2]. Also, see the 207^th verse and the 112^th verse. Just like it is pointed out in these verses, there are people who want to earn the pleasure (riza) that they are friends of Allah, they are such believers, such mujahids, and such heroes that they would give their lives with pleasure only to earn the pleasure (riza) of Allah.

Why would a person give his life in the way of Almighty Allah, for Allah, and for the pleasure (riza) of Allah? It is pretty clear. You give one life, and receive immortal lives. This is because it is Allah who will give you immortal life with happiness, and because you will receive health and bliss, remedy, nourishment, cure, and whatever is needed for eternity. That is, on the condition that you obey Allah, be in the way of Allah, be straight-up in the direction of the commands of Allah without making something wrong, without getting the message from the wrong places, rather getting the message directly from your Rabb, meaning Al-Quran Al-Karim, Prophet Muhammad, sunnah (customs), ijma (consensus), these original (asl) sources, and analogical reasoning of the jurists (qiyās-i fuqahā), these true sources that are fountains of light. See, people devote themselves to the way of their Rabb with pleasure, and they object to superstition and falsehoods. Because the origin of love is Allah. Origin of happiness is Allah. Origin of life is Allah. You give one life but Allah will give you everlasting and immortal lives. So, be acquainted with your Rabb, your creator. Only then will you have understood these truths rather easily. It is said that if a person submits to Allah by only doing good deeds, then he is a muhsin (benevolent). Now, the only work of a Muslim is goodness, to compete in good deeds, and to compete in benevolence. It is said that this type of people are muhsin (benevolent). As you know, a muhsin who always does good knows that Allah sees him, and he is always respectful towards Allah in the presence of Allah. He is also respectful to the servants (qul). He brings no harm to any creatures, rather he always works for the better good of all creatures, foremost humanity. So, that is being a muhsin (benevolent) person.

 

Time Stamp: 5:10

 

He knows that Allah Ta’ala sees, and never forgets. Says, “My Rabb is overseeing me, and checking me.” Allah is closer to me than myself. Allah created me. Allah is the Life-Giver. Allah takes life, and resurrects. Allah gives the immortal life, and bestows Janna (Paradise) with graces (lutf). “My Rabb has been overseeing me,” he says, and it is as though he sees Allah, for Allah sees him. The name for worshipping Allah as though you see Allah is ihsan (sincerity). That said, the venerable figures who live this degree of ihsan (sincerity) are called muhsin (benevolent). But of course, tawhid (monotheism) lies in the essence of these matters. Tawhid (monotheism) is the Unity of Allah, who is the sole and absolute ruler of all the worlds. See, it is wahdaniyat (unity). Allah is One. The quality/sifat of wahdaniyat (unity) means peerless, does not have comparables, equals, overseers or partners. Never had, and never will. Allah (c.c.) is the only truly and absolutely All-Powerful Being, who is wajib al-wūjūd (necessary existent). That said, Allah is attributed with perfect qualities/sifat. A person will not have read the kalimat al-tawheed if he does not make tawhid iman (monotheism) and the wahdaniyat (unity) of Allah sovereign in his heart, soul, thoughts, and his entire life-style. He will not have backed kalimat al-tawheed. The contents of tawhid (monotheism) is the rulership and unity of Allah.

You shall acknowledge Allah as attributed with perfect qualities/sifat. Now, it is Allah who created the Sun, who created the smallest thing, and it is Allah who manifested to it. It is Allah who created all good health and welfare. It is Allah who created all of the causes. The first causes, the prime mover is also Allah, for Allah creates the causes. So, if the servant (qul) divinizes the cause and means, then he cannot go to Allah. For all reasons, means, and everything have been created by Allah. It is Allah who gave people their freedom and free-will, and the ability to be able to use it for good and evil. It is Allah who creates everything while people use these abilities for better or worse. Everything about the servant belongs to the Rabb, and also it is the Rabb who bestowed the possibility of utilizing will in a free manner. It is Allah who creates when the servant wants.

That is why wahdaniyat (unity) is Allah’s unity. The point of the matter is, if tawhid (monotheism) is not predominant in servant’s (qul) soul, then the servant (qul) cannot be happy. The contents of tawhid (monotheism) include sincerity (ihlas). There is an utter surrender to Allah in it. You see, sincerity (ihlas) and submission… The full spectrum of tawhid (monotheism) is in these two concepts. If a person lacks full sincerity (ihlas) in every matter, and he also lacks full submission, then there is either an infirmity in his tawhid (monotheism), or there is a danger. Complete your tawhid (monotheism), and never have faults in your sincerity (ihlas), also fully submit to Allah, fully surrender. Whether there is good or bad in the world, check yourself first. There are good things in return of every goodness, also there is a punishment as requital for every evil. There are acquirements of the heart and the soul. There are also acquirements and actions of our organs and systems.

 

Time Stamp: 10:05

 

There are things people receive as requital, in their favour or disfavour. There are sawāb (good deeds) and sins. The requital for sawāb (good deeds) is happiness, peace, and good grace, and these are rewards which are also called sawāb. They return to you as manifestation of beauty (jamal). That said, what does the requital of sins do to you? What happens to you with the manifestation of the divine justice that shall hurt you in return of your sin. Manifestations of the Almighty reflect upon the person, for Janâb-i Haqq reflects whatever the servant (qul) has earned upon him. The good deeds are reflected upon him as good things, and evil deeds are reflected as evil, for Allah created you as a free being, and unless Allah gives the requital of what you earned as it is, then you will not be free. Remember, you are in a test field. You don’t have any friends at court, but you can always advance and upgrade yourself in tawbah (repentance), istighfar (asking for forgiveness), ilm (knowledge), irfan (wisdom), fayiz (success), ilham (inspiration). You see, the gates of talaqqi (learning) are always open, it will make you advance, and has given you the chance to upgrade yourself. One should advance in goodness, and abandon all evil but also, he needs to have a complete tawhid iman (monotheism). So, what is the antonym of tawhid (monotheism)? It is polytheism (shirk). If a person is saying things like, “Allah does certain things, but I do some as well,” or “I create some things,” or if the servant (qul) says that he is doing some of the things that only Allah can do, or expects them from someone else, or accepts that someone else does what Allah does, or suggests that a servant (qul) has done certain things that servants (qul) are unable to do but only Allah can do, then his tawhid (monotheism) is under a terrible danger, or he lacks tawhid (monotheism). Let us pay attention to this! When you say Allah is One, you accept Allah’s rulership, Allah’s omnipotence (qudrah), that Allah is the creator, and that Allah is ar-Razzaq al-Alamin (The Sustainer of the Universe), and that all creation and command belongs to Allah, and that all the worlds are of Allah’s creation and they all move according to the command of Allah. We present the entirety of the prescription in Al-Quran Al-Karim that makes the souls happy in order to understand these matters well. So, let us try to thoroughly understand and comprehend the prescription. Let us read what came from our Rabb well, and listen to it well. There is a reality or haqiqa that came as right and real for eternity that came from our Rabb. There is a light (nur), and guidance (hidayat). There is also a guide and leader of this guidance (hidayat). These are Al-Quran Al-Karim, the religion of Islam, and Prophet Muhammad. We need to discover, understand, and comprehend these matters well. Also, we need to act in unison with those know these matters well.

Now, what does Janâb-i Haqq say here? Says that there is no tawhid (monotheism) unless one eludes the desires of the soul (nafs). A person attains tawhid (monotheism) and ihlas (sincerity) by eluding the desires of his soul (nafs), and submits to Allah. Your soul shall submit to Allah. The person should not try to tailor the commands of Allah to his soul (nafs), rather his soul (nafs) is obliged to be absolutely submit to Allah. All souls (nafs) should submit to Allah. Unless a person’s soul (nafs) submits to Allah, he cannot attain tawhid (monotheism), and he will not have submitted. Besides, a person who has not submitted has not been committed to the principle of Allah’s unity.

 

Time Stamp: 15:03

 

That is why the approval of the divine (riza al-ilahi) is the beginning of everything, and it has to be the beginning. That said, there should not be anything other than the approval of the divine (riza al-ilahi) even in the dreams of a Muslim. Wrong things, satanic whispers (waswas), doubts, and schemes may come to you in your dreams, but if monotheistic soul has been established in you, and if the synthesis of monotheism (tawhid) hass been fully formed in you, then these plots and doubts will be rejected, and they will go away as they came. This is just like when a strong army is faced by no matter how many evil armies, they all have to return the way they came. You see, the souls and hearts that have been equipped with true faith (iman), tawhid iman (monotheism), and sincerity (ihlas) are shielded from all types of satanic whispers (waswas) and doubt, they go back the way they came. Also, when the desires of the soul (nafs) emerge, they will see what is right and real (haqq – haqiqa) and they will submit. The soul (nafs) may revolt but sees the divine authority upon itself, and faith (iman) always recites the Quran, and tells you about the commands of the Quran. Faith (iman) takes all of its nourishment from the Quran and what is right and real (haqq and haqiqa) because faith (iman) is a substance (jawhar) that is unique. The hearts that lack faith (iman) are rusted, and other things have entered into them, which is a pity. Necessarily, whatever is in the hearts and souls other than faith (iman) should be pulled out from there, and then monotheism (tawhid), sincerity (ihlas) and submission should be placed in them. So, what happens when a person truly submits and begins his servitude to Allah with monotheism (tawhid) and sincerity (ihlas)? Well, a true sincerity (ihsan) will occur, and your soul (nafs) will be saved from polytheism (shirk). The soul (nafs) wants you to do its bidding, and it does not want you to fulfil the commands of Allah. This is generally nafs-i emmare (the self that bids you evil and enjoys it). Otherwise, if a person does not obey Allah, then he worships himself. He would not have said, lā ʾilāha ʾillallāh (There is no god but Allah), and would not have supported this statement.

