Explaining Kitab Jawahir al-Quran: A reader's understanding of the Book Part-2

Part Two

In Part Two, we look into detail regarding the divisions of the surahs and verses of Quran as described by the author and its beautiful explanation.The author explains the Six aims of the Quran. He compares and metaphorizes the aims to brim stones and jewels. The Highest of the aim is like the red brim stone which is dazzling and precious. This is the “Knowing of Allah Swt himself”. It is known as Al Maarifa ( The Knowledge). It is the Epitome of knowledge and the highest stage a person can achieve. The Al Maarifa comprises of sub sections which are the Knowledge of the essence of the true One, His attributes, and his words.

These topics of the knowledge are like corundum and as the corundum have grades, knowledge is of different grades and stages. Among these the most precious is the knowledge of his essence and the most difficult to understand and comprehend. Then comes his attributes which is explained in the Quran. It is like the Bluish-Grey corundum and last is God’s work (The Yellow ones). The knowledge of his essence is the most puzzling and difficult to acquire and one needs to attain a level of maturity in the ilm of quran to understand it as Allah himself says “Laisa kamisli shaiyan”.

As for the attributes, the scope is wide and a lot of details are present. The divine works are compared to the sea whose shores are wide and long. He says that among the works of Allah there are some which are prevalent and which are hidden from senses and the noblest of his works are that which are invisible ( Alam al-malakut). He mentions about the (Al karubiyun) or the Arch angels who are among the noblest and purest of the creatures of Allah ,who know nothing but to serve Allah. This brings to the topic of the arrogance and haughtiness of the human beings when they think that they are the fullest of the creations of Allah to whom there is no comparison. But to show the insignificance of the human population, Imam Ghazzali mentions about the white earth were there are creatures thirty times more than earth’s and they know nothing about this disobedient creature called humans and nor do they know about iblis. They follow the orders of Allah and that is their aim. This Hadith is narrated by Ibn Abbas (r.a).

The emphasis is on the fact that humans are limited by senses and imagination and this is just the rind of the pith and the pith contains much much more .The second division concerns the definition of the path to God.Allah says in the Quran “ Devout yourself to him very devoutly”(Quran 73:8) and this is achieved by advancing towards him and betraying the things that are against and not from his principles. To achieve it one needs to be in constant remembrance of Allah and be in prayer. This is defined as a journey( As Safar) to God and the remarkable feature of this particular journey is that there is no moving of ones self towards Allah nor Allah comes to him as both are in reality together. This principle of Sufism is a key fundamental point of spirituality where it shows Allah’s omnipotence and the secret lies in finding this so that both are together in spirit and the journey is successful. This is mentioned in Quran 50:15 where Allah says “We are nearer to him than his jugular vein”.

Imam Ghazzali beautifully exemplifies this notion by the use of Mirror. The seeker and the sought are like a picture in the mirror. It is because of rust or dirt that one does not see the picture but if you polish and clean, the image is revealed. This is not by any movement to the sought after but by polishing. By removing the veil, Allah’s essence is revealed and is not concealed as light cannot be concealed and God is the light of the heavens and the earth. This is also an explanation of the verse “Allahu nooru samawathi wal ardh”. The only reason one does not see light is because of a veil that does not allow the light to hit our eyes or by some kind of defect in the vision and this is the same way one sees Allah. Imam Ghazzali also explains this concept in view of the questions of the traditionalists, literalists and the like ( and also some erred concepts in Islamic Mysticism) by saying that once the light is revealed people imagine Allah is in the soul as the picture is in the mirror and the human nature (nasut) has put on divine nature (lasut) but Allah confirms with his words ( Quran 14:27) and it is seen that the picture in the mirror in actuality is not present inside the mirror but only reflected in it and the reflection is not the thing. Allah is revealed to different people at the same time and hence it is the essence which is experienced by humans. It depends upon your closeness to Allah and the amount of Ibadah and iman a person has.

The third division defines man’s condition at the time of his meet with God. It includes the humiliation and punishment that one will face for their evils and also the good things awaiting the believers. He explains it by saying that the most painful of the punishment is the veil or hijab that will separate the person from Allah.Allah distance himself from such people and this is the toughest of the punishments that the disbelievers will face. This division explains about the properties of the people of hell and heaven , the attributes, the events etc and these are regarded as the green christolytes.

The fourth division concerns about the condition of the people who are with Allah and those who denied him, like the prophets of Allah and the evil people like  Firoun,Qarun etc. This divisions illustrate the descriptions of the people who deny Allah and also of the secrets of the people of Allah like the prophets. This division is compared to the Grey ambergris and aloe wood found in the seas.

The fifth division consists of the arguments of the infidels against the truth and  explanation of their errors by obvious proofs. Their falsehood is of three kinds. One is that they speak of God in terms of Human qualities such as associating daughters with him or partners. Secondly they deny the Prophet saws and accuse him of being a liar and soothsayer.And the third is the denial of the day of resurrection and the last day.

