الحمد لله نحمده ونستعينة ونستغفره، ونعوذ بالله من شرور أنفسنا، ومن سيئات أعمالنا ، وأشهد أن لا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له ، وأشهد أن سيدنا محمداً عبده ورسوله ، اللهم صلِّ وسلم وبارك على سيدنا محمد وعلى آله وأصحابه  ومن تبعه إلى يوم الدين.

In the Quran, Allah uses the Oath to emphasize the importance of what follows it.  The Oaths are either made by invoking names of Allah or by invoking names of His creations.  An example of an Oath by Allah is:

وَفِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ رِزۡقُكُمۡ وَمَا تُوعَدُونَ (٢٢) فَوَرَبِّ ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ إِنَّهُ ۥ لَحَقٌّ۬ مِّثۡلَ مَآ أَنَّكُمۡ تَنطِقُونَ (الذّاریَات )

“And in the heaven is your provision, and that which you are promised. (22) By the Lord of the heaven and the earth, it is the truth, just as it is the truth that you can speak.” (Al-Dhariyat (51:22-23)

Whatever Allah makes an oath with one of his creations, it magnifies the status of this creation The Oath by the creation can be either by something that is obvious and well understood or by something ambiguous that requires interpretation. Example of oaths by something obvious is an oaths by the sun and the moon as Allah says:

وَٱلشَّمۡسِ وَضُحَٮٰهَا (١) وَٱلۡقَمَرِ إِذَا تَلَٮٰهَا [سورة الشمس]

“By the sun and its brightness; By the moon as it follows it.” (Al-Shams 91:1-2)

But there are oaths made by things that are not obvious and the Prophet (PBUH) did not offer interpretations for them.  In this case, the interpretation in books of Tafseer are merely human efforts that depend on the interpreters’ level of knowledge at their time.   Restricting the meaning of these Oaths to these interpretations does grave injustice to the Quran.  

In this talk, I plan Insha’Allah to provide the common meaning of some oaths that are not clear and thus subject to interpretation and offer an alternative meaning.   As I mentioned several times, while the texts of the Quran are divine, interpretations of texts that are not clearly made by the Prophet (PBUH) are not divine because they merely represent human efforts that are subject to human limitations and should be treated as part of human understanding that can change by time.

In the introduction of the talk that I gave on “Your Seven Chances – No Excuse” I pointed out that the Quran has two types of verses.  One type includes verses that Allah describes as “Muhkamaat” (آيَـٰتٌ مُّحْكَمَـٰتٌ); these are verses with very concise, unambiguous, and truly clear with definite meaning and thus they need no interpretations because they are obvious, and these verses present the foundation of our belief. 

The second type includes verses that Allah described as “Mutashabihat” (مُتَشَـٰبِهَـٰتٌ); these are verses that have no definite meanings and thus people can offer them different interpretations based on their level of education, technical specialties, and the scientific advancement, but no one really knows the real interpretation except Allah.   In this talk, I am discussing verses that fall in this category.  

You are at no obligation to accept the proposed interpretations and as I have always said, if you agree with me, you can share the information as yours and if you disagree, just consider it as human effort to unlock some secrets of the Quran.

Let me give examples.

Let me start with the the Oaths in surat Al-Adyat and provide the translation-based on the common Tafseer and then offer an alternative for your consideration.  The name of the Surat and the first term in the oath is (عاديات) and it refers to something that come rushing and this can be an enemy.  The description of this rushing entity is (ضبحا) that means:

1. Changing the color to dark as (ضَبَحَتْهُ الشَّمْسُ: لَوَّحَتْهُ، غَيَّرَتْهُ إِلَى السَّوَادِ قَلِيلاً) The sun changes the color of his skin to be dark
2. burning as in (ضَبَحَ العُودَ بِالنَّارِ : أَحْرَقَ شَيْئاً مِنْ أَعَالِيهِ) the stick was burnt by the fire
3. making deep sound that can come from heavy breathing as in (ضَبْحُ الحَيَوَانِ: صَوْتُ أَجْوَافِهِ)

The common interpretation assumes that the entity that comes rushing is enemy horses and these horses are breathing heavily.  The following verses provided additional description regarding the condition on these horses.  The Oath and its common translation are as follows:

