Note: This is post #6 in our series of Tafseer of Juz ‘Amma, and insha’Allah our last post from Surah Iqraa.
In verses 9 and 10 of Surah Iqraa, Allah says:
أَرَأَيْتَ الَّذِي يَنْهَى
عَبْداً إِذَا صَلَّى
Translation: Have you seen the one who forbids a servant when he prays?
The Prophet (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) used to make sujood to Allah in the courtyard of the ka’bah in early times in Mecca, and nobody would stop him. Abu Jahl used to get very, very angry. Once, when the Prophet (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) was doing this, Abu Jahl saw him, and swore he would not let this continue.
So he advanced, with the intention of harming the Prophet (salallahu alayhi wa sallam). As the people watched, suddenly, his face changed, and he retreated, screaming.
The people said: What’s wrong with you?
He said, “Didn’t you see what I said?” They said no.
He said: “I saw a ditch of fire and terror and wings waiting to rip me apart.”
The Prophet (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “Those were the angels. If he had advanced another step, they would have ripped him limb from limb.”
[This hadith is recorded mainly in Saheeh Muslim here, and a shorter version in Saheeh Bukhari here.]
There are two things about this verse that are obvious from the Arabic, but not so from the English translation.
The first is: ta’ajjub, which means like wonder or amazement. This verse is ta’ajjub–like wonderment. “Do you see the person who prevents a slave from worshiping?” Like how ridiculous is this person who wants to prevent others from worshiping Allah.
The second is: a question. The ayahs are phrased as a question. Why? So we can think about it. Ponder about it. Usually, we just gloss over the questions; but they’re there to make you think.
Action Items:
- Think about it. When was the last time you saw someone preventing others from praying? How did that make you feel? What did that preventing-person get out of it?
- Sujood Ash-Shukur. Hop onto that prayer mat and make sujood to Allah to thank Him that you don’t have people like that around; that you can pray whatever you want (Dhur/Asr/Maghrib/etc.), whenever you want (lunch break? in the middle of a meeting? during an exam?) and nobody tries to stop you.
Wallahu ‘alam.
References:
- Touched by an Angel: Tafseer of Juz ‘Amma. By Muhammad Alshareef. 2009.
Assalamu alaykum,
MashaAllah I didn’t know this story.
Alhamdulillah thank you so much for sharing this.
InshaAllah it will make me stronger when I have to pray at school again, jazakAllah khairan.
Wa’alikum as-salaam, walhamdulillah there are SO MANY stories like this in the seerah, we just need to apply ourselves insha’Allah (especially me) in applying them to our lives.
Asslamulaikum,
Very clear style,reflections and action items are what i appreciate in these posts..
p.s i’m sorry but again could you provide with the reference to the hadith even though most probably it maybe an authentic one.
JazakAllah khair
@Umme Yusuf, I’ve updated it jazakumullahu khayran; it’s recorded in Saheeh Muslim, and summarized in Saheeh Bukhari. VERY authentic walhamdulillah.
Was ‘nt there a time when the Prophet (saw) was praying at the Kaaba and a Mushriq had overturned innards of an animal while he was in sujood ? Hazrath FAtima had wept and cleaned her father..so he had been harmed when in prayer. May Allah elevate the Prophet ( saw) and give him a high station promised to him.
@Mohsina, yes you are correct. Allahu ‘alam, these two ayahs can also apply to that situation.
Assalamu’alykom,
If we analyse the word “ta’ajjub”, means like wonder or amazement. And if we refer to Surah al-Jinn verse 1, the word “ajaba” is also used.
So what does this mean for Surah al-Jinn verse 1 ? Referring the translation from http://www.islamicity.com/MOSQUE/ARABICSCRIPT/AYAT/72/72_1.htm,
” 72:1 Say: It has been revealed to me that a company of Jinns listened (to the Qur’an). They said, ‘We have really heard a wonderful Recital! ”
So does the jinns heard something wonderful OR they have heard and SEEN something wonderful ?
My question is just to whet our appetite for more knowledge….
wassalam
@Polan, wa’alikum as-salaam. Allahu ‘alam, I don’t know, I haven’t gone through the tafseer of Surah Jinn.