Wednesday, May 25, 2022

我讀【古蘭經】之筆記: 第二十六章—眾詩人 Surah Ash-Shu'ara

  第二十六章—眾詩人




這裡的詩人是指,在蒙昧時期的阿拉伯學者喜歡論詩作詩人。這個Surah的最後才揭開了「眾詩人」神秘面紗。 當時有人為先知穆聖造謠說,他是一個瘋子,必定是惡魔附體而安拉批駮他們說:惡魔們沒有帶著《古蘭經》下降。(210) 安拉我告訴你們,惡魔們附在誰的身上,'好嗎? 惡魔們附在每個造謠的罪人身上。 他們側耳而聽,他們大半是說謊的。 詩人們被迷誤者所跟隨。 你不知道嗎? 他們在各山谷中徬徨。 他們只尚空談,不重視實踐。 唯信道而行善並多多記念真主(221-227) 詩人們熱心於語言和文字的藝術,喜歡用激情使人感動,征服人心有的人像詩人一樣,妙語聯珠舌吐蓮花但他們說的都是空話、假話和謊話,他們為安拉和使者造謠﹐尋找各種理由否認真主和使者﹐這是惡魔在陰暗處教唆的惡毒心理。 他們自己不知是有惡魔附體引導人們邪惡他們的語言藝術被用來誘騙迷誤的跟隨者。 安拉只賞賜信道而行善並且時時記念真主的信士因為他們重視實踐。 他們也像詩人一樣安拉賦予他們的語言才華用來表達真誠的信仰和對《古蘭經》的讚美優美的詩歌使他們成為更為完美的信士取悅於安拉

安拉創造人類為的是要通過他們來顯示他偉大的常德,也為的要他們響應安拉的號召。穆聖出於對人類的熱愛和關懷,希望能拯救人類,使他們能靠自己的意志和努力去發現接近安拉的方向並力圖達到這個目的。本章又說,假如安拉沒有賜給人們判斷力和選擇的能力,那麼,他們只是機器和自動機,就不成其為創造他們主的形象,因此他們必須按照安拉的計畫辦事和行動,否則,他們就得不到真正的拯救。

本章開始時宣稱,《古蘭經》有它自己的證明與論據而不需要外部的幫助來證實與確定它的種種宣言和教義的真實性。為了滿足人類各種需求,安拉在物質世界上都是成雙地創造萬物的。本章然後以穆撒的故事開始敘述安拉的幾位使者。穆撒聽從安拉的命令把以色列人成功帶出埃及。本章簡短地敘述了先知伊布拉欣、努哈、呼德、撒利、魯特與舒艾布。伊布拉欣向他的民眾顯示了愚蠢而無用的偶像崇拜。接著敘述努哈,他被他的民眾徹底拋棄,因為他力圖取消所有社會上的差別。此後談及呼德與撒利,安拉的這兩位先知力圖使民眾認識到他們的生活與興旺發達真正依賴的不是物質力量而是良好的道德和精神力量,可是他們的民眾把他們說教和警告丟得 一乾二淨,魯特和舒艾布的民眾的結局並不比這好些。魯特的民眾縱情於違反常情的邪惡行為而舒艾布的民眾在做生意時不老實。本章結束前回到它開始時的那個主題,即《古蘭經》是安拉的話,它具有堅實的論據來證明這一宣言,又說過去的先知都證實了這一個真理,而且以色列家族中的有識之士也從他們心底裡相信它是安拉自己的話,因為它實現了它們聖經裡含有的許多預言。

本章要不信者好好想想《古蘭經》的教義,看看它們是否可能是惡魔的著作,或者是否可能是穆聖自己所寫的。本章進一步說,《古蘭經》的教義很像早期《聖經》的教義,而惡魔的民眾顯然無法接近它們的精神源泉。惡魔只降身於說謊和罪惡的人,只降身於製造謊言和弄虛作假的人。那些詩人從這些弄虛作假者身上取得靈感而又為那些道德低落和沒有一定原則的人所追隨。他們及其追隨者在高談空論中取樂,但不按照他們所承認和宣揚的去行動。本章結束時責成穆聖向他的民眾宣讀安拉的獨一性,以及安拉使統領一切的唯一的養主,並為促進伊斯蘭教事業而教育培養他們。他又受命信任全能與永久仁慈的安拉,在安拉的保護與養育關懷下過日子,安拉即將結束穆斯林分散的狀態,並把他們聚集在一處,過著和平昌盛的生活,在完全平安的情況下崇拜唯一的、真實的安拉。


[26:2] Ta Sin Mim 這縮寫字母中,Ta代表Tahir純潔的養主;Sin代表Sami全聽的以及Mim代表Majid高尚的養主。這意指本章述及達到心靈純潔、接受祈禱,和高尚地位的方法。這一章和下兩章形成名為Ta Sin Mim 組的一組特定經章,由於這些經章特別和較詳盡地談到穆撒的生平,某些注釋者認為這些縮寫的字母代表西奈山和穆撒——Ta Sin代表Tur Sinin (西奈山)而Min代表Musa (穆撒)。


[26:3] 這些是明顯陳述真理的經節。These are the verses of the manifest Book.
Mubin (清楚),是Abana的主動分詞,可用於事物與非事物方面,意思是,(1) 它本身是清楚的,顯明的,(2) 它可以促使他物清楚明晰及(3) 它可使一物與他物分離,顯現清晰,並與它隔開。這個字,一如其字義所示,顯現出《古蘭經》的三個特點,即 (1) 它不僅陳述事實、宣示預言、頒布法典,誡條,還通過強有力的辯詞與堅實的理由來支持及證實它的所言所示;(2) 它不但自身清晰,並且還澄清了以往所有天經隱晦與含糊的地方;及(3)它亦使為促進與真主接近的一切教導,與宗教律令、道德及有關信仰的各種事物,顯得非常輪廓鮮明。這是《古蘭經》獨具一格之處,其他的經書絕難望其項背。其他的經書僅僅做到mustabin (明晰自身),《古蘭經》不唯mustabin,而且還mubin (澄清其他經書晦澀之處)。《古蘭經》的全部教誨顯示出與人性和自然規律的絕妙和諧,這一點亦使本已是「清晰與明朗之經書」的《古蘭經》增添一層色彩。

[26:29] 穆撒說:「如果你們運用理智,那麼,你們會了解眾世界的養主就是東方西方及兩者之間一切東西的養主。」 He (Musa) said, “Lord of the East and the West and whatever lies between them, if you are to understand.”

[26:63] 穆撒說:「絕不會如此!我的養主確是與我同在的,他將指示我成功的道路。」He said, “Never! Indeed with me is my Lord. He will guide me.”