وَٱلۡعَـٰدِيَـٰتِ ضَبۡحً۬ا (١) فَٱلۡمُورِيَـٰتِ قَدۡحً۬ا (٢) فَٱلۡمُغِيرَٲتِ صُبۡحً۬ا (٣) فَأَثَرۡنَ بِهِۦ نَقۡعً۬ا (٤) فَوَسَطۡنَ بِهِۦ جَمۡعًا (٥) إِنَّ ٱلۡإِنسَـٰنَ لِرَبِّهِۦ لَكَنُودٌ۬ (٦)

“By the chargers (horses) panting (breathing heavily). (1) Striking sparks of fire (by their hooves), (2) And by the raiders coming at the break of dawn. (3) Stirring up there with a cloud of dust, (4) Penetrating in the center (of the gathered enemy); (:5) Indeed, man is ungrateful to his Lord.” (Al-Adiyat 11:1-6)

This Tafseer can be presented by this slide. The Tafseer suggests that Allah is making an Oath by the attacking horses when they are encouraged by their riders to gallop, running fast and the sound of their heavy breathing can be heard.   And as they run, the striking of their hooves on the rocks cause sparks of fire that fly from them.  The horses are racing because their riders wanted to surprise their enemies by attacking them in the early morning.  And as the horses enter the battlefield, they create a cloud of dust in the air by the continuous running and stopping. Following the command of their riders, the horses penetrate in the middle of the battle between the lines of the enemy.  The interpreters then interpret verse 6 that provides the purpose of the oath which is to tell man why he cannot be like the horse in its absolute obedience to its master. 

This interpretation of this oath is guided by the assumption that the term (عاديات) refers to horses.  But the term horses which is (خيل) is not used in this Surat though it has been used in three other Surat.  It is used in Surat Al-Imran (3:14), in Surat Al-Anfal (8:60) and in Surat Al-Nahl (16:8) but it has not been used here.  Because the basic term in the Oath is ambiguous, other interpretations can also be made.   

Therefore, some interpreters interpreted the Oath that can be presented by the shown slide.   The Oath وَالْعَادِيَاتِ ضَبْحَاً ﴾  ) is interpreted to be referring to the winds that are carrying dark clouds and accompanied with the thunder and lighting ﴿ فَالْمُورِيَاتِ قَدْحاً ﴾   and then rain falls on the land in the early morning فَالْمُغِيرَاتِ صُبْحاً ﴾   ) and the wind creates cloud of dust ( فَأَثَرۡنَ بِهِۦ نَقۡعً۬ا ) and the water will penetrate the ground (فَوَسَطۡنَ بِهِۦ جَمۡعًا).

Obviously both these interpretations are possible for the verses because both meet the attributes of forming quickly, creating darkness, dust and sparks and causing damage in the middle of it though rainstorm does not always cause damage.

In offering another interpretation that does not violate the meaning of the words, one needs to keep in mind two points:

1. When Allah makes an oath with one of His creation,s it magnifies the status of this creation. Obviously, the horses are magnificent creation of Allah and so the rainstorm.
2. The oath is given to address something that man must heed.

Let us modify the 2^nd interpretation by suggesting that the oath does not refer to rainstorm but rather it refers to something that may not have been recognized by early interpreters who lived in the Middle East, but we can recognize.  Let us propose that Allah is making an oath by one His creations that has certain attributes that involve sudden appearance, having a howling sound, creating sparks and dust, and causing damage by gathering things in its middle.  Can we interpret the Oath as referring to tornadoes or hurricanes? Here is a slide showing a tornado, it creates howling sound, darkness, dust, flames, and its spiral movement collects things in its center and destroys them.

As shown in this slide Hurricanes act similarly.  Tornadoes and hurricanes are similar in their general structure. Both are characterized by extremely strong horizontal winds.  The main difference between them is in the scale. Tornadoes are “small-scale circulations”, the largest observed horizontal dimension is 1.5 miles, and they have very short lifetimes (on the order of minutes).  Hurricanes, on the other hand, are large-scale circulations with horizontal dimensions from 60 to well over 1000 miles in diameter. They travel thousands of miles, persist over several days.

Could Allah be making an oath with the tornados and the hurricanes that Allah can bring on man if he does not heed Allah’s commandment. Yes, it is possible because the words in the verses support this interpretation. But does the oath by tornados and hurricanes more compelling than the oath by horses or rainstorms; possibly, but Allah knows best.  You are free to decide.

Let us look at other oaths that refer to entities that are not defined except by the attributes.  We will consider the oaths in the beginning of Surat Al-Saffat (37), Surat Al-Mursalat (77) and Al-Naziat (79). 