The sixth division is the fulfillment of the commitments, and the way the path has to be trodden. It consists of the way in which a person can follow Islam, the laws binding a person to Islam, the legal nuances, the rules and regulations etc which will keep a Muslim in the right path. The topics of usury, charities, marriage, the laws of dowry , nikah, divorce, financial laws and all that governs the Islamic way of life is mentioned in the verses of this sixth division. These are numerous and are straight forward and easy to understand and implement so that the ultimate aim of reaching to Allah swt is achieved.

Explaining Kitab Jawahir al-Quran: A reader's understanding of the Book Part-1

Explaining Kitab Jawahir al-Quran

A readers understanding of the Book Part-1

 

 

A valuable Book for all Quran researchers and lovers and a beginning for those who would like to dwell into the pearls of this magnificent holy treasure , Kitab Jawahir al-Quran is a fine piece of allegorical explanation of the content and heart of Quran, why it is to be read and what to find as a logical thinker and as a spiritual soul. More of a soul’s thirst quencher this is a phenomenon in spiritual writing.

Abu Hamid Al Ghazzali (d.505 AH/1111AD) was a prominent islamic philosopher most famous for his milestone work Ihya Uloomuddin which made the sufi doctrine acceptable to the mainstream islamic circle. He was known as the Proof of Islam ( Hujjah al islam) and the ornament of religion (Zain ud din).In his later years after the completion of the major works , Al-Ghazzali explained his understanding of quran with this book “ Kitab Jawahir al-Quran” The Book of Jewels of Quran. The Book is a source of much of our understanding on Al-Ghazzali’s view and knowledge of the quran.

This is the translation of his glorious work by the scholar Muhammad Abdul Quasem who has beautifully reflected the text into english.

The Book is a great explanation on the beauty of Quran and its theory with an elaboration on the division of its contents and core value of its text. It includes the Maqasid (aims) of the Quran and its theory .The first chapter explains the contents in brief.

The Book consists of 3 parts: 1.) Introductory matters

2.)On the aims of the Quran

3.) Matters connected to the aims

In the first part the section is divided into 19 chapters explaining this section in detail. The 19 chapters are listed in the content and a brief is given on it.

1. The quran is like an Ocean which covers many types of jewels.
2. The limiting of the aims of the Quran and its valuables to six divisions of which three are important principles and the other three follow them and complete them.
3. The explanation of the six divisions and its branching into Ten.
4. The process by which all branches of sciences branch of from these ten divisions. The sciences are divided into the science of the outer shell and inner jewels.
5. how sciences of the ancients and modern branch off from the Quran.
6. The concepts of Quran comprising of red Brimstone,greatest antidote and the strongest musk and all other jewels and pearls.
7. The reason of why all the entities of the invisible world is explained with similitude in the visible world.
8. The understanding of the connection between the visible and invisible worlds.
9. Analysis of the allegories.
10. Its benefits.
11. How some verses of quran excel others.
12. The secrets of Surah Fathiha, description of Arrahman and Araheem.
13. The eight doors of heaven with the surah Fathiha being the key.
14. Why the verse of throne is regarded as chief of quranic verses.
15. An investigation into why surah Ikhlas is equal to a third part of Quran.
16. Why surah Yasin is considered to be heart of Quran.
17. Why Prophet (saws) considered Surah Fathiha as best surah of quran and verse of throne as chief of quranic verses
18. Condition of the gnostics (Aarifun)
19. Secret reason for stringing the jewels of quran on one string and its pearls on the other.

The second part deals with the aims and comprises of the essence of the quranic verses which are of two kinds. The first consists of jewels which are verses concerning the essence of Allah and his attributes. These are known as cognitive part ( al qism al ilmi) .The second consists of the pearls which are verses regarding the straight path, the way of life ,the works which need to be done to achieve the straight path. This is the practical part ( al qism al amali).

The First Chapter begins with the verse

“Do they not ponder over the Quran in order to understand its deep meaning , or is it that their minds are locked up from within? “(Quran 47:24)

The author beautifully requests the readers to arise from sleep and describes the people who only read the Quran at the surface or only know the meaning of it as the ones who are at the shore of the ocean and has not dived into the ocean to find the treasures of Quran. He motivates to sail into the ocean and gather all the jewels of the Quran to understand the significance and royalty of the Quran.

The Impressiveness of the book is due to the fact that it is based on the concept of jewels and precious allegories and metaphorical representation of the topics and verses into pearls and jewels imbibing a keen fantasy and worldly image in the minds of the reader which helps in understanding the concepts of the much deep and invisible meanings and interpretations of the Quranic language. The book explains the jewels as red brimstone, shining pearls, green chrysolite and strongest of the musks, and other metaphors.

In the second chapter the aims and the valuables are explained in a clearer fashion. The Surahs of the Quran are divided into six types. Three of them are the important ones and the other three follow them. The three important ones are the definition of God, the definition of the straight path, and the definition of the condition at the time of attaining to him.