[26:81] 「當我生病時,他醫療我,使我恢復健康;and when I become sick, He heals me,
→ 這結經文中,伊布拉欣把一切疾病與身體失調都歸咎於自己,而且都是安拉給他醫治的。事實上,一個人受到的不幸都是他違背了一個特定的自然法則的結果,因此應由他自己負責。
←[4: 80] 凡你所享受的幸福,都是來自安拉。凡你所遭受的不幸,都是咎由自取Whatever good comes to you, it is from Allah and whatever evil visits you, it comes from your own selves.

[26:84]「 我的養主啊!求你次我智慧,使我進入善人群中;my Lord, give me wisdom, and make me join the righteous,


[26:174] 我在他們上空降下了石雨;對受警告者來說,這是多麼壞啊!and subjected them to a terrible rain. So evil was the rain of those who were warned.

←[7:85] 我借地震在他們上面降下石雨。你看犯罪者的結局是怎樣的呀!And We rained down upon them a rain. So, look! How was the fate of the sinners!

(在一次劇烈的地震中經常會發生噴發岩石和石塊到高空然後落回地面的現象。這種現象在Pompeli龐貝發生過;1905年在印度Kangra(康格拉)也發生過。

←[25:41] 他們麥加的不信者確已到過那個曾受霪雨襲擊的城市,難道他們沒有看見它那城市的遺跡?不,他們不希望死後復生。 Indeed they (the pagans of Makkah) have passed by the town that was afflicted by an evil rain sent down to it. So, have they not been seeing it?Rather, they do not believe in Resurrection.

←[27:59] 我向他們下降了雨;這雨對受了懲罰警告的人,是太壞了。And We rained on them a rain. So evil was the rain of those who were warned.



[26:182-284] 人們啊!要給足份量,切莫少給別人,要用準確的天秤秤量東西,切莫少給他們應得的東西,切莫在大地上製造混亂。Give full measure, and do not be among those who bring loss to others. Weigh with an even balance, and do not make people shortof their things, and do not spread disorder in the land as mischiefmakers,

←[11:86] 量衡要完全公道,不要詐取人們應得的東西,不要在大地上作奸犯科,製造混亂。And O my people, perfect the measure and the balance with justice and do not make the people short of their things, and do not go about the earth spreading disorder.

←[17:36]  當你們量出時,要量足份量;當你們秤時,要用公平的天平秤;這是最好的,而結果也是最美滿的。 And give full measure when you measure, and weigh with a straight balance. That is fair, and better at the end.

←[55:10]  所以你們要公平地估量每一件東西的輕重,秤物給人時,不要少於量度的標準。Observe the correct weight with fairness, and do not make weighing deficient.
←[83:2-4] 給人分量短少的人,將受到懲罰;當他們從別人量進東西時,則量足份量;當他們量東西別人時,則給不足的份量Woe unto those who give short measure; those who, when they measure something to receive from people, take it in full, and when they measure or weigh something to give it to them, give less than due.


[26:193] 的確,這古蘭確是眾世界的養主下降的。This (Qur’an) is the revelation of the Lord of the worlds.
←[20:5]  《古蘭》是降自創造大地和高天者的。it being a revelation from the One Who created the earth, and high heavens.
←[56:81]  它是降自眾世界的養主的。- a revelation from the Lord of the worlds.


[26:194-195] 一個可靠的傳達啟示的天使把它降在你的心中,以便你成為傳達警告的人The Trusted Spirit has brought it down upon your heart, so that you become one of the warners
→「在你的心中」這幾個字,加在這裡是指出《古蘭經》中啟示的經文並不是穆聖用自己的話表達出受到靈感的思想,而是安拉自己真正的話,它通過天使吉布里爾的媒介,降在穆聖的心中
 

→這節經文中,傳達《古蘭經》啟示的天使稱為Ruh al-Amin,即可靠的傳達啟示的天使。其他經文中,他稱為Ruh al-Qudus (16:103) ,即神聖的天使。後一稱號在《古蘭經》中用來指出恆而完全沒有任何錯誤或缺點;而使用前一稱號(Ruh al -Amin)意示它一定會繼續享受安拉的保護,不受一切想竄改它的經文的企圖的影響。這一稱號專用於啟示《古蘭經》方面,因為安拉許約的永恆保護,是不給其他啟示的經典的;這些經典的經文在時間的進程中會受到干擾和竄改。奇怪的是,穆聖本人在麥加稱為Al-Amin (可靠的傳達啟示者)。安拉命令一位Amin傳達啟示給一位Amin的《古蘭經》所給予它的可靠性及其明證是多麼偉大啊!
←[16:102] 當我用《古蘭經》的一節經文替換另一節經文的時候,其中有什麼可懷疑的呢凡是安拉下降的,他是最知道其需要的。Whenever We replace a verse with another verse - and Allah knows well what He reveals (這並不指要廢除《古蘭經》中的任何一節經文。在《古蘭經》中,沒有一節經文是與其他一節經文不一致的。)
阿訇解釋:栽判,判決,決議,決定後再作一次做出了決定,因為最後一次的判決結果比較適合目前的情況,所以建議使用這段經文主要想要講關於伊斯蘭教的法律相關規定。伊斯蘭教的開始的時候,所以規定的方式,後來伊斯蘭教的擴展後再規定的,都是古蘭經。有的沒有把它寫出來了,把它們刪除,只是法律上比較輕。被替換的經文沒有錯誤,只是法律上比較輕 。  
←[2:107] 凡是我所廢除或使人忘記的經文,我必拿比它更好或與它類似的經文來代替它。難道你不知道安拉對其所意欲的每一事物都是全能的嗎? Whenever We abrogate a verse or cause it to be forgotten, We bring one better than it or one equal to it. Do you not know that Allah is powerful over everything?
說什麼《古蘭經》的某些經文已被廢棄,這是從本節經文中得出的錯誤推斷。這種結論顯然是錯誤的和毫無根據的。在前一節和以下幾節經文中,都提到那些持有經典的人以及他們對新的啟示的嫉妒,這表明在本節經文中所敘述背廢棄的經節是指先前的啟示。有人指出,先前的經文有兩類命令:
(a) 那些由於情況的變化及新啟示的廣泛性而需要加以廢棄的
(b) 那些含有永恆真理的,而這些真理需要復興,以便使人想起那被忘卻的真理
因此就有必要廢棄那舊經文中的某些部分而代之以新的經文,且也有必要恢復那些失散的經文。因此,安拉廢棄了先前啟示中的某些部份而代之以新的與更好的部分,並同時加上類似的補缺。這就是符合上下文和《古蘭經》教義的全面精神的意義。《古蘭經》廢棄了所有先前的經文;因為鑒於人類的變化情況,它提供了一部不僅比全部老的經典好,而且也為各時代的全人類準備了新的經典。使命有局限性的,較差的教義必須讓位於使命有普遍性的,較好的教義。在本節經文中,Nansakh (我們廢棄)這詞與Bi-khairin (較好的一種) 這詞有關係,而Nunsiha (我們使其忘掉) 這詞與Bi-Mithliha (同類的) 這詞有聯繫,意思是,當安拉廢棄某一事物時,他以更好的來取代它,當他致使某一事物被忘掉時,他才恢復它。