That person worships himself, and does the bidding of his soul (nafs). He won’t do what Allah said. Then, if you pay attention there are two types of irreligious people; those who worship their soul (nafs) and those who worship others. Also, there are people who become servants (qul) of Allah. For one thing, everybody needs to filter themselves out, and if they knowledge is not enough to do that, then they should apply to authentic people of knowledge (ilm), and then take inspiration (ilham) from them, they should receive intact and correct lessons. They should receive the life-giving lesson. Know that you cannot benefit from those who call you to themselves, so beware of those who call people to themselves. They will corrupt things, and mix-in wrongs into the one truth. Therefore, they corrupt humanity. This is dangerous for those who don’t know. However, they cannot do anything to those who know. That is why these seeds of lies are being planted into those who don’t know, they are being produced. They don’t know about the truth of the Quran, the Sunnah, nor ijma (consensus)…

Let me tell you again, for one thing, we have to be wary of the ahlul bid’ah (evil innovators) who don’t suit the authentic sources (evidence), those who can’t come forth bearing these documents, those who don’t follow the way of Ahlus-Sunnah. For example, a person who is avoiding a haram not because Allah forbade it but because it is harmful to him. Let’s say he does not drink alcohol because of that, which is a beautiful thing because there is a Sunnah that says all intoxicating substances are haram. The 90^th verse of Surah al-Maidah in Al-Quran Al-Karim says, “إِنَّمَا الْخَمْرُ وَالْمَيْسِرُ”. Also, in our lectures we mentioned the things such as intoxicating drinks and gambling have been made haram by Janâb-i Haqq, and also in the future we will continue giving you our discovery notes.

 

Time Stamp: 20:44

 

Now, a man who does not drink alcohol not because Allah forbade it but because it is harmful for him is religious only for his soul (nafs), he is not religious for Allah. So, what would happen had he been religious? Well, he would have been a servant (qul) to Allah, and he would be saved from all types of harams and loss that comes with alcohol. That is, he does not care about the command of Allah at all. What else? He is being harmed by alcohol, that is why he does not drink it. Whereas the creator has presented a prescription of life to the created servants (qul). He should have listened to Allah at first, and implement the prescription, but he abided by his soul (nafs) and listened to it. Every believer is obliged to abide by the commands of Allah Ta’ala. Otherwise, they worship their souls (nafs), not Allah. Now, it has to be for Allah. Also, as all worship are done for Allah, you need to avoid all harams and sins only because Allah forbade them. You see, there are affairs, losses, and hidden causes (hikmat) behind harams, they are full of loss and harm. Allah has not forbidden anything beneficial to the servants (qul). However, what did Allah do to certain nations that committed crime after crime in the past? Allah forbade certain halal things to them, but why? Because they committed crime after crime, they were revolting against Allah. Allah forgives them, and they increase their crime rates, but when it comes to Muhammad’s people (ummah), as Muhammad’s people (ummah) are the last people (ummah), and as Al-Quran Al-Karim is the Last Book, and as Prophet Muhammad is the Prophet of Mercy (Rahmat) sent upon all the worlds, such a great sharia (law) of Islam have been brought forth for people until the Last Day (Qiyamah) that Allah’s mercy (rahmat) has manifested to all humanity with Islam, the Quran, and Prophet Muhammad. This is Allah’s manifestation of mercy (rahmat) upon all humanity, and an embracement with mercy, and adorning all the worlds with love… You see, Allah created humanity because Allah loves them, and then we found ourselves in this mercy (rahmat). Did we work as workers while Allah created the heavens? Did we help Allah? Who helped Allah? Did anyone help when Allah created all the creatures? Does Allah need any help? We found ourselves in this mercy (rahmat), and we were created. You see, we all found ourselves in the original capital by the mercy (rahmat) of our Rabb (Lord) who also said, “Use this bounty (nimat) for good, and I shall give you my Janna (Paradise). There is nothing but pleasure and enjoyment there. There is nothing other than beauty. There is beauty upon beauty, pleasure upon pleasure. So, this is the situation. So, let us serve our Rabb (Lord). Let us not worship our souls (nafs). Let us not make gods out of others. Let us not divinize anyone. There is no other god. There cannot be any other god besides Allah.

This goes for all worships as well. Meaning, they should be done for Allah. You see, if one does them for the requirements of the body, for example if he performs namāz as a sport, then he would not have done it if it was not like a sport. If you perform namāz as a sport for your body (nafs), or when you fast you fast because your body benefits from being hungry for some time, or if you perform jihād because of your personal gains or someone else’s gains, then none of these are considered servitude to Allah. Being a servant (qul) is doing what Allah commanded only because Allah commanded. When you do that, you will earn much more than other side-benefits of these commands. When you do that, you will be filled to brim with so many beneficial things, hidden causes (hikmat), mercy (rahmat), and advantage. However, if you don’t do that for Allah, you would not have served Allah, rather you would have worshipped someone else. We have to be wary of this.

 

Time Stamp: 25:58

 

Unless it is like that, one would have worshipped and performed prayer for his own soul (nafs). Besides, people mostly bring the desires and wishes of their own soul (nafs) to the fore. Muslims don’t bring their soul (nafs) to the fore. They don’t bring the desires of the soul (nafs) to the fore. For them, the pleasure (riza) of Allah is at the forefront, and that is the most exalted thing. Only then your soul (nafs) will achieve what it desires. Be wise, and be sensible! Your nafs, soul, body, world, grave, and mahshar (afterlife) will attain what they desire. Do things for Allah. Only for Allah! About the things you do for your own soul (nafs), one person will say something your soul (nafs) will like while another says the opposite of that. As for Allah, Allah always tells the truth. So, use your head. You cannot attain anything in contravention of Allah. You will attain everything by submitting to Allah with the grace and aid of Allah. You see, it is a primary requirement to think about the pleasure (riza) of Allah and to feel fear and love of Allah at any moment, and also to bring this forward and send back every benefit and every loss. Pay close attention to this! This is in order to remove the divinity of the soul (nafs), understand this better. Some people may not understand the word “mabud”, it means divinity. So, do not divinize your soul (nafs), and in order not to do that you need to feel love and fear of Allah at any moment, and bring it forward compared to all beneficial and harmful things, and you need to think about the consent (riza) and command of Allah, for this is a primary requirement.

See, if you are not filled to brim with love of Allah, and you have placed other types of love in Allah’s place, then you have neither achieved monotheism (tawhid), nor have you been able to submit properly. You have not loved, nor have you been loved. Get your mind together. Love Allah with every fibre of your being. The entirety of your being was created by Allah, for Allah loved you, and Allah adorned you with this mercy (rahmat). Love Allah with every fibre of your being, for your calibre is apparent, your weight is apparent. Love Allah with every fibre of your being, for you will not have thoroughly loved that Most Exalted as you should have, but when you love as best as you can, Janâb-i Haqq admits you among those who have loved. Says, “This is the extent of his ability.” However, spend all your power, and all of your existence to loving Allah, and be filled to brim with that love. Live with the sorrow, longing… Long for Allah’s jamal (beauty), miss it. Live with the passion of being in the presence of Allah, and to reach the jamal (beauty) of Allah. Live your worldly life like that. Live your grave and mahshar (great gathering) like that. Live your mahshar (great gathering) like that as well because the worldly life is reflected upon the grave. Also, the grave is reflected upon the mahshar (great gathering), but where does it reflect upon? Well, if you had true faith (iman) and good deeds (amal-e-saleh), and you had loved Allah, then it is reflected upon Janna (Paradise), and what will you do with regards to jamal-i ilahi (the beauty of the divine)? Well, you will reach that ultimate union (wuslat) by Allah’s grace (lutf). Otherwise, it will be reflected upon Jahannam (Hell), and it will be a pity. The place polytheism (shirk) will go is not Janna (Paradise). If there is someone other than Allah in a heart, then it is polytheism (shirk). Polytheism (shirk) is reflected from grave and mahshar (great gathering) directly to Jahannam (Hell), it will be reflected to Allah’s wrath and justice. That said, Allah is free and away from cruelty (zulm).

