Quran is a guidance and good news for the believers
Taa.Seen. That is of signs of the Quran and a clarifying scripture (27:1). A guidance and good news for the believers (27:2).
Note: Taa.Seen, a set of Quranic initials, is a sign of the Quran and a clear scripture, which is a guidance and good news for the believers. The word, til’ka in singular feminine demonstrative pronoun meaning “that” refers to Taa.Seen, which is a set of Initials instead of individual Arabic letters indicating a special role in the Quran, and the word, aayaatu in plural feminine form meaning “signs” refer to 14 sets of Quranic initials in the Quran. Thus, the interpretation of til’ka to “these” even in singular form considering aayaatu in plural form and Taa.Seen to “letters” by many translators are misinterpretation, while there are 14 such sets in the Quran (15:87) that prefix 29 surahs in the Quran.
Now we are sure that these initials are physical proofs of Quran from God, which occur in certain frequencies in the Arabic text of the relevant surah, while the initial H is found in surahs 19 and 20. The initial TH prefixes Surah 20. The initial TS are found in Surah 27, and the initial TSM prefixes its surrounding surahs 26 & 28. An intricate interlocking relationship links these overlapping Quranic Initials produce a total, which is a multiple of 19 => 1767 = 1767 (19x93) as shown details in the table below:
Note: The interlocking initials H, TH, TS and TSM prefix surahs describing the miracles of Moses, Jesus, and the uncommon occurrences surrounding Solomon and his jinns. God thus provides stronger evidence to support stronger miracles.
Quran is given to Muhammad from Wise and Knower
Those who establish the salat prayer and give the zakat, and they are about the Hereafter they ascertain (27:3). Indeed, those who do not believe in the Hereafter, we have made fair-seeming their deeds for them so they wander (27:4). Those are whom for them there is an evil of the punishment, and they are in the Hereafter who are the worst losers (27:5). And indeed, you (Muhammad) are surely given the Quran from Wise, Knower (27:6).
Note: Just to believe in the Quran is not enough to be winners in the Hereafter rather the believers are to establish the salat prayer and pay the zakat being certain with the Hereafter. Those who are disbelievers, their works are made attractive to their eyes, who will be the worst losers in the Hereafter, while they have been warned that the Quran is given to Muhammad from Wise, Knower.
History of Moses
When Moses said to his family (his brethren), “Indeed me, I have seen a fire. I will bring you of a news from it or will bring you a burning stick so that you may warm yourselves” (27:7).
Note: When Moses was with his companions he saw a fire and told them that he was going to bring some news or guidance from it.
So when he (Moses) had come to it there had been declared that blessed is whoever is in the fire and whoever is around it and glory to God, Lord of the worlds (27:8). “O Moses, indeed He; I am God – the Almighty, the Wise (27:9). And throw down your staff.” Then when he had seen it moving as if it were a snake, he turned back in fleeing and did not look back. “O Moses, do not fear. Indeed Me, the sent ones do not fear in My presence (27:10), except whoever has wronged, then he has substituted a good after an evil; indeed, I am Forgiving, Merciful (27:11). And put your hand in your pocket; it will come forth white without harm, are among nine miracles to Pharaoh and his people; indeed, they had been a disobedient people.” (27:12).
Note: We know from the other suras that Moses demanded to see God physically to strengthen his people’s belief in God. God was at the fire who gave Moses certain commands and miracles while he was around it to convince Pharaoh and his people who were very wicked.
When there had come to them our obvious signs (miracles), they said, “This is a clear magic.” (27:13). And they had rejected in them and had convinced themselves with them out of injustice and exaltedness. Then you see an end of the corrupters (27:14).
Note: God is letting us know what happened when His miracles given to Moses were presented to Pharaoh and his people, i.e., they rejected in them out of their exaltedness.
God’s blessings upon David and Solomon
Certainly, we had blessed David and Solomon with knowledge, and they said, “All praise to God Who has favored us more than many of His servants of the believers (27:15). And Solomon had inherited David, and he said, “O people, we have been taught language of the birds and we have been given from everything. Indeed, this surely it is the evident for the favor.” (27:16).