This may also mean, "To send down one Commandment(戒律) to elaborate(闡述) upon the other, for the Commandments were sent down piecemeal (逐漸地,零碎地) in the Qur'an". For instance, the Commandments about "prohibition" and fornication (淫亂,亂倫) were sent down gradually one after the other during several years. But We hesitate to accept this interpretation because An-Nahl is a Makki Surah and to the best of our information there is no instance to show that Commandments were sent down piecemeal at Makkah. Therefore, we prefer the other interpretation. The Qur'an has added details of one theme and explained the same with different kinds of illustrations at different places. Likewise it has related a story in different words at different places and presented its different aspects and details at other places. It has put forward one argument at one place to prove a theme and another at another place to prove the same theme. It has related one theme concisely at one place and in detail at the other. That is what the disbelievers of Makkah put forward as proof that Muhammad (Allah's peace be upon him) forged the Qur'an himself. They argued like this: "Had the Qur'an been the Word of Allah it would have related in full one thing at one place, for Allah's knowledge is not defective that He should have to think out gradually the details of a theme and to give different versions to explain the same thing. In contrast to this, the knowledge of a human being is defective(有缺陷,不完美). A man has to think out gradually as has been done in the case of the Qur'an which is a clear proof that you have forged it yourself".


←[16:103] 你對這樣反對的人說:聖靈從你的養主那裏依照真理和智慧下降了,以便他增強信仰者的信念,並把它作為順從者的指導和喜悅。Say, “This has been brought down by RuH-ul-Qudus (the Holy Spirit -Jibra’il) from your Lord rightly (as due), so that it may bring firmness to the believers and become guidance and good news for the Muslims.

←[2:98] 你對他們說:誰與吉布里爾天使敵對,只因為他依照安拉的命令,在你的心上降下了它這部經典作為其以前啟示的證實者,信者的指導和喜訊。Say, if someone is an enemy to Jibra’il (Gabriel) (it can by no means degrade him for) it is he who has brought it (the Qur’an) down upon your heart by the permission of Allah, confirming what has been before it, and a guidance and good tidings to the believers.
(Jibril是由Jabr和il構成的一個複合詞,意思是安拉的一個勇士或安拉的僕人。Jabr在希伯來語中是Geber,意指「僕人」而il意指「強大者、強有力者」。Jibril是所有天使之首,是《古蘭經》啟示的使者。Jibril與Ruh al-Qudus聖潔的精神和Ruh al-Amin可靠的精神同義。


[26:196] 這部經典按照安拉的命令用清楚明白的阿拉伯文下降的。 in plain Arabic language.
←[16:104] 我確實知道,他們說,這不是安拉的啟示,而是一個人教授他的。但他們不明白,他們所意指的那個人的言語是外國語,而這《古蘭經》的言語是明白、清晰的阿拉伯語We know well that they say, “There is a man who teaches him.” The language of the one they refer to is non-Arabic while this is clear Arabic language.
←[41:45] 如果我以外國言語降示《古蘭經》,他們還能說:「為什麼經節不被解釋明明白白?怎麼!外國言語的經典和一位阿拉伯先知有什麼關係?」你說:「它示對信仰者的指導和治療。」。 Had We made it a non-Arabic Qur’an, they would have said, “Why are its verses not clearly explained? Is it a non-Arabic (book) and an Arab (messenger)?” Say, “For those who believe, it is guidance and cure.
←[46:13] 在它《古蘭經》以前有穆撒的經典,作為一種引導和仁慈;這是一部阿拉伯文的經典,證實以前的預言,好叫它警告不義的人,並對行善的人傳達喜訊。And before this there was the Book of Musa, a guide and a mercy. And this is a Book confirming (it) in Arabic tongue, so that it may warn the wrongdoers and give good news to those who are good in their deeds.


[26:197]  它確曾在前人的經典中被提及And of course, it is (mentioned) in the Scriptures of the former people.
→穆聖的降臨以及《古蘭經》的啟示,在先期經典中都曾預言過。幾乎在所有宗教的經典中都可以見到這方面的預言,而大家知道的《聖經》是在《古蘭經》以前最受廣泛閱讀的經典。也是《古蘭經》的先驅。它在早期的純真性可以配得上《古蘭經》而稱為安拉的經典。《聖經》中有大量這方面的預言。


[26:199-200] 如果我把《古蘭經》降給非阿拉伯人,而他對他們誦讀它,那麼,他們永不會相信它。Even if We had revealed it to a Non-Arab, and he had recited it to them, they would not have believed in it.

[26:201] 我就這樣使它不信的意念進入犯罪者的心中。This is how We have made it pass through the hearts of the sinners.
→不信者的這種壞習慣,其根源是在他們自己的心中,是他們縱情於罪惡行為所造成的而不是外來的。這節經文實際上說明一個普遍真理:如果一個人縱情於罪惡之中,他對罪惡的警覺性逐漸遲鈍,而且在時間的進程中他甚至發展得同罪惡聯繫起來。這就是罪惡腐蝕和敗壞「罪惡的人的心靈」的方法。

[26:209-210] 我未曾消滅任何城市,除非那城市已有了一些警告。照是因為要他們受勸告;我不是不公平的。We did not destroy any town unless it has had warners to give advice, and We have never been unjust.
→這節經文指出安拉的一種法則:一個民族不會遭受懲罰,除非他先派一個先知去他們那裏,如果他們拒絕和反對他,他們就是咎由自取。
←[28:60] 除非你的養主在一個中心城市中派遣使者,向他們宣讀我的啟示,他是不會毀滅那些城市的。And your Lord is not such as He would destroy the towns unless he had sent to their central place a messenger who recites to them Our verses, nor are We such as would destroy the towns unless their people are wrongdoers.


[26:211-212] 惡魔不曾帶下《古蘭經》來;他們不配做這份工作,他們也沒有做這份工作的力量。And this (Qur’an) is not brought down by devils. It neither suits them, nor are they able to (do this).

→ 這節經文含有三個論據來證實惡魔沒有力量來做《古蘭經》這份工作的說法:

(a) 它的教導最有效及毫不妥協地譴責惡魔所主張的一切。

(b) 它的性質是如此地高貴以及它具有如此崇高的真理以至惡魔沒有能力做出這等工作(17:89)。(c) 《古蘭經》含有強有力的有關伊斯蘭教最後勝利的許多預言,惡魔們不能作出這些預言,因為他們不知道未來。

←[17:89] 你對他們說:假如所有普通的人和一切大人物都集合起來創造這樣的《古蘭經》,即使他們互相幫助,也不能創造得出來。Say, “If all the humans and jinns join together to produce anything like this Qur’an, they will not (be able to) come up with anything like it, even if they assist one another.

