MA‘ARIFUL-QUR’AN By MAULANA MUFTI MUHAMMAD SHAFT: Translated by Muhammad Shamim Revised by Maulana Muhammad Taqi ‘Usmani Volume 2 (Surah ’Al-‘Imran, Al-Nisa’)8, No Subject Page CONTENTS Preface 17 Transliteration Scheme 19 SURAH ’AL-IMRAN Verses 1-6: Translation and Commentary 88 A Summary ofMeanings_ = Tawhid a consistent belief preached by all prophets 26 Verse 7 : Translation and Commentary 27 Meaning of Muhkam and Mutashabih 28 Verses 8-13 : Translation and Commentary 31 Verses 14-17 : Translation and Commentary 34 The limits of one's love for worldly enjoyments 35 Verses 18-19 : Translation and Commentary 41 Related Considerations: Merits of the verse meaning "Allah bears witness" 42 Din and Islam: An explanation of the two words 43 Salvation in our times depends on Islam: Even good deeds and morals from a non-Muslim are not acceptable 46 Verses 20-25 : Translation and Commentary. Verses 26-27 : Translation and Commentary 5. ‘The back-ground of Revelation: An episode from the Battle of Khandaq 50 ‘Things usually considered bad may ultimately prove not to be that bad 52 The special merit of this verse 54 Verses 28-30 : Translation and Commentary Relations with disbelievers 56S.No 9 10 11. 12, 13. 14, 15. 16. 17. 18. 19, 20. 21. 22. 23. 4 Subject Page Verses 31-53 : Translation and Commentary 61 Verses 54-55 : Translation and Commentary 76 Explanation of important words in the verse eee 76 Allah Almighty's five Promises to Jesus 81 Jesus: The question of his life and second coming 84 Verses 56-58 : Translation and Commentary 88 Are the sufferings of this world beneficial for the next life? —_ 88 Verses 59-63 : Translation and Commentary 89 The event of Mubahala and the refutation of heretics 90 The meaning of Mubahalah 91 ‘Son’ includes grandson 91 Se Verse 64 : Translation and Commentary 92 Reece PE eee eee Important principles of Tabligh and Daw'ah err eter eer eee ap! Verses 65-74 : Translation and Commentary Se See Verse 75 : Translation and Commentary 97 Un eee EES Praising good qualities in some non-Muslim is correct 98 Verses 76-77 : Translation and Commentary 98 Verses 78-80 : Translation and Commentary 100 The infallibility of the Prophets 101 Verses 81-84 : Translation and Commentary 102 Three Covenants with Allah Almighty 103 The purpose and place of the pledge 104 The final and universal prophethood 105 Verse 85 : Translation and Commentary 106 Verses 86-91 : Translation and Commentary 108 The removal of a doubt 109 SETS Sea nara ee een eatnasoessaseeesuaseencssEOTaIEEE Verse 92 : Translation and Commentary 109 bah ‘The enthusiastic obedience of Sahabah 11 ‘The word dirr in this verses is inelusive of all charity, obligatory or voluntary 112 ‘Moderation in charity 118 In charity, what counts is sincerity 113 Alternative for those who have nothing to spend lid What is meant by things you love? _ 14 Spending the extra and the spare too is not devoid of merit ——_114 Verses 93-95 : Translation and Commentary 15 Verse 96 : Translation and Commentary 17 eee eae eee eeeSeen eee eee Sere eee ee Cee Cerner Cee Cae ern eee eee 8.No Subject Page The Blessing of the Ka‘bah 121 24, Verse 97 : Translation and Commentary. 123 Three distinctions of Baytullah 123 The signs of Allah's Power 123 ‘The Station of Ibrahim "Whoever enters Baytullah is secure’ 125 The obligation of Hajj: A distinction of Baytullah 126 25. Verses 98-101 : Translation and ‘Commentary. 128 26. Verses 102-103 : Translation and Commentary 130 What Taqwa is? 131 The meaning of Taqwa ‘as due’ 131 UNITY: The second principle of collective strength, 133 Islam is the only source of the Muslim unity 137 Differences and their limits 139 ‘The blessings of brotherhood 140 Unity among Muslims depends on obedience to Allah 141 27. Verses 104-105 : Translation and Commentary 141 Collective well-being of Muslims depends on two things: 142 Ruling on difference of opinion 151 An important note of caution. 153 28. Verses 106-109 : Translation and Commentary 154 ‘The meaning of ‘bright’ and ‘dark’ faces 155 Who are these people? 