 

Time Stamp: 30:47

 

Leave the false darwīshes, rather be close with true murshids (guide, teacher) and people of knowledge (ilm). There are so many false darwīshes and Buddhists around, and Greek philosophy got mixed-in as well. Buddhism got mixed-in. Hinduism got mixed-in. So many things even including Satanism got mixed-in.

Islam is a sun. Darkness cannot approach neither Islam nor Al-Quran Al-Karim. There cannot be cruelty (zulm) where Islam is present, there cannot be wrongs. Strictly follow the way of Al-Quran Al-Karim, Sunnah, ijma (consensus), qiyas (analogy), and the way of Ahlus-Sunnah wa’l-Jama’ah of the mujtahids.

See, you cannot reach ayn-ul-yaqeen (the vision of certainty) before reaching ilm-ul-yaqeen (the knowledge of certainty), and you cannot reach haqq-ul-yaqeen (certainty gained through experience) before reaching ayn-ul-yaqeen (the vision of certainty). True knowledge (haqq ilm) is a must. The sharia (law) should be completed with regards to knowledge (ilm). The sharia (law) of Islam should be comprehended in terms of knowledge (ilm), and you need to abide by those who know, this is the minimum of it. Now, let us remember so that you may not forget! There are two kinds of religious people. If we go into specifics, there are many kinds. Those who are religious for Allah, and those who are religious for their soul (nafs). Basically, there are two kinds of them. Those who are religious for Allah believe that Allah’s command, consent (riza), rulership, and every command given by Allah along with all of the laws are most-exalted, and they implement those. They live in the rulership of Allah. They receive the command from Islam, not from their own souls (nafs), and even if they did, they refuse it. They refuse it if they receive a command from the Iblis (Satan). Iblis (Satan) always whispers satanic things (waswas), and always gives command. He hits you with a bellow, and blows satanic things (waswas) into you. So many wrong things may arise in your heart. On one hand your soul (nafs) will impose its own desires and wishes upon you. On the other hand, Iblis (Satan) says, “You can do whatever you want as long as you object to the sharia (law), and don’t listen to the commands of the sharia (law) of Islam.” You see, Iblis (Satan) attacks from one side while the soul (nafs) attacks from another. They are each other’s helper.

Get your head together! What can stand against them? Well, it is your power of faith (iman). There are scholarly (ilm-i) armies taken from the Quran. There are scholarly (ilm-i) armies in the person’s inner world. They are completely in the rulership of faith (iman). Neither the soul (nafs) can stand against it, nor the Shaitan (Satan) along with its armies. So, strengthen the state of faith (iman) in you. Establish a state in yourself, a state of faith (iman), so that it may reign. Let it be sovereign in your spiritual world and physical world. You see, this is true and haqq piety. This is the true and haqq piety under the command of Allah. These people are religious for Allah. As for those who are religious for their soul (nafs), they only want to help their soul (nafs), and do things in order to obey it. They don’t want to do things if their soul (nafs) doesn’t like it. They don’t want to do things that feel like a burden on their soul (nafs). Why? Because you cannot be a Muslim by not being under the command of Allah but by being under the command of your soul (nafs). No matter who you are, whether you are a landlord, a general, a shepherd, a patron, a worker, an employer, a rich, a poor, a competent person, an ignorant person, a universal scholar, or you may not know a single thing, we are all servants (qul) of Allah. We have to obey Allah. Those who know among us shall be beneficial to the society with true (haqq) knowledge, and those who don’t should follow the way of benefiting from those who know.

 

Time Stamp: 35:35

 

 

Enduring hunger in a mountain top and over a well-prepared dining table are different things. That is, we said there are people religious for Allah and religious for their soul (nafs), right? Now, a man on a mountain top got hungry and he is enduring it, but enduring hunger over a well-prepared dining table is something different. Now, those who are religious for Allah fulfil the rules and commands of Allah in a complete submission and worship. They follow the rules. That is, you know there is fiqh (jurisprudence), right? The things that have been offered. They act upon fiqh-i (jurisprudence) and shar-i (canonical) measures, and they also abide by the measures of the zahir-i taqwa (exoteric piety). They also abide by the measures of bâtini taqwa (esoteric piety). The religious receive the command by Allah, and do whatever they do for Allah. They avoid all evil for Allah. They only have one fear. Fear of Allah. They only have one love. Love of Allah. This love of Allah is their never-ending original capital. So, what do they do with regards to humanity? They love those who are to be loved for Allah. As for those who are to be criticized, they criticize them for Allah. Then again, the measure here has been brought forth by Allah. They receive the measure from shar-i (canonical) and legitimate measures. As for acting upon a whim, and disliking someone according to their whim, or become hostile towards someone for no reason, these are not present in the concepts of truth (haqq). These are present in wrong (batil) and measureless mentality. As for haqq mentality, it knows who should be loved and who should be criticized, it knows how to criticize. That is why, dearest friends! Some of those who succeed in the former may not succeed in the latter. For example, a man may have succeeded enduring hunger on a mountain top, but there are many who cannot endure hunger near a well-prepared dining table, they cannot succeed. If it is done for Allah then there is no difference between the one on the mountain top and near dining table, as long as it is done for Allah. However, if it is done for the soul (nafs) and religion is under the command of the soul (nafs), and the person worships his soul (nafs), then the one on the mountain top endured because there was no food. However, when they find it, they act like a wolf that eats a sheep. So, what does the one who is under command of his soul (nafs) do? He does not ask or investigate whether he owns that table, the poor owns it, or someone else owns it; or whether it is halal or haram. He does what his soul (nafs) wants.

So, what does who is religious for Allah do? He looks at that table, and does whatever Allah has said with regards to that matter. Allah says what is best. Now, some people say, “Why would I miss a well-prepared table like this one over here?” O, mister! Think well! Allah’s commands are the best. They are more beautiful than everything. Unique, and beautiful. A life-style for Allah is the best life-style. That is the real life-style. If you say, “I shall life a life,” then live the life-style that Allah has brought forth as Islam. Don’t be deceived, we are telling you. We are not among imposers. Some people impose upon others, saying, “You shall be the way I say,” and those imposers are imposing their own laws.

 

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They themselves are complete imposers. As for us, we tell you the commands of Allah. Almighty Allah placed people in a test field and did not impose upon them anything even though Allah is the possessor of absolute authority. The world is but a test field. Those who obey Allah wins, and those who don’t, well, that’s their decision. So, in the end, are you completely set loose? No. Has anyone ever been created completely loose? No. There is a conclusion, for the test period will come to an end, your life will end. Your ajal (end of specified term) will come, Azrael is after you, he is waiting for you. The moment your term (ajal) comes to an end, the test period has ended. Your worldly life has ended. You will be taken to the grave, and then to the great gathering (mahshar). It doesn’t matter whether you believe or not. We are not among imposers.

So, it is important to be successful in every matter, and to ask for help from Allah. The Islamic life-style that Allah has brought forth is the easiest, best, and happiest life-style. For the creator of life is Allah, and it is Allah who knows which life-style is the best one. Besides, nobody else is the creator, there is no second God. You don’t have the chance to say, “I have done the bidding of the first God, but let me also check the life-style of the second one,” because there is no second God.

The sole, unique, all-able, and most exalted ruler of all the worlds is only Allah Ta’ala, and all beauties are with Allah. Also, Janâb-i Haqq brought forth the Islamic life-style as the best life-style. Since the creation of the world, the only life-style has been the Islamic life-style that Allah wants. The only life-style of the world since the following Prophets to the eternity and last day (qiyamah) have been the Islamic life-style that Allah Ta’ala has presented to us servants (qul). That is from Adam, Seth, Idris, Nuh (Noah), Hud, Saleh, Ibrahim (Abraham), Shuʿayb, Lot, Ishmael, Isaac, Yūsuf (Joseph), and other Prophets such as Musa (Moses), Isa (Jesus), Yahyā (John), Zechariah, and Prophet Muhammad to eternity and last day (qiyamah). As for other life-styles, they were brought forth by men as manmade life-styles. They have taken their right aspects from Islam, and fabricated their wrongs themselves, this is the essence of the matter. The belief systems in the world are also like that, and all manmade systems in the world are like that. There is also a holy aspect of this, which is only Islam. There is also a humane aspect of it. You see, all manmade systems are doings of the servants (qul), but their good aspects have been taken from Islam. Nobody can say, “I don’t know the period that came with Muhammad, for Muhammad has never lived in the world, and also neither Musa (Moses) nor Isa (Jesus) has ever lived. Adam, Nuh (Noah), Ibrahim (Abraham) has never lived.” Can anyone say that? The origin of civilization is human beings. The moment Allah Ta’ala created Adam and Hawwa (Eve) in the world the Islamic civilization has begun. The life-style of Islam has begun. There have been those who followed and those who did not. Abel was living the Islamic life-style while Cain has chosen a murderous path. So many peoples have been punished for they went out of the life-style of Islam, such as People of Nuh (Noah). Allah broke them, and started destroying them, and gave them punishments as well. People have a respite for a fixed period of time during the test period. Allah Ta’ala has never said, “You will get away with what you have done.”