(《古蘭經》不可能是惡魔所做出來的工作。惡魔所做的東西不可能像《古蘭經》那樣強調安拉的獨一性。)



[26:219-220] 你為單獨的拜功站立時,他看著你。他也看著你與眾聚禮向主叩頭的活動。Who sees you when you stand (in prayer,) and (sees) your movement among those who prostrate themselves.


[26:222] 我告訴你,惡魔會下降在誰身上,好嗎?他們下降於每一個說謊、犯罪的人Shall I tell you on whom the devils descend? They descend on every sinful liar.


[26:225-257] 關於詩人,只有迷誤的人跟從他們。難道你直到現在還不了解,他們詩人怎樣無目的地徬徨於每個山谷之中。並說自己所不做的嗎?As for the poets, they are followed by the straying people. Did you not see that they wander in every valley,a nd that they say what they

do not? 



[26:228] 只有信仰、行善。在自己的詩中多紀念安拉,和受害而自衛的人例外。不義的人即將知道,他們將歸回到什麼地位。Except those who believe and do righteous deeds and remember Allah very much, and defend themselves after they are wronged. And the wrongdoers will soon know to which place they are going to return. 

←[73:21] 的確,你的養主知道,你禮拜到近於一夜的三分之二,或二分之一,或三分之一的時間。隨從你的一部分人也是這樣做的安拉常常決定日夜的長短。他知道你們不能估計禮拜的時間,所以他饒恕了你們。你們要誦讀對你們容易的《古蘭經》經文。

Tuesday, May 3, 2022

我讀【古蘭經】之筆記: 第二十五章—準則 Surah Al-Furqan

 第二十五章—準則




本章開始就斷言《古蘭經》的教義是準備給全人類的。它進一步說,全能的安拉降示《古蘭經》,是唯一的、無可爭辯的上天和地上的主宰,是宇宙間每一個原子的創造主。他的話因此是而且一定是和自然法則完美地一致的,因此接受或拒絕他的話不僅意味著接受或拒絕他所降示的經典而且是服從或違背自然法則本身的這樣一個大問題。接著他說,由於不信教的人難以否認《古蘭經》教義的優美和優越性,他們以下一遁辭作掩護,說什麼《古蘭經》不是一個人的著作而是許多人集體努力的結果。他們又毫無根據地宣稱,《古蘭經》的教導示從聖經中剽竊得來的。可是這些託辭沒有什麼實際意義,因為《古蘭經》如果是人的著作的話,它就不會具有超出人力所能產生的教導。而且假如它只是抄襲古代聖經的話,那麼,那些聖經也會具有它所有的各種絕佳和優美之處,但真實情況不非如此。

安拉作成了兩種水,一種是苦的而另一種是甜的,這兩種水平行地流著。它們繼續平行地流著但並不相互混合。同樣的,《古蘭經》的教義和其他聖經的教義繼續平行存在著,為的是人們可以把它們比較而分辨真偽和甜苦

[25: 2]  極為令人有福的是安拉,他醬賜自己僕人準則,以便他可警告整個世界。Glorious is the One who has revealed the Criterion to His servant, so that he may be a warner to all the worlds,

Tabaraka這個單詞的意思是,高度地被提升的;遠離一切不淨、雜質、瑕疵,以及一切貶抑的事物;具有豐富美好事物的 (6:156和21:51)《古蘭經》具有這個單詞所含的一切素質和特性。它不僅完美無瑕,而且具備這部給全人類的最後經典所應該具備的所有可以想像得到的絕佳素質,而且還充分地具備著。

Furqan的意思是,能區別正確和錯誤的某一事物、一種論據、證明或明證。它也意指早晨或破曉,因為破曉能看出晝夜之分。《古蘭經》是傑出的辨明正誤的依據《古蘭經》不同於其他(天經) 並且確實比所有其他天經都優越、在多種多樣和為數極多的優美高超之處中,有兩個方面尤為突出:(1) 《古蘭經》中的敘述或聲稱都有堅實的證明和論據,(2) 《古蘭經》能辨明真偽,即如晝之區別於夜般。


[25: 6] 他們說:這《古蘭經》是前人的故事;而他令人把它抄錄下來,並有人朝夕向他誦讀。And they said, “(These are) the tales of the ancients he (the messenger) has caused to be written, and they are read out to him at morn and eve.”

[25:7] 你說:這《古蘭經》是那個知道天地祕密的安拉下降的,他確是最寬恕的、永久仁慈的。Say, “It is sent down by the One who knows the secret in the heavens and the earth. Indeed He is Most-Forgiving, Very-Merciful.

[25:31] 這位使者將說:「我的養主啊!的確我的民族把這部《古蘭經》拋棄在身後了And the messenger will say, “O my Lord, my people had taken this Qur’an as deserted.

→這結經文可以十分確當地用於那些把《古蘭經》拋棄在身後的所謂穆斯林。在過去的十四個世紀中,《古蘭經》也許從來也沒有像今天那樣被穆斯林所忽視過。穆聖說過一句話,其大意是:「我的民族將有一個時期,那時伊斯蘭教只留下它的名稱,而《古蘭經》只留下它的文字。現在就是那個時期。

[25:33] 不信者說:「全部《古蘭經》為什麼沒有一氣地下降給它?」(他們的對話,就某一觀點說,是對的但我在不同的時間,下降不同的經章是為了藉它加強你們的心,而且我把它安排在最好的形式中Said those who disbelieved, “Why has the Qur’an not been revealed to him all at once?” (It has been sent down) in this way (i.e. in parts) so that We make your heart firm, and We revealed it little by little.

