There are 99 instances from the root word “dhik’r” in the Quran in 2 distinct morphological and grammatical forms: (1) “dhik’ra” (ذِكرَ) in the masculine noun form and (2) “dhik’raa” (ذِكْرَىٰ) in the feminine noun form, both of them typically mean reminder, while there are also other meanings depending on the contexts. 76 instances in the first group in the masculine noun form mean reminder, remembrance, message, warning, mention etc. while 23 instances in the second group in the feminine noun form mean reminder but referring to a particular piece of information in the Quran or the scripture. But what is important for us to reflect is the gender difference between two groups of words being a clue for us to interpret an appropriate message in the verses in different contexts. However, the instances of dhik’raa are discussed below to reflect to the crucial messages in the guidance that we can find the right path for us:
Review of instances of dhik’raa
23 instances of dhik’raa in the feminine noun form in the Quran found in 23 verses across 18 surahs that refer to a particular piece of information in the Quran to be a reminder, are detailed below to avoid any misinterpretation:
[6:68] And when you see those who engage in vain talk about our revelations, then you shall turn away from them until they engage in a statement other than it. And if the Satan causes you to forget, then you do not sit after the reminder (al-dhik’raa) with the wicked people.
Note: There is a consequence of mocking God’s revelations and we should not sit with the wicked people after the remembrance when the Satan causes us to forget.
[6:69] And not on those who fear (God) of their reckoning of anything except a reminder (dhik’raa) that they shall fear (for God).
Note: Those who fear God should know and follow the given reminder to do their business with Him.
[6:90] Those (the previous prophets) are whom God has guided; so, you (Muhammad) shall follow of their guidance. Say, “I do not ask you for any reward. This is not except a reminder (dhik’raa) for the worlds.”
Note: The guidance that the previous prophets received from God should serve as an example for Muhammad to be included with them while what is revealed to him is a reminder for the worlds. Thus, Muhammad is not different from other prophets except the message given to him there is a reminder in it.
[7:2] A scripture has been revealed to you (Muhammad) that it may not be a discomfort in your heart from it that you may warn with it, and a reminder (dhik’raa) for the believers.
Note: You shall warn with the scripture revealed to you (Muhammad) wherein there is a reminder for the believers.
[11:114] And you shall observe the Contact Prayer (al-salata) at both ends of the day, and during the night. Indeed, the good deeds remove the evil deeds. That is a reminder (dhik’raa) for those who would take heed.
Note: God has commanded for observing Salat at noon and during the night, and has reminded it to be a good deed that removes an evil deed for those who would take heed.Thus, He has not only commanded us to observe Salat but He has also mentioned the importance of its practice.
[11:120] And each we narrate to you (Muhammad) the story of the messengers that we may strengthen your heart with it. The truth has come to you in it (haadhihi) as well as a warning (maw’izatun) and a reminder (dhik’raa) for the believers.
Note: The truth has come in the story of the messengers which may serve as a warning and a reminder for the believers.
[21:84] As we had responded to him (Ayyub), so we removed what was with him of adversity. And we gave him his family like of theirs with them as a mercy from ourselves, and a reminder (dhik’raa) for the worshipers.
Note: God responded when Job had implored Him to relieve his adversity that was a mercy from Him, is a reminder for the worshipers.
[26:209] Here is a reminder (dhik’raa), for we are never unjust.
Note: Sending warners before annihilation of any community is a reminder as God is never unjust.
[29:51] Is it not enough for them that we sent down to you (Muhammad) this book, being recited to them? Indeed, in that there is a mercy and a reminder (dhik’raa) for a people who believe.
Note: In the book that is being recited to them, there is a mercy and a reminder for a people who believe.
[38:43] We restored his family for him; twice as many. Such is our mercy; a reminder (dhik’raa) for those who possess intelligence.
Note: God responded when Job implored Him to relieve his adversity, was a mercy from Him, which should serve as a reminder for those who possess intelligence.
[38:46] We bestowed upon them a special attribute about the awareness (dhik’raa) of the Hereafter.
Note: The family of Abraham was given a special attribute to be aware of the abode of the Hereafter.
[39:21] Do you not see that God has sent down water from the sky, then He has made it flow as springs in the earth, then He produces crop of its various colors with it; then it withers that you see it being yellow; then He makes it debris? Indeed, in that surely, there is a reminder (dhik’raa) for possessors of the understanding.
Note: Sending down water from the sky, storing it into underground wells and growing of different crops from it should be a reminder for those who possess intelligence.
[40:54] A guidance and a reminder (dhikraa) for those of understanding.
Note: The guidance that was given to Moses that the Children of Israel inherit, is a guidance and a reminder for those of understanding among them.
[44:13] How can be the reminder (al-dhik’raa) for them when an enlightened messenger had come to them?
Note: This instance confirms that a messenger had come to the people with Quran’s mathematical coding as a reminder for them but most of them were heedless to this reminder but a painful punishment will seize them for denying the reminder sent with the messenger.
[47:18] Are they waiting until the Hour comes to them suddenly? All the signs thereof have already come. Once the Hour comes to them, how will they benefit from their remembrance (dhik’raahum)?
