Thursday, September 17, 2015

SURAH AL-NAS (MANKIND) OF THE GLORIOUS QUR'AN

Although, there is a difference of opinion as to this Suarah is “Makki” or “Madani” but the contents of this Surah points towards the probability that it is “Makki”. It has 6 Ayahs as follows:
1.       “Say: I take refuge with the Lord of the Mankind,”
2.       “The king of Mankind,”
3.       “The God of Mankind,”
4.       “From the evil of the slinking whisperer,”
5.       “Who whispers evil into the hearts of the Mankind,”
6.       “From among Jinn and Mankind.”
In one of the traditions it is mentioned that once the Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) became gravely ill. The two great angels, Jibra’il and Mika’il came to him. Jibra’il sat besides the head of the Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) and Mika’il sat near his (s.a.w.a.s.) feet. Jibra’il recited Surah al-Falaq and by it placed the Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) in the refuge of Allah (s.w.t.); and Mika’il recited Surah Nas.
In this Surah, three attributes of Allah are emphasized; Lordship, Ownership and Divinity. All three attributes are concerned with the training of Man, and his rescue from the grips of the tempters. The objective of taking refuge with Allah should not be restricted to oral repetition but should be accomplished by his thoughts, faith and actions. One should avoid satanic thoughts, assemblies and follow Divine path. By saying, “the Lord of Mankind” he places himself under His guidance, by saying “King of Mankind” he acknowledges that he is His obedient servant, and by saying, “the God of Mankind” he goes on the path of worshipping Him and avoids worshipping others than Him.
The three attributes are three important lessons of instructions and three means of rescue from the evils of:
                “From the evils of slinking whisperers”
                “Who whispers evil in the hearts of the Mankind?”
                “From among Jinn and Mankind”
“Was- was” means to tempt or tempter. The term “Khannas” is derived from “Khunus” meaning to get back or withdraw. Here it refers to Shaitan who withdraws himself the moment he hears the name of Allah. The devilish ones act hidden and murmur temptations into our ears which make us believe as if it is our own idea. Shaitan shows injustice in the form of justice, lies inside a shell of truth, sins in the semblance of worship. Satanic affairs and Shaitan himself is hidden and they will not be open and clear.  The Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali (a.s.) said in Nahjul Balagha, “The fact is, had falsehood been allowed to appear separately from Truth, seekers of Truth would have easily discerned it and would have kept away from Falsehood” They always take parts of Truth and falsehood and mix them together to get control over people.
The Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali (a.s.) continued, “...and Shaitan took advantage of this situation and gained complete control over the minds of its followers.”
At any time, it is possible that we could get astray, and when Allah bids His Apostle to take refuge with the Lord from the evil of the slinking whisperer then the common man stand nowhere. When we seek refuge with Allah, then Allah sends heavenly angels to help the seekers of refuge as stated in Surah Fussilat Ayah 30 which says: “In the case of those who say: ‘Our Lord is Allah’, and further, stand straight and steadfast, the angels descend on them (from time to time)…”
We must supplicate as; “O Lord! Protect us from all the evil of every tempter and dark inspiration. O Lord! The trap is deep, the enemy is wakeful, his plots are hidden, and rescue is impossible but with Your Grace.”

Sources used:
The Glorious Qur’an (English Translation) by Ayatollah Agha H.M.M. Pooya Yazdi

The Glorious Qur’an (Urdu Translation) by Ayatollah Nasir Makarem Shirazi

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