《古蘭經》是在不同時間一部分一部分地啟示的。這樣的啟示是想達到幾個非常有用的目的:(1) 各段經文啟示之間的那段時間給信者提供一個機會,來證明已經啟示的經文中所含的一些預言是否能實現,因此可加強和鞏固他們的信心。而且在這段時間內要答覆不信者所提出的許多反對意見。(2)當穆斯林在特定時機為了特定的需要要求引導時,可以啟示必須和有關的經文。《古蘭經》啟示的時期延續了23年,為的是能夠是穆聖的夥伴得以記住、學習和吸收它假如它是全部經典在同一時期啟示的話,不信的人就可能會說這是穆聖叫什麼人準備好的。因此ˋ《古蘭經》是在不同時期,為了不同的時機以及在極不同的條件和情況下逐步啟示的,這就答覆了這方面可能提出的反對意見。《古蘭經》之逐步啟示為的是使人們能夠容易記住它。《古蘭經》分段啟示,也實現了《聖經》中以下的預言:「這先知到底在教些什麼呢?誰要聽他的呢?他只能講給剛斷奶的嬰兒聽!他居然還想一課一課、一行一行、一個字一個字地教導我們呢!」(Isa 28: 9-10)

→認識《古蘭經》逐漸降示的意義。經文說:「不信道者曾說:『怎麼不把全部《古蘭經》一次降示他呢﹖』」真主答復說:「我那樣零零星星地降示它以便我憑它來堅定你的心我逐漸降示它。 他們每向你提出一種非難,我就啟示你真理和更美滿的解釋。」(32-33) 先知穆聖成為真主最後使者之後,功勣之一是承領了一部完整的啟示經典,真主在不同時期降示給他的使者,真主的答復概括了三個內容:(一) 真主逐段降示啟示,是為了「堅定你(使者)的心」﹐以便真主的使者堅定不移地向民眾宣傳:(二) 在不同的發展時期「逐漸降示」﹐針對每個階段的問題啟示先知穆聖不同的解決方法,從「希拉山洞」第一段啟示直到「我已為你們成全你們的宗教」(5:3);(三) 對任何一種「非難」都給予分別答復﹐不單是就事論事﹐而是從中指引「真理和更美滿的解釋」。

真主對他的最後使者逐漸降示的《古蘭經》,當時都有專人記錄,而且立即在弟子中傳誦,在最後歸納成全經的時候,現場就有能背誦真主啟示的數千人作證,保證真經無一字之誤。一部確實的經典,在全部降示完畢之時﹐模範穆斯林社會已經建成,真主的啟示不但人人會背誦,而且在實際生活中見到效益,成為後代穆斯林社會實踐的指南。

[25:44] 使者啊!你沒看見那把自己的慾望當作自己的崇拜對象的人嗎?你能否作他的監護人強迫他不迷誤Tell me about the one who has taken his desire as his god, would you then, become a guardian for him?

[25:45] 難道你以為他們大多數人聽見或運用自己的理智?他們都像動物一樣,甚至他們的舉止還不如動物。Or do you think that most of them listen or understand? They are but like cattle. Rather, they are even farther astray from the (right) way.

[25:48] 他就是以夜做你們的衣服、以睡眠供你們休息以白天為你們行動和發展的安拉He is the One who has made the night an apparel for you, and the sleep a means of rest, and has made the day a means of revival.

[25:51] 我已用不同的方式向他們陳述了它 《古蘭經》,以便它們接受勸告,但他們大多數人沒有信德,拒絕了一切。And We have explained it to them in diverse ways that they may take heed, but most men would reject everything but disbelief.

[25:52] 如果我願意,我必在每一個城鎮派遣警告者。Had We so willed, We would have sent a (separate) warner for every town, (but, according to Our wisdom, We have sent Muhammad as a prophet for all these towns)

[25:53] 所以你切莫聽從不信者,要以古蘭與他們好好地做鬥爭So, (O Prophet,) do not obey the infidels, and strive against them with it (the Qur’an), in utmost endeavor.

→ 按照這節經文的意思,偉大而真正的Jihad是傳布《古蘭經》的教義。因此,力爭傳播伊斯蘭教以及散布它的教義,是責成穆斯林始終要以持久的熱忱來進行的Jihad (在安拉道上做極大的奮鬥)。穆聖在一次遠征歸來後說的正是這種Jihad。據說穆聖曾經說過:我們已從較小的Jihad回到較大的Jihad這裡來了。」

Jihad-ul-nafs: "The inner struggle of one within himself"


•Jihad of the heart (jihad bil qalb/nafs)

•Jihad by the tongue (jihad bil lisan)

•Jihad by the hand (jihad bil yad)

•Jihad by the sword (jihad bis saif)



[25:58] 你對他們說:「我不向你們索取傳達安拉使命的任何報酬,除非有人自願採取走向他養主的道路,那就是我的回賜了。」Say, “I do not demand from you any return, except that one should adopt the (proper) way to his Lord, if he so wills.
伊斯蘭教明確禁止用武力來傳布的它的教義

[25:68] 他們在消費的時候,既不浪費,也不吝嗇,而采取二者之間的中庸之道。-and those who, when they spend, are neither extravagant nor miserly, and it (i.e. their spending) is moderate in between (the two extremes,)
→ 信士對於錢財,取之合法,用之有道。「錢」是現代文明的價值證明書﹐可以換取任何物質和社會服務,獲取的方式必須合法,遵循正道的用度是真主恩賜的享受。揮霍和吝嗇是兩個極端,真主不喜悅。私人的財產,如何消費,是對信士的重大考驗。

[25:78] 使者啊!對不信者說:如果你們不祈禱,不祈求寬恕,我的養主不會關心你們。Say (O Prophet), “My Lord will never care about you, if you will not invoke Him. Now since you rejected (the truth), the punishment will be inseparable from you. 


Friday, March 18, 2022

我讀【古蘭經】之筆記: 第二十四章—光明(AL-NUR)

  第二十四章—光明


本章以「光明」為題,因為這是真主的眾多美名之一,在本章的第35節經文中作了解釋:「安拉是天地的光明。」 當然,「光明」是比喻,是人類從生活經驗中最容易理解的比喻,因為每天早晨起床就看到光明,大地展現在眼前,也看到人們在週圍活動,歹徒的陰謀也都暴露在光天化日之下,光明帶來了一切物體的生機和運動。 「光明」所代表的涵義更是深刻﹕是生命的來源、是運動的能量、是萬物運行的真理、是人類社會的公道和正義,這些是描述安拉的高貴德性。 如果沒有真理的光明,這個宇宙和天地還有什麼?是一個虛幻的影子,或是一個形像的空殼,或沒有生命的死東西。 萬物的生機來自光明,天地運轉的推動力是光明,一切運動和發展的嚴格規律來源於光明,這一切引導人們沉思獨一無二真主的萬能和仁慈


「光明」在阿拉伯語中是一個充滿神聖和哲理的字眼(nur),先知穆聖的聖訓中經常用這個詞比喻安拉的恩惠和真理。 例如,公元619年,先知穆聖訪問麥加城以東的塔伊夫山城,遭遇到粗暴的拒絕,身負重傷而返回。他向真主祈禱說:「我只求在真主臉面的光亮中獲得庇護,今世的生活和後世的判決都是在真主的光亮之中。


我只求安拉不要對我懲罰和惱怒。一切都是安拉的意欲,我們只願取悅於安拉。 沒有安拉的恩賜,任何力量都不會存在。」 弟子們都知道﹐安拉的使者在每次夜功拜之後,這樣祈禱:「安拉啊!一切贊頌全歸安拉。你是天地眾世界的光亮,一切都沐浴在你的恩惠之中。一切贊頌全歸安拉。你是天地眾世界的維護者,一切都在你的維護之中。」 還有一段先知穆聖經常的祈禱文是:「至大的安拉,本無黑夜和白晝:從安拉寶座發出了光亮,就是安拉臉面的光亮。」(以上均根據《布哈里聖訓集》)


