03/07/2024
RAMADAN: THE MONTH OF THE GLORIOUS QUR-AAN BY IMAM SIDDEEQ JIHAD
Ramadan is the ninth month of the lunar calendar. A lunar month is 29.5306 days. A lunar year is about 354 days. This, praise be to the Lord Creator, causes the month of Ramadan to fall 10 or eleven days earlier each solar year. That is to say, Ramadan and the other 11 lunar months will fall in the winter, spring and summer, as we go backwards on the solar/Gregorian calendar. This fact is particularly gratifying and accommodating to the Muslims. The believers in Al-Islam, which literally means submission to the Lord Creator, are instructed to fast during the daylight hours of Ramadan, the ninth month of the lunar calendar. When Ramadan comes during the summer in the western hemisphere, there is more daylight hours for the Muslims to fast. When Ramadan falls in the winter months, the daylight hours are less than in the summer months so the hours of fasting are less. Allah has ordained and prescribed upon those who believe that we adhere to the 29 or 30 day fast. It is a very spiritual time. The fast aids in body cleansing and aids us in becoming more disciplined in the practice and the appreciation of Al-Islam. The exhilarating feeling of accomplishment I have felt fasting for many years is indescribable. I believe a believer is rewarded by Allah with indescribable bliss.
Allah reveals in The Glorious Qur-aan, 2:183, 184
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواَ كُتِبَ:عَلَيْكُمُ الصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ أَيَّاماً مَّعْدُودَاتٍ فَمَنْ كَانَ مِنْكُمْ مَّرِيضاً أَوْ عَلَى سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ...
O’you who believe and have faith as well as trust in God, fasting has been prescribed for you as it was prescribed/ordained to those before you, in order that you all will have increase your reverence/obedience to God. Fasting for a fixed number of days; (29 or 30 days) But if any of you are ill or on a journey, the prescribed number (should be made up) from days later.
It should be noted that persons ailing with diabetes and other long term diseases are not required to fast, if their health could be adversely affected by fasting. In The Glorious Qur-aan, Allah encourages those who are unable to fast; to feed the needy, if they can afford it.
In reading The Holy Bible, The Glorious Qur-aan and other scriptures, we know that Adam, David, Zachariah, Mary, Jesus, Muhammad and other devoted servants of the Lord Creator, fasted.
It is important to note that the Lord Creator usesكُتِبَ ku-te-ba, the passive/perfect tense verb, agent unknown form. I postulate to you that Allah uses “ ku-te-ba” a passive/perfect tense verb, agent unknown form instead of the active perfect tense verb كَتَبَka-ta-ba to indicate that the Lord Creator has ordered and designed the nature of all human beings with the capacity to fast so the ability to do it does not need to be activated at a point in time after our creation.
“Ku-te-ba” translated into English, indicates it was prescribed, engraved or ordained without indicating who actually prescribed fasting or did a particular action. We know without it the verb being in the active voice pattern that Allah did it by clocking fasting ability in his design of human beings.
Allah could have used the active perfect tense verb كَتَبَka-ta-ba. which translates: He wrote or prescribed where the doer is known in the verb itself.
As the common slogan goes “Just Do It! Again I repeat it is in God’s design of human beings for us to do it! You can do it! Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the Worlds.
The Glorious Qur-aan, 2:185:
شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ ﭐلَّذِيَ أُنْزِلَ فِيهِ ﭐلْقُرْءَانُ هُدًى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَاتٍ مِّنَ ﭐلْهُدَى وَﭐلْفُرْقَانِ فَمَنْ شَهِدَ مِنْكُمُ ﭐلشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْهُ وَمَنْ كَانَ مَرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَى سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ يُرِيدُ ﭐللَّهُ بِكُمُ ﭐلْيُسْرَ وَلَا يُرِيدُ بِكُمُ ﭐلْعُسْرَ وَلِتُكْمِلُواْ ﭐلْعِدَّةَ وَلِتُكَبِّرُواْ ﭐللَّهَ عَلَى مَا هَدَاكُمْ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ
Ramadan is the (month) in which was sent down The Glorious Qur-aan, as a guide to mankind, also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment (Between right and wrong). So every one of you who is present (at his home) during that month should spend it in fasting, but if anyone is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed period (Should be made up) by days later. Allah intends to make it easy for you; He does not want to put you to difficulties. (He wants you) to complete the prescribed period, and to glorify Him in that He has guided you; perchance ye shall be grateful.
