TAFSIR - class 7
Tafsir of third Ayah of Surah Fatiha
The Meaning of Al-`Alamin
Al-`Alamin is plural for `Alam, which encompasses everything in existence except Allah. The word `Alam is itself a plural word, having no singular form. The `Alamin are different creations that exist in the heavens and the earth, on land and at sea. Every generation of creation is called an `Alam. Al-Farra` and Abu `Ubayd said, "`Alam includes all that has a mind, the Jinns, mankind, the angels and the devils, but not the animals.'' Also, Zayd bin Aslam and Abu Muhaysin said, `Alam includes all that Allah has created with a soul.'' Further, Qatadah said about,
[رَبِّ الْعَـلَمِينَ]
(The Lord of the `Alamin),
"Every type of creation is an `Alam.'' Az-Zajjaj also said, "Alam encompasses everything that Allah created, in this life and in the Hereafter.'' Al-Qurtubi commented, "This is the correct meaning, that the `Alam encompasses everything that Allah created in both worlds. Similarly, Allah said,
[قَالَ فِرْعَوْنُ وَمَا رَبُّ الْعَـلَمِينَ - قَالَ رَبُّ السَّمَـوَتِ وَالاٌّرْضِ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَآ إِن كُنتُمْ مُّوقِنِينَ ]
(Fir`awn (Pharaoh) said: "And what is the Lord of the `Alamin'' Musa (Moses) said: "The Lord of the heavens and the earth, and all that is between them, if you seek to be convinced with certainty'') (26:23-24).
Why is the Creation called `Alam
`Alam is derived from `Alamah, that is because it is a sign testifying to the existence of its Creator and to His Oneness.''
[الرَّحْمَـنِ الرَّحِيمِ ]
(3. Ar-Rahman (the Most Gracious), Ar-Rahim (the Most Merciful)).
Allah said next,
[الرَّحْمَـنِ الرَّحِيمِ ]
(Ar-Rahman (the Most Gracious),
Ar-Rahim (the Most Merciful)) We explained these Names in the Basmalah. Al-Qurtubi said, "Allah has described Himself by `Ar-Rahman, Ar-Rahim' after saying `the Lord of the Alamin', so His statement here includes a warning, and then an encouragement. Similarly, Allah said,
[نَبِّىءْ عِبَادِى أَنِّى أَنَا الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ - وَأَنَّ عَذَابِى هُوَ الْعَذَابُ الاٌّلِيمُ ]
(Declare (O Muhammad ) unto My servants, that truly, I am the Oft-Forgiving, the Most Merciful. And that My torment is indeed the most painful torment.) (15:49-50)
Allah said,
[إِنَّ رَبَّكَ سَرِيعُ الْعِقَابِ وَإِنَّهُ لَغَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ]
(Surely, your Lord is swift in retribution, and certainly He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.) (6:165)
Hence, Rabb contains a warning while Ar-Rahman Ar-Rahim encourages. Further, Muslim recorded in his Sahih that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,
«لَوْ يَعْلَمُ الْمُؤْمِنُ مَا عِنْدَ اللهِ مِنَ الْعُقُوبَةِ مَا طَمِعَ فِي جَنَّتِهِ أَحَدٌ، وَلَوْ يَعْلَمُ الْكَافِرُ مَا عِنْدَ اللهِ مِنَ الرَّحْمَةِ مَا قَنَطَ مِنْ رَحْمَتِهِ أَحَدٌ»
(If the believer knew what punishment Allah has, none would have hope in acquiring His Paradise, and if the disbeliever knew what mercy Allah has, none will lose hope of earning His earning.)
[مَـلِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ ]
(4. The Owner of the Day of Recompense.)