本章的標題是「光明」,光明的涵義來自以下描繪:「安拉是天地的光明,他的光明像一座燈臺,那座燈臺上有一盞明燈,那盞明燈在一個玻璃罩裡,那個玻璃罩仿彿一顆燦爛的明星,用吉祥的橄欖油燃著那盞明燈:它不是東方的,也不是西方的,它的油,即使沒有點火也幾乎發光 ---- 光上加光 ---- 真主引導他所意欲者走向他的光明。 安拉為眾人設了許多比喻,安拉是全知萬物的。”(35) 歷代的伊斯蘭學者和哲學家﹐例如十一世紀的安薩里﹐認為這個「光明」是物質世界一切光亮的精華和本源,從安拉的一點上發出的光明,照亮了整個宇宙空間。 因為安拉是光源,安拉的地位高於一切,他所創造的世界都顯現在他的腳下,賦予萬物生命和生機,昭然顯示安拉的存在和恩德。不在光明之內的事物都隱藏在黑暗的朦朧之中,使有理智的人類兩眼漆黑,一無所知,那是另外一個世界,唯獨安拉全知。人類的弱智者,是有眼無珠的睜眼瞎,看不見天地之間真主造化和掌管的活生生萬物,這些人不認主,不承認是真主造化的天地萬物,是虧折的蒙昧人群。


《古蘭經》是安拉恩賜人類的思想光明﹐為信士照亮了安拉的正道。上述的社會道德準則和行為規範,都是安拉比喻的光明行為。在許多Surah中,多次闡明這個意思,如在「相欺章」中﹐安拉說:「故你們當信仰安拉和使者﹐和他所降示的光明。 」(64:8) 安拉在「婦女章」中說﹕「眾人啊! 從你們的主派遣來的明證確已來臨你們﹐我已降示你們一種顯著的光明。」(4﹕174) 這是真主「光明」的雙重涵義。物質世界的光明使人類看到真主的造化大能和無窮威力,令人讚嘆不已﹐產生對安拉仁慈的敬畏和對安拉權威的恐懼。安賦予人類觀察赫思考的能力,因為安造化人類就是要人類崇拜安﹐成為服務於安旨意的忠誠奴僕。由物質的光明,引導會思考的信士們看清安指引的正道,遵循安的命令和法度,聽從真主的警告和指導,勸人行善,止人作惡,歸於正道。人類的生活現實需要光明,沒有光明的生活沉浸在漆黑一團的陰暗世界裡,看不到安拉造化的天地真理,真假難辨,也看不清腳下走的道路,正邪不分。安拉比喻說:「如重重黑暗,籠罩著汪洋大海,波濤澎湃,上有黑雲,黑暗重重疊疊,觀者伸出手來時,幾乎不見五指。安拉沒有給誰光明,誰就絕無光明。」(40)


本章對穆聖高貴的妻子Aishah (阿伊莎) 的那個不幸事件作了專門的描述。該事件發生在伊曆紀元以後五年,在該年齋月 (伊曆九月) 穆聖從遠征Bani Mustaliq歸來以後。本章與前一章《信仰者》的關係是,前一章說伊斯蘭教將不斷擴大人數,這些人由於他們的正義感和虔誠的行為贏得安拉的喜悅和援助。本章述及有助於取得安拉的恩惠和援助的手段和方法並且制定了一項原則——採用美德和正義的方法,保護和保存民族的道德以及在家庭和社會中維護高度的紀律,是達到以上目的最基本的條件。這就是為什麼本章一開始就強調保存民族道德,特別強調管理和改造兩性之間的關係。前一章說,安拉指定能得到他援助的信者的基本條件之一,是他們要維護自己的貞潔。本章對前一章的這個主題作了引申和擴展。它說,要獲得和維持成功,就必須要求一個民族有貞節的才智、理想,和道德操行,以及在個人與社會的種種關係之間具有完的協調和值得讚賞的理解力,就應該強調民族紀律和組織以及個人的需要必須服從民族的各種要求。


本章述及某些特別的論題,特別強調社會整個社交和道德結構所依賴的基礎方面的種種問題,如果無視這些問題的重要性,必然會損害一個民族的道德風尚。由於在兩性方面的不道德行為認為是破壞一個社會的紀律和組織的,而且由於與性有關的邪惡行為很可能嚴重影響該社會的道德,本章大大強調對性生活的嚴肅性不能有所懷疑。另外,愛好散播流言的人受到嚴厲的譴責,因為假如僅僅根據懷疑或在目擊者的證據不足為憑的情況下,就容許對方的貞潔任意中傷的話,那麼,不道德的性行為也很可能在社會中散播開來,而且青年人易於失去控制,他們以為性生活放蕩不羈並沒有什麼害處。它接著嚴重告誡信者們要保衛和保全民族道德,不斷加強他們的注意力和高度警戒性來保衛和保全民族道德,對穆斯林來說認為是非常重要的。對被懷疑有不道德行為的、迷失了道路的某些個別的人,不應窮追而把他們壓垮。因為每一個社會中總能看到一些道德鬆散的人,這些人可以被看作行為有些放蕩的人。不過同時也得警告那些試圖以他們有害的活動在穆斯林之間製造不合或一味辱罵和毀謗別人的人,他們在今世和後世都將受到懲罰。安拉會揭露他們的罪惡並給他們以恥辱。


本章接著評論,使一個人受到懷疑和毀謗的是他的粗心大意的行為,而且最粗心大意的是男女的混處。本章指示穆斯林在未曾得到允許前不要進入他人房屋,藉以避免這種易於引起懷疑及導致流言蜚語的情況的發生。它又告誡穆斯林,當男女恰巧相互對面相遇時,他們應該克制自己的目光,以堵塞通向罪惡的一切道路。作為進一步的安全,它告誡穆斯林婦女不要向受禁止婚姻者範圍以外的男人顯露她們天然的和人工的美色 (第32節經文),至於肢體上不可能遮住的部分,例如身材與體形,當屬例外。為此她們應該把頭蓋戴得遮住胸部 (見第32節經文有關「頭蓋(Pardah)的詳盡註解」。另一個有關安全和促進並保全民族道德的告誡是不容許寡婦守寡。本章又說,應該採取措施盡早能釋放戰俘,並且對不能立即獲得自由的男女俘虜,可以容許他們能容易地分批償付他們的贖金。


