In this month’s reflection, I wanted to visit the very first revelation of the Qur’an which is Chapter 96. These first five verses are universally understood to have been revealed first, in the Cave of Hira where Archangel Gabriel visited the Prophet for the first time. This chapter then continues to deliberate on two immediate concerns of the Prophet – the opposition he would beginning to encounter and how he needed to be resolute in the faceof immediate and long-term opposition. Such opposition from within and from outside the community, continues to frustrate the Muslim community even after 1500 years. Let’s read the chapter first (below) and then I will provide some brief comments and observations.
In the Name of Allah, the God of Mercy, the Endower of Mercy!
Read in the name of your Cherisher God!
Who creates
Creates human beings with love (Alaq)!
Read!
Your Cherisher God is Grand and Most Generous!
Who teaches through knowledge (Qalam)
Who teaches humanity what it does not know! (v.1-5)
Beware!
Humankind is ever rebellious
Because it considers itself self-sufficient
(whereas) its eventual return is to its Cherisher (God). (v. 6-8)
Have you seen him who obstructs?
A servant (the Prophet) in his devotion and prayers
Should he not consider if he (the Prophet) is on the right path,
Or if he (the Prophet) encourages mindfulness and responsibility (Taqwa)?
Has he (the Prophet) ever denied the truth and turned his back?
Does he (the rebellious) not know that God sees? (v. 9-14)
Surely, if he does not stop
We (God) will drag him by his forehead
A forehead - lying and unjust!
Let him then call on his cohorts
We too will summon Our forces.
Never (Prophet)
follow him (such rebellious)
(instead) bow down (to God)
And draw closer (to God and goodness). (v. 15-19)
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The three key main themes are as follows:
- First, the nature of God as Creator, along with His generosity, is bestowed to humanity through love and knowledge. Love initiates and sustains both creation and its outcomes, while the gift of truth, expressed through knowledge and collective learning, guides humanity in its ongoing pursuit of perfection
- Second, those who opposed the Prophet by denying his message and physically obstructing his efforts and devotion to God are refuted through informed and logical reasoning in three questions (1) is the Prophet not on the right path? (2) Does he not encourage mindfulness and inspire responsible human conduct? (3) Has he ever lied or failed to honor his commitments?
- Third, a stark warning is issued to those who opposed the Prophet: God sees all, and they will be humiliated for their deceit and lies, even if they gather their forces, for God’s power surpasses theirs. At the same time, the Prophet is instructed never to yield to falsehood, but to turn to God through devotion and spiritual alignment to Him and His message.
These three points could also give us hope today, provide basis for how to assess the current collapse of rule of law and morals in the world, and how to reverse the failure of humanity to stop the war crimes and widespread destruction to life, property and religious freedom across the world.
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