Note: It is about the awareness of the Hour but there is no reminder from God except their remembrance.
[50:8] This is an enlightenment (tabsiratan) and a reminder (dhik’raa) for every pious worshiper.
Note: In the construction of faultless sky and the creation of the earth with scattered mountains on it as well as growing of different kinds of beautiful plants from it are an enlightenment and a reminder for every pious worshipper (50:6-7). An enlightenment and a reminder is a matching pair of reminder in the feminine noun form.
[50:37] Indeed, in that there is surely a reminder (la’dhikraa) for whoever has been a heart for him, or has been the hearing, while he is a witness.
Note: Many a generation who were powerful had not found any escape in the earth when they were destroyed, is a reminder for whoever can understand and perceive by his senses.
[51:55] And remind, for the reminder (al-dhik’raa) benefits the believers.
Note: When a messenger sent to the previous generations, they said, “He is magician or crazy” and if it is reminded, the reminder benefits the believers.
[74:31] And we have not made guardians of the Fire except angels, and we have not made their number except a warning for those who disbelieved, that it may ascertain those who have been given the scripture (Jews and Christians) and may increase faith of those who have believed (Muslims), and may not doubt those who have been given the scripture (Jews and Christians) and the believers (Muslims). And that may say those in their hearts there is a disease (hypocrites) and the disbelievers, “What has God meant by this allegory?” Thus, God misguides whomever He wills and He guides whomever He wills. And none knows your Lord’s soldiers except He. And it is not except a reminder (dhik’raa) for the human race.
Note: This verse refers to the number mentioned in the verse (74:30) – ‘over it is nineteen’ as we see a match between “over it (alayhaa) is nineteen” and “it (hiya) is a reminder for the human race” being “it” a feminine gender in both verses while the scripture (Quran) is consistently referred to the masculine gender, i.e., what is divisible by 19, means that 19 is the reminder as well as the common denominator of Quran’s analytical figures despite 19 itself as a number belongs to masculine gender.
[79:43] It is not you (Muhammad) who is destined to announce its time (dhik’raahaa).
Note: The Hour is a future event and Muhammad is not destined to unveil it is a matter of awareness, but not a reminder from God.
[80:4] Or he may take heed, and benefit from the reminder (al-dhik’raa).
Note: If the blind man were properly attended, he could have purified himself.
[87:9] Therefore, you shall remind; perhaps the reminder (al-dhik’raa) will benefit.
Note: Everything is in accordance with God’s will, and He knows what is declared and what is hidden, and He will direct you (Muhammad) to the easiest path, which is the reminder for us.
[89:23] On that day, Hell will be presented. On that day, the human being will remember but how can be the remembrance (al-dhik’raa) for him?
Note: On that day the human being can remember that he was heedless to the reminder about the Day.
Mathematical Confirmation
There are 21 instances of dhik’raa across 16 suras in the Quran that serve as reminders for us in the Quran. The sum of the relevant sura number and the verse number is a multiple of 19 => 1843 = 19 x 97 as shown in the table below:
Note: The two instances, dhik’raahum found in (47:18) and dhik’raahaa found in (79:43) are not included in the mathematical confirmation as they do not convey any reminder except the general awareness of the Hour.
- Review of the verses mentioned under both groups clearly indicates that the word “dhik’raa” is distinct from the word “dhik’ra” even the root is the same. Hence, the word “dhik’raa” has been made distinct from the Quran or the scripture pointing to certain special reminders including a hint of Quran’s mathematical coding as found in (74:31) while the messenger associated with this reminder is found in (44:13), which is another reminder. The connection between these two reminders in the Quran is so clear that there is no room to miss it due to misunderstanding, misinterpretation or lack of clarification, being supported by the mathematical confirmation.
Conclusion
The word “dhik’raa” is made distinct from the Quran or the scripture and clearly points to certain special reminders including a hint of the Quran’s mathematical code in the Quran. In addition, the mathematical confirmation is the physical evidence of the advent of a God’s messenger with a reminder, i.e., the Quran’s mathematical coding that should not be taken lightly as indicated in (44:13). Thus, God has designed and perfected the Quran in the Arabic language and has sent it to the world with an incontrovertible proof of divinity to serve as guidance until the end of the world. Thus, the code of the Quran has not only protected the revealed Quran from any distortion but also provides us with a means to dissect it to better understand the overall message including the significant events and commandments isolating the sets of verses found across the surahs. The code is already proven to be an effective tool to purify our beliefs and practices eliminating any misconceptions from our religion as well as any corruptions from our practices occurred over the period of time. The effectiveness of this code is a direct evidence that like all other things God is, in full control of His wondrous creation, the great Quran giving us an opportunity to strive in His cause as well as making efforts to take His religion to the next level. However, we must disregard any opinion or interpretation of any human whoever he may be if it does not fit to His teachings in light of logic and proofs as our only concern is God and His teachings and laws found in His guidance.
Peaceful Friday, salaam and God bless.
Tafazzal (4/22/2016)