 

Time Stamp: 45:10

 

There are rewards and punishments in the world, in the grave, and in the great gathering (mahshar), they are all in accord with those places. Do you think you can revolt against Allah all the time, do evil things, and there won’t be any sanctions or consequences as requital, and you won’t accept any consequence? Will the people who live in the kingdom (mulk) of Allah who always rise against Allah get away with what they have done? No, they don’t. So, what happened to People of Nuh (Noah)? Allah exterminated them, and left the believers in the Ark. So, had people derived a lesson from that, would People of Hud have been destroyed? No, they would not have been destroyed. Also, what happened to the people of Prophet Saleh? They were also destroyed, why? Because those men objected to the life-style of Islam and their Prophets. They had risen against Allah Ta’ala. You see, every Prophet is an envoy of Allah. After that, it came the same way until Ibrahim (Abraham). Ibrahim (a.s.), may Allah bestow peace upon all of them. Ibrahim and Nimrod’s state came face to face, and what happened after? When Nimrod and Ibrahim came face to face, he stood against Ibrahim (Abraham). See, Nimrod stood against Allah. He was the ruler at that time, and he had a state. As for Ibrahim (a.s.), everybody in the world knows that he was thrown into fire by Nimrod. Yes, he threw him into the fire but what happened? As you know, fire is a creature under the command of Allah. Allah is the absolute authority over all creatures. So? Allah said, “die” to fire and it died, that is it. Said, “Stop being fire,” and it did because Allah is the Creator.

Ibrahim got out of the fire, and then performed hijra (migration) towards Allah. He was in the way of Allah. After everything, he was still in the way of Allah. He walked from the evildoing of Nimrod towards Allah. He wended his way towards hijra (migration) towards Allah Ta’ala when he was in the cruel and taghuti (false dietic) place of Nimrod. Then again, so many Prophets came from the lineage of Ibrahim (Abraham). Also, so many Prophets came from the lineage of Isaac, including Prophets such as Musa (Moses) and Isa (Jesus). Also, Prophet Muhammad came from the lineage of Ishmael. Now, when we take a closer look at the lineage of Ibrahim (Abraham) we can see three branches. Two of those branches, Prophets come from the lineage of Ishmael and Isaac. Also, there is a third branch from which wrongdoers (zalimun) come. You see, just like there have been those who obeyed and revolted against Allah from the lineage of Adam, same type of people also came from the lineage of Nuh (Noah) who has been accepted as the second Adam. Just like so many Prophets came from the lineage of Ibrahim (Abraham), wrongdoers (zalimun) also came. This world is nothing but a test field; there have been those who revolt against Allah, and there have been those who obeyed. However, the number of good people has always been less. That is why people should not side with numbers, but they should side with what is right and real (haqq and haqiqa).

Dearest friends!

Now, let me give you an example. Think of the graveyard trees, they eat human flesh, and they stink. Also, consider dumpster roses, don’t be deceived, it is bright red. But if you smell it, it stinks. Why? Because it was on a dump, it is on filth. People are like that as well; don’t you ever be deceived by anyone’s appearance. Also, graveyard trees give bunches of fruits. There can be beautiful flowers on it as well. They have so many branches as well, but graveyard trees eat human flesh, and they stink. Also, roses in dumps become red but when you smell them, they stink. Get your head together.

See those who are friendly to humanity with faith (iman), justice, and good morals (akhlaq), and then there are also tyrants and zalimun of the world who shed blood, and they are like the trees in graveyard that feast on human flesh. See the situation of those who bleed humanity dry. See those who exploit humanity, and those who enslave humanity, and those who kill people in masses. Also, see the peaceful messages, and the mercy of Islam that embraces all the worlds. Islam is nothing but divine mercy, justice, peace, and brotherhood.

 

Time Stamp: 50:59

 

So, while roaming about in the world, you see many people; see the things they devour. O, those who devour the rights of orphans, poor people, and the needy! They are worse than hyenas, and they stink just like the graveyard trees that feast on human flesh. Other than that, don’t you ever be deceived by anyone’s physical appearance! Their spiritual worlds are worse than that of monsters.

Now, the difference between priesthood and Islamic tarbiya (education) is also like that. Now, Janâb-i Haqq has not commanded priesthood, but the Muslims of those days invented on their own accord. So, what did they do? Priesthood was in the pre-Islamic periods such as the periods of Isa (Jesus) and Musa (Moses). Islam has banned priesthood.

You see, as the religion of all Prophets have been Islam, naturally we use the word Muslim for them. The people back then could not follow it as they should have, but we don’t say anything against those who did.

About incompetent people; how will they manage entrustments of grand bounties (nimat)? Their mentality is one that feasts on human flesh, like the graveyard roses. Now, how can they manage the entrustments of grand bounties (nimat)? Can you hand over the world to those who bleed humanity dry? Can you hand over the world to those who exploit it?

How can you entrust lives, honours, treasures, holy rights, people’s rights, the homeland and the nation to such people? If you entrust humanity with them, then o woe to humanity for they will suffer at their hand. Can you hand over entrustments to incompetent and nonauthoritarian people? The competent people brought up by Islam, which opens its wings of mercy to humanity and embraces all people, should dominate the world with their knowledge (ilm), amal (doings), morals (akhlaq) and social justice. You see, it does not let anyone consume a single penny that belongs to an orphan. Islam does not cheat anyone of their rights, and does not let anyone do that either, for it is a complete divine justice. As for people who can be trusted with entrustments; the table of Islam has been spread to all continents. Advancement and development will continue, and it should continue. The religion of Islam has set up a table in the world. Islam is a manifestation of the mercy of Allah. All humanity is at this table of Islam. All creatures, along with all humanity sit at this table of Islam. Both the religious and irreligious eat, but the entrustments should be at the hands of competent people so that monsters may not come to this table and devour the rights of the poor and needy. Therefore, the cause of Islam is not about kammiyat (quantity) but keyfiyat (quality). What do they mean? Well, kammiyat is always on the side of majority, not quality. As for Islam, it is always on the side of quality, virtue, value, and regard, meaning it is a complete divine justice. A complete competence is required. It is on the side of what is pure and halal. You see, this is the table of Islam.

 

Time Stamp: 55:55

 

Islam presents this feast to all humanity, and implements complete justice in the world. It does not say, “Let one eat while the other looks.” If one looks while the other eats, then hell will break loose, and then the world will be doomed. There will be terror and anarchy there, along with local rebellions. It will also be the cause of the emerge of underground and illegal organisations. Now, legal organisations should be one and united in the world in order to ensure justice. As for illegal organisations, they are a negative consequence established by those who do nothing but devour humanity’s rights.

He is going now, and has found a way to the Real (al-Haqq),

The eyes that see the Real (al-Haqq) has forgot the world.

You see, this is a poem (translation) about the martyrs.

It says:

He is going now, and has found a way to the Real (al-Haqq),

The eyes that see the Real (al-Haqq) has forgot the world.

Surely, what happens when one sees the Real (al-Haqq)? What does he who sees the reality or haqiqa do? Well, he will be honoured with the reality (haqiqa). The reality (haqiqa) is happiness. Everything brought forth by Allah is true (haqq) and real. One should see the Real (al-Haqq), and can wrong (batil) stay sheltered in you upon seeing? So, are you in or not? Let us see the Real (al-Haqq) through the window of the Quran, let us see. The Quran is nothing but the Real’s own book. Janâb-i Haqq brought forth the mirror that is Muhammad so that the servant (qul) who are creatures may meet the Real (al-Haqq). So, you shall look at the Real (al-Haqq) through Mirat al-Muhammad (Mirror of Muhammad). You shall see the Real (al-Haqq) through Mirat al-Quran (Mirror of the Quran). You see, the windows of truth have been brought in order to see the reality. However, you cannot see the truth by looking at the wrong window, for you cannot find the truth in wrongs.

So, just have a look at the window of the Quran and the mirror of Muhammad, and you will see the truth and find the reality. This is what we strive for. We strive so that all creatures, humanity foremost along with the jinn may know Allah well. Because nobody except human beings is doing wrongs. People are doing wrong things. Also, there are those among humans and the jinn who have different views, but the realm of the jinn concerns them so our main field of interest is humanity. Humanity must absolutely know their Rabb (Lord), their Creator. The centres for meeting are Al-Quran Al-Karim, Prophet Muhammad, and the religion of Islam. That is why the aforementioned poem was uttered for martyrs and ghazis (war veterans).

