04-18-2009, 01:54 PM
Another incident is that of 'Utbah ibn Rabee' another pagan Makkan who was seen as the 'negotiator' of his time. He asked the chiefs of Makkah to leave him to Muhammad (sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam) and that he will convince him that his Cause was not worth all this effort. Eloquently, he spoke and spoke employing all arguments to dissuade the Messenger (sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam). A while later, the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam) asked "Have you finished?" to which 'Utbah replied in the affirmative. "Then listen to me," said the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam),
"In the Name of Allaah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Ha Meem.
A Revelation from Allaah, the Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
A Book whose verses are explained in detail – A Qur'aan in Arabic for a people who reflect.
Giving glad tidings and warnings.
But most of them turn away so they listen not…" [Al-Fussilat: 1-5]
'Utbah stood there totally captivated and entranced by the verses of the Qur'aan. The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam) continued to complete the entire chapter – and with 54 verses, this was no short Surah. During the whole recitation, 'Utbah did not once turn away. Amazed and in total awe, he remained immersed in listening until the Messenger (sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam) said at the end, "You have heard what you have heard, so do as you please."
'Utbah returned to his people, a changed man, shaken to the heart, clearly moved yet silenced. He reported back to his people saying,
"O people, I have heard a speech the like of which I have never heard before. I swear by Allaah, it is not magic, nor is it poetry, nor is it sorcery. O gathering of Quraysh! Listen to me. Leave this man alone; for I swear by Allaah, the speech that I have heard from him will soon be news…"
'Utbah was right. It not only became news, but it became the greatest news which shone the face of this earth and lighted up the hearts of a lost people.
However, it is with great sadness that I say in our communities today this particular aspect of the miraculous nature of the Qur'aan in language, style, usage of words and structure is the least spoken about. Much of the time, this is due to the language barrier and the inability to understand Arabic in general. Our lack of understanding this language has lead us to miss out on the biggest miracle of the Qur'aan – what a loss indeed. We fail to experience the powerful choice of words by Allaah (subhaanahu wa ta'aala), the abundant meanings of each verse as it is filled with concise yet overwhelming news – understood by all from kings to servants, from the masters of language to the lame and illiterate. A lofty, unparalleled and magnificent masterpiece, the Qur'aan indeed conquers and remains unconquered.
Becoming companions of the Qur'aan
It is important for us to revive our relationship with the Qur'aan and restructure our lives around it. As the Messenger (sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam) said,
"Read the Qur'aan, for indeed it will come on the Day of Judgement as an intercessor for its companions." [sahih Muslim]
To be a companion of someone (or something) entails being in their presence most of the time and being with them wheresoever they are. To be a companion of the Qur'aan therefore means that we not only read it, but we accompany it throughout our lives – studying it, pondering over it, consulting it, memorising it, acting upon it, teaching it and defending it from the plots of its enemies. Indeed, to be from the people of Qur'aan amounts to being from the people of Allaah as Anas ibn Maalik narrates that the Messenger (sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam) said,
"The people of Qur'aan, they are the people of Allaah and His specialties." [Ahmad, Nisaa'ee, Ibn Maajah]
It's important for us to strive to become companions of the Qur'aan and much of the destiny of this Ummah depends on this crucial factor – have we grasped it firmly, or have we abandoned it?
"And the Messenger will say: "O my Lord! Verily, my people deserted this Qur'aan." [Al-Furqaan: 30]
One of the ways that we can pull this Ummah out of its current suffering, oppression and disunity is to return to the Revelation as Imam Maalik once stated, "Nothing will rectify the latter part of this Ummah except that which rectified the first part of it."
We need to return to it as a source of judgment between us and make it the light which penetrates our hearts and illuminates it such that we become a people of strength who walk with light. We need to return to it as serious students, understanding what our Lord is telling us and thereby appreciating the ultimate I'jaaz of the Furqaan. Indeed, had there been a Qur'aan with which mountains could be moved or the earth could be cloven asunder or the dead could be made to speak, it would not have been other than this Qur'aan.
--
"Read your Book. You yourself are a sufficient as a reckoner against you this Day." [surah Al-Israa' (17):14]