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Models and Geo-religious Scene at the Time of Revelation of
the Quran:
Besides local brute
force of pagans, following major religious groups existed
in respective geo-political settings, when the Quran was revealed:
Chinese: Besides being a major
religious group, it was an empire, securing itself within
confines of the Great Wall.
Indian: It was a fractured melting
pot of religions, dominated by Hinduism; itself in disarray,
with Harsha Vardhana Dynasty at Qanauj.
Magian: Iranian Empire was in
constant conflict with Roman Empire - They were softening
bellies of each other.
Judaic and Christian: The Church
was supported by Roman Empire with Jews dispersed in the Peninsula
with some fortifications of their own.
These and
all the failed models on the high way of history should serve
as exemplary admonition to keep away from that route. The
Quran mentions many examples of empires (e.g. Roman and Persian),
societies, (e.g. Jewish and Christian), civilizations, (e.g.
Egyptian, Babylonians, etc), particularly from the ancients
(e.g. Aad, Thamud, etc), and even individuals as examples
of admonition.
Direction
set by Al-Faatihah: In this background, right
at the earlier stages of revelation of the Quran, the whole
concept seems to be condensed in a capsule of one Surah (Al-Fatihaah)
which made it easy to understand and implement. It clarified
that the revelation upholds the truth enjoining the belief
that The Only One Allah Alone is Himself `The Rabb’
– The Ever-All Owner-Sustainer-Master-Lord. He is Ever
All-Beneficent, Ever All-Merciful and Sovereign-Owner of the
Day of Recompense. The belief in the Day of Recompense emerges
from the belief in Resurrection. The entire concept is translated
in a practicable model (the concept based conduct) called
`Ad-diin’ (the religion, if it could be translated briefly).
The recompense is determinable on the basis of `Ad- diin’.
Righteous living is possible only in consonance with this
belief and in obedience to the Laws based on nature, for the
good of humankind. Unity of mankind and progress of society,
along with development of individual personality are primary
objectives of the Message. Those who had deviated from the
Truth (the Law), and had divided themselves into sects, are
invited to be back on the Right Path (which could be only
one single path in conformity with nature). Like the Unified
Law of cosmos, there is a Universal Law regulating human life
– being one and the same for every one. Deviation and
division do not find favours and do not lead to success.
A Brief
Introduction:The Revelation, besides providing
knowledge and guidance to mankind has, provided expression
and interpretation to spiritual urge of its nature: “The Ever
All-Benevolent (Allah)
He taught the Quran.
He created the human being,
He taught him the expression-articulation-eloquence”
( 55-1 to 4)
Al-Faatihah introduces
the Quran which is a prescription for taking out from darkness
to light. The scientific Truth of all existence has been artfully
expressed as the echo of every mind and the voice of every
heart, from within – This is Surat-ul Faatihah. The
basic theme of all revelation and the lesson of history have
been beautifully summarized in this Surah that devotion to
God and righteous deed are determinants and dynamics of rise
of individuals and nations; and deviation causes downfall.
It is the wonder of the world of expression and statement,
condensing unlimited scope of different subjects and mountains
of meaning beyond measure. It is marvel and miracle within
Miracle of the Quran.
"..And We (Allah) have sent down to you,
the Book that
explains everything, and
a Guidance, and
a Mercy, and
Glad Tidings ,
to those who submit to God (muslimiin)" 16-90
An ‘Introduction’
given by Abdullah Yusuf Ali is reproduced in Appendix-40.
Allah
is not in need of praise
“Mankind! you are the poor,
in need of God,
whereas God is The Rich beyond need,
The Praiseworthy.” 35-15
Allah's Praise
is not His need, for He is High Exalted Ever All-Great for
Whom - all His creation, existence and beauty, of every component
and entity, individually and collectively, stand in adoration
as His manifestations! He needs no petition, for He knows
our needs, wants and wishes better than we ourselves can think
about, understand or ask for them. His Bounties are open to
all, everything and everyone without even asking - for the
righteous and the sinner; everything, everyone and all. Therefore,
the prayer is for our own guidance, education, training and
consolation. At the same time it is reiteration and confirmation
of our faith in the limitless Mercy and Benevolence of Allah,
always available.
The prayer in Al-Faatihah begins with the Praise
of Allah to Whom it is addressed as the humble and right way
of supplication and not as an arrogant or abrupt request in
despair or despondency. The collective homage is paid sincerely
acknowledging His Ever All Excellence in countless bounties
bathed in limitless Mercy. This Surah emphasizes that deeply
sincere Praise of Allah, thanks and prayers to Him Alone (both,
worship and seeking help) should be comprehensive, extending
beyond one’s own person, group or people. Allah’s
Power and Providence have no limits.