Mehmet Akif Ersoy is a deceased poet who knew the Real (al-Haqq). May Allah have mercy on his soul. He was a true poet. He was a poet who saw and knew the Real (al-Haqq). He was not among the poets who randomly utter the things they feel. People may feel everything. However, when the person feels the truth, he drinks from the fountain of exoteric truth (zahiri haqq), and then drinks from the fountain of esoteric truth (bâtini haqq). You see, true poets always speak the truth, they try to express the truth.

 

Time Stamp: 1:00:52

 

Mehmet Akif, dear departed, was a valuable poet of ours from that class. May Allah increase their numbers. May Allah increase the numbers of our true scientists and people of knowledge (ilm) who are truly beneficial to humanity. It is necessary to climb to the top with regards to knowledge (ilm). Now, Janâb-i Haqq has written such a prescription for the servants (qul) that; “O, my servant! Use these beneficial things with respect to their measures, but My beloved servants (qul) these are harmful for you. Don’t use these,” said Allah and what did Allah call them? Allah called them, “harum” but what does that mean? Well, it is the plural of haram, it means harams. So, Almighty Allah wrote the prescription so that we may not commit haram things. This is a prescription of life, do you know it, right? Well, it is Al-Quran Al-Karim and Islam itself. Allah Ta’ala has presented Islam as a prescription of life. In it there are things called harams, which are essentially sins. For example, Janâb-i Haqq tests the servants (qul) in every matter in order to see whether they obey Allah or not. So, Allah tests the servants (qul) here, and saves them from loss. Therefore, Allah bids what is beneficial and defies what is harmful, and at the same time tests the servants (qul) and these are all for the better good of the servant (qul).

Janâb-i Haqq has set all life for benefit. Those who go towards loss are the servants (qul) themselves. This is because they don’t want to follow the prescription by no means. They stumble and get stuck in the wrongs, and then they go from wrongs to bigger wrongs. It is like as if they fell into a pit but they are digging deeper rather than going up. You see, being without Islam and disacknowledging the truth and the divine life-style to look for other ways is far worse than throwing yourself off the roof. It is worse than suicide. That said, there is an article for test purposes that says you cannot hunt for game while in the state of ihram inside and outside the holy site (haram). Janâb-i Haqq says the following to hajjis (pilgrims) and those who are in the state of ihram: “You cannot hunt in the holy site (haram) or outside of it.” This is a test, and obeying Allah is one of the commands. Now, it is also said that the holy site (haram) is the area around the Baitullah. The place called holy site (haram) has its boundaries, and it is said that in that site nobody can hunt regardless of their ihram status.

Those without ihram also cannot hunt in the holy site (haram) for Janâb-i Haqq commanded. That place is holy site (haram), you cannot hunt there. Allah said, “You cannot even touch the game there. This was said both to those who wear ihram and those who do not. You see, Allah has set everything in life for benefit and to defy harm. Also, the prescription is divine and perfect. That said, this is the everlasting and happy life-style. So, let us see what Janâb-i Haqq said. The following quote is a hadith-i sharif from our Prophet (asw) and it is present in Kutub al-Sittah and the other sources.

The hodja recites the original text of the hadith-i sharif.

So, what is said here? It is said that five things are free in the holy site (haram) and outside.

 

Time Stamp: 1:05:40

 

Kite (bird), crow, scorpion, and also in a narration: venomous snake, mouse, and dog with rabies. Janâb-i Haqq left killing these animals free due to they are harmful to humans. If such harm emerges in a clear manner, then Janâb-i Haqq made it legitimate to protect yourself from the harm they may inflict. Otherwise, there is no commandment like go and destroy all of the crows in the world, or go kill all kites (bird), kill all snakes, or kill all dogs. There is nothing like that. Allah said protect yourself according to the harm that they may inflict upon you. It is legitimate to protect yourself in every setting. Also, it is legitimate to acquire what is beneficial and/or profitable. However, you need to observe others’ rights and remedies while making profit. Profit means legitimate and halal earnings earned through hard work.

That is to bid what is right and defy what is harmful. For example, an apple is beneficial but if it is someone else’s property then you cannot touch it, it is like this. It has to be legitimate. The benefit that suits the divine measures and is legitimate is important. So, what does a person who has hunted do? He will give atonement (kefaret) by sacrificing a camel or giving half a “sa” to some poor people.

Editor’s note: Sa is an Arabic weight unit. It equals 3,264 kilograms or 7,195 pounds.

He would pay the price of the game. The price of the game would be determined by experts of that time, they assess its price and the person pays his atonement (kefaret), but to who? That is paid to the poor, and there is a benefit here as well. It is not said that you should pay it to the rich, all atonements (kefaret), all fidyah (a special type of alms-charity), donations, and charity and benefaction are all given to the poor and needy by the merciful hand of Islam. See, Islam embraces all poor and needy people along with orphans with its mercy. The religion of Islam does not let a single orphan cry. It does not leave any poor and needy person destitute. It runs to the aid of the orphans with its wings of mercy, and does not make orphans cry, and does not let anyone tyrannize poor, needy, and innocent people.

Islam is the entirety of the heroism of mercy of this universe, the entire manifestation of mercy (rahmat) is in Islam. Islam is holier than the way I narrate it. Some people may perceive it differently. No matter how you perceive it, the life-style that Allah brought forth is Islam, and it is the most exalted. It is holier than the way I narrate it. It is the way Allah has said, that’s it. No matter how hard I try, I cannot thoroughly praise Allah. Allah is like the way Allah praises Oneself. You would have praised Allah when you say this. See, our Prophet, Muhammad is the al-Insān al-Kāmil (the complete person), crown jewel of all Prophets, guide of all awliya, leader (imam) of all Prophets. See, what would Prophet Muhammad say while praising Almighty Allah through Allah’s names and attributes, and while thanking and praising (hamd-u-sena), while worshipping Allah, and being the best possible servant (qul)?

 

Time Stamp: 1:10:20

 

“My Rabb (Lord)! I haven’t served you properly ever. I could not duly praise you. You are unlike what I say, rather you are like what You say. You are like the way you praise Yourself.”

You see, he is al-Insān al-Kāmil (the complete person), the Prophet of Mercy upon all the worlds, Allah’s beloved, and he is the foremost servant (qul) among all beloved servants (qul). Every Prophet is his friend, and all Prophets are high-ranking and valuable servants (qul). However, the imam (leader) of all Prophets is Prophet Muhammad (asw). Some people may think this is an exaggeration but it is not, rather he is possessor of a much holier position than what I say. This is a grace (lutf) of Allah. Janâb-i Haqq has made Prophet Muhammad reach the praised station (Al-Maqam Al-Mahmud). This is Al-Quran Al-Karim’s and Almighty Allah’s own grace (lutf) and assignment. Allah assigns the servants whom Allah wishes many bounties (nimat) and graces (lutf). We have not chosen Muhammad, rather Allah chose him. We have not chosen Isa (Jesus), rather Allah chose him as a Prophet. We have not chosen Musa (Moses), Ibrahim (Abraham), or Nuh (Noah), rather Allah chose them as Prophets. That is, there is nothing to be jealous about here for they are all valuable servants (qul) of Allah, and their degrees are higher than one another but they are all grand figures. Only, their degrees are higher than each other.

That is why dearest friends! Come, and let us not see things through the perspective of jealousy, rather let us look through the window of reality (haqiqa) and truth (haqq). I am not saying that I have written a book, so get it and read it for my book is truly precious. I am not calling you to myself. I am reading the prescription of life that Almighty Allah brought forth. That is, we are presenting you notes from Al-Quran Al-Karim and its verses and discovery notes with regards to riwayat (narration) and dirayat (their comprehension) via the best and most intact sources. These notes are the prerequisite of a happy life and being happy, these are the life-giving life notes. These are discovery notes taken from the most intact source of life. That is why we should be beneficial towards each other. Besides, the command of Allah is to spread (tabligh). That is, to spread (tabligh) the truth (haqq). Let’s be beneficial towards each other.

Now, this punishment is valid for mistakes and forgetting. For example, let’s say a person has done something Allah forbade by mistake. See, Allah said, “Don’t hunt,” to the hajji (pilgrim) and he forgot about it and hunted and shot a game. It’s okay, but he will be punished even if he forgot. He will pay atonement (kefaret) for it. Then again, this punishment is valid for mistakes and forgetting. Now, let’s say a person shot an animal without taking precautions, investigating, and without seeing it and then shot his father or someone else. There is a punishment for this as well, he has to pay atonement (kefaret). He will pay the atonement (kefaret) of this. Precaution is a must in Islam, there is no random life-style. A blissful life has its precautions as well. You see, Umar, Tâvûs, Ibn-i Abbas and others such as Hanafi, Shafi’i and Maliki mujtahids have all shared this view.

