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We proudly present the first full English translation of the commentary of Chapter 114, Sūrah al-Falaq, by Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad (ra) in his magnum opus: AL-TAFSIR AL-KABIR – The Grand Exegesis
In the previous edition, we presented the exegesis of the verse 5 of Sūrah al-Falaq. Commentary of the final verse of Sūrah al-Falaq is presented in this edition.
Translated by Murtaza Ahmad.
Edited by The Review of Religions Translation Team
وَمِنْ شَرِّ حَاسِدٍ إِذَا حَسَدَ
And also from the mischief of every persistently envious person. (6)
Lexical Analysis (6)
حَاسِدٌ is on the pattern of ism al-fā‘il, derived from حَسَدَ. The expression حَسَدَ عَلَيْهِ حَسْدًا denotes the meaning تَمَنَّى زَوَالَ نِعْمَتِهِ إِلَيْه i.e., he wanted so-and-so’s blessings to be taken away from them, and given to himself instead.
Thus, حَاسِدٌ refers to a person who cannot bear to see the blessings of another, and wishes that they be snatched away from them, and given to him instead.
Exegesis
One of the causes of decline was discussed in وَمِنْ شَرِّ النَّفَّاثَاتِ فِي الْعُقَدِ, which explained that nations are ruined when they fall into disarray and their power is decentralised. Therefore, Muslims should continue praying to Allah Almighty to save them from such a fate, and that – should such circumstances arise – He protect them from their ill effects.
Having shed light upon this subject, Allah Almighty has cited another reason why nations are destroyed, stating that this sometimes happens when an external enemy emerges, seeking to exploit and rob the nation of its blessings, abundant wealth, comfort and prosperity, in order to benefit from them itself. Consequently, if a nation is defeated and subjugated by its enemy, its progress and prosperity cease, and it goes from being a heaven to being a hell, and must face all kinds of tribulations. In the words وَمِنْ شَرِّ حَاسِدٍ إِذَا حَسَدَ, the prayer has been taught: ‘O Muslims! This victory that Allah is going to grant you, as a result of which the sun of your progress and prosperity will shine like the midday sun and your nation will become a paradise – pray constantly about this victory, lest those who are envious of you attack you and steal favour away from you.’
This chapter very subtly brings glad tidings of victory for the Muslims. Furthermore, Muslims are instructed to monitor their moral decay and its causes and to keep praying to Allah Almighty that He may keep them under His protection. After concluding this theme, Allah cautions Muslims of all the causes of destruction and calamity that would befall them, so that they may be alerted in time.
Another theme explored here in Sūrah al-Falaq is that those who believe in the absolute oneness of Allah Almighty should place their trust in Him alone and proclaim aloud His absolute oneness everywhere; and if, because of this, they face a storm of opposition, or people attempt to incite their friends, dear ones, relatives, wife and children against them, even then, they should not be concerned about them at all. After explaining this subject, Allah Almighty states: وَمِنْ شَرِّ حَاسِدٍ إِذَا حَسَدَ . That is to say when man reaches the stage where he is no longer concerned about anyone, it signifies that he truly belongs to God Almighty and that his claim of trusting God Almighty was indeed true. Upon seeing someone attain this rank, and witnessing their progress, there will emerge those who envy him, and taunt him in various ways. They may say, ‘He became successful only by chance.’ Another might say one thing, and someone else might say another. Therefore, in such circumstances, Allah Almighty instructs one to proclaim that he does not care about [the machinations of] the envious, but rather, he will continue to turn his attention to his Lord and take refuge with Him, for He is Ever-Compassionate, and He never lets those who rely on Him go to waste.
Moreover, by using the words رَبِّ الْفَلَقِ at the beginning of the chapter, God Almighty has taught us a supplication for achieving excellence, commanding us to pray lest we experience decline after attaining this excellence. Having stated وَمِنْ شَرِّ النَّفَّاثَاتِ فِي الْعُقَدِ وَمِنْ شَرِّ حَاسِدٍ إِذَا حَسَد it explains that man experiences only two states: either a state of progress or a state of decline. It is observed that when a person is weak, many people arise who seek to oppress him even more. But when one succeeds, there arise those who envy him. In short, when man is in a state of weakness, there are those who seek to crush him even more and when one attains a high rank, they become envious of him. Therefore, there is no situation in which a person is free from the evil of others. Man is in danger in both times of prosperity and weakness. When man is weak, he is threatened by those who find pleasure in bringing down the already fallen and beating the already dead. In times of progress, man is at risk from those who envy him and are prepared to harm him. That is to say there is no state in which man is safe, nor can he claim that he does not need the protection of God Almighty.
The words وَمِنْ شَرِّ غَاسِقٍ إِذَا وَقَبَ also refer to the coming of one commissioned by God, also known in the ḥadīth as the Mahdi and the Messiah. It explains that he would appear at a time when there are sharp divisions among the Muslims, and their unity will have dissolved. At such a time, the one who Allah will raise to reform the world will be opposed vehemently and envied. Thus, the verse وَمِنْ شَرِّ حَاسِدٍ إِذَا حَسَد also indicates that when Allah Almighty commissions this person, the Muslims should pray that they not be among those who are jealous of him, but rather, that they be among his helpers and assistants, and thus receive the grace and favours of God Almighty.
We see from the themes that have been briefly discussed in this chapter that it is of the utmost importance in the context of its subject matter. Through it, God has taught the Muslim ummah a perfect supplication both on a personal and collective level. It describes the means through which destruction can occur both at the national and individual levels, as well as how one cannot remain safe from the harms and dangers of this world until he comes under the protection of God Almighty. As such, the true pathway to peace is for man to remain prostrate at the threshold of Allah Almighty and seek His protection in all situations.
This concludes the exegesis of Sūrah al-Falaq. The exegesis of Sūrah al-Nās will commence in the coming editions.
ENDNOTES
1. Aqrab al-Mawārid.
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