The other three divisions are the conditions of those who answer the call of God. It describes the dealing of God with man. It also describes about the people who do not answer to call of god and about the punishment they will face. The second narration describes the condition of who deny the God and their disgrace in denial of God and in being on the side of falcity. The third division defines the path to god, the preparation and the provisions.

The Book is as though a journey through the sea in a ship, cruising through the beauty of Quran and the author takes you into the world of holiness through this journey….

FAITH II

The aspect of faith that reveals itself to human is that which brings a stronger affinity towards faith in something that you believe. This aspect is the unexpected events that occur in every human being’s life. We may call it ‘the miracle’. Sceptics may challenge this word as everything has a reason but within the boundaries of human thinking, some miracles haven’t got any reasons. This benefits the believers with the cementing of one’s faith.

Miracles are called so since men cannot comprehend cause of such an event. This exerts the view that Faith is real. While it is real it has many different dimensions as well as forms. These forms are according to the direction to which faith points. Reality is the One and when the path is towards it, faith exists in its realest form. Faith is believing in ‘al ghaib’ and believing in ‘al ghaib’ sweeps away the notion of reason. One wonders then why do we think, why is it a part of the human process and why is it encouraged in the holy book.

The answer lies in what faith is made of. To reach the epitome of faith one has to step on all the blocks of the staircase and reasoning helps in achieving one’s faith. In the case of the real faith which is the faith in the One, the Omnipotent, reason and intellect actually purports the very idea of learning his or her faith. Intellect supports his faith in the One. The Holy Quran encourages thinking and reasoning as it says

And it is He who spread the earth and placed therein firmly set mountains and rivers; and from all of the fruits He made therein two mates; He causes the night to cover the day. Indeed in that are signs for a people who give thought. (Al Quran 13:3)

These signs are a stimulator of thoughts that provide the impetus to think about god and get close to him and ultimately be a devout human being. It strengthens the faith. In this respect intellectual capability and logical reasoning channelled in the desired way will lead to faith in the one and only god. It begins or initiates the belief in god and is the step of the staircase. Miracles are also similar to these signs but they may have no reason that can be understood by men but it surely shoots in a thought of God and this starts the process towards the faith in him. In both ways, faith is instilled in one’s mind. They are a source to belief or faith.

Faith Involves reasoning and logic but depending on it entirely is detrimental for faith itself. Reasoning and logic are modes to reach a conclusion and in the case of faith in God too it is implemented, but man has a limitation; the limitation that was created by God and there are matters above the boundary of man’s thought which may baffle his mind but is an ultimate truth and believing in it confirms his faith. One can say reason and intellect will lead you to faith and the belief in the unseen confirms it.

FAITH I

Faith 

Faith is the contentment that one receives when submitted to a source of power. Faith is a strong bond, an internal one that connects you to someone else, and eternal faith is that which connects you to the supreme, the merciful, the compassionate and the planner.

During the childhood days we were innocent, we believed what people said. Our relatives, parents and siblings told us stories that made us excited and wondered at and we just believed it completely. We felt the stories, saw it and heard it as if It was real. This was because the mind and heart was clear. We had faith. We felt, whatever they said was true, was clear. The innocence brought us faith and it wasn’t the faith and trust towards the parent but when we dwell into the entire concept, we find that the ability to believe comes from a clean and pure heart, and that creates the trust. This is from a belief, a belief on someone who blew life into us, and that is faith.

The ultimate faith is towards god, the supreme power and faith means to submit in entirety. This we did when our minds were clear and innocent during the blissful days of childhood. But some may wonder, we didn’t have knowledge, we didn’t have the ability to understand the right from the wrong, and then how can one say that was faith. But that was indeed real faith, the faith that was already in us.

The faith in God and his powers was already ingrained into us from birth. It was just there. The things that happened next could be called the undoing of faith and the struggle of the soul against it. Quite philosophical but when thought in through this angle, it fits. The faith is to believe in something without any conditions. It is an unconditional love and belief for someone and it could be done and given to only a supreme power, or at least only to a single element and that one is God.

The love that comes after it is all part of the existence of God and the faith you have in him. The degree of faith is the crucial issue. People may believe in him or deny him. In the people who believe in him there are different degrees of belief and faith relies on these degrees. The Holy books tells us to reach the epitome of faith, to believe whatever he is and whatever comes from him unconditionally and when you can do it then you are the believer or as Quran terms him/her AlMu’min. The Quran explains it beautifully:

“Alif, Lam, Meem. This is the Book about which there is no doubt, guidance for those conscious of Allah. Who believe in the unseen, establish prayer, and spend out of what We have provided for them”(AlQuran Ch2:V1,2,3) .

This explicitly states the belief in the unseen and that is an important part of the faith. Faith is strong when he can believe the unseen, the unfelt without a fragment of incredulity. He can believe whatever is given to him and he is known as the Muthaqi or one who is conscious of god. Faith is in believing something without any doubt, with absolute surety  and submitting to the belief completely.