Ramadan is the month in which was sent down The Glorious Qur-aan, as a guide to mankind, also clear signs for guidance and judgment between right and wrong....
On either the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th or 29th night of Ramadan, Muhammad, the African-Arab Messenger of God (peace be upon him) who lived in Mecca, which is now a part of Saudi Arabia, was in a cave called Hira, when he received the first 5 verses of the The Glorious Qur-aan. (CH. 96, 1-5.) “Proclaim in the name of your Lord Creator, who created. Created humanity from a clinging substance. Proclaim and thy Lord is Most Bountiful. It is He who taught the use of the Pen. He Taught humanity that which it knew not.”
This commencement of revelation is usually called, The Night of Power. I prefer to call it, as Muhammad Asad says in his translation - The Message of the Qur-aan, “The Night of the Destiny.” Why because that night is not the only night or moment that The Lord Creator has shown His power. In fact his power is always present and started this expanding universe.
The Lord Creator says this night is ” …more useful than a thousand months.” Chapter 97:3) On that night it is reported that the angel, Gabriel (Jibril in Arabic) impressed upon Muhammad’s heart and mind, the command word اِقْرَأْ "Iq-ra" - 3 times. Muhammad, (peace be upon him) reportedly responded 3 times; I cannot "Iq-ra." At that point, the 5 verses above (96: 1-5) were revealed to Muhammad, the African Arab by way God’s angel Gabriel known as Jibreel in the Arabic Qur-aan revealed by God..
اِقْرَأْ ﺒِﭑسْمِ رَبِّكَ ﭐلَّذِي خَلَقَ {1} خَلَقَ ﭐلْإِنْسَانَ مِنْ عَلَقٍ {2} اِقْرَأْ وَرَبُّكَ ﭐلْأَكْرَمُ {3} اَلَّذِي عَلَّمَ ﺒِﭑلْقَلَمِ {4} عَلَّمَ ﭐلْإِنْسَانَ مَا لَمْ يَعْلَمْ {5}
Some translate the Arabic word, "iq-ra" as "read" and "recite" in the context of this verse, the translator of the Qur-aan, Abdullah Yusuf Ali translates "Iq-ra" into English as "proclaim" and puts "read" in parentheses. In his methodology of translation, found in the introduction section of his English translation, Abdullah Yusuf Ali says words placed in parentheses are added meanings of the words/verses. Thusly, the word, "proclaim," which is outside of the parentheses is closer to his literal rendering of the "iq-ra" into English.
After noticing this methodology, I proceeded to study the root of "Iq-ra" coupled with the use of my rational sense. In Edward Lanes' Arabic Lexicon, a scholarly work that gives the meaning of Arabic words, it indicates the root - قَرَأَQaf, Ra and Alif, means: to put a thing together piece by piece and part by part. Surely, when we read, we put things together piece by piece, part by part. More simply, we put letters, words, deploy our five senses and thoughts together to enable us to read. Let us remember: To truly read, we must understand the words/messages or at least endeavor hard to understand the words/messages.
The word اِقْرَأْ "iq-ra” is the second person masculine command in the first form of the root verb - Qaf, Ra and Alif قَرَأَ
Many people say; the first thing the Muhammad, peace be upon him, was commanded to do, was “read.” This is referred to many times in a sincere effort to emphasize the importance of reading and education. That is an excellent exhortation.
Let us go back to the cave on that "Night of Power", that night of destiny, that night when the Lord Creator communicated the first 5 verses of the Qur-aan to Muhammad, (pbuh) via the Angel Gabriel. We know a cave is generally dark. The electric light companies like Edison, Commonwealth Edison, Consumers Power, etc were not around to provide a light source. He could have had a light source. Question: Was Muhammad (pbuh) being told to read or to proclaim? I say as Abdullah Yusuf Ali translated - he was being commanded to “Proclaim.”
It is reported Muhammad (pbuh) was a frequent visitor to the cave prior to the night of power. Those who have seen this cave in Mecca, say for him or anyone to climb up there and climb down, is an arduous undertaking. He went there for meditation, reflection and contemplation on what he could do to help his people out of the savage and immoral life style. In those days, Arabia had tribal feuding, murder, lewdness, public s*x, thievery, burying their young girls alive in the sands because they preferred sons. You name a vulgar act, they were likely engaged in it. Muhammad is reported to have abstained from the wicked ways of his people prior to the revelation came on that night of destiny.