Note: God has blessed David and Solomon more than many of His believing servants but they were appreciative to Him. Even this favor does not make any difference between messengers of God.
History of Solomon and Sheba
There had been gathered for Solomon of his soldiers from jinns, humans and birds, then they were set in rows (for a battle) (27:17). Until when they had reached a valley of ants, one female ant said, “O ants, go into your homes, lest Solomon and his soldiers do not crush you, while they do not perceive.” (27:18). So, He (Solomon) had smiled with laughing from her speech, and said, “My Lord, grant me that I can appreciate Your favor that You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents, and that I do as a righteous You like him, and admit me by Your mercy into Your servants of the righteous ones” (27:19).
Note: God has given language to every creature (species) to communicate and He has also taught some of us to understand the communication of the other species as well. What seems unusual or impossible to us is easy for God to do. However, Solomon did not misuse God given blessing instead, he prayed to Him to do the righteous works upon hearing the conversation between ants, and here we find a great teaching for us to do the same to be righteous to enter with the righteous believers as the righteous will enter in throngs and their destination is Paradise (39:73). It is also noteworthy that mathematically, the position of the verse in the surah is 19 while the total of digits of surah and verse number is 19 either -> 2 + 7 + 1 + 9 = 19.
He inspected the birds, and said: “Why do I not see the hoopoe? Why is he absent? (27:20) I will punish him severely or sacrifice him, unless he gives me a good excuse” (27:21).
Note: It would not be righteous behavior to make any decision without knowing the fact.
He (the hoopoe) had not delayed long, then he said, “I have had of what you do not have. I have come to you from Sheba with certain news (27:22). I found a woman ruling them, who is blessed with everything, and possesses a tremendous palace (27:23). I found her and her people prostrating to the sun other than God. The devil has adorned their works in their eyes, and has repulsed them from the path; so, they are not guided (27:24). That they are not prostrating to God, the One who manifests all the mysteries in the heavens and the earth, and the One who knows everything you conceal and everything you declare (27:25). God: there is no god except He, Lord of the Throne, the Great” (27:26).
Note: The hoopoe collected and reported the relevant information to Solomon for his decision, which is a strategy of war plan. The statements indicate that the hoopoe was given the responsibility of intelligence and communication service that we also see as a division in the modern army.
(Solomon) said, “We will see if you told the truth, or if you are a liar (27:27). Go with this letter of mine, then give it to them, then turn away from them, then see what they return.” (27:28).
Note: Solomon took the next step based on the information reported by the hoopoe and sent a letter to them to know their response.
She said, “O advisers, I have received an honorable letter (27:29). Indeed, it is from Solomon, and indeed, it is – In the Name of God, the Gracious, the Merciful (27:30). That not to exalt yourselves and come to me as submitters” (27:31). She said, “O advisers, advise me in this matter. I have not been decider of a matter until you present opinion to me.” (27:32).
Note: When a righteous person intends to do anything starts with “In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful”. It was not a battle of occupying territory instead, the invitation to the path of God. Sheba was an idol worshiper but she used to rule her people based on democracy.
They said, “We possess the power, we possess the fighting skills, and the ultimate command is in your hand. You decide what to do” (27:33). She said, “The kings corrupt any land they invade, and subjugate its dignified people. This is what they usually do (27:34). I am sending a gift to them; let us see what the messengers come back with” (27:35).
Note: Upon receiving her advisers’ opinion Sheba decided to send a gift to Solomon to avoid the usual behavior of the kings after invasion of the land.
Then when he had come to Solomon, he responded: “Do you provide me with wealth? While what God has given me is far better than what He has given you. Nay, you may rejoice with your gift.” (27:36). (he told the hoopoe) Go back to them, “then certainly, we will come to them with forces, there is no resistance for them of it, and certainly, we will drive them out of it in humiliation and they are debased” (27:37).