Al-Faatihah's
`Scope' : The spectrograph of the universe
of the Quran has been condensed on the lens of the scope of
this seemingly small Surah. The seven verses contain as vast
information as the seven heavens and more, covered in the
Quran.
Allah has Himself disclosed the fact of nature
and taught the prayer. It sums up the concept of `Oneness'
and takes faith from psychological plank to practical platform.
It blends hope and aspirations into action for benediction
of the individual and harmonized progress of the society,
in all spheres, including mystic and mundane activities of
the mortals.
Al-Faatihah clarifies the concept of Unity of
God, that determines moral and spiritual values which the
religion assigns to life. While highlighting the Truth, Al-Faatihah
presents the concept of Unity of God or `Oneness', through
the vision of Uluuhiyat, Rubuubiyat, Rahmat, Hidaayat, Adaalat
and Recompense, in continuous succession. A study of these,
as manifest in existence, life and working of universe, discloses
that one attribute gives rise to the other in continuity and
continuum, progressively.
This beautiful Surah provides knowledge about
Allah, His Attributes and His relationship with His creation
as Ever Only One Alone Creator, Sustainer, Lord-Master-Owner
of life, existence, death, resurrection, recompense and thereafter,
with Absolute Sovereignty manifest in the most flabbergasting
scientific system. All this is organized and administered
graciously with Benevolence and Mercy which is adored and
admired with all sincere thankful praises, by all and everything,
for Him Alone.
Simple and
Direct Approach: Instead of postulating theories
and intellectual injunctions, it appeals to natural instinct,
aptitude and inherent sense of God in man even though he may
have fallen into ignorance, turned indifferent or have become
arrogant:
"Nay, man is a telling witness against himself,
although he tenders excuses." (75-14).
Al-Faatihah is very simple, precise and concise
in teaching prayer; which is heart of religion and faith,
both as worship and supplication. It is in fact a prayer of
all but specially of those who want to surf, search and seek
wisdom and guidance from the Quran. It presents a unique style
of approach to God, the Quran, nature, and humankind. `Explorer’
of the Reality and seeker of the Secret, finds the Quran as
an answer from Allah to all his questions and his prayer in
Al-Faatihah.
Like getting a `download on the `personal computer’
[in this case on one's own person (mind)] or `submission’
of application `on line’ through `inter net’,
in prayer also one has to mentally `log on’ to the `protocol’
of faith. It has to be fulfillled and `signed in’. Orientation
has to be set `on line’ One can directly `submit’
his `allegiance’ or `agreement’ to the inter net
`provider’ or web page `master’. Then he may move
the `cursor’ to the `window’ of `hope' to `click’
for the `down load’ or for `help’, guidance, support,
and success.
Al-Faatihah, in nutshell, covers all the major
subjects of the Quran, e.g.: (i) Facts of
nature and science. (see chapter on `Al-Hamdu’ Lillaah).
(ii) `Tauheed’ of `Uluuhiyah’
and `Rubuubiyah’, Owning with `Rahmah’ commanding
worship and obedience in universe(s) and of all creation.
(verses 1-1 to 5). (iii) The Social Contract
(verse 1-6 ) (iv) Rise and fall of nations
and individuals (1-6 & 7). (v) Logical
conclusion of all creation(s), resurrection and Here-after.
For developing deeper insight into the Quran and
for deriving maximum benefit: (a) Al-Faatihah
provides means and medium of continuous (oft repeated) communication
and communion with the Creator by His bondsmen, (b)
it is the source of support and succour whenever and wherever
beseeched, (c) it keeps one conscious with
continuous Guidance in negotiating turning points and turbulence,
all along, on the path-way, (d) it highlights
a practical model of those who were supported to succeed and
were provided bounties, abounding, (e) it
advises to seek refuge from ill effects of style and actions
of those who earned displeasure and were doomed, and (f)
it also calls to seek refuge from going the way of those who
went wandering astray and were lost.
Verse 1-4 in continuity with verse 1-5 amply emphasizes
the point that help and guidance are being sought not just
as one time pointer or an indicator in a direction but as
continuous and protective guidance - to remain guided and
conducted all along.
Both descriptions, negative and positive, have
been given to define the `Right Way’ from both perspectives,
i.e.,`what it is' and 'what it is not like'. It is a charted
course marked all along for the convenience of the wayfarer.
Brilliance
of Style and Appeal: Brilliance of overall
style of the Quran, addressing with appeal and invitation
to the human mind to consider its `self' and its surroundings
is quite eloquent in this Surah. It is a wake- up call to
man's conscience, who is a witness to his own self. The simplicity
of this Surah is quite evidently elegant.
