Page 25 - Pakistan Link - July 2, 2021

RELIGION JULY 2, 2021 – PAKISTAN LINK – P25
Islam and Human Development Gems from the

Holy Qur’an

n By Dr Muzammil H. Siddiqi

(Khutbah at ISOC – Dhul
Qi’dah 1, 1421/ January 26, 2001)
I n the name of Allah, Most

Gracious, Most Merciful.
Praise belong to Allah, the
Lord of the worlds. 2. Most Gra-
cious, Most Merciful. 3. Master of
the Day of Judg-
ment. 4. It is You
we worship, and
it is You we ask
for help, 5. Guide
us to the straight

path, 6. The path
of those you have

blessed. 7.Those who incurred no From the translation by Mu-
anger, and who have not gone hammad Asad (Leopold Weiss)
astray. (al-Fatihah 1:1-7)
Surah al-Fatihah is the first About the translator:

Surah of the Qur’an. According Muhammad Asad, Leopold
to most of the authorities this Weiss, was born of Jewish parents

was the first Surah that was re- in Livow, Austria (later Poland) in
vealed to Prophet Muhammad 1900, and at the age of 22 made his

– peace be upon him - when he first visit to the Middle East. He
was in Makkah. Before this he later became an outstanding for-
received some verses of Surah eign correspondent for the Fran-

al-‘Alaq, Surah al-Muzammil furter Zeitung, and after years of
and Surah al-Muddathir, but as devoted study became one of the
a complete Surah, al-Fatihah was leading Muslim scholars of our
the first one. age. His translation of the Holy

The word al-Fatihah means Qur’an is one of the most lucid

“opener”. So this Surah is the and well-referenced works in this
opener of the Qur’an. It has seven category, dedicated to li-qawmin
verses that are repeated by every the message of the Qur’an. My servant is whatever he asks.’ 5. The Day of Judgment will yatafakkaroo (people who think).

Muslim many times during the As a prayer it contains the (Muslim 598) come.
course of his/her daily prayers. praise and glorification of Al- As an introduction to the 6. Worship should be only to Chapter 6, Verses 126-127

Thus the Surah is also called lah and the human request for Qur’an it contains all the basic And undeviating is thy Sus-

the “al-Sab’ al-Mathani” (al-Hijr Allah’s guidance, direction and principles that are given in detail After this tainer’s way. Clearly, indeed, have

15:87) that is “the Seven Oft- blessings. According to a Hadith: in the Qur’an. It tells us that we we spelled out these messages unto
repeated.” This Surah has many Abu Hurairah says, “I heard are surrounded by Allah’s grace introduction people who fare [are willing to] take

other names: Umm al-Qur’an the Messenger of Allah says, ‘Al- and favors. He is the Source of them to heart! Theirs shall be an

(the Essence of the Qur’an), Al- lah says, I have divided the prayer all love and mercy. We should be comes the whole abode of peace with their Sustainer;

Asas (the Foundation), Al-Shafi- between Me and My servant in thankful to Him. Our life is not and He shall be near unto them in
permanent. We shall die one day

yah (the Healer), Al-Kafiyah (the two halves and for My servant is and He will judge us. He alone is Qur’an. Al-Fatihah result of what they have been doing.

Sufficient) etc. In Al-Bukhari it whatever He asks for. When the
is mentioned that the Prophet Servant says, ‘Praise be to Allah the Master of that Day. We must is the prayer Chapter 6, Verses 131
– peace be upon him - said that the Lord of the worlds,’ Allah worship Him and Him alone. We And so it is that thy Sustainer
this was “the greatest Surah in says, ‘My servant has thanked must seek His help and He has all and the Qur’an would never destroy a commu-
the Qur’an.” Me.’ When he says, ‘the Most the power to give us whatever we nity for its wrongdoing so long as
(al-Bukhari 4114) It is also Merciful, the Most Compassion- need. It reminds that Allah is the is the answer to its people are still unaware [of the
reported: ate’ Allah says, ‘My servant has only one who can really guide to meaning of right and wrong]: for all
Ubayy ibn Ka’b reported that praised Me.’ When he says, ‘Mas- the straight path. It calls for righ- our prayers. Al- shall be judged according to their
the Prophet – peace be upon him ter of the Day of Judgment’ Allah teous actions in this life. It speaks [conscious] deeds – and thy Sus-
- said, “Allah did not reveal in says, ‘My servant has glorified about life after death and of the Fatihah is the tainer is not unaware of what they

the Torah, nor Injil like Umm al- Me.’ And He says, “My servant consequences of human action do.
Qur’an and this is the Seven Oft- has submitted to Me.” When he and behavior. It tells that the true introduction to

repeated and it is (the one about says, ‘You we worship and You guidance comes through God’s Chapter 6, Verses 141

which Allah said) ‘it is divided be- we ask for help.’ Allah says, ‘This Prophets and Messengers. They the Qur’an and For it is He who has brought

tween Me and My servant and for is between Me and My servant were the people who were truly into being gardens – [both] the
My servant is whatever he asks.’ and for My servant is whatever guided and they received Allah’s then we have the cultivated ones and those growing
(al-Tirmidhi 3050) he asks.’ When he says, ‘Guide us Grace and Mercy. Those who wild – and the date-palm, and fields

Surah al-Fatihah is both a to the straight path…’ Allah says, turned away from that path were whole Qur’an bearing multiform produce, and

prayer and a full introduction to ‘This is for My servant and for those who went astray and they the olive tree, and the pomegranate:
incurred the [all] resembling one another and
wrath of God Allah and all prayerful requests yet so different! Eat of their fruit

and His pun- should be directed to Him alone. when it comes to fruition, and give
ishment. 7. One should continuously [unto the poor] their due on har-
The Surah seek Allah’s guidance and remain vest day. And do not waste [God’s

tells us: on the path of truth and righ- bounties]: verily, He does not love
1. The es- teousness. the wasteful!

sence of reli- 8. True righteousness comes
gion is thank- when we follow the example of Chapter 6, Verses 151-152
fulness to those who were righteous and Say: “Come let me convey unto
Allah. who were under Allah’s grace: the you what God has [really] forbid-
2. Allah is Prophets, Messengers, and pious den to you: “Do not ascribe divin-
the Lord and and devoted people of Allah. ity, in any way, to aught beside Him;

Sustainer of 9. One should always be and [do not offend against but,
the whole uni- careful not to make the most rather,] do good to your parents;
verse. Merciful angry with him. and do not kill your children for
3. Allah is 10. One should never ignore fear of poverty – [for] it is We who
very kind, lov- the path of guidance and should shall provide sustenance for you as
ing and merci- always be careful not to go astray. well as for them; and do not com-
ful. Aft er this introduction mit any shameful deeds, be they
4. Allah is comes the whole Qur’an. Al-Fati- open or secret; and do not take any
also the Judge hah is the prayer and the Qur’an human being’s life – [the life] which
and He does is the answer to our prayers. Al- God has declared to be sacred – oth-
not tolerate in- Fatihah is the introduction to erwise than in [the pursuit of] jus-
justice, evil and the Qur’an and then we have the tice: this has He enjoined upon
sin. whole Qur’an. GEMS, P28
www.PakistanLink.com