Quran is a guidance and a good news for the believers
[I swear by] Taa.Seen. That is of signs of the Quran and a clarifying scripture (27:1). A guidance and a 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 are surely given the Quran from the side of 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 had come to it, he was called that blessed has been 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; then indeed, I am Forgiving, Merciful (27:11). And put your hand into your pocket; it will come forth white without any harm, among nine signs 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.
So when there had come to them Our signs obvious, they said, “This is a clear magic.” (27:13). And they had rejected with them, and convinced themselves out of injustice and exaltedness. Then see how was 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.
Blessings of God upon David and Solomon
And certainly, We had blessed David and Solomon with knowledge, and they said, “All praise to God, the One Who had favored us above many of His servants of the believers.” (27:15). And Solomon had inherited David, and he said, “O people, we have been taught the speech of the birds, and we have been given of everything. Indeed, this surely is the evident 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
And there had been gathered for Solomon his soldiers of the jinn, and the mankind, and the birds, so they were driven in rows (27:17). Until when they had reached a valley of the ants, a female ant said, “O ants, enter your dwellings, lest Solomon and his soldiers surely crush you, while they do not perceive.” (27:18). So, he had smiled, laughing from her speech, and said, “My Lord, grant me that I thank for Your favor which You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents, and that I do righteousness that You please of it, 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.
And he had inspected the birds, and said, “Why is it for me that I do not see the hoopoe? Or is he of the absent ones?” (27:20) I will surely punish him a severe punishment, or I will surely slaughter him, or he must surely come to me with a clear proof (27:21).
Note: It would not be righteous behavior to make any decision without knowing the fact.
Then he had stayed not far, and he said, “I have encompassed of what you had not encompassed of it, and I have come to you from Sheba with certain news (27:22). Indeed, I have found a woman ruling them, and she has been given of everything, and for her is a tremendous throne (27:23). And I have found her and her people prostrating to the sun instead of God, and the devil had adorned for them their deeds, so he had averted them from the path, and they are not guided (27:24). That they do not prostrate to God, the One Who brings forth the hidden in the heavens and the earth, and He knows what you conceal and what you declare (27:25). God: there is no god except He, Lord of the tremendous throne.” (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.
He said, “We will see whether you had spoken the truth, or you had been of the liars (27:27). Go with this letter of mine, then deliver 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 chiefs, indeed, there has been delivered to me 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 you do not exalt yourselves against me, and come to me as submitters.” (27:31). She said, “O chiefs, advise me in my matter. I have not been a decider of a matter until you witness 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 are possessors of power and possessors of severe might, and the command is unto you; so see what you command.” (27:33). She said, “Indeed, the kings, when they have entered a town, they have corrupted it, and they have made the dignified of its people humiliated; and thus they do. (27:34). And indeed, I am sending a gift to them, then 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 said, “Do you extend to me with wealth? But what God has given me is better than what He has given you. Nay, you rejoice with your gift (27:36). Go back to them, for certainly we will come to them with forces for which there is no resistance for them against them, and certainly we will drive them out of it in humiliation, while 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 chiefs, which of you brings me her throne before they come to me as submitters?” (2:38). An afrit of the jinn said, “I bring it to you before you stand up from your place, and indeed, I am surely strong, trustworthy over it.” (27:39). Said the one with whom was knowledge from the scripture, “I bring it to you before that your glance returns to you.” Then when he had seen it settled before him, he said, “This is from the favor of my Lord to test me whether I thank or I am ungrateful. And whoever has thanked, then he only thanks for his own soul; and whoever has been ungrateful, then indeed, my Lord is Self-sufficient.” (27:40).
He said, “Disguise for her her throne; we will see whether she is guided or she is of those who are not guided.” (27:41). Then when she had come, it was said, “Is your throne like this?” She said, “It is as if it were it. And we had been given the knowledge from before of it, and we have been submitters.” (27:42). And what she had been worshipping other than God had diverted her; indeed, she had been from a people of disbelievers (27:43). It had been said to her, “Enter the palace.” So when she had seen it, she thought it a pool and she had uncovered from her two shins. He said, “Indeed, it is a palace made smooth of glasses.” She said, “My Lord, indeed I, I have wronged myself, and I have submitted with Solomon to God, Lord of the worlds.” (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
And certainly We sent to Thamud their brother Salih, that: “Worship God,” then immediately they were two disputing groups (27:45). He said, “O my people, why do you hasten to the evil before the good? Why do you not ask God for forgiveness so that you are given mercy?” (27:46).