 

Time Stamp: 1:15:05

 

So, what was done about it? It is said that he who commits a crime by mistake, by forgetting, and due to not taking precautions will see its punishment. The following are in the source of those who said this, Umar, Tâvûs, Ibn-i Abbas, and others such as Hanafites, Shafi’ites, and Maliki’s. There is a punishment, and mefhum-u-muhalif (the opposite of the saying) is not valid. Some people say mefhum-u-muhalif (the opposite of the saying) is valid but this is because it serves their purpose but it is said that this is not the case. What is slaughtered by a person in ihram is considered dead rather than slaughtered. If a hajji (pilgrim) is in ihram, then he cannot butcher anything. The Hanafites and Maliki’s have shared this opinion. They say he cannot eat what he slaughtered, and others can’t eat it too according to them. However, Imam al-Shafi’i has said that what is slaughtered by a person in ihram is clean, therefore others can eat it except him.

If you ask me which one is right, then all of them are right. These are all correct in their own setting with regards to knowledge (ilm). They are correct in their maslahat (public interest) environment. They all bid what is right and defy what is wrong. In terms of obeying the Real (al-Haqq) and not wasting the bounties (nimat), they are all correct with regards to important aspects, and there is a mujtahid in their source. All of these ijtihads are good, don’t you ever be obsessed with anything! Whichever opinion among them you implement, it is good and correct. Let’s say you refuse to ate what a person in ihram slaughtered, and you did the necessity of your piety. What you did is right and good. However, other people ate it with regards to the opinion of Imam al-Shafi’i. That is also good because it did not go to waste. What you did is piety, but that is also piety. Now, can you call Shafi’i impious while calling Hanafi and Maliki pious? Can you call Shafi’i irreligious while calling Hanafi and Maliki religious?

These are the top ulama. That is why everyone should save themselves from fanaticism and start looking at things from a perspective of wide maslahat (public interest) atmosphere. Now, what is maslahat (public interest)? It means benefit, and obeying the Real (al-Haqq). See the sources of the opinions. Are they based on the religion, mujtahids and ayat, hadiths, and ijma (consensus)? Okay, if they are based on mujtahids and these primary (asl) sources and proofs, then they are all units of a wide capital and they are all blessings (rahmat). Those who don’t understand our mujtahids and understand things in a one-sided manner have fanaticism and obsessions and they have always been wrong. Don’t be obsessed, and give up fanaticism, rather take a look at the ocean of knowledge (ilm). See the maslahat (public interest), and the method of usuance, see “to bid what is right and to forbid what is wrong,” these are all perfect. One cannot hunt for land animals or butcher an animal while in the state of ihram. A person with ihram is, of course, there in an environment of worship. It is as if he lives the great gathering (mahshar). That is why the test and worship of the one in ihram is different.

 

Time Stamp: 1:20:00

 

Can people in ihram eat what is hunted or slaughtered by someone else? Yes, they can.

The hodja recites a hadith-i sharif.

Now, this hadith-i sharif has been understood differently by Imam al-Shafi’i and our other mujtahids have understood it differently. Understanding the difference in hadiths and verses is richness as long as the one who studies it understands it and does not deviate from context of the verse. However, if there are different meanings in that context, then finding it is the wisdom of the mujtahid and mufassir.

He discovers those meanings. Now, let’s say you have discovered one meaning which is in the context of the verse, and could not discover the other meaning; you could not have understood Al-Quran Al-Karim that way. Also, you need to look at the source of narration (riwayat) of it, for you need to preserve the meaning that our Prophet understood with regards to the will of the divine (murad al-ilahi), and you need to see the comments on the context of it and make discoveries. Now, let’s see what Imam al-Shafi’i said with regards to the hadith-i sharif that I recited. He considered every animal hunted in sea halal whether it is of fish kind or not in regards to the verse that says: “Sea water is clean, and has a cleaning nature. Its dead (fish) is halal.” Imam al-Shafi’i said it. However, what is known is actually fish, it was referred to as “dead” because fish are not slaughtered. That which has died on its own cannot be eaten even if it is fish. See, other mujtahids, Hanafites foremost, have said taken it as “fish”. However, Imam al-Shafi’i understood that from the context of the hadith. Now, we cannot give a lesson to Imam al-Shafi’i. However, for example what the Hanafites interpreted it as fish. They understood “fish” from the hadith-i sharif because fish does not require a knife, they interpreted it that way. They said, “If a fish has died on its own, then it cannot be eaten.” However, Imam al-Shafi’i is unlike that, he has interpreted the entire contexture of the hadith. Therefore, although we prefer the view of the Hanafites and we abide by it, we still respect the view of Imam al-Shafi’i.

But pay attention to that! There are other maslahats (public interest) there. Now, there is a different maslahat (public interest) in Hanafites interpreting it as “fish”. Also, there are other maslahats (public interest) in the meaning Imam al-Shafi’i understood. That is why these are rahmat (blessing, mercy). In the end, the limits of bounties (nimat) are expanding. That is why we should see the wisdom (hikmat) of Janâb-i Haqq. See the ecoles (schools) of Hanafi and Maliki, and then see the ecoles (schools) of Shafi’i and Hanbali. So many good mujtahids have been raised by them. These are also graces (lutf) of Allah. Don’t you ever look at these with wrong views or fanaticism, rather see things from a wide perspective! They keep their religion and world upright.

The hodja recites the 148^th verse of Surah al-Baqarah [2].

Ponds or streams are also included in this according to a narration in Bahir. See, Bahir is one of the Islamic sources of ours. It is based on a valuable âlim (Islamic scholar) of ours.

 

Time Stamp: 1:25:00

 

Now, regarding the hadith-i sharif about sea, the ones who narrated it are Ahmad ibn Hanbali, Muwatta, Abu Dawood, Tirmidhi, Nasai, Ibn Majah, and others have reported it. Therefore, what should Muslims do? Well, they should either know the sources themselves, or abide by those who know. Only then will they be able to keep their religion and world upright. O, Muslim! Do you want to keep your religion and world upright? Then know, have knowledge and science or abide by those who know.

See the 97^th verse for example, Janâb-i Haqq says, “أَيْنَ مَا تَكُونُواْ يَأْتِ بِكُمُ اللّهُ جَمِيعً” “No matter where you are Allah will bring you all together and bring you to the book.”

“Have you abided by the commands of this religion?”

Everyone will appear on the greater court. We see this truth when we look at the 148^th verse of Surah al-Baqarah [2]. The divine commands are filled with hidden wisdom (hikmat). Now, you may or may not see one hidden cause (hikmat) behind divine commands.

However, the commands of Allah are filled to brim with hikmat (wisdom). There are hidden wisdoms (hikmat). It is impossible for the servant (qul) to understand and comprehend all of them. The servant (qul) cannot afford it, but every command of Allah is filled with wisdom (hikmat). Don’t you ever forget that! What is a command of Allah? Well, whatever is in the Quran and Sunnah; whatever Allah has sent down to Prophet Muhammad under the name of Islam are the divine commands. The commands of Islam are laws of Allah. That is why we submit their mysteries to Allah’s knowledge (ilm). The insides of divine commands are filled to brim with mysteries. So, to whom do we submit the mysteries? We submit them to the knowledge (ilm) of Allah.

So, what do we do in a proper manner? We abide by. Said, “Perform the namāz (prayer),” so we do that with pleasure, for it is a complete miʿraj (the night journey), and rise to the pleasure (riza) of the Real (al-Haqq). However, there are so many wisdoms (hikmat), fazilat, and great earnings in namāz (prayer) that no human being can comprehend all of its mysteries and the hidden things (hikmat) behind it. What we narrate is what we have heard from our Prophet.

 

Time Stamp: 1:28:14

 

 

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Al-Quran Al-Kareem – Tafsir (Exegesis) Lesson 203

 

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

What do we do? We explain the fazilat (truth) of these as the occasion arises, but it includes these but are not limited to these, there are so many other mysteries. They are filled to the brim with hikmat (wisdom). Not ever command is like that, but when you look at namāz (prayer), it is filled to brim with endless and boundless fazilat (truth). Fasting is also like that, and so is jihād (struggle). Then you look at being busy with ilm (knowledge) and irfan (wisdom), they are also like that. No matter which command you study, they are filled to brim with fazilat (truth). All commands of the Holy Islam are like that. You admire Allah, and Allah’s exaltedness is endless and boundless, just like Allah’s commands. Admire the commands of Allah. Fulfil those commands with pleasure.

Now, what does our Prophet say? Let me tell you that as an example. He said, “Namāz (prayer) is the light (nur) of my eye, and the bliss of my heart.” In another saying he says, “Namāz (prayer) is the miʿraj (journey),” and in another he said, “Namāz (prayer) is the pedestal of the religion (din),” and in another he said, “Namāz (prayer) is like taking a shower in a stream five times a day, which does not leave any sin behind.”

