SS 182: Islamic Studies
Mr. Khalid Zaheer
M. Omer Sheikh 2003-02-0129 Section
1
M. Bilal Ahmed 2003-02-0241
Assignment 2
Quran is based on principles of Nazm or Discipline.
Nazm is understood to be implemented at three levels in the Holy Quran:
·
Surah Unity: The verses within a surah relate to a
common theme
·
Surah Pairs: Adjacent surahs discuss a common idea
from different perspectives
·
Surah Groups: Clusters of surah give an even broader
understanding of a theme
Below we cite and briefly discuss examples of Surah
Unity and Surah Pairs.
Surah Unity
1. Surah Yunus (10) Verses 35-36 & 37
The first part says that false gods can’t fend for
themselves how can they guide and take care of their followers. It appeals to
man's logic but those who wish not to listen ignore these appeals. The second
part mentions the Quran. Now apparently the verses don’t seem to have any thing
in common. But if we look at the context in which these verses are mentioned
the picture changes. The verses preceding verse 35 claim that all nature bears
witness to the existence of God, that nature is the proof of God's existence.
Similarly the Quran also is a proof of God's existence. Man is given proof of
God's existence then asked how he can deny the truth so confidently.
2. Surah Isra (17) Verses 89-100 & 101-104
The first set of verses describes how the Quran
contains signs for the ones who seek the right path and yet how the unbelievers
constantly asked for more proof, more signs and miracles in return for their
loyalty. The real issue was that they did not want to follow Muhammad
(P.B.U.H.) because he was a mortal like them. Allah warned of their punishment
for rejecting His signs and said that they would indeed pay a dire price. The
Second set recounts the tale of Moses who was given 9 clear signs yet when he
appeared before the Pharaoh, he rejected all the signs
as mere sorcery. Even though in his heart the Pharaoh knew that this was not so
he still appeared defiant. His punishment was that Allah drowned him and his
followers in the sea. Hence it has been shown by reference to a real example
that the fates of those who question and doubt the authenticity of Allah’s
prophets are doomed.
3. Surah Mariam (19)
Verses 2-15 & 16-30
The first set of verses tells the story of the
Prophet Zakarya and how he wished for a son but was too old. He asked Allah
Almighty for a son but was doubtful because of his old age. He was told not to
lose hope and to have faith in Allah for He has power over all things. The
second set of verses states the story of Mariam and the birth of Christ. The
underlying link here is that Allah wanted to show Zakarya that nothing
is impossible for Him Allah only has to command something and it happens
creation of a human being is a small task for Him. A similar situation was
encountered in the case of Hazrat Mariam. Hence the two verses reinforce the
fact that nothing is impossible for Allah who is all wise.
4. Surah Al-Anbiya (21) Verses 31-33 & 34-35
The first set of verses deal with creation and the
fact that the universe is perfect and self sufficient. The existence of this
universe surely proves the existence of a Higher entity.
The second set of verses suddenly shifts to emphasize on man's mortality
and death. The link here is the fact that the universe is perfect, it is God's
creation
and it works the way God wanted it to. It’s spectacular in its own way. Yet Allah
addresses The Prophet Muhammad and claims that he is even more perfect than the
universe and if even he has to taste death then how can anything else continue?
5. Surah Al-Muminun (23) Verses 1-11 & 12-16
The first part describes the requirements of a good
Muslim and what man needs to do in order to succeed. The second part states
that Allah created man out of nothing and man will be brought back before Allah
to answer for his actions. The link emerges when we take them into context of
the entire surah. The emphasis is on how Allah created man out of nothing and
in addition to that fact how Allah can also break man into nothing. Just as
Allah rewards for good deeds so shall He punish for bad deeds. Therefore man
must accept the omnipresence of Allah.
Surah Pairs
Surah Al- Al-Hashr (59) & Surah Al-Mumtahanah (60)
Al-Hashr
Al-Mumtahanah
Now taking a holistic view of the two
surahs, we see that the two surahs are dealing with some basic rules of behavior
in real world situations. In one surah we are being told how Allah helps the
believers against their enemies and how the believers should utilize the spoils
of a war against their enemies. The second surah then talks of an issue of
immense strategic importance i.e. taking people who are blatantly against you
and your beliefs as your friends and confidantes. As elaborated above the case
related a Muslim who wanted to protect his family. Hence Allah has made a note
of that issue in this surah because such actions might be extremely
disadvantageous to the Muslims in times of conflict and war. Another issue of social
importance to the believers of that time has also been discussed. The specific
case highlighted was that in the case of a war when their pagan spouses might
be returning to people of their own kind. Hence we see that major parts of the two
surahs deal with the case of war and the situations emerging from them and
provide insights into how those situations should be dealt with.
Surah Al-Suff (61) & Surah Al-Jumu’ah (62)
Al-Suff
The theme of this surah is to exhort the Muslims to
adopt sincerity in Faith and to struggle with their lives in the cause of
Allah. It is addressed to the Muslims with weak faith as well as those who had
entered Islam with a false profession of the Faith. The people of the Holy
Prophet's community have been warned that their attitude towards their
Messenger and their Religion should not be like the attitude that the
Israelites had adopted towards the Prophets Moses and Jesus (peace be upon
them) whose people believed that they were Allah’s messengers yet they did not
act according to Allah’s injunctions. Yet again the example of Jesus is cited
where by he called to the children of
Al-Jumu’ah
Verses 1-4 talk of the blessing of Allah on the people
of Ismail (gentiles) in the form of a messenger because the people had gone
astray. And He did the same i.e. sent a messenger to
many people after them so that they too may be guided. And then Quran says that
this is because it is Allah’s will that He wants to guide people by sending
them a messenger. In verses 5-8 the example of the Jews is cited. They are
compared to a donkey that carries books but cannot benefit from them. Similar
was the case of the Jews who failed to heed their book the Torah. Yet they
believed that they are people special to Allah. Quran asks that if they think
they are so special then why don’t they long for death meaning that why don’t
they want to meet Allah then. The Quran declares that they do so because they
are not sincere in their beliefs and are wicked. In verses 9-11 Allah warns the
followers of Islam to hasten for the Friday prayers when the call is made for
prayers and that only god knows how beneficial it is for them. An example is cited
of people who don’t rush to the prayers and say that the business deal is
important or some form of entertainment is more important than remembrance of Allah.
Now when we look at the two surahs together they
form a link. Al-Suff condemns the people who are hypocritical and are not
honest in their beliefs and the example given is those of the Jews. They said
they believed in the religion yet they did not act on its commandments. One of
the commandments was the observation of the Sabbath. In Al-Jumu’ah the same
people have been condemned again and the Muslims have been warned not to be
like them i.e. follow their religion to the fullest. Hence
the Quranic injunction that the Muslims should observe Friday as a sacred day
and fulfill the injunctions of Allah. If the fail to do say they will be
falling in the ranks of the Jews and the Christians before them. Hence the
first surah talked of an issue and the second surah indirectly related a
specific example of the issue.
References
The Quran
(1) Maududi, Syed Abul-Ala'
Quran Chapters:
Introductions. Retrieved
(2) Maududi,
Syed Abul-Ala' Quran
Chapters: Introductions. Retrieved
(3) Maududi,
Syed Abul-Ala' Quran
Chapters: Introductions. Retrieved
(4) Maududi,
Syed Abul-Ala' Quran
Chapters: Introductions. Retrieved
(5) Maududi,
Syed Abul-Ala' Quran
Chapters: Introductions. Retrieved
(6) Retrieved