In Surat Al-Saffat (37), the oath starts with the term (وَٱلصَّـٰٓفَّـٰتِ) that means some entity that are in rows that pushes away something, and this should bring to us the reminder that our God is One. The common interpretation suggests that the entity that stand in rows are they angels.  The oath and its common translation go as follows:

وَٱلصَّـٰٓفَّـٰتِ صَفًّ۬ا (١) فَٱلزَّٲجِرَٲتِ زَجۡرً۬ا (٢) فَٱلتَّـٰلِيَـٰتِ ذِكۡرًا (٣) إِنَّ إِلَـٰهَكُمۡ لَوَٲحِدٌ۬ (٤)

By those (angels) who stand in rows (1) By those who prevent firmly. (2) By those who bring the dhikr. (3) Surely, your God is One.” (Al-Saffat 37:1-4)

But is it possible that we consider this entity that stands in rows refers to something that protects the earth by preventing what comes through it form reaching the earth and this reminds us of the power and mercy of God who is only One?

This slide shows the radiation belts that are in rows around the earth protecting it by diverting the radiation that can destroy it.  So, one can translate this Oath as follows:

وَٱلصَّـٰٓفَّـٰتِ صَفًّ۬ا (١) فَٱلزَّٲجِرَٲتِ زَجۡرً۬ا (٢) فَٱلتَّـٰلِيَـٰتِ ذِكۡرًا (٣) إِنَّ إِلَـٰهَكُمۡ لَوَٲحِدٌ۬ (٤)

“By the standing in rows (radiation belts around the earth) (1) to firmly push away (the dangerous radiation) (2) this should bring you a reminder (3) Surely your God is One. (Al-Saffat 37:1-4)

Is this interpretation possible?  Yes, because the term (وَٱلصَّـٰٓفَّـٰتِ) does not provide the name of a specific creation but only offers an action of such creation   Is the term refers to angels or to the radiation belts, Allah knows best.  Obviously, those who made the original interpretation could not have imagined that Allah is making an oath with something that only discovered recently.

Another example of not clear oath is in Surat Al-Mursalat (77).   The oath is made by a creation that is being sent (وَٱلۡمُرۡسَلَـٰتِ).  This creation blows something violently spreading something and differentiating between what is being spread and bringing us reminder that leaves no excuse for anyone not to know that Allah’s promise will surely come to pass. The two common interpretations for this creation that is being sent is either the angels or the wind.  The oath and its common interpretation go as follows:   

وَٱلۡمُرۡسَلَـٰتِ عُرۡفً۬ا (١) فَٱلۡعَـٰصِفَـٰتِ عَصۡفً۬ا (٢) وَٱلنَّـٰشِرَٲتِ نَشۡرً۬ا (٣) فَٱلۡفَـٰرِقَـٰتِ فَرۡقً۬ا (٤) فَٱلۡمُلۡقِيَـٰتِ ذِكۡرًا (٥) عُذۡرًا أَوۡ نُذۡرًا (٦) إِنَّمَا تُوعَدُونَ لَوَٲقِعٌ۬ (٧) 

“By those (angels /winds) that are sent one after another. (1) And by the winds that blow violently, (2) And by those that blow violently (winds that scatter clouds and rain); (3) And by those that spread all over (clouds / verses that separate the right from the wrong). (4) And by those (angels) who bring down dhikr (5) leaving no excuses (for the disbelievers) or giving warnings; (6) Surely, what you are promised must come to pass. (Al-Mursalat 77:1-7) 

But can we interpret this creation that is being sent that blows violently spreading something as a star that is on the verge of exploding and spreading its content as shown in the slide.   Could Allah be directing us to the explosion of the stars that create extremely high pressures and temperature that transform the basic matter of hydrogen to all other elements in the universe including iron, gold, silver, etc.  So, one can translate the oath as follows:

وَٱلۡمُرۡسَلَـٰتِ عُرۡفً۬ا (١) فَٱلۡعَـٰصِفَـٰتِ عَصۡفً۬ا (٢) وَٱلنَّـٰشِرَٲتِ نَشۡرً۬ا (٣) فَٱلۡفَـٰرِقَـٰتِ فَرۡقً۬ا (٤) فَٱلۡمُلۡقِيَـٰتِ ذِكۡرًا (٥) عُذۡرًا أَوۡ نُذۡرًا (٦) إِنَّمَا تُوعَدُونَ لَوَٲقِعٌ۬ (٧)

