Qur'an study notes: reflections on the light of guidance (Al Qamar 54:1-10)

 Introduction

As many of our readers know, we have a Qur'an study session weekly, an activity that has been taking place for years at locations where I am teaching. In addition, over the years I have joined other study circles in which aspects of scripture are explored. These sort of activities are very rewarding, and often provides the foundation for which we can begin to contemplate further, explore deeply, and attain the ingredients for spiritual and even worldly growth. 

The following is an edited version of my notes from a session we conducted September 21st, 2025 at Masjid Ibrahim. We have this session every week in person, it is open to all, and is broadcast live on our Facebook page ("The Masjid Ibrahim").  We have endeavored to present further clarity on the concepts explored in that session in the body of our current article. Please note that I do not intend to present this as an authoritative Tafseer (exegesis) that excludes other views.  Our reflection could frankly be incorrect, thus, we always need to have the intellectual caveat that is captured in the expression Allahu A'lam or God knows best. 

The text below comes from the opening words of the fifty-forth chapter of the Qur'an, known as Soorah Al-Qamar,  the title translating simply to "The moon", It is important to note that while the translation has not been given here (at least not word-by-word), the article highlights the need for contextual reading as well as deriving as much of the meanings from the overarching Quranic vocabulary found throughout the sacred text. Bismillaahir Rahmaaner Raheem

In the name of Allah, The Compassionate, The Ever-Merciful

ٱقْتَرَبَتِ ٱلسَّاعَةُ وَٱنشَقَّ ٱلْقَمَرُ

وَإِن يَرَوْا۟ ءَايَةًۭ يُعْرِضُوا۟ وَيَقُولُوا۟ سِحْرٌۭ مُّسْتَمِرٌّۭ

وَكَذَّبُوا۟ وَٱتَّبَعُوٓا۟ أَهْوَآءَهُمْ ۚ وَكُلُّ أَمْرٍۢ مُّسْتَقِرٌّۭ

وَلَقَدْ جَآءَهُم مِّنَ ٱلْأَنۢبَآءِ مَا فِيهِ مُزْدَجَرٌ

حِكْمَةٌۢ بَـٰلِغَةٌۭ ۖ فَمَا تُغْنِ ٱلنُّذُرُ

فَتَوَلَّ عَنْهُمْ ۘ يَوْمَ يَدْعُ ٱلدَّاعِ إِلَىٰ شَىْءٍۢ نُّكُرٍ

خُشَّعًا أَبْصَـٰرُهُمْ يَخْرُجُونَ مِنَ ٱلْأَجْدَاثِ كَأَنَّهُمْ جَرَادٌۭ مُّنتَشِرٌۭ

مُّهْطِعِينَ إِلَى ٱلدَّاعِ ۖ يَقُولُ ٱلْكَـٰفِرُونَ هَـٰذَا يَوْمٌ عَسِرٌۭ

كَذَّبَتْ قَبْلَهُمْ قَوْمُ نُوحٍۢ فَكَذَّبُوا۟ عَبْدَنَا وَقَالُوا۟ مَجْنُونٌۭ وَٱزْدُجِرَ فَدَعَا رَبَّهُۥٓ أَنِّى مَغْلُوبٌۭ فَٱنتَصِرْ

Verses 1-4) The traditional understanding of the opening words of this Soorah is that the moon was split, (thus, wanshaqqal Qamar) for all to see, in the Prophet’s time, to prove the veracity of his message. The term “hour” (As-saa’ah) is understood in eschatological terms. In opening the study of this text regarding time, we should remember that time-as we conceive it-has no impact on God. The Qur’an tells us that a day in the sight of Allah is like a thousand years of our counting ( Q 22:47 and 32:5). 

While Qur’an (75:9)  definitely asserts that the sun and moon will be brought together, an indicator of the coming day of judgement, there seems to be some flexibility in the interpretation of the present verses. The nearness of the hour and the cleaving of the moon (iqtarabat as saa’atu wanshaqqal Qamar) can be understood as referring to the brightness, beauty and relevance of the Prophet’s mission. It is as clear as the moonlight as in the evening sky. 

The brightness of the message is clear to those who are willing to simply look, to investigate and contemplate, yet, the obstinate rejectors dismiss it as “magic”. Rather than denying the light in some rational fashion, they try to cover it up. 

“They want to extinguish Allah’s light with their mouths, yet Allah perfects His light, regardless of the hatred of the Kaafiroon” ( Q 61:8).

Verse three says such persons only seek to follow their own whims (ahwaa-ahum) even if and when historical precedent shows the folly of their behavior and mindset. I will leave it to you, dear reader, to ponder  if this is a situation we see today, with the contemporary mindset of our systems and leadership, particularly in the political realm.

(verse 5) The Prophetic message is a wisdom of great eloquence (Hikmatun Baalighah), yet, just as with historical precedents and the insightful warnings provided by thinkers, historians, scientists of all fields, that wisdom and warnings are ignored by the rejectors of faith. George Orwell’s work 1984, penned at the end of the devastation of World War 2, shows us the pitfalls of ignoring the warnings. Such people also fall under the category highlighted by God’s statement “Allah has sealed their hearts, hearing, and vision..” ( Q 2:7).

(VV. 6-8) For the obstinate, there seems to be no hope, except by a miracle of Allah. We can only try so much, and when they are extreme in their fanatic rejection, leave them to their devices. This teaching is likewise found throughout the Qur’an.

(VV.9-10) The story of Noah, especially in this context, is a powerful reference. Noah spends so much time attempting to literally save his society, but they did not take heed. Eventually, he ends up only saving those few who were reasonable.

Thus, in context, The message of Muhammad as found within the Qur’anic revelation is like the ark of Noah, if we want to avoid being drowned in the seas of misguidance and destruction, we need to board that ark.

IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH: REFLECTIONS ON "1984" BY GEORGE ORWELL

 

Introduction

Since the dawn of humanity, there has been countless seers, men and women of insight with the capacity to address not only the present circumstances with a creative analysis, but who can actually observe the road into the future! Consequently, those observations can be repeatedly consulted, long after the seers have left the scene.

George Orwell's 1984 is one such work. Published in 1944, against the backdrop of the rise of communism and towards the end of the second world war, the British writer (whose actual name was Eric Arthur Blain) has imagined a civilization which has, in many ways, has come into being.

The general plot can be summarized as follows: A world of conformity to the image of Big Brother, the "common man" represented by Winston Smith, navigates his life in the fictional nation of Oceania, which, although at war with two other nations, focuses on the preservation of its power over its own citizens through what amounts to brainwashing, manipulation, xenophobia, and a host of other activities. The title of this review - IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH - is taken from one of the slogans expressed within the story.

Eventually he begins to question the society's attitudes (albeit in secret, with little verbalization), and runs afoul of the authorities, is interrogated and tortured by "Mr. O'brien", who shares with him (Smith) a handful of insights that are designed to destroy any hopes of authentic change of the status quo.

Reading this work afresh has led this writer to find frightening parallels in today's world, some of the more interesting examples are noted below

Ministry of Truth

The ninety-second page of the 2003 edition (ft.1) shows that Oceania has a government body that has "concerned itself with news, entertainment, education and the fine arts" known as the Ministry of Truth. While it is universally expected that governments have entities which present their narrative, it is our observation that the current trend has gone beyond that. The current trend is to influence all of humanity to think and act in one fashion, and that message is conveyed through all available means. 

"Ministries of truth" exist throughout the world today, albeit with different names. They exist outside of government bodies as well. They exist on college campuses, high schools, social media platforms, and increasingly infiltrate religious communities. 

Generations that grow up in today's world are exposed to "values" and ideas that are quite contrary to those of the previous generation, and thus are expected to conform or be "cancelled". Careers are ruined, family relationships torn apart, religious values (and sometimes even texts) are altered in the name of being "woke"! 

I have seen within mainstream media, from media organizations as well as politicians, lately, present historical untruths, and likewise the fear of even presenting a sound view on certain subjects, seemingly out of fears of political or financial consequences. 

Ecstasy of fear and vindictiveness

In a Western context, the rise of white nationalism, so called "Random" shootings that almost always target minorities (blacks, Asians, etc.), such occurrences no longer shock Americans. Orwell has spoken of xenophobia inspired by the government of Oceania (applicable in today's world) with the following words " A hideous ecstasy of fear and vindictiveness, a desire to kill. torture, to smash faces with a sledgehammer, seemed to flow through the whole group of people like an electric current, turning one even against one's will into a grimacing, screaming lunatic." 

Thoughtcrime

One of the many terms created in 1984, it imagines a world in which one's very thoughts are punishable by the authorities. Those thoughts can be simple normal grievances with local government, or even of a personal nature, yet they are harshly punished. 

In the academic world this is perhaps more noticeable. A writer is careful in sharing conclusions, for fear of damage to one's career. In some nations, it is an actual crime to question the details of a specific historical event! 

Increasingly, conformity to trends within society is demanded, upon threat of income loss. One's own values are made to take a back seat, regardless of how irrational or unreasonable the trend is. Some are "Doxed" by their foes. 

Freedom of thought, speech and faith are increasingly becoming things of the past, even within the nations that pride themselves on being bastions of liberty! 

Cleansing language

The Ministry of Truth has-in 1984, produced dictionaries, which has removed terms which could be used to express dissent. One example in the book is the removal of the word "bad", replacing it with "ungood". 

We see similar actions with what can be termed "politically correct" language within all aspects of public speech, literature, and even religious discourse. Recently I saw a public statement which, quoting Quranic scriptures, replaced "Him" with "Her".! The texts are in reference to God. (ft.2)

No access to knowledge

In the Oceania of 1984, the ministry of truth worked had the ability to remove perceived foe's information (names, accomplishments etc.) from records, making it as if they never existed. Executed prisoner were "dissolved", and the main protagonist (Smith) himself is a torture victim, made to think that a certain book and certain people in fact were simply creations of his own mind!

While our world has seemingly access to plethora of knowledge like never before, it is our observation that actually the opposite has happened. Professionals are ignored and belittled, in the face of social media savvy amateurs! 

People can read much on their mobile phones yet find it almost impossible to retain that information! A fad of video- viewing (and short videos at that) has replaced studying from a book and taking notes.

While it is true that the learning process varies from one to another, our fear is that the electronic revolution will make it impossible for people to be able to develop critical thinking skills, let alone the information needed for other areas of life.

Conclusion

This article is by no means exhaustive, it is simply a handful of observations. 1984 is a work that deserves to be read, in particular by teachers, politicians, community leaders, parents and activists. It will generate thought on the dystopian world that will emerge in a complete fashion if we are not careful. 

Footnotes

(1) The edition consulted (which also has Animal Farm by the same author) is the 2003 edition, published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (Boston, Ma).

(2) The Quranic name for God is "Allah", and while the Qur'an certainly uses masculine pronouns, none have understood it to mean that God is actually male! Moreover, Arabic, like other languages, can use masculine or feminine pronouns and not imply natural gender at all. The Quranic texts I am referencing use "He" (Huwa in Arabic), and the author of the public statement changed it to "she" or "Her", deliberately, without any respect for the original language. The change was made in order to conform to a movement that seeks to address patriarchy by emphasis on feminism. My point is that in the Quranic and Arabic context, such a debate is totally unnecessary and utterly illogical.