本章結束前強烈要求穆斯林把家庭和國家事務整頓好保持警惕不要男女混雜不分。這方面要遵守一項特別的指示:即使是做家庭僕人的戰俘小孩子也不該在黎明前、在中午和暮色降臨後進入主人的住宅。其他時間家裡所有人員都可以自由地在房屋各處走來走去。雖然如此,當孩子達到青春期,他們應該遵守有關「頭蓋」的規章。可是老年婦女如果她們選擇不想或不需要結婚的話,對「頭蓋」的規章可以放鬆些。但是即使是她們也不許向陌生人顯示她們的裝飾品。家庭組織重要,全體民眾的社會組織更重要,本章為了順利完成國家事務而制定必要的規章。本章向穆斯林作出諾言:如果他們實行安拉給他們制定的生活方案的話,他們在精神和世俗範圍內都將成為世界的領袖,而且他們的宗教會牢固地確立在這世界上。當他們確立了自己的統治以及他們的事業勝利強大時,他們要崇拜安拉幫助貧困的人,並且要服從先知的經律。



2. 這章是我降示的,且把它定為必須履行的。我在其中頒降了明白的命令,好叫妳們接受勸告。This is a Surah We have sent down and enjoined, and sent down in it clear signs, so that you may receive the advice.


《古蘭經》的所有經章中,這一章特稱為Surah。它的意義是,由於Surah這個單詞意旨「高位」或「顯職」,穆斯林如能按照本章所體現的律令和精律行動,就能上升到非常光榮和崇高的地位。


3. 凡犯姦淫罪的男女而被證實者,應各抽一百鞭。如果你們信仰安拉和末日,那麼,對於這兩種罪人,在履行安拉的命令方面,不要憐惜他們。要讓一群信者親眼目睹他倆的刑罰。The fornicating woman and the fornicating man, flog each one of them with one hundred stripes. No pity for them should prevail upon you in the matter of Allah’s  religion, if you really believe in Allah and the Last Day; and a group of believers must witness their punishment.


4. 奸夫只可娶淫婦,或多神教的婦女、淫婦只可嫁奸夫,或多神教的男子。對信仰者來說,這是受禁的。A man who is fornicator does not (like to) marry but a woman who is a fornicator or a polytheist; and a woman who is a fornicator does not (like to) marry but a man who is a fornicator or a polytheist. And this (i.e. preferring to marry such spouses) has been prohibited for the believers.


5. 凡誣蔑貞節的婦女而又不提供個作證人者,要抽打他們八十鞭並永不接受他們的作證。他們視違背道義者。Those who accuse the chaste women (of fornication), but they do not produce four witnesses, flog them with eighty stripes and do not accept their any evidence any more. They are the sinners,


6. 只有那些後來悔罪改善的人是例外。對於這樣做的人安拉的確是最寬恕者,永久仁慈者。except those who repent afterwards and mend their ways; then, Allah is All-Forgiving, Very-Merciful.


7. 凡控告自己的妻子,除本人以外而無證人者,他的證據是他應對安拉發誓四次,證明他說的確是實話。Those who accuse their wives (of adultery) while they have no witnesses except their own selves, then the evidence of one of them would be to swear four oaths by Allah that he is truthful,


8. 在其第五次的作證中,如果他是說謊者,他該受安拉的詛咒。and the fifth (oath) that Allah’s curse be on him if he is one of the liars.


9. 但是受控的妻子可免於懲罰,如果她指安拉發誓四次,證明他她的丈夫是說謊者And it will remove the punishment from the woman if she swears four oaths by Allah that he (the accuser husband) is certainly one of the liars,


10. 並第五次發誓說:如果他說的是實話,她應受安拉的懲罰。and the fifth (oath) that Allah’s wrath be on her if he is one of the truthful.


→被指控的那個女人發誓四次證明她是無辜的,而她的丈夫是誣告她的;而第五次發誓祈求安拉給她自己以詛咒如果她丈夫的指控是真實的。她將不受懲罰,她的丈夫也不由於指控了她而受到懲罰。不過,經過了這樣嚴重的一次破裂後,這一對夫妻將終止夫妻生活,因為他們倆那時已經沒有恢復和好關係的可能性。


16. 這是因為你們互相接受謊言,並以自己的口舌傳達自己不知道的安拉被你們震怒了。你們以為這是一件細小的事情,殊不知在安拉看來,這是很大的。when you were welcoming it with your tongues, and were saying with your mouths something of which you had no knowledge, and were taking it as a trivial matter, while in the sight of Allah it was grave.


17. 當你們聽見謊言時,為什麼沒馬上說:「我們不應該傳達這種話。安拉啊!你是清高的。這是一個極大的毀謗。」And why, when you heard of it, did you not say, “It is not for us to speak about this. Pure are You (O Allah). This is a terrible calumny.”


20. 凡事喜歡在信者中傳播下流言行的,他們將在今後兩世遭受痛苦的懲罰。安拉知道,但你們不知道。Surely, those who like that lewdness spreads among the believers, for them there is painful punishment in this world and the Hereafter. Allah knows, and you do not know.


→伊斯蘭教認為散布和流傳偽造的指控是一種破壞別人貞節的嚴重犯罪行為。它譴責這兩種罪刑並規定了有關的懲罰條例——對流言蜚語的製造者甚至給以更嚴厲的懲罰,因為在一個社會中流傳性生活的不道德行為所產生的後果認為比錯誤的性生活行為要嚴重得多。在一個社會中,流言蜚語若允許其存在且任其氾濫,整個社會勢將開始對犯不道德罪刑的事情喪失一切嫉惡和痛恨的感覺,其結果是不道德行為將猖狂氾濫,這個社會會開始被一種沒有前途的悲觀情緒所籠罩,這樣就動搖整個社會的道德基礎。


22. 信仰的人啊!不要追隨惡魔的腳步。凡是追隨惡魔腳步的人,他應當知道惡魔是下流的言行和明顯的罪惡的唆使者,如果沒有安拉對你們的仁慈,你們之中永遠沒有一個能做純潔的人。但安拉使自己喜歡的人成為純潔者。安拉是傾聽祈禱的,全知的。O you who believe, do not follow the footsteps of Satan. Whoever follows the footsteps of Satan, (should know that) he orders (one to commit) shameful acts and evil deeds. Had it not been for the grace of Allah upon you, and His mercy, not a single person from you would have ever attained purity. But Allah purifies whomsoever He wills. Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.