“By those that are sending high features (stars on the verge of exploding emit waves of gamma rays). (1) By their state when they explode blowing out their matter (2) that will spread violently all over. (3)  As the matters spread out (from the supernova -powerful blast) and are differentiates (to different matters depending on pressure temperature, all matters start for hydrogen) (4) they are reminders (that is what you are made from) (5).  So, you have no excuse of not heading the warning. (6)  Surely my promise (of your destruction) will surely come to pass”.   (Al-Mursalat 77:1-7)

A last example to discuss is the oath in Surat Al-Naziat (79).  The oath is made by the creation (وَٱلنَّـٰزِعَـٰتِ) that pulls out something with violence. The following verses describes this creation as taking out some that swims in a race by a decree that will lead to great shock.   The common interpretation suggests that the creation that pulls out something is the angels that is pulling the souls of people.   The oath and its common interpretation go as follows:

وَٱلنَّـٰزِعَـٰتِ غَرۡقً۬ا (١) وَٱلنَّـٰشِطَـٰتِ نَشۡطً۬ا (٢) وَٱلسَّـٰبِحَـٰتِ سَبۡحً۬ا (٣) فَٱلسَّـٰبِقَـٰتِ سَبۡقً۬ا (٤) فَٱلۡمُدَبِّرَٲتِ أَمۡرً۬ا (٥) يَوۡمَ تَرۡجُفُ ٱلرَّاجِفَةُ (٦)

By those (angels) who pull out with great violence (the souls of the disbelievers and the wicked); (1) By those who gently take out (the souls of the believers); (2) And by those that swim swiftly. (3) And by those who proceed in a race (4) And by those angels who arrange to do the Commands of their Lord, (so verily, you disbelievers will be called to account). (5) On the Day when the shocking event will shock.” (Al-Naziat 79:1-6)

But it would be possible to consider that the creation that Allah is making an oath with is related to the phenomenon in this slide. The oath is referring to the asteroids and comments that sink in the dark matter of the universe.  But when they reach the solar system, they start speeding towards the earth but are pulled out violently after by Jupiter’s gravity to prevent them from striking the earth. This is being done by Allah’s decree until the designated day of the great shock. In this case, the oath can be translated as follows:

وَٱلنَّـٰزِعَـٰتِ غَرۡقً۬ا (١) وَٱلنَّـٰشِطَـٰتِ نَشۡطً۬ا (٢) وَٱلسَّـٰبِحَـٰتِ سَبۡحً۬ا (٣) فَٱلسَّـٰبِقَـٰتِ سَبۡقً۬ا (٤) فَٱلۡمُدَبِّرَٲتِ أَمۡرً۬ا (٥) يَوۡمَ تَرۡجُفُ ٱلرَّاجِفَةُ (٦)

“By all (asteroids and comments) that are sinking (in the dark matter of the universe) (1) they will be pulled out (by the Jupiter magnetic field) (2) as they (asteroids and comments) come swimming (3) in a race (towards the earth) (4).  These are all by the commands of Allah. (5)  But one day the shocking events will happen”.  (Al-Naziat 79:1-6)

DUA 

From Jameel to Everyone:  06:56 AM

I am flabbergasted, beyond my thinking capacity.  I will wait for the recording to share and discuss with some people in my mind.  Subhan Allah

From Terri Pleasant to Everyone:  06:56 AM

And that is how we think of Allah’s wisdom!  His wisdom should leave us flabbergasted.

From Terri Pleasant to Everyone:  07:13 AM

http://resurgentislam.com/wp-content/uploads/Phenomena-Of-Nature-By-Dr-Syed-Abdul-Wadud.pdf

We will show them Our signs in the universe, and within themselves, until it becomes manifest unto them that this, the Qur’an, is the truth. 41:53

From Shahid Jaffery to Everyone:  07:14 AM

Phenomena of nature and the Quran

https://www.islamicweblibrary.com/2019/10/20/phenomena-of-nature-and-the-quran-sayed-abdul-wadud/

From Terri Pleasant to Everyone:  07:14 AM

Our attention span is more like 45min.  It’s better to spend that 45 minutes gaining info, reflect, discuss, then continue with more information the following week.

From Jameel to Everyone:  07:15 AM

we also work with 20 minutes focus in our teaching children- Kumon

From Terri Pleasant to Everyone:  07:16 AM

I always find the organization of information and time you allot to lecture and Q&A to be perfect.  (20 min is correct .  When I said 45min, I meant this is better than going longer)