Answer to a question about the interpretation of a complex Ayah

 

From Aqai Mohammad:

Salamun Alaikum

You are always there in our prayers. This is the month of Quran and a month to realize the virtue of Holy Prophet (SAWW); I have some questions for you and by this, I do not mean to create any kind of disbelief.

When Allah (SWT) says,

 «وما ینطق عن الهوی ان هو الا وحی یوحی»

Does this include everything what the Prophet (SAWW) Spoke?

In some ayah, why Allah (SWT) did ask him a question for example,

«عفا الله عنک لم اذنت ....»، «لم تحرم ما احل الله لک «... 

My question is that, did the Holy Prophet (SAWW) not grant the permission in the light of Devine Revelation? Then why did Allah (SWT) address the Holy Prophet (SAWW) in this manner?

Why Allah (SWT) did said, «لو تقول علینا بعض الاقاویل ...», did not all what the Prophet (SAWW) spoke was the revelation?

«لئن اشرکت لیحبطن عملک ...» Is the Prophet being addressed over here?

 

Answer:

By the name of Allah, the most beneficent and the merciful.

As the ayah says that, «وما ینطق عن الهوی ان هو الاّ وحی یوحی»

“The Prophet does not speak but what is revealed to him”.

The thing that confused people is that they thought that revelation is only that thing which is brought by the Gabriel to the Prophet (SAWW) and the Prophet (SAWW) shall have a distinct sensation about it. This was the reason they were doubtful about it that how is it possible that all the activities that the Prophet (SAWW) performs, whether it is inside the house or outside, can correspond with the revelation. However, if you look towards the real meaning of the revelation and its types then you will come to know that appearance of Gabriel and Prophet (SAWW) having a distinct sensation is one of a kind of revelation and then these doubts will not occur. In addition, we should also know that one of a kind of revelation from Allah (SWT), which unifies with the body of the Prophet (SAWW), is without any distinct sensation. To know more about the types of revelation refer to the concerned books.

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Many places in Quran it has occurred that Allah (SWT) is directly addressing the Prophet however its intention is not to address the Prophet but the Muslims for example, Quran addresses the Prophet and says, “«لاتدع مع الله الها آخر فتلقي في جهنم ملوما مدحورا» (1)

It is clear that this ayah is neither in harmony with both the knowledge and the status of the Prophet (SAWW) nor with the Ayah Tatheer and other ayahs as well. Therefore, it is impossible that in the above-mentioned ayah Allah (SWT) addresses the Prophet.

It has been recorded from Imam Sadiq (AS) that he said, “«ان الله تعالي بعث نبيّه بايّاک اعني واسمعي يا جارة»، (2)

According to this, although it is addressing the holy Prophet but it is the people, who are being addressed in this ayah.

In the book “O’yoon e Akhbar Ar-Raza” it is recorded from Ali bin Mohammad bin Jehm that he said, “I entered in to Mamoon’s assembly and saw Imam Raza (AS) was present there,

Mamoon said to Imam “O! Son of the Prophet, is it not your belief that the Prophets are immaculate.

Imam Raza (AS) said, “why not”

Mamoon asked in the context of his question, “O! Father of Hasan, then what is the meaning of ayah “«عفا الله عنک لم اذنت لهم»?

Imam Raza (AS) said, “It is like the famous proverb «در، به تو مي گويم ديوار، تو بشنو» and in this ayah Allah (SWT) addresses the Prophet (SAWW) but actually Allah (SWT) is addressing the Ummah of his Prophet (SAWW).

Likewise the ayah «لئن اشرکت ليحبطن عملک ولتکونّن من الخاسرين» and in the respected ayah «ولولا ان ثبتناک لقد کدت ترکن اليهم شيئا قليلا» are there.

Mamoon said, “O! Son of Prophet, you are correct”.

Imam Raza (AS) has cleared the doubts of the similar ayah and has explained them as well in a long narrative.

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This ayah «ولو تقوّل علينا...» testifies that Quran is a revelation from Allah (SWT) and this ayah proves the previous ayah with an emphasis «تنزيل من ربّ العالمين» “Gradually sent down from the Lord of all the worlds” and if someone relate a false to us «لاخذناه باليمين» “we would have surely seized him by the right hand”

On this account the text«ولو تقوّل علينا» , "لو" means that the Prophet (SAWW) has propagated the message of Allah (SWT) to the people and he has not related it falsely to Allah (SWT) and thus he was not accounted for that. In addition, «لاخذنا منه باليمين ثم لقطعنا منه الوتين» It did not occur, and Allah (SWT) did not inquired or interrogated his Prophet thus it is a proof that the Quran is not a deception which the Prophet (SAWW) has associated with Allah (SWT) but indeed it is the word of Allah (SWT). Therefore, this ayah «ولو تقوّل علينا», not only, it does not contradict with the fact that the Quran is a revelation from Allah (SWT) but also proves it too.

 

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Surah Isra/ayah 39

Behar ul-Anwar 92/381

O’yoon e Akhbar ar-Raza (AS), Bab e Ismat Ambiya (AS) 1/161 (Published from Najaf e Ashraf)

 

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