I pose to you that he was being commanded to "proclaim" a message of deliverance/salvation to Arabia and the entire world. He submitted to his own reality at that time. More simply, he did not know what to proclaim. So, he responded to the angel Gabriel, "I cannot (iq-ra) proclaim. At that point, the Lord Creator conveyed via the angel, Gabriel to Muhammad: (pbuh) the first 5 verses mentioned earlier in this writing.
Let me comment on the first 3 verses, "Proclaim by the power of your Lord Evolver, who created. He created humanity from a clot of congealed blood. Proclaim and your Lord Evolver is The Bountiful One., 96:1-3. Here, Muhammad (pbuh) is being commanded and assured that he will be proclaiming a message from the Lord Creator and is being told that the Lord Evolver who created us (humanity) from a clinging and adhering substance.
Scientists and medical doctors have learned in recent modern times that after the male's s***m pe*****te the o**m of a woman, blood forms and continues to evolve on into an embryo, fetus and finally into life out of the womb.
After being told this, the Lord Evolver tells Muhammad (pbuh) again commands him to proclaim a second time! اِقْرَأْ وَرَبُّكَ ﭐلْأَكْرَمُ In effect, telling him, I have all that you need to proclaim! I am Al-Ak-ram - that is the Bountiful and Generous One. Clearly, Muhammad (pbuh) was impregnated and designated as a prophet/messenger of Lord Creator.
Surely he was put to together in the womb of his mother Ameenah (History reports his father, Abdullah died before Muhammad was born.) piece by piece and part and also part by part piece by piece so to speak in the womb of the society during his 40 years of life prior to this magnificent night, when The Glorious Qur-aan begun to unfold and continued for about a 23 year period. This book changed the course of history. There are over 1 billion Muslims in the world. Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world.
After this night in the cave, about 1431 years ago, it’s reported that he rushed home to his wonderful wife, Khadijah and told her what happened. She told him, if Allah would bless a man with prophethood, it would surely be you. She assured and consoled him at a time, when he was overwhelmed by this night of destiny. He spent many days and nights praying and meditating until the Lord Creator communicated to him a second time via the angel of revelation, Gabriel. Verses, 1-30 of Chapter 74- entitled اَلْمُدَّثِّرُ Al-Mu-dath-thir, which can translate as the Enfolded One.
يَا أَيُّهَا ﭐلْمُدَّثِّرُ {1} قُمْ فَأَنْذِرْ {2} وَرَبَّكَ فَكَبِّرْ {3} وَثِيَابَكَ فَطَهِّرْ {4} وَﭐلرُّجْزَ فَاهْجُرْ {5} وَلَا تَمْنُنْ تَسْتَكْثِرُ {6} وَلِرَبِّكَ فَاصْبِرْ {7} فَإِذَا نُقِرَ فِي ﭐلنَّاقُورِ {8} فَذَالِكَ يَوْمَئِذٍ يَوْمٌ عَسِيرٌ {9} عَلَى ﭐلْكَافِرِينَ غَيْرُ يَسِيرٍ {10} ذَرْنِي وَمَنْ خَلَقْتُ وَحِيدًا {11} وَجَعَلْتُ لَهُ مَالًا مَّمْدُودًا {12} وَبَنِينَ شُهُودًا {13} وَمَهَّدتُّ لَهُ تَمْهِيدًا {14} ثُمَّ يَطْمَعُ أَنْ أَزِيدَ {15} كَلَّا إِنَّهُ كَانَ لِآيَاتِنَا عَنِيدًا {16} سَأُرْهِقُهُ صَعُودًا {17} إِنَّهُ فَكَّرَ وَقَدَّرَ {18} فَقُتِلَ كَيْفَ قَدَّرَ {19} ثُمَّ قُتِلَ كَيْفَ قَدَّرَ {20} ثُمَّ نَظَرَ {21} ثُمَّ عَبَسَ وَبَسَرَ {22} ثُمَّ أَدْبَرَ وَﭐسْتَكْبَرَ {23} فَقَالَ إِنْ هٰذَا إِلَّا سِحْرٌ يُؤْثَرُ {24} إِنْ هٰذَا إِلَّا قَوْلُ ﭐلْبَشَرِ {25} سَأُصْلِيهِ سَقَرَ {26} وَمَا أَدْرَاكَ مَا سَقَرُ {27} لَا تُبْقِي وَلَا تَذَرُ {28} لَوَّاحَةٌ لِّلْبَشَرِ {29} عَلَيْهَا تِسْعَةَ عَشَرَ {30}
It is mentioned by Muhammad Asad, another contemporary translator of The Glorious Qur-aan into English, as possibly the second revelation. Asad states in his introductory commentary on Chapter 74: After the prophet's earliest revelation Suurah/Chapter 96: 1-5, a period elapsed during which, he received no revelation at all. The length of this break in revelation (fatrat al-wahy) cannot be established with certainty: Some reports say it may have been as little as 6 months or as much as 3 years.
