F I R
Five Initial Revelations Of Qur'an
Pehli Paanch Wahi
Period of second Revelation
This too is one of the earliest surahs
to be revealed at Makkah, but its subject matter shows that it was sent down at
the time when opposition to the Holy Prophet (upon whom be peace) had grown
very harsh and tyrannical.
Theme of second Revelation
•A
Wide Gulf- Islamic
revelations started with the order to read. This instruction was given to the
unlettered Prophet, whom God in His infinite wisdom willed to be unable to read and write. Yet the
revelations vouchsafed to him began with such emphasis on learning through
reading and writing with the pen. This importance is reiterated here by the oath using the letter
nun, the pen and the writing. All this should be seen as part of the divine
system of cultivating the Muslim community and preparing it for the universal
role God assigned to it.
•Issues
Spelled Out- This
never-ending reward is granted by your
Lord who has bestowed on you the honour of prophethood. This gives
solace and abundant compensation for any
type of isolation or allegation the unbelievers may hurl at him. What loss
could be incurred by the one whose Lord kindly and benevolently assures him of
a continuing reward, one that never ends?
•A
Testimony by God- This
is followed by a great testimony and abundant honour: "Most certainly, yours is
a sublime character." (Verse 4) The whole universe echoes this unique
praise of the Prophet. No writer can describe the value of this great testimony
by the Creator of the universe; no imagination can give it its worth. It
is a testimony by God, according to His
own measure, given to His servant, in His own words: "Most certainly,
yours is a sublime character." A sublime character has, according to God's
measure, its own unique value which no other creature can imagine.
•Emphasis
on Morality-
Islamic morality is not a set of individual values, such as
truthfulness, honesty, justice,
mercy, kindness, etc.
Rather, it is a
complete system in which personal education collaborates with the legal code; a
system that deals with life as a whole and defines its direction. It ultimately
seeks God's pleasure, and nothing else. This morality, in its perfection,
beauty, balance, consistency, straightforwardness and unity was reflected in the person of Muhammad, (peace
be upon him), as he deservedly earned the praise granted by none other than God
Almighty
•Reassurance
About the Future- God
then reassures His Messenger about the immediate future and how things
will develop with those unbelievers who
hurled such lies at him. He warns them
that their true situation will be publicized and their falsehood be made
public. It is his Lord who gave him his
revelations. He indeed knows that he and his followers are rightly guided. This is enough to reassure the Prophet and set his
enemies worrying about what the future will bring.
to be continued . . . .
