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Al Hamdulillah. It’s a short one today - relying on the eloquence and brevity of the Qur’an. But some context is due.
By the Grace and Mercy of the Exalted, this last Friday the Tafseer circle at my university completed their commentary on Surat-ul-Baqarah. As a sort of reflection on the volumes of wisdom Allah has allowed us to be witness to, this blog presents “The Al-Baqarah Taqwa Knowledge Pattern” (© 2008 all rights reserved ;) ).
Recall that towards the end of al-Baqarah, Allah, the Subtle and Well-Acquainted, concludes the longest ayat in the whole of the Qur’an with words that can be translated as, “…And have taqwa of Allah. And Allah teaches you. And Allah is Knowing of all things” [al-Baqarah(2):282].
All the memorizers of the Qur’an out there will tell you: there is a stretch of ayaat in the second juzz (i.e. para or part) which have very similar (mutashaabih) endings to 2:282 above. They require extra attention so as not to be mixed up when committing to memory.
Now, as these are presented to you in compiled form, you should hopefully detect why 2:282 is quite appropriately the last in the series of these endings; and also why the translation of this ayah is revised below (any student of the Arabic language will tell you that the word form used here can be both past and present – its called fay’l mudaari’).
Your reflections on this phenomenon (even “anonymous” ones) is what I’m seeking – especially on what sort of “knowledge” is being highlighted:
N.B. Taqwa is not only "fear": This is more than just fearing something (khawf or khashyat). In taqwa, you fear it and you protect yourself by bringing some sort of barrier between you and it. Thus Allah, how Perfect is He, says, “…garments that taqeequm (protect you) from heat and garments that taqeequm from your [enemy in] battle…” [an-Nahl(16):81]. So having taqwa may be better translated as “be cautious of and protect yourself from”. It is not only a feeling but an action. And it need not only be used with respect to Allah: "...have taqwa of the world and [especially] have taqwa of women...” [Sahih Muslim #36.6606].
- …And have taqwa of Allah that you may succeed. [#189]
- …And have taqwa of Allah and know that Allah is with those who have taqwa of Him. [#194]
- …And have taqwa of Allah and know that Allah is severe in penalty. [#196]
- …And take provisions, but indeed, the best provision is taqwa. And have taqwa of Me, Ya ulil albaab [O you of understanding]. [#197]
- …And have taqwa of Allah and know that unto Him you will be gathered. [#203]
- …And when it is said to him, "Have taqwa of Allah ," pride in the sin takes hold of him…[#206]
- …And have taqwa of Allah and know that you will meet Him... [#207]
- …And have taqwa of Allah and know that Allah is, of all things, Knowing. [#231]
- …And have taqwa of Allah and know that Allah is, of what you do, Seeing. [#233]
- … And have taqwa of Allah and Allah will teach you. And Allah is, of all things, Knowing . [#282]
Wa sallallahu wasallama ‘alan-nabi; wassalaamu 'alainaa wa ‘alaa 'ibaadillahissaaleheen.
5 comments:
Assalamu aleikum: you are suggesting that knowledge will come after taqwa - but don't you need knowledge to gain taqwa?
Salamu alaicum.
Yes. I agree with the last person - someone would say that before you have given us the verse, "Only those fear Allah who have knowledge" (Time V. of Knowledge i think?). So would this not appear to be a contradiction? Add to that another report I remember you quoting from al-Kahf, Khidr alayhissalam's saying to Musa alayhissalam: "And how will you have patience about that which you don't have knowledge?" Sorry I didn't have the exact translations or verses but I think you will know what I mean.
Sir I also thought that the ayat you give #197 also says "have taqwa...O you of understanding". So doesn't this mean that people of understanding are more likely to have taqwa???? Waiting for replies to earlier comments... but jkkk for id. the "pattern", Sir!
Salaamz - its obvious if Allah is saying that have taqwa then He'll teach you then that's the case.
there's also (8/29), "Oh you who believe, if you have taqwa of Allah, He will give you the Criterion..."
Also the hadees that if Allah loves somebody he gives him knowledge?
Wa alaikumussalam wa rahmatullah(for all of you)
Indeed, may Allah reward you, for the points raised.
Assalamu aleikum: you are suggesting that knowledge will come after taqwa - but don't you need knowledge to gain taqwa?
There is a fuller answer and a brief answer to this... the fuller answer will have to wait to the next blog (insha'Allah)....
The shorter one is as follows:
From one angle this discussion may seem very "academic": should we even care which one comes first? Just work on both as much as you can and they will re-inforce each other... right?
Well let's see if the Qur'an says anything about this. Compare the ordering of the mission of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) following two verses:
Abraham makes du'a to Allah:"Our Lord, and send among them a messenger from themselves who will recite to them Your verses and teach them the Book and wisdom and purify them. Indeed, You are the Exalted in Might, the Wise." [2:129]
But when Allah Himself describes the mission of this Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wassallam): "Just as We have sent among you a messenger from yourselves reciting to you Our verses and purifying you and teaching you the Book and wisdom and teaching you that which you did not know."[2:151]
Has the order of things changed? If so why? So where does taqwa come?
Consider that again in 3:164, the 2:151 order is maintained. Consider also the verses that have perceded in this blog; and the verse 8:29 which the bro/sis(?) before me has quoted.
before you have given us the verse, "Only those fear Allah who have knowledge"
you give #197 also says "have taqwa...O you of understanding".
Ma Sha Allah, this "back-and-forth" discussion has really opened my own mind; whenever I raised the question of taqwa vs. knowledge in tafsir classes nobody raised these points; now quotes from the blog are being brought back to me :).
Now that you have mentioned them; the relationship has actually become more clearer for me - but I'll wait till the next blog to give my two pence worth on it (insha'Allah). Till then plz pre-empt me :).
P.S. could we please standardize the english transliteration of the Salaam! we've got four versions just in this blog!... does this come under: "And amend what comes between you"[8:1]....
wassalaaamo alaykum ;)
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