Quranic Reflections - Islamic School of Stanford
Quranic Reflections - Islamic School of Stanford
Quranic Reflections - Islamic School of Stanford
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(given) him, whether he should retain it in degradation or shove it in the dust...”<br />
(TMQ, 16:58-59). It is inconceivable that after Allah’s bestowal <strong>of</strong> such blessing,<br />
man would actually utilize it in sinning by killing an innocent soul!<br />
The blessing <strong>of</strong> mercy and concealment<br />
One <strong>of</strong> the blessings that Allah (SWT) bestowed on His worshippers is His patience<br />
with them and concealment <strong>of</strong> their sins; Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as,<br />
“And if Allah should take mankind to task for their injustice, in no way would<br />
He leave hereon any beast ...”, (TMQ, 16:61).<br />
Imagine if Allah (SWT) lifted his mercy and concealment <strong>of</strong> your sins! Imagine if<br />
Allah (SWT) disclosed your sins just for one single day! What if you woke up one<br />
day only to find posted on your door: Yesterday, he committed such and such Or<br />
even worse; what if Allah (SWT) would have a list <strong>of</strong> your sins simply inscribed on<br />
your forehead What if there would be an odor for every sin you commit<br />
It is indeed one <strong>of</strong> the greatest blessings <strong>of</strong> Allah (SWT) that what is exposed from our<br />
deeds is only the accepted and the good; concealed is all what is ugly <strong>of</strong> our sins. All<br />
praise and gratitude are for Allah (SWT).<br />
The blessing <strong>of</strong> rain and revelation<br />
Of the blessings that are concurrently mentioned in the surah is the blessings <strong>of</strong><br />
revelation and rain; Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “And in no way<br />
have We sent down upon you the Book except that you may make evident to<br />
them that wherein they have differed, and as a guidance and a mercy to a people<br />
who believe” (TMQ, 16:64); and “And Allah sends down from the heaven water;<br />
so He gives life therewith to the earth after its death …” (TMQ, 16:65).<br />
One might wonder about the secret behind those two blessings being inseparable!<br />
Each blessing resembles the other; while revelation is sent to people carrying<br />
benevolence, rain pours down to revive earth. Revealed ayahs, in the same manner,<br />
revive hearts, after they have been hardened. Allah (SWT) says what can be translated<br />
as, “And thus We have revealed to you a Spirit <strong>of</strong> Our Command... ” (TMQ,<br />
42:52); and “And is he who was deceased, then We gave him life ...” (TMQ,<br />
6:122).<br />
Alcohol as a misuse <strong>of</strong> blessings<br />
Once again, the surah warns against the misuse <strong>of</strong> blessings; Allah (SWT) says what<br />
can be translated as, “And <strong>of</strong> the products <strong>of</strong> the palms and the vineyards you<br />
take to yourselves there from an intoxicant and a fair provision ...” (TMQ,<br />
16:67).<br />
This ayah was revealed before the prohibition <strong>of</strong> alcohol; it does not talk about<br />
alcohol jurisprudentially, it rather warns against it as a form <strong>of</strong> misuse <strong>of</strong> blessings.<br />
Alcohol originates from fine fruits that are part <strong>of</strong> great blessings that Allah (SWT)<br />
has provided. However, some people changed its use into something other than what<br />
it was created for; they used it as a substance that deteriorates their minds and
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