Then, you take a look into fasting, it disinfects the souls (ruh). So, it regenerates all cells and purifies the soul (ruh) and the body. Then you take a look into zakat (poor-dues), there are endless and boundless fazilats (truths) in it, and it has found a bridge from earth to the afterlife (ākhira). Then you look at hajj (pilgrimage), and see the fazilat (virtue), that is carried out with halal (lawful) money without there being any rightful dues. Then you look at jihād (struggle), and it is said that Senam al-Islam (greatest summit of Islam) is jihād (struggle) in the way of Allah. It is filled to the brim with endless and boundless fazilats (virtues). That is why, my dearest friends! Let us value quality, and be on the side of quality. Let us perform worship properly with sincerity (ihlas), monotheism (tawhid), and submission. Also, let us pay attention to this! For example, there are more beads than diamonds, let us not be deceived by quantity. Beads are plentiful but diamonds are rare.

Now, copper is more plentiful but gold is always more precious. Stingnettles are always more numerous than roses. However, nettle stings but roses but roses smell good if they are proper. Just have a look. Crows are more numerous than nightingales and the number of animals is more than that of humans. The number of ignorant people is more than that of learned people. Now, the number of non-believers is more than that of believers (mu’minun). The number of sinners is more than that of sinless people. Evil is more plentiful than good and it is also raised faster. It gathers all evil people and brags about its numbers. That is, the people of kemmiyet, which means those who side with quantity. So, what do those who don’t know about quality do? They always brag about their numbers, not their quality. As for Islam, it is but a complete quality, a complete virtue. Also, Islam is the embodiment of all values that are holy. Value is not in quantity but goodness and quality, which is keyfiyat. Keyfiyat means quality, and high-value.

Now, a person said the following to our Prophet (asw). A man came to Prophet Muhammad and asked, “I have a fortune made out of wine, would it be okay if I do charity?” Our Prophet (asw) replied. “Even if you had spent it for hajj (pilgrimage), jihād (struggle) and sadaqa (charity), it would not be equal to the wing of a fly in the eyes of Allah.”

 

Time Stamp: 5:07

 

Allah does not accept anything other than what is good. The values that Allah accepts are in halals (lawful things). You need to worship with what is halal (lawful). But of course, this news is Asbab al-Nuzul (circumstances of revelation). It is narrated that the 2^nd and 100^th verses of Surah al-Maidah [5] were revealed due to the incident of Hutam ibn Dubâa el-Bekri, and the question of this person about a fortune made out of wine. Allah likes pure things, and no matter how abundant haram things become, Allah does not like them, and does not value them. Besides, the abode of haram is Jahannam (Hell). That is why, dearest friends! We should do our utmost and eat halal things and work for the better good of humanity before we go to the grave and before Azrail (a.s.) comes. We should live our lives in the best possible manner with the legitimate life-style of Islam, and be happy. Islam prepares the person for Janna (Paradise). It turns a person’s world, grave, mahshar into Janna (Paradise) in the best possible way. But of course, that is if you implement this life-giving prescription, the holy prescription. May Janâb-i Haqq make us among those who do implement it.

 

Time Stamp: 7:15

 

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Al-Quran Al-Kareem – Tafsir (Exegesis) Lesson 204

On the 101th to 108^th verses of Surah al-Maidah [5].

 

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

The hodja recites the 101^st and 102^nd verses of Surah al-Maidah [5].

“O, you who have faith (iman). Do not ask about that which you shall be upset if they are disclosed to you. But if you ask about them when the Quran is being sent down, then they shall be disclosed to you. Whereas Allah has excused it. Allah is most forgiving and most forbearing.” That is, Allah is Halīm. See, Ghafūr and Halīm.

“Some people            who came before you asked about these, and then they denied.”

The hodja recites the 103rd verse of Surah al-Maidah [5].

Allah has prescribed neither Baḥīrah, nor Sāʾibah, nor Waṣīlah, nor Hām.” None of these are legitimate. “However, the faithless fabricate lies and slanders against Allah, and most of them aren’t able to understand.

The hodja recites the 104rd verse of Surah al-Maidah [5].

“When they are told, ‘Come to what Allah has sent down (the Book) and come to the Prophet,’ they say, ‘What we have found our fathers on is sufficient for us.’ So, even if their fathers did not know anything and could not find the right way?” says Janâb-i Haqq.

You see, dearest friends! Valuable audience!

Al-Quran Al-Karim has lit its light (nur) and enlightened humanity in every matter. We only need to be able to convey every verse (ayah) of Al-Quran Al-Karim from past to today, from today to future, and from future to eternity. Al-Quran Al-Karim has been calling humanity and all eras to follow it. It says, “Come.” It explains all that is beautiful, and saves humanity from wrong. It presents you the prescription of life-giving prescription of happiness, and immortality.

The hodja recites the 105th verse of Surah al-Maidah [5].

“O, you who have faith (iman)!”

“O believers! Take care of yourselves. Those who have strayed from the right path cannot harm you as long as you are on the right path. To Allah shall be the return of all of you. Allah will inform you of what you have done.”

So, what will the believers (mu’minun) do?

 

Time Stamp: 5:00

 

For once, they should hold fast to Almighty Allah’s Book, and truly serve Allah by being servants (qul).

The hodja recites the 106th verse of Surah al-Maidah [5].

“O, you who believe! When signs of death approaches one of you while making a bequest, the witness between you shall be two fair men from among yourselves, or from among two others if you have gone on a journey in the land and signs of death have visited you. If you have doubts regarding them, then you shall detain the two after the namāz (prayer), and they will swear by Allah saying, ‘We will not sell the oath for a gain, even if it were a relative. We will not conceal the testimony of Allah, for then we would be among the sinners.”

The religion of Islam fulfils justice and truth in every matter, and wants true testimony from witnesses.

The hodja recites the 107th verse of Surah al-Maidah [5].

Almighty Rabb (Lord) says, “If it is discovered that two witnesses were guilty of a sin, then let two others stand in their place, from those who have a lawful right over the former two, who are closer to the one who died, and let them both swear by Allah, ‘Surely, our testimony is truer than the testimonies of the other two. We have not violated anyone’s right. Otherwise, we would have been among the transgressors (zalimun).”

The hodja recites the 108th verse of Surah al-Maidah [5].

That is the best way that they will give the testimony in its true form or they would fear that their oaths will not be accepted after others’ oaths. Fear Allah and listen to the commands. Allah does not guide the people who strayed from the right way.”

 

Time Stamp: 9:22

 

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Al-Quran Al-Kareem – Tafsir (Exegesis) Lesson 205

On the 109^th to 111^th verses of Surah al-Maidah [5].

 

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

The hodja recites the 109^th verse of Surah al-Maidah [5].

The day Allah gathers all Rasuls (Messengers)… See, one day Allah will gather all Prophets. The verse says, “The day Allah will gather all Prophets and say, ‘What was the response to you?’ They will say, ‘We have no knowledge. Only you know all that is Unseen.’.” O, the Most Exalted! The Prophets say, “You are the only One who knows everything.” For Janâb-i Haqq knows everything. Knows those who believe in the Prophets and those who don’t, along with those who oppose and the murderers who have killed Prophets, and the deniers, the wrongdoers (zalimun), and the pious (al-muttaqi), and those who obey. Janâb-i Haqq knows all of them one by one. In these verses of the Quran, we see that Janâb-i Haqq will gather all Prophets on that day and ask so that this situation may reflect to the world. Asks it so that it may be a message for the world. Which Prophet’s ear are you living in? If you have not believed and not fulfilled the necessities of that sharia (law) that Prophet brought in the past and today, in itiqad (faith), akhlaq (morals), and huquq (justice), then tomorrow, everyone will be brought to the book in the grand court called Ruz-i Cezâ (the Last Day).

The hodja recites the 110^th verse of Surah al-Maidah [5].

Janâb-i Haqq says the following in this verse of the Quran.

“Allah will say, ‘O Isa (Jesus), son of Maryam. Remember my blessing (nimat) upon you and your mother, when I strengthened you with Ruh al-Qudus (Jibril Alaihissalam), so you would speak to the people in the cradle and in adulthood, and when I taught you the Book and the hikmat (wisdom), and the Torah, and the Injil, and when you would make from clay something in the form of a bird and blew on it, and by My leave it became a bird. And you would heal the blind and the leper, with My leave. And you would raise the dead, with My leave. And I protected you from them when you came to the Children of Israel with the verses and the faithless among them said, ‘This is nothing but plain magic.’.”

The hodja recites the 111^th verse of Surah al-Maidah [5].

“When I inspired al-Hawâriyyûn (the Disciples), ‘Have faith in Me and my Rasul (Messenger),’ and they said, ‘We have faith. Bear witness that we are indeed Muslims.’.”

 

Time Stamp: 5:24

 

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Al-Quran Al-Kareem – Tafsir (Exegesis) Lesson 206

On the 112^th to 114^th verses of Surah al-Maidah [5].