Note: Solomon was grateful to God for what he had from Him. He did not accept the gift rather he sent back the hoopoe with a warning that he will go to them with a large number of forces to attack them.
He said, “O advisors, which of you can bring me her mansion, before they arrive here as submitters?” (2:38). One afrit from the jinns said, “I can bring it to you before you stand up. I am powerful enough to do this” (27:39). Whom with him was knowledge from the scripture said, “I can bring it to you before that your look is returned to you.” Then when he had seen it being settled before of him, he said, “This is from a favor of my Lord to test me whether I appreciate or I do not appreciate. And whoever has appreciated, then he only appreciates for his own soul; and whoever has not appreciated, then indeed, my Lord is Self-sufficient, Honorable” (27:40).
He said, “Remodel her mansion for her. We will see whether she will be guided, or she will be of those who are not guided” (27:41). When she had come, it had been asked, “Does your mansion look like this?” She said, “It seems that this is it.” “We (Solomon) have given the knowledge, and we have been submitters” (27:42). She had been diverted by worshiping idols instead of God; she belonged to disbelieving people (27:43). It had been said to her: “Enter the palace.” Then when she had seen it she thought it a pool and she uncovered from her shins. He said: “Indeed, it is a palace made smooth of glasses.” She said: “My Lord, indeed me, I have wronged to myself and I have submitted to God, Lord of the worlds with Solomon.” (27:44).
Note: Sheba’s mansion was remodeled as if it was a pool of water. When she arrived and saw it as it was remodeled. Even though she claimed they are already submitters but he belonged to the disbelieving people. Once again when she went inside but saw her palace paved with crystal, and then she submitted to God with Solomon. Solomon used God given resources to bring people to the path of God instead of occupying the land.
History of Saleh
We sent to Thamud their brother Sãleh that “You shall worship God.” But they became two disputing groups (27:45). He said, “O my people, why do you hasten to do the evil before the good? Why do you not ask God for forgiveness so that you may have mercy” (27:46).
They said, “We consider you a bad omen for us, you and those who are with you”. He said, “Your bad omen is with God. Indeed, you are a people who are being tested” (27:47). There were nine gangsters in the city who were wicked, and never did anything good (27:48). They said, “Swear by God: surely, we will attack him by night and his people, then surely, we will tell his tribe – we have not witnessed a destruction of his family; indeed, we are truthful ones.” (27:49).
They plotted a plot but we also schemed a plan while they did not perceive (27:50). Now see the consequence of their plot that we annihilated them and their people together (27:51). Here are their homes utterly ruined because of their wickedness. This should indeed be a lesson for the people who realize (27:52). We saved those who were the believers and the reverent to God (27:53).
Note: Saleh was sent to the people of Thamud but most of them disbelieved him. Moreover, they plotted to kill him but God destroyed those wicked people while He saved Saaleh and the people who believed him. Thus, God saves the believers who are reverent to God and lead a righteous life.
History of Lot
And Lot when he said to his people, “Do you commit the immorality, while you see? (27:54). You practice sex with the men, lustfully, instead of the women. Indeed, you are an ignorant people” (27:55). Then there had been no response of his people except that they said, “Drive out a family of Lot from your town; indeed, they are a people to keep clean and pure.” (27:56). Consequently, we saved him and his family, except his wife whom we doomed with those who remained behind (27:57). And we had rained upon them a evil rain. So evil had been a rain upon the warned ones (27:58).
Note: Lot was sent to the people who would practice homosexuality. They were warned because of their evil behavior but many of them disregarded the warning. Consequently, those who remained behind including Lot’s wife had been destroyed with a miserable shower.
