Martyrs are living, not dead, but you perceive not

Martyrs are living, not dead, but you perceive not

Surah ‘Al-Baqarah (The Cow) – Chapter – 2)

Stage – 1, Verses – 153 & 154 of 286, Section –19 of 40 (Part - 2)

BisMIllaahir-Rahmaanir-Rahiim

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful 

O ye who believe! Seek help in steadfastness and prayer. Lo! Allah is with the steadfast.

Yaaa-‘ayyuhallaziina  ‘aa-manusta-‘iinuu  bis-Sabri  was-Salaah.   ‘InnAllaaha   ma-‘as-saabiriin.

Lesson

‘Ista-‘iinuu – (seek help), infinitive mood of this word is ‘isti-‘aanat and the origin is ‘awn which means help.

It was discussed in the previous lessons that God Almighty has granted the Muslims a very high post. That is to say, they should remove the polytheism and worshiping of Idols from the world, convey the message of Unity (Oneness of God) in all parts of the world and perform the duty of leadership and guidance for the entire nations. It was necessary to support this responsibility that superior virtues and kind manners be grown into the Muslims.

Three out of these qualities have been mentioned in the previous lesson, namely:

·         Worship Allah Almighty and obey His orders wholeheartedly.

·         Spend the powers and strength granted by Him at the proper places/circumstances.

·         Esteem highly all blessings and favors of God Almighty and do not be ungrateful. It has been commanded in today’s lesson that “Seek help of God Almighty in steadfastness and offer prayers for success.

Two methods have been narrated here to seek help of God Almighty:

·         Seek help in steadfastness during difficulties and calamities.

·         Offer prayers regularly.

To achieve the object, the calamities and difficulties will come without fail. So someone should not give up steadfastness for the real point.

Sabr – (steadfastness, patience, power of encounter), to stop oneself from confusion during the circumstances of poverty and displeasing condition, to encounter with strength during difficulties and troubles, and control over sensual wishes.

It is the reality of the thought and prayer that the spirit gets power with the remembrance of God Almighty. That group or party never fails; in which these two powers exist. 

Then, it is commanded that the people who will keep their footings on steadfastness during the forthcoming difficulties by following their cause, they will get particular help and coexistence of God Almighty. And it is clear that; which group or party is supported by Allah Almighty, that can never fail. We should produce these virtues in ourselves and become zeal for preaching and invitation. 

And call not those who are slain in the Way of Allah “dead”.  Nay, they are living, only ye perceive not.

Wa  laa  taquuluu  li-many-yuqtalu fii sabiiLIllaahi ‘am-waat.  Bal  ‘ah-yaaa-‘unw-wa  laakil-laa  tash-‘uruun.

Lesson

Fii sabiiLIllaah – (in the Way of Allah), it is revealed that there is no any particular path in the form of road or highway. Moreover the path of God Almighty means the manner which He has prescribes, for instance; to spend the wealth, to strive for the Path of God Almighty etc.

Now the recitation regarding circumstances and conditions begins where there is a need of steadfastness. Everybody will face these circumstances and conditions who is going on the straight path, justice and truth, and inviting others for it, because it is impossible to differentiate among good and bad without calamities, difficulties and troubles. In the Holy Qur’an where the philosophy of fights and killing have been described at many places, there it has also been cleared that the war took place and the Muslims faced difficulties; only due to the reason that; the difference between Believer and Hypocrite may be cleared.

 Second reality is that the life of the nations is connected with the blood of the Martyrs as crops need water and heat of the sun, like this, the independence cannot be obtained till the time, the necks do not cut, blood of the Crusaders does not flow, people of the nation are not killed and every body of the nation is not ready to produce his head to be sacrificed.

When the honorable people of the nation begin to be killed then into the nation, passion and tumult grows in the nation. Any other nation does not have courage to encounter it. This passion and tumult is the real life and the great artery of the nation. So God Almighty commands that the individuals, who will produce their lives in Our path, their nation can never become slave of enemies.

Cause of “the try and strive” is to be prepared to sacrifice oneself for the security of the future generation and coming breeds. It is clear that there is no act so much true and without affinity; which may be a collection of passions for the security of one’s breed and service of humanity. So, it became necessary that its rewards would also be forever and remain always. It has been signified in this verse that while the just can never go to end then how it may be that the person, who sacrifices his life in His path, death may prevail over him, that is to say; he will die never. So the Martyr remains living always. However, we do not have the sense of his life due to our own misunderstanding.  

 

Transliterated Holy Qur’an in Roman Script & Translated from Arabic to English by Marmaduke Pickthall, Published by Paak Company, 17-Urdu Bazaar, Lahore, Lesson collected from Dars e Qur’aan published By Idara Islaah wa Tableegh, Lahore (translated Urdu to English by Muhammad Sharif)