Indicating Sovereignty on the Day of Judgment
Allah mentioned His sovereignty of the Day of Resurrection, but this does not negate His sovereignty over all other things. For Allah mentioned that He is the Lord of existence, including this earthly life and the Hereafter. Allah only mentioned the Day of Recompense here because on that Day, no one except Him will be able to claim ownership of anything whatsoever. On that Day, no one will be allowed to speak without His permission. Similarly, Allah said,
[يَوْمَ يَقُومُ الرُّوحُ وَالْمَلَـئِكَةُ صَفّاً لاَّ يَتَكَلَّمُونَ إِلاَّ مَنْ أَذِنَ لَهُ الرَّحْمَـنُ وَقَالَ صَوَاباً ]
(The Day that Ar-Ruh (Jibril (Gabriel) or another angel) and the angels will stand forth in rows, they will not speak except him whom the Most Gracious (Allah) allows, and he will speak what is right.) (78:38),
[وَخَشَعَتِ الأَصْوَاتُ لِلرَّحْمَـنِ فَلاَ تَسْمَعُ إِلاَّ هَمْساً]
(And all voices will be humbled for the Most Gracious (Allah), and nothing shall you hear but the low voice of their footsteps.) (20:108), and,
[يَوْمَ يَأْتِ لاَ تَكَلَّمُ نَفْسٌ إِلاَّ بِإِذْنِهِ فَمِنْهُمْ شَقِىٌّ وَسَعِيدٌ ]
(On the Day when it comes, no person shall speak except by His (Allah's) leave. Some among them will be wretched and (others) blessed) (11:105).
Ad-Dahhak said that Ibn `Abbas commented, "Allah says, `On that Day, no one owns anything that they used to own in the world.'''
The Meaning of Yawm Ad-Din
Ibn `Abbas said, "Yawm Ad-Din is the Day of Recompense for the creatures, meaning the Day of Judgment. On that Day, Allah will reckon the creation for their deeds, evil for evil, good for good, except for those whom He pardons.'' In addition, several other Companions, Tabi`in and scholars of the Salaf, said similarly, for this meaning is apparent and clear from the Ayah.
Allah is Al-Malik (King or Owner)
ar-Rahman (the Most Gracious), Ar-Rahim (the Most Merciful)) We explained these Names in the Basmalah. Al-Qurtubi said, "Allah has described Himself by `Ar-Rahman, Ar-Rahim' after saying `the Lord of the Alamin', so His statement here includes a warning, and then an encouragement. Similarly, Allah said, Allah is Al-Malik (King or Owner)
Allah is the True Owner (Malik) (of everything and everyone). Allah said,
[هُوَ اللَّهُ الَّذِى لاَ إِلَـهَ إِلاَّ هُوَ الْمَلِكُ الْقُدُّوسُ السَّلَـمُ]
(He is Allah, beside Whom La ilaha illa Huwa, the King, the Holy, the One free from all defects) (59:23).
Also, the Two Sahihs recorded Abu Hurayrah saying that the Prophet ﷺ said,
«أَخْنَعُ اسْمٍ عِنْدَ اللهِ رَجُلٌ تَسَمَّى بِمَلِكِ الْأَمْلَاكِ وَلَا مَالِكَ إِلَّا اللهُ»
(The most despicable name to Allah is a person who calls himself the king of kings, while there are no owners except Allah.)
Also the Two Sahihs recorded that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,
«يَقْبِضُ اللهُ الْأَرْضَ وَيَطْوِي السَّمَاءَ بِيَمِينِهِ ثُمَّ يَقُولُ: أَنَا الْمَلِكُ، أَيْنَ مُلُوكُ الْأَرْضِ؟ أَيْنَ الْجَبَّارُونَ؟ أَيْنَ الْمُتَكَبِّرُونَ؟»
((On the Day of Judgement) Allah will grasp the earth and fold up the heavens with His Right Hand and proclaim, 'I Am the King! Where are the kings of the earth Where are the tyrants Where are the arrogant')
Also, in the the Glorious Qur'an;
[لِّمَنِ الْمُلْكُ الْيَوْمَ لِلَّهِ الْوَحِدِ الْقَهَّارِ]
(Whose is the kingdom this Day Allah's, the One, the Irresistible.) (40:16).