Creator of the heavens and the earth has made the earth habitat
Say, “All praise to God and peace upon His servants those whom He has chosen. Is God better or whom they associate (with Him)?” (27:59). Who has created the heavens and the earth, and has sent down water from the sky for you? Then we have made to grow gardens full of beauty with it, it has not been that you could grow their trees. Is there any god with God? Nay, they are a people to deviate (from the truth). (27:60). Who has made the earth habitat, and has made rivers in its midst, and has made mountains to it, and has made a barrier between the two seas? Is there any god with God? Nay, most of them do not know (27:61). Who responds to the distressed one when he calls Him, and removes the evil, and makes you inheritors of the earth? Is there any god with God? Little is what you remember (27:62). Who guides you in darknesses of the land and the sea, and Who sends the winds with good news out of His mercy? Is there any god with God? God has exalted Himself so high above what they associate (27:63). Who initiates the creation, then repeats it, and Who provides for you from the heaven and the earth? Is there any god with God? Say, “Bring forth your proof, if you have been truthful.” (27:64).
Note: All praise belongs to God. He is our Creator and Lord. But what we must instill in our hearts that He is so high above that none can be equal to Him to be His partner(s) but still some people praise His chosen in a manner as if they are equal to Him making them idol worshipers. in 1941, researchers found the marine characteristics of separations between neighboring seas is a fact, has been mentioned in the Quran is a factual evidence that the Quran is from God, Lord of the worlds.
Certainty of the Hereafter requires to believe in the Resurrection
Say, “No one in the heavens and the earth knows the future except God. They do not even perceive how or when they will be resurrected.” (27:65). Nay, their knowledge about the Hereafter has hindered. Nay, they are in doubt of it. Nay, they are blind of it (27:66). And those who disbelieved said, “What about when we have become dust and our forefathers, will we certainly be brought out? (27:67). Certainly, we have been promised this, we and our forefathers before. This is not but tales from the previous people.” (27:68). Say, “Roam the earth and note the consequences for the guilty.” (27:69). Do not grieve over them, nor be annoyed by their plotting (27:70). They say, “When will this promise come to pass, if you are truthful?” (27:71). Say, “It may already upon you by some of that which you hasten” (27:72).
Note: The disbelievers do not believe in resurrection as they are not certain about the Hereafter.
Dead, deaf or blind does not hear the call
Your Lord is full of grace towards people, but most of them are unappreciative (27:73). Your Lord knows what they conceal in their chests and what they declare (27:74). There is nothing in the heavens and the earth that is hidden (from Him); everything is in a clear book (27:75). This Quran narrates to the Children of Israel most of that what they still dispute (27:76). And indeed, it is a guidance and mercy for the believers (27:77). Indeed, your Lord will judge between themselves with His knowledge, and He is the Almighty, the Knower (27:78). So, you shall put trust upon God; indeed, you have the clear truth (27:79). Indeed, you cannot make the dead to hear, nor can you make the deaf to hear the call when they have turned back as retreaters (27:80). Nor can you be of a guide for the blind from their straying, nor can you make hear except whoever believes in our revelations that they are submitters (27:81).
Note: The Quran is a guidance and mercy having the manifest truth. Only the people who believe in God’s revelations and wish to be submitters hear the call. The messenger only serves as warner.
Prophecy of bringing forth a creature from the earth
And when the punishment has fulfilled upon them, we have brought forth for them a creature from the earth to speak to them that the people have been with our revelations do not ascertain (27:82). And a day we will gather from every community, a group of whoever denies in our revelations that they will be set in each row (27:83). Until when they had come. He said, “Have you denied in My revelations, while you do not acquire any knowledge of them or what you had done to achieve?” (27:84). And the punishment fulfilled upon them for what they had wronged while they will not speak (27:85).
Note: This prophecy has been fulfilled when the end of the world or the day of judgment is not too far from now. It is an opportunity for the people who claim them they follow God’s revelations to get back to God’s religion being definite of what to believe and practice from the Quran being the only source of God’s guidance to avoid the punishment as their beliefs and practices have been corrupted with innovations and traditions over the period of time.
Proofs to believe God and to be aware of His requital
Have they not seen that we made the night for their rest, and the day lighted? These should be sufficient proofs for people who believe (27:86). On the day when the horn is blown, everyone in the heavens and the earth will be horrified, except those chosen by God. All will come before Him, humbly (27:87). And you see the mountains appearing them standing still, while they move as moving of the clouds, is God’s system, Who has perfected everything. Indeed, He is Cognizant of what you do (27:88).