They said, “We had drawn a bad omen from you and whoever is with you.” He said, “Your omen is with God. Nay, you are a people being tested.” (27:47). And there had been nine of a group in the city corrupting the land and not doing good (27:48). They said, “Swear mutually by God: ‘Surely, we will definitely attack him and his family by night, then surely, we will definitely say to his guardian, “We had not witnessed the destruction of his family, and indeed, we are surely truthful ones.” (27:49).
They had plotted a plot, but We also schemed a plan while they did not perceive (27:50). Then see how the consequence of their plot had been: that We had annihilated them and their people all together (27:51).So that is their homes, empty and ruined because they had done wickedness. Indeed, in that is surely a sign for a people who realize (27:52). And We saved those who had believed and had been reverent (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). Do you indeed approach men lustfully instead of women? Nay, you are a people acting ignorantly.” (27:55). Then there had not been any response from his people except that they said, “Drive out the family of Lot from your town; indeed, they are a people who purify themselves (27:56). So We saved him and his family, except his wife; We had decreed her to be among those remaining behind (27:57). And We rained upon them a rain. So evil had been the rain of 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 servants of Him, those whom He had chosen. Is God better or what they associate as partners?” (27:59). Or Who has created the heavens and the earth and has sent down water from the sky for you? Then immediately We had grown gardens full of beauty with it—it had not been that you could grow their trees. Is there any god with God? Nay, they are a people who deviate (27:60). Or Who has made the earth a habitat, and has made rivers in its midst, and has made mountains for 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). Or Who responds to the distressed one when he has called Him, while He removes the evil and makes you inheritors of the earth? Is there any god with God? Little is what you remember (27:62). Or Who guides you in the darknesses of the land and the sea, and Who sends the winds as good news ahead of His mercy? Is there any god with God? God has exalted Himself far above what they associate as partners with Him (27:63). Or 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 unseen except God. And they do not perceive when they will be resurrected.” (27:65). Nay, their knowledge about the Hereafter has failed. Nay, they are in doubt of it. Nay, they are blind to it (27:66). And those who had disbelieved said, “When we have been dust and our forefathers, will we indeed be brought out?” (27:67). Certainly, we have been promised this, we and our forefathers before. This is not but tales of the ancient ones (27:68). Say, “Roam the earth, then see how the consequence for the guilty ones had been.” (27:69). And do not grieve over them, and do not be in distress from what they plot (27:70). And they say, “When is this promise, if you have been truthful?” (27:71). Say, “It may have been that any of what you hasten has already followed closely behind you.” (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
And indeed, your Lord is surely a possessor of grace towards people, but most of them do not appreciate (27:73). And indeed, your Lord surely knows what their chests conceal and what they declare (27:74). And there is not any hidden thing in the heaven and the earth except that it is in a clear record (27:75). Indeed, this – the Quran narrates to the Children of Israel most of that which they dispute in it (27:76). And indeed, it is surely a guidance and mercy for the believers (27:77). Indeed, your Lord will judge between of them by His judgment, and He is the Almighty, the Knower (27:78). So, put your trust upon God; indeed, you are upon the clear truth (27:79). Indeed, you cannot make the dead hear, nor can you make the deaf hear the call when they have turned back as retreaters (27:80). Nor can you be a guide for the blind out of their straying; you cannot make anyone hear except whoever believes in Our revelations, so 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 word has fallen upon them, We have brought forth for them a creature from the earth speaking to them, that the people have been, in our revelations, not ascertaining (27:82).
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.
Punishment has been confirmed upon those who have denied in God’s revelations
And a day We will gather from every community a group of whoever denies Our revelations, so they will be set in a row. (27:83). Until when they had come, He said, “Have you denied My revelations while you did not encompass any knowledge of them, or what have you been doing?” (27:84). And the word has fulfilled upon them for what they had wronged, while they cannot speak (27:85).
Note: Punishment on a day of the gathering cannot be escaped those who have denied in God’s revelations.
Proofs to believe God and to be aware of His requital
Do they not see that We have made the night for them to rest in, and the day bright? Surely in this are signs for people who believe (27:86). And on the day the trumpet is blown, everyone in the heavens and the earth has been struck with terror, except those whom God has willed. And all have come before Him, utterly humbled (27:87). And you see the mountains, deeming them standing still, while they pass like the passing of the clouds—the system of God, 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 is better from it, and they are safe from a terror of that day (27:89). And whoever has come with the evil, then the faces of them have been cast down into the fire. Are you recompensed except for what you have been doing? (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 have only been commanded that I worship the Lord of this city, the One Who has made it sacred, and to Him belongs everything. And I have been commanded that I be of the submitters (27:91). And that I 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 of the warners.” (27:92). And say, “All praise belongs to God. He will show you His signs, then you will recognize them. And your Lord is not unaware of 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 witness them. God has made the prophet accountable only 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).