As for calling someone other than Allah a king in this life, then it is done as a figure of speech. For instance, Allah said,
[إِنَّ اللَّهَ قَدْ بَعَثَ لَكُمْ طَالُوتَ مَلِكًا]
(Indeed Allah appointed Talut (Saul) as a king over you.) (2:247),
[وَكَانَ وَرَآءَهُم مَّلِكٌ]
(As there was a king behind them) (18:79), and,
[إِذْ جَعَلَ فِيكُمْ أَنْبِيَآءَ وَجَعَلَكُمْ مُّلُوكاً]
(When He made Prophets among you, and made you kings) (5:20).
Also, the Two Sahihs recorded,
«مِثْلُ الْمُلُوكِ عَلَى الْأَسِرَّةِ»
(Just like kings reclining on their thrones)
The Meaning of Ad-Din
Ad-Din means the reckoning, the reward or punishment. Similarly, Allah said,
[يَوْمَئِذٍ يُوَفِّيهِمُ اللَّهُ دِينَهُمُ الْحَقَّ]
(On that Day Allah will pay them the (Dinahum) recompense (of their deeds) in full) (24:25), and,
[أَءِنَّا لَمَدِينُونَ]
(Shall we indeed (be raised up) to receive reward or punishment (according to our deeds)) (37:53).
A Hadith stated,
«الْكَيِّسُ مَنْ دَانَ نَفْسَهُ وَعَمِلَ لِمَا بَعْدَ الْمَوتِ»
(The wise person is he who reckons himself and works for (his life) after death.) meaning, he holds himself accountable.
Also, `Umar said, "Hold yourself accountable before you are held accountable, weigh yourselves before you are weighed, and be prepared for the biggest gathering before He Whose knowledge encompasses your deeds,
[يَوْمَئِذٍ تُعْرَضُونَ لاَ تَخْفَى مِنكُمْ خَافِيَةٌ ]
(That Day shall you be brought to Judgement, not a secret of yours will be hidden) (69:18).''
[إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ ]
(5. You we worship, and You we ask for help.) (1:5)
TIPS FOR THE TEST
Remember the Meanings.
Do not have to memorize the Ayahs, just get a good understanding about them.
TAJWEED
There will be a 10 Mark mandatory Q in the Final Exam where every one will be required to do any of the following two to get the marks: -
An Audio recording of your recitation of Surah Fatiha to be sent with the Final Exam (date and means will be announced in week 9).
If some one testifies that they are already taking Tajweed classes then they will need to recite it to their respective teacher and tell us the marks scored InShaAllah we will accept them and give the same marks.
We do not intend to judge anyone, rather help everyone InShaAllah! We have two or three sisters and a brother in the admin team who teaches Tajweed, also the wife of the Admin Alhamdulilah is a Hafiz and has studied Tajweed so they can can help InShaAllah!
So please do not hesitate or feel shy because firstly we are all doing this to get better in our Deen for the Sake of Allah and also because Surah Fatiha is a Pillar of Salah and we should be able to recite it correctly InShaAllah!
NOTE
Please note that the recitation is only required for the FINAL EXAM not for the weekly tests. It is mentioned here now so that everyone can prepare and more importantly recite correctly InShaAllah.
TAJWEED PRACTICE
Brothers who want to Practice can send an Audio to +966563380757.
Sisters if you need help with Tajweed/recitation, please ask the admin to give you the number of a female instructor to practice.
Please do not be shy, we are not here to judge anyone, rather help everyone InShaAllah!
Also you can find many online links to practice Tajweed - search on Youtube or Google for "Practice Tajweed Online" and learn or you can https://en.muqri.com/
ATTENDANCE/ASSIGNMENT
The marks for Attendance/Assignment will be given based on the below activities: -
Practice & Preach atleast 5 Sunnahs mentioned in the Etiquette Class of Week 6 that you were not following earlier - 10 Marks.
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May Allah help us all Learn the Good to apply it in our lives and the Evil to stay away from it InshaAllah!
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