Qur'an study notes ( Soorah Al Jaathiyah 45:1-10)

 Introduction:

As-salaamu-'alaikum, peace and blessings to all of our readers. As most of our readers know, weekly we engage in a Qur'an study session. This has been taking place for many years, and occasionally I decide to share a summary of a particular session in a written format. Our weekly sessions are broadcast live on Facebook ("The Masjid Ibrahim" or Click here) Sundays at 1:15 PM, but it is our experience that at least from time to time, an edited written version of the presentation allows for those interested in such topics to conduct their own research, ponder further, and derive long-term benefit.

Below you will find notes that stem from the study and presentation of the forty-fifth chapter of the Qur'an, enitled Al Jaathiyah.  While the Arabic text is present, we have omitted the English rendering, with some exceptions.  This is deliberately done in order to remain focused on the subtle points that do get lost in translation, that are explained in the notes below. However, we certainly encourage you to read the translation if necessary.

  حمٓ ١ تَنزِيلُ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلْعَزِيزِ ٱلْحَكِيمِ ٢ إِنَّ فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ لَـَٔايَـٰتٍۢ لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ٣ وَفِى خَلْقِكُمْ وَمَا يَبُثُّ مِن دَآبَّةٍ ءَايَـٰتٌۭ لِّقَوْمٍۢ يُوقِنُونَ ٤ وَٱخْتِلَـٰفِ ٱلَّيْلِ وَٱلنَّهَارِ وَمَآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مِن رِّزْقٍۢ فَأَحْيَا بِهِ ٱلْأَرْضَ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهَا وَتَصْرِيفِ ٱلرِّيَـٰحِ ءَايَـٰتٌۭ لِّقَوْمٍۢ يَعْقِلُونَ ٥ تِلْكَ ءَايَـٰتُ ٱللَّهِ نَتْلُوهَا عَلَيْكَ بِٱلْحَقِّ ۖ فَبِأَىِّ حَدِيثٍۭ بَعْدَ ٱللَّهِ وَءَايَـٰتِهِۦ يُؤْمِنُونَ ٦ وَيْلٌۭ لِّكُلِّ أَفَّاكٍ أَثِيمٍۢ ٧ يَسْمَعُ ءَايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ تُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْهِ ثُمَّ يُصِرُّ مُسْتَكْبِرًۭا كَأَن لَّمْ يَسْمَعْهَا ۖ فَبَشِّرْهُ بِعَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍۢ ٨ وَإِذَا عَلِمَ مِنْ ءَايَـٰتِنَا شَيْـًٔا ٱتَّخَذَهَا هُزُوًا ۚ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌۭ مُّهِينٌۭ ٩ مِّن وَرَآئِهِمْ جَهَنَّمُ ۖ وَلَا يُغْنِى عَنْهُم مَّا كَسَبُوا۟ شَيْـًۭٔا وَلَا مَا ٱتَّخَذُوا۟ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ أَوْلِيَآءَ ۖ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ ١٠

(VV.1-2) This Soorah begins with what is called the Muqata'aat or disjointed (Arabic) letters, sometimes called "Initials". Such letters preface twenty-nine chapters, and almost always have a mention of the nature of the Qur'an itself. Here, after "Haaa, Meem", we see such an example: "The sending forth of the scripture is from Allah, The Powerful, The Wise." . Regarding the nature of the disjointed letters, there is much speculation, but it is my view that the letters themselves serve as sounds to get our attention (remember, the Qur'an was transmitted orally, recited to listeners), to bring our attention to the message which follows, which, here, points to the Qur'an. We will come to see more objects of attention in the subsequent verses. For more information on alternative possibilities for the disjointed letters, see our book "Engaging, The Qur'an" (by Shamsuddin Waheed) available at This link on Amazon )

(VV.3-6) The ayaat or signs of God are present in a variety of presented examples, the cosmos (As-Samawaat), The Earth, in our selves, in the wider creation, in that all living creatures attain provision, be it in a "normal" way, or in modes deemed as miracles. The changing of the seasons, the alternation of day and night, are presented as such examples. In context, it is possible to read the opening sentence of verse six "Tilka Ayaatullaahi Nat-looha 'alayka Bil Haqq" as alluding to those items previously highlighted in addition to the the Qur'an itself (as is this sentence as  normally understood).  After all, the Qur'an often connects itself to these sorts of examples, as demonstrated in Soorah Ar-Rahman 55:1-10. In Q 45:6, the Qur'an itself is called "Hadeeth", and appears to be present as to distinguish from the expression "aaayaatihi " (His signs) in the same sentence as well as the other ayaat mentioned earlier. 

(VV.7-10) Here, we have beautifully illustrated evidence that the Qur'an provides its own definitions of the vocabulary it has utilized. Take, as an example Affaakin Atheem in v.7. Normative Arabic defines Affaak as "one with perverted thinking, who turns away from truth on a deep level." The adjective Atheem means "embedded in sin." The word Atheem is on the Arabic verbal pattern of Fa'eel, which denotes intensity. To get a better understanding, let's compare another word on the same verbal pattern, the word Raheem. It is the pattern of Raheem that has influenced the way I translate the word in connection to God. I translate it as "The Ever-Merciful".

The Quranic  definition of Affaakin Atheem is presented in vv.8-19 in that (a) They are exposed to God's signs (Ayaaat) (Be it in scripture or the wider universe or natural laws),  (b) yet choose to not only reject but to ridicule. This seems an apparent reference to the powerful forces, NOT to average people who happen to not believe in our religion. The Qur'an calls such folks the leaders of rejection (A-immatul Kufr  in Q 9:12) . It is they who get the intense, painful punishment. It is important to note that the terms expressing the punishment (Aleem,  Muheen, 'Adheem) are on the same fa'eel pattern discussed above. Thus, the punishment fits the crime. 

Allah seeks to give us guidance, and He seeks universal justice and protection for the natural world. The forces of tyranny do not have the same interest. We have to realize that the Qur'anic message and impact is not just in the realm of religious theology. The texts such as what we have discussed here illustrates this. It does take slow, methodical research and contemplation to see the realities as presented in the text, but once seen, it is such a rewarding result. May Allah give us guidance.