In the Quran every point under discussion has been presented
as an explanation in itself. Answers are explicit even in
questions. The inquisitive mind mines mountains of material
at every level of `drill down’ into the mind, while
reading by reasoning. It demands application in life through
intellect. Every vowel and consonant in the Quran enlarges
scientific spectrum of meaning, expression and interpretation.
Even its dot matrix contains secrets of science! There is
a clear invitation at every level to consider facts and reflect
into phenomena of nature.
"Say:
Who supplies you sustenance from the heavens, and the earth?
Who hath power over hearing and sight?
And who brings forth the living from the dead
,
and brings forth the dead from the living ?
And who rules over all things?
They will Surely say: `Allah’.
Then say: `What! Will you not therefore be mindful
of Him?’
Such then is God, your true Lord-Master-Sustainer-Owner.
and when truth is gone, what remains but error?
How then are you so perverted?" 10-31 &
32.
For some examples of style of appeal and invitation
to reflect see, e.g., 27- 60 to 64.
One
of Earlier Revelations: It is the first Surah
of seven beautiful verses, as the Opening Chapter of the Quran.
`Faatihah’ means that which opens or commences anything
e.g., a subject or a book with a preface. It is one of the
earliest revelations of the Quran. This was the first complete
Surah revealed to the Prophet (Peace be upon him). However,
different verses of different Surah were revealed before Al-Fatihaah.
It was revealed in Makkah as Ibn Abbas, Qatadah and Abu Al-Aliyah
stated.
“The date of revelation is not certain ,
but the fact that it has always, from the very earliest times,
formed a part of Muslim worship, there being no record or
remembrance of its introduction or of public prayer without
it, makes it clear that it was revealed before the fourth
year of the Prophet’s (Peace be upon him) Mission (the
tenth year before the Hijrah); because we know for certain
that by that time regular congregational prayers were offered
by the little group of Muslims in Mecca. In that year, as
the result of insult and attack, by the idolaters, the Prophet
(Peace be upon him) arranged for the services, which had till
then been held out doors, to take place in a private house.”
(M.M.Pickthal, Translation of the Holy Quran, p.3)
Distinctions:
It has thus following distinctions and to be the
first:
- The Holy Quran begins with it.
- The prescribed prayer begins with
it.
- It is the first complete Surah revealed
to the Prophet (Peace be upon him).
- The Quran is considered to be the
elaboration of the basic principles and the theme of this
Surah.
- It is the approved form of the most
comprehensive prayer blending both worship and supplication;
one intensifying the other.
The Prophet (Peace be upon him ) said that his Lord (Allah)
said:
“The prayer (i.e., Al-Faatihah) is divided into
two halves between Me (Allah) and My servants. When the
servant says, `All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of
existence, Allah says, `My servant has praised Me.”
This shows
that it gets instant attention, recognition and response of
Allah Himself.
(vi) According to a Hadiith it
is the best Surah. It has been recorded by Imam Ahmad that
Ibn Jaabir reported that the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said:
“O, Abdullah bin Jaabir! Should I inform
you of the best Surah in the Quran? I said `Yes O Messenger
of Allah!’ He said, “Read, `All Praise be to Allah,
the Lord of the existence,’ until you finish it.”
(Tafsir- Ibn Kathir, p.46).
(vii) There is no parallel to
this Surah in the Scriptures. The Prophet (Peace be upon him)
once expressed that it had no parallel in Torah, Injil and
Zabur and that it is the best Surah in the Quran. (A.M.Yaqoob,
Translation, Tafsir, p.25). When the Prophet (Peace be upon
him) says this, it means that there is much deeper sense in
it than we may be able to bring out in comparison with some
of the formulations in the Scriptures. There are many verses
and paragraphs in different Books of the Scripture, which
are recited, repeated and revered. Let us have a look at `Shema',
which contains the Biblical passages affirming the Unity of
God, the complete love with which He must be served, and the
acceptance of His Commandments, which are recited twice daily
in the Jewish liturgy. The three paragraphs of the `Shema',
the central affirmation of Jewish belief, are: Deuteronomy,
6:4-9 & 11:13-21 and Numbers, 15:37-41. "The last
of which contains a reference to God's redeeming acts in history
as exemplified in the Exodus from Egypt. The Shema is also
recited by the believer before retiring at night, and by the
dying man". Verses 6: 4-5 of Deuteronomy are reproduced
below:
"Hear
O Israel,
The Lord is our God ,
The Lord is One,
You shall love The Lord, your God,
with all your heart,
with all your soul, and
with all your might" (Deuteronomy, 6: 4-5)
(John R.Hinnells,
Dictionary of Religions)
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