 

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

The hodja recites the 112^th, 113^th and 114^th verses of Surah al-Maidah.

 

Time Stamp: 1:03

 

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Al-Quran Al-Kareem – Tafsir (Exegesis) Lesson 207

 

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

“The Disciples (al-Hawâriyyûn) said, ‘O Isa (Jesus), son of Maryam! Can your Rabb (Lord) sent down a table to us from the sky?’ Isa said, ‘If you believe, then be wary of Allah.’.”

“The Disciples (al-Hawâriyyûn) said, ‘We desire to eat from it so that our hearts can be at rest and we will know that you have told us the truth, and we shall be among those who see it in person.’.”

“Isa (Jesus), son of Maryam said, ‘O Allah! Our Rabb (Lord), send down to us a table from the sky to be a festival for us, our predecessors and successors, and as a miracle (mujizat) from You. Provide rizq (sustenance), for you are the best of the provide rizq (sustenance).

 

Time Stamp: 1:20

 

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Al-Quran Al-Kareem – Tafsir (Exegesis) Lesson 208

On the 115^th to 120^th verses of Surah al-Maidah [5].

 

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

The hodja recites the 115^th verse of Surah al-Maidah [5].

Almighty Allah commanded, “I shall send it down to you. But should anyone among you deny after this, I shall indeed punish him with a punishment that I shall not give to anyone in all creation.”

You see, dear and valuable friends.

The universe (alamin) is Almighty Allah’s table of Rahmat al-Rahman. Seeing all that and asking for a separate table is a sign of something obvious, as it can be clearly seen. We shall continue our lectures by discovering the verses and making their tafsir in order to further clarify them. See, mankind does not see this eternal table of Rahmat al-Rahman. They cannot see the eternal table, but want another table for themselves. He does not see the greater table, but still asks for a small table. These worlds are the table of Rahmat al-Rahman. Besides, Islam is the holy table of feast set up for all the worlds. That is, Islam from a to z. It is certain that mankind would be doing a great favor to themselves if they could see this.

Janâb-i Haqq said the following in the 116^th verse of Surah al-Maidah [5].

Almighty Allah commanded, “And when Allah said, ‘O Isa (Jesus), son of Maryam! Did you say, ‘Take me and my mother as two gods besides Allah,’ to them? Isa (Jesus) said, ‘Never! You are the Most Exalted. It does not behove me to say something untrue. If I had said it, then surely You would have known it. You know what is in myself, and I do not know what is in Yourself. Verily, you are the only all-knower of the unseen (ghaib).

That is, Isa (Jesus) has never said, ‘Take me and mother as gods,“ to anyone ever. See, Janâb-i Haqq gives this message to the world in these verses in the person of Isa, son of Maryam so that the world may hear it. Gives a message to those who take gods besides Allah. So, what does Isa (Jesus) say here? Says, “Neither me nor my mom can be gods, we are servants (qul) of Allah. O Allah! You are exalted,” and admits that he is a servant (qul). However, some people divinize Isa (Jesus) and his mother. They say Allah is a trinity. They slander Allah. They slander Isa (Jesus). They slander Maryam. They slander Ruh al-Qudus (The Holy Spirit).

 

Time Stamp: 5:00

 

They are fabricating the biggest slander to Allah. Allah has no equals or comparables. Allah is One. Isa (Jesus) is a servant (qul) of Allah, a Prophet. As for Maryam, she is a hero, believer (mu’min), chaste, honourable, and a pure woman just like any of our valuable women. She is a servant (qul) of Allah. She has a mother and a father. Isa (Jesus) also has a mother. See, Adam had no father and no mother, he was created from the state of non-existence. That is why we say, “Allah knows all methods of creation. Allah is All-Able.”

Janâb-i Haqq says the following in the next verse.

The hodja recites the 117^th verse of Surah al-Maidah [5].

Isa (a.s.) says, “O Rabb! I have not said anything to them except what You have commanded me.”

He responds to Janâb-i Haqq with such complete propriety, respect, and tarbiya (discipline). He said, “I only said what You have commanded me.” I said, “Worship Allah, who is my Rabb (Lord) and your Rabb (Lord).” “I was a witness to them as long as I was among them, but when you had taken me away, only You Yourself was watchful over them. You are the One who sees all,” said Isa (a.s.) to Janâb-i Haqq. This is how he replied.

 

The hodja recites the 118^th verse of Surah al-Maidah [5].

“If You punish them, they are Your servants (qul). If you forgive them, indeed you are always supreme, and possessor of hikmat (wisdom).” That is, Isa (a.s.) said, ‘You are al-Aziz and al-Hakim.”

The hodja recites the 119^th and 120^th verses of Surah al-Maidah [5].

Allah (c.c.) commanded, “This is the day when the truthfulness of the truthful benefits them. For them there will be gardens (jannah) with streams running under them, where they shall abide forever.”

So, who are they? It is said that they are the truthful (siddiq). Who are the truthful (siddiq)? That is those who have believed right, performed their worship, obedience, and service to Allah right; and those who were properly subjected to the sharia (law) that Prophet Muhammad brought. They have obeyed and not revolted against Allah. They have understood Islam correctly, and lived it correctly. They are the truthful (siddiq), and they will certainly enter Janna (Paradise).

“Allah is pleased with them, and they are pleased with Allah. This is the great salvation.”

Muslims are pleased with Allah. They admire every command of Allah, and Allah is pleased with this servant (qul). You see, the servant (qul) is pleased with Allah, and Allah is pleased with the servant (qul). This way they both love each other, and love of Allah and a servant (qul) who is loved by Allah arises.

 

Time Stamp: 10:08

 

The servant (qul) loves Allah with every fibre of his being, and tries to fulfil the commands of Allah. Then, Allah becomes pleased with the servant (qul).

The kingdom (mulk) of everything that is in the heavens and in the heart belongs to Allah. Allah is al-Qadir (All-Able).

Allah is the absolute ruler. Who are you going to obey other than Allah? O, my beloved friend! O, Children of Adam! Mankind! The ashraf-ul-mahlukat (the most honourable creature) that Allah created. Who are you going to obey other than Allah? There is no other god. Allah is the peerless ruler of the universe. Who placed your head over your shoulders? Who created your biological, physical, and spiritual structure? Who gave you a face and character? Who gave you a soul and a body? Is there someone other than Allah who can give the blessing (nimat) to you and make you ashraf-ul-mahlukat (the most honourable creature)? See, we live in Allah’s kingdom (mulk). We all eat the bounties (nimat) of Allah. We all live the life Allah gave us. In every breath Allah bestows upon us a life. Our lives are bound to end if Allah does not bestow upon us a second breath after we take the first one. That is why everything about us belongs to our Almighty Rabb (Lord). We belong to Allah. We are the servants (qul) of Allah. Who are we going to worship if not Allah? Everything about how we are going to worship is present in the holy laws that are called the sharia (law) of Islam. They have been designated. We have Prophet Muhammad, the Prophet of the Universe. He is the Prophet of all nations and all eras. Also, how we are going to worship Allah has been taught and explained to us in the best possible way in the Holy Book called Glorious Quran.

Our grand âlims (Islamic scholars) have brought that way to us, and we are bound to convey this holy entrustment to our successors in its full form without betraying the entrustment at all, by protecting the entrustment, and using our power in this way. We need to fulfil our duty to Allah.

We belong to Allah right now. We belong to Allah when we will be resurrected. In the world, in barzakh, and in mahshar. We belong to Allah in all ways. There is no escapefrom Allah. That said, should you run away from an Exalted Being like Allah? You should run towards Allah by loving Allah with every fibre of your being.

If you run away, then you will be like bandits, and you will be caught by the Armies of Allah and Armies of Azrail (a.s.). No matter where you go, the omnipotence (qudrah), power, and armies of Allah are present and ready to take you. The moment Allah says, “كُنْ” – “be” then “فَيَكُونُ” – “it becomes.” It is not possible for something to not happen when Allah wishes. Whatever Allah wills, Allah says, “كُنْ” – “be” and that thing becomes right away. This is because Allah is the true and haqq being, the possessor of creative authority. Allah has such a holy qudrah and authority that Allah does whatever Allah wills. Whatever Allah wants to create is created right away.

 

Time Stamp: 15:00

 

Nothing can stand against Allah. You don’t have the chance to say you are against Allah. The omnipotence (qudrah) of Allah has no bounds, and nothing can oppose the will of Allah. Allah’s omnipotence (qudrah) and power are endless. There is no power that can stand against Allah’s will. Allah is One in all aspects.

We are at the end of Surah al-Maidah [5], so after giving you the short but to the point meanings of the verses, we will try to give you discovery notes regarding them.

May Janâb-i Haqq admit us among the group who are happy, who have implemented the life-giving prescription into their lives, and who are always happy in both worlds.

 

Time Stamp: 16:03

 

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