Note: God has given us simple proofs for average people as well as scientific facts for intellectual to reflect on to strengthen our belief in God and the Quran. The movement of the mountains like the clouds is a scientific fact, which confirms the wondrous nature of Quran and the revolving of the earth while this fact is rejected by Muslim scholars to make them and their followers ignorant.
Entering Hereafter with our requital
Whoever has come with the good, then for him there will be better from it, and they will be safe from a terror of that day (27:89). And whoever has come with the evil, then there has been cast down their faces in the Fire. Are you compensated for what you had done to accomplish? (27:90).
Note: When we enter the Hereafter through our death, we bring our requital with us, which is not clear to many of us who believe in God and practice the rites given by Him expecting that God is merciful and He will forgive our sins on the Day of Judgment. In fact, this is a satanic trick to make most of us losers in the Hereafter that we need to reflect and avoid to make us winners.
Duties assigned to the Prophet
“I (prophet) have only been commanded to worship Lord of this town, the One who has made it sacred and to Him belongs all things. And I have been commanded to be among the Submitters (27:91). And to recite the Quran.” So, whoever has been guided, then he is only guided for himself; and whoever has gone astray, then say, “I am only one of the bearers of warning.” (27:92). And say, “Praise be to God; He will show you His proofs that you recognize them”. And your Lord is not with unaware about what you do (27:93).
Note: The prophet was commanded to worship God being a submitter and to recite the Quran being a warner proclaiming that praise be to God who will show us His proofs that we realize them. God has made the prophet accountable for the duties assigned to him.
Conclusion
What may come to our mind first about the quranic initials, 14 sets of Arabic letters prefixed to 29 suras (chapters) in the Quran is the oath of God to make our focus on the statements that immediately follow these initials so that we can reflect and understand the real significance of those statements. However, it is a regret that while God has confirmed that the Quran is a comprehensible book (kitaabin mubeenin) and a guidance (hudan) providing good news for the believers but most people who believe in God and the Quran harbor misconception that it is difficult to understand but its recitation in Arabic is enough to be qualified for the reward from God and its place is in high shelves.
The history of Moses, Solomon, Saleh and Lot has been presented in the Quran to teach us the behavior of the wicked expecting from us that we would learn from it and try our best to avoid it. But what we see is the repetition of the history in the humanity without learning anything from it including our generation. The Jews did not accept Jesus to be Messiah despite Injeel given to him supported by great miracles that were not given to many of His righteous servants, the Jews and the Christians did not accept Muhammad as prophet despite the Quran given to him being the final scripture and the miracle, and the Muslims, the Christians and the Jews did not accept Rashad to be a messenger of God despite the fulfillment of a major covenant with the prophets placed in every scripture (3:81) including the Quran (33:7) supported by the great miracle, number 19 (74:30 & 74:35). There are also verses in the context of sovereignty of God and His support to His prophet to strengthen his heart to complete his duties. If we could understand that sending messengers to the humanity at times is a God’s system and mercy to guide them in the right direction, it would help people of all generations to ensure the successful return to their Lord.
What we can count in the surah is all praise belongs to God, a few miracles, couple of scientific facts and the fulfillment of a prophecy to bring out a creature from the earth to convince us to accept the Quran as our guidance and good news to lead a righteous life being certain about the Hereafter. Now if we could do what Solomon did to please God, with our death we would be there where he is now as well as where he will be on the Day of Judgment accompanied with the righteous servants:
[27:19] “My Lord, grant me to appreciate Your favor that You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents, and to do as righteous to please You, and admit me by Your mercy into Your servants of the righteous ones.”
[39:73] Those who reverenced their Lord will be led to Paradise in throngs. When they get to it, and its gates are opened, its guards will say, “Peace be upon you; you have won. Therefore, you abide herein forever.”
Peaceful Friday, salaam and God bless.
Tafazzal (2/19/2016).