156 Some special notes 157 Sinning man earns his own punishment 158 29. Verse 110 : Translation and Commentary 158 The Ummah of Muhammad 2% :Why the best of communities? _ 158 30. Verse 111-112 : Translation and Commentary 160 The meaning of disgrace and wrath cast on the Jews 161 31. Verses 113-117 : Translation and Commentary ___— 162, 32. Verses 118-120 : Translation and Commentary 163 Sabr and Taqwa: Panacea for Muslims. 169 33. Verses 121-123 : Translation and Commentary 170 The background of the battle of Uhud. 170 The Battle of Uhud 173 Lessons from the events of Uhud 174 Badr:-Location and Importance 179 34. Verses 124-129 : Translation and Commentary 180 The rationale of the promises 182S.No Subject Page 35. Verses 130-181 : Translation and Commentary 184 The meaning of doubled and multiplied 184 36. Verses 12-193 : Translation and Commentary 184 The obedience of Allah and His Messenger 185 Race towards forgiveness, towards Paradise 190 37. Verses 134-138 : Translation and Commentary 193 The habit of spending in the way of Allah in prosperity and adversity 196 Not by wealth alone: Other options of spending in the way of Allah 197 ‘The wisdom behind the mention of prosperity and adversity 198 From rage and revenge to forgiveness and favour 198 38. Verses 139-145 : Translation and Commentary 201 39. Verses 146-148 : Translation and Commentary 209 The explanation of some words 210 Never be proud of a good deed. 2 Seek forgiveness from Allah under all conditions 211 Pray for steadfastness and consistency in good deeds au 40. Verses 149-150 : Translation and Commentary 212 41, Verses 151-152: Translation and Commentary 2.13 The high station of the noble Companions. 214 Did noble Companions tilt towards the material? 215 42. Verses 153-155 : Translation and Commentary 216 The hardships at Uhud: A test, not punishment 218 Why did Muslims suffer at Uhud? 218 One sin becomes the cause of another 219 ‘The position of the noble Companions in the sight of Allah Almighty 219 The noble Companions: Lesson for Muslims 221 43, Verses 156-158 : Translation and Commentary 222 44. Verse 159 : Translation and Commentary 223 The traits of a patron 224 The Etiquette of Dawah 225 The Meaning of ( amr): Matter and ( : Mashwarah) Consultation. 227 The status of Consultation in Islamic Law 228 Consultation of the Holy Prophet £%- with his Companions 230 The status of Consultation in an Islamic State. Consultation: Decision-Making after difference of ‘opinion, 236.No Subject Page sxe CS A doubt and its answer 237 Do what you can, then place your trust in Allah ___238 45. Verses 160-171 : Translation and Commentary 238 Misappropriation in the spoils: A sin which cannot be ascribed to any prophet by any stretch of imagination 241 Misappropriation in Waaf properties and government treasuries comes under Ghuliil 243 ‘The Prophet of Islam: a great blessing for the humanity 243 ‘The wisdom behind the hardships of the Muslims at Uhud ___245 ‘The special merits and ranks of those who sacrifice their lives in the way of Allah 246 46. Verses 172-175 : Translation and Commentary 248 Removing a doubt. 251 Striving to achieve something good even at the cost of one's life is not enough unless there is total sincerity behind it ____251 In its ultimate reality, the command of the Messenger of Allah is the command of Allah 252 ‘The definition of Ihsan 252 ‘The definition of Taqwa. Hasbunallahu wa ni‘mal-wakil: A wonderful prayer for all of us 256 The ‘fear’ of Allah: What does it mean? __256 47. Verses 176-178 : Translation and Commentary 257 Material affluence of disbelievers is, after all, an extension of divine punishment 258 48. Verse 179 : Translation and Commentary 258 ‘The wisdom of making a believer distinct from a hypocrite through practical demonstration rather than through a revelation _259 ‘The Unseen when communicated to anyone is no knowledge of the Unseen as such 259 49. Verses 180-186 : Translation and Commentary 260 The definition of miserliness and the punishment it brings ___ 262 Staying emotionally satisfied with disbelief in and disobedience to Allah is also an equally grave sin. 264 Thoughts of the Hereafter heal all sorrows and remove all doubts 266 People of Falsehood hurting People of Truth is a natural phenomena: Patience (Sabr) and piety (Taqwa) cure everything 267 50. Verses 187-189 : Translation and Commentary 267 Concealing the knowledge of faith is forbidden