Almost immediately afterwards, the chapter entitled Al-Mud-dathir (The Enfolded One) was revealed. From then on, Muhammad reportedly said, "revelation became intense and continuous.” Asad also indicates that the remaining 26 verses of Chapter 74 were revealed at another time. Verses, 1-30 of Chapter 74 is also reported to possibly be the fourth revelation and not the second. However, he is inclined to believe these verses were of the earliest revelations, given their content.
Some say the second revelation was: The Glorious Qur-aan, 68:1-9, - Al-Qa-laam, which means The Pen.
وَﭐلْقَلَمِ وَمَا يَسْطُرُونَ {1} مَا أَنْتَ بِنِعْمَةِ رَبِّكَ بِمَجْنُونٍ {2} وَإِنَّ لَكَ لَأَجْرًا غَيْرَ مَمْنُونٍ {3} وَإِنَّكَ لَعَلى خُلُقٍ عَظِيمٍ {4} فَسَتُبْصِرُ وَيُبْصِرُونَ {5} بِأَييِّكُمُ الْمَفْتُونُ {6} إِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِمَنْ ضَلَّ عَنْ سَبِيلِهِ وَهُوَ أَعْلَمُ ﺒِﭑلْمُهْتَدِينَ {7} فَلَا تُطِعِ ﭐلْمُكَذِّبِينَ {8} وَدُّوا لَوْ تُدْهِنُ فَيُدْهِنُونَ {9}
“By the Pen and by what they are recording, you are not by the blessings of your Lord Evolver, crazy or possessed. Surely to you is a reward unfailing. And surely you are of an exalted character. Soon will you see and they will see, which of you are afflicted with madness. Surely your Lord knows who is astray and he knows those who are guided. So obey not those who deny the truth. They desire that you compromise, so they can compromise.”
Reportedly, the third revelation he received was verses, 1-10 of Chapter 73, اَلْمُزَمِّلُ Al-Mu-zam-mil, The One Folded in Garments:
يَا أَيُّهَا ﭐلْمُزَّمِّلُ {1} قُمِ ﭐللَّيْلَ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا {2} نِصْفَهُ أَوِ ﭐنْقُصْ مِنْهُ قَلِيلًا {3} أَوْ زِدْ عَلَيْهِ وَرَتِّلِ ﭐلْقُرْءَانَ تَرْتِيلًا {4} إِنَّا سَنُلْقِي عَلَيْكَ قَوْلًا ثَقِيلًا {5} إِنَّ نَاشِئَةَ ﭐللَّيْلِ هِيَ أَشَدُّ وَطْءًا وَأَقْوَمُ قِيلًا {6} إِنَّ لَكَ فِي ﭐلنَّهَارِ سَبْحًا طَوِيلًا {7} وَﭐذْكُرِ ﭐسْمَ رَبِّكَ وَتَبَتَّلْ إِلَيْهِ تَبْتِيلًا {8} رَبُّ ﭐلْمَشْرِقِ وَﭐلْمَغْرِبِ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ﻓﭑتَّخِذْهُ وَكِيلًا {9} وَﭐصْبِرْ عَلَى مَا يَقُولُونَ وَﭐهْجُرْهُمْ هَجْرًا جَمِيلًا {10}
“O you who are folded in garments. Stand to prayer by night but not all night. Half of it or a little less. Or a little more: And recite the Qur-aan in slow rhythmic tones. Soon shall be sent down to you a heavy, weighty message. Surely the hours of the night impress the mind most strongly and speak with the clearest voice. Whereas by day; for you, are prolonged duties. But keep in remembrance your Lord Evolver and devote yourself to him whole-heartedly. The Lord, Evolver of The East and The West; no deity except He: Take Him therefore as the only one who has the power to determine your fate. And have patience with what they say and leave them with beautiful/noble dignity.”
According to some, اَلْفَاتِحَةُ Al-Faa-te-hah, which many translate as The Opening or Victory or The Key was revealed as the fifth revelation. This is not for certain. However, it is accepted to be the first entire chapter revealed, all at once. Al-Faa-te-hah is referred to as the foundation of The Glorious Qur-aan. This chapter is the most often repeated chapter. Why? Because Muslims are directed to say this chapter in their five daily prayers and at other times
بِسْمِ ﭐللهِ ﭐلرَّحْمَانِ ﭐلرَّحِيمِ ﭐلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ﭐلْعَالَمِينَ ﭐلرَّحْمَانِ ﭐلرَّحِيمِ مَالِكِ يَوْمِ ﭐلدِّينِ إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ اِهْدِنَــــا ﭐلصِّرَاطَ ﭐلمُسْتَقِيمَ صِرَاطَ ﭐلَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِﭐلمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلاَ ﭐلضَّآلِّينَ
“With Name of God, The Merciful Benefactor, The Merciful Redeemer. Praise be to God, The Lord of all Worlds. The Merciful Benefactor, The Merciful Redeemer. Master of the Day of Judgment. Thee do we exclusively Worship and Thee do we exclusively turn to for aid. Keep us on the Straight Path. The Path of those upon whom you have favored, not those who receive your wrath nor of those who go astray.” (The Glorious Qur-aan, Chapter 1
In conclusion, as stated earlier, the entire Glorious Qur-aan was revealed over a span of about 23 years. It is guidance from The Lord Creator that includes every aspect of the human life. It is a manual that sets forth how The Lord Creator wants the human beings to conduct their lives and affairs.
The Glorious Qur-aan, Chapter 2:2, ذَالِكَ ﭐلْكِتَابُ لَا رَيْبَ فِيهِ هُدًى لِّلْمُتَّقِينَ
“This is a book wherein there is absolutely no doubt. Guidance sure for those who have a regard and reverence for the Creator.”
Further, The Glorious Qur-aan says: Chapter 5:15 قَدْ جَاءَكُمْ مِّنَ ﭐللَّهِ نُورٌ وَكِتَابٌ مُّبِينٌ…
.... No doubt has come to you all, a light and a plain book. The Glorious Qur-aan is for all people who regard the Creator: Be you Christian, Hebrew, Jew, Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, atheist, etc .
Muslims are encouraged to read the whole Glorious Qur-aan during the month of Ramadan. Muslims are also encouraged to make the study of The Glorious Qur-aan a life-long undertaking. In that it is revealed in the Classical Arabic Language, it is strongly encouraged that the language be studied as a life-long undertaking as well.
The length of The Glorious Qur-aan is about the length of the New Testament. Many portions of the Holy Bible stories are narrated and corrected.
The last revelation of The Glorious Qur-aan is believed by many to be: Chapter 5:3.
الْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِي وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ الإِسْلاَمَ دِينًا
This Day have I perfected your religion/way of life for you, completed my favor on you and I pleased you (because) belonging to you all (already in your nature is) submission (to my will) as your way of life...
(Some say verse Suurah/Chapter 2:281 was the last verse revealed.
وَﭐتَّقُواْ يَوْمًا تُرْجَعُونَ فِيهِ إِلَى ﭐللَّهِ ثُمَّ تُوَفَّى كُلُّ نَفْسٍ مَّا كَسَبَتْ وَهُمْ لَا يُظْلَمُونَ
And fear the Day when ye shall be brought back to Allah. Then shall every soul be paid what it earned, and none shall be dealt with unjustly.
The proper name of this way of life is Al-Islam not Islam. It translates as The Submission to the will of the Lord Creator. Endeavoring to submit our wills to The Submission to Our Creator is the way of the prophets and God-fearing people.
I pray that you all have a Blessed Ramadan and Eed celebration.
www.siddeeqjihad com