→由於人類的天性中根植一種內在的感覺,即對做一件顯然是罪惡的行為有一種猶豫而恐懼的感覺惡魔因此在開始時避免去誘惑一個受害者做一件顯然是不道德的行為。他逐步地把受害者引向道德的毀滅一般從表面上看來不是十分有害的行動開始。一個人以製造流言蜚語開始,而以犯下他開始時強加給別人的那一罪刑而結束。


23. 莫讓你們中具有資力和生產手段的人,立誓再不向親戚、貧民和為主道而遷居的人做任何施予。他們應當寬恕、容忍。你們不喜歡安拉寬恕你們嗎?安拉是最寬恕者,永久仁慈者。The men of grace and wealth among you should not swear against giving (their charitable gifts) to the kinsmen and the poor and to those who have migrated in the way of Allah, and they should forgive and forego. Do you not like that Allah forgives you? Allah is Most-Forgiving, Very-Merciful.


24. 那些毀謗具有貞節而疏忽的信女者,將在兩世之中遭受詛咒。他們將蒙受極大的懲罰。Surely, those who accuse chaste, unwary, believing women are cursed in this world and the Hereafter, and for them there is a grievous punishment.


25. 那天,關於他們的行為,他們的舌頭、他們的手,和他們的腳都將做反對他們的見證on the Day when their tongues, their hands and their legs will testify against themselves of what they used to do.


→最近的科學研究證實了這節經文的真理。現在已經發明的科學儀器,放在一個地方,能夠保存一個人的談話以及甚至他手足和其他身體器官的動靜。這些儀器大大幫助了警察認出竊賊和其他罪犯並把他們逮捕歸案。因此,借助於這些儀器,舌頭、手、腳等都可以做罪犯的見證科學也證實每一句說出的話,每一個動作或行動在空氣中都留有痕跡。按《古蘭經》教導,這些痕跡在後世都留有具體的形式,因此,不論是行善作惡,作出種種行為的人的肢體,都將成為有利或不利於他的見證。


26. 那天,安拉將賜予他們完全的報酬,他們將會知道只有安拉才是明顯和完全的真理On that day Allah will give them their rightful recompense in full, and they will know that Allah is the Very Truth who makes all things manifest.


一切真理都是相對的。一件事物可能從某個角度或觀點上來看是正確的,而從另一個角度來看卻是錯誤的。只有安拉是絕對真理


28. 信者啊!除自己的家以外,不要進入別人的家,直到你們獲得許可,並向其家人祝道平安。這是對你們最好的。這個行為的結果是,你們將常常記著善事。O you who believe, do not enter any houses, other than your own houses unless you seek permission and greet their inmates with Salam “That is good for you, so that you may be heedful.


→和一個人在家裡或辦公室裡晤面時,送一張名片或介紹卡的做法是正確的。這樣可以弄清處他是同意見那個來訪者,這是符合《古蘭經》上述的命令的。


29. 如果你們在裡面未見有任何人在別人家裡那就不要進去直到你們從房主方面得到許可。假如主人向你們說:「請回去!」那麼,你們就要回去。這對你們是更清白的。安拉最知道你們的作為。Even if you do not find anyone in them, do not enter therein until permission is given to you. And if it is said to you, ‘Go back’, just go back; it is more decent for you. Allah is All-Aware of what you do.

30. 無人居住的房屋中,如果有你們的財物,那你們不妨進入裡面。安拉知道你們所顯現的和你們所隱藏的There is no sin on you if you enter uninhabited houses in which you have rightful benefit. Allah knows what you reveal and what you conceal.

31. 你對信仰的男子說:他們要低下自己的眼睛,保護自己害羞的軀體。這對他們是最清白的。的確安拉最知道你們的作為。Tell the believing men that they must lower their gazes and guard their private parts; it is more decent for them. Surely Allah is All-Aware of what they do.

→如上所述,《古蘭經》不滿足於僅僅看事物的外表,而是要看事物的根底。根據這一點,每一種好的或壞的品質都有它的根源。對於好的品質,《古蘭經》告誡說要把它的根源倍加掌握和愛護;而對壞的品質,《古蘭經》力求根除和消滅它的根源,這樣來堵塞通往邪惡的念頭都是通過眼睛而進入腦海的,因此,現在注釋的這節經文要求信仰的男女當他們不期而遇時要克制自己的視線

32. 對信仰的女子說:她們也低下自己的眼睛,保護自己害羞的軀體,不要顯露自己的裝飾,除非自然顯露的。她們要把頭蓋拉過胸部,不要顯露自己的美色或自己的裝飾,除非對自己的丈夫,或自己的父親,或自己丈夫的父親,或自己的兒子,或自己丈夫的兒子,或自己的弟兄,或自己的侄兒,自己的外甥,或她們的女同伴,或自己手下的女僕,或無性慾的男僕,或不知男女之間性關係的兒童她們也不要為使人知道所隱藏的裝飾而跺腳。信仰的人啊!大家都要歸向安拉,以便你們成功。And tell the believing women that they must lower their gazes and guard their private parts, and must not expose their adornment, except that which appears thereof, and must wrap their bosoms with their shawls, and must not expose their adornment, except to their husbands or their fathers or the fathers of their husbands, or to their sons or the sons of their husbands, or to their brothers or the sons of their brothers or the sons of their sisters, or to their women, or to those owned by their right hands, or male attendants having no (sexual) urge, or to the children who are not yet conscious of the shames of women. And let them not stamp their feet in a way that the adornment they conceal is known. And repent to Allah O believers, all of you, so that you may achieve success.

→即使在穆斯林中間也普遍存在著對伊斯蘭教的「婦女隔幔制度」的許多誤解和缺乏正確的知識。以下經文述及「婦女隔幔制度」的各個方面:

(1) 對信仰的女子說,她們要克制自己的視線,保護自己的羞體,不要顯露自己的美色或自己的裝飾,除非是自然顯露的。她們要把頭蓋拉過胸部,不要顯露自己的美色……(24: 32)

(2) 先知啊!對你的妻子、女兒,和信仰的婦女說,(當她們去外面時,) 她們應當從頭到臉拉下自己的外衣。這使她們更可能被辨認而不受戲弄 (33:60) O prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers that they should draw down their shawls over them. That will make it more likely that they are recognized, hence not teased.
→這節經文(33:60)中用的這一阿拉伯文單詞是Jalabib,它的單數是Jilbab,意思是外面用的或罩裹用的長衣。

(3) 先知的妻子們啊!如果你們敬畏安拉,那你們與一般婦女是不同的。你們說話不要過於溫柔,免得心中有病的人產生惡的意念要對人們說合乎禮儀的言語。要常留在自己家中,不要做過去愚昧時代婦女模樣的打扮……(33: 33-34) O wives of the prophet, you are not like any other women, if you observe taqwa (righteousness). So, do not be too soft in your speech, lest someone having disease in his heart should develop fancies (about you); and do speak with appropriate words. Remain in your homes, and do not display (your) beauty as it used to be displayed in the days of earlier ignorance; and establish Salah, and pay Zakah, and obey Allah and His messenger. Allah only intends to keep (all sorts of) filth away from you,

(4) 信仰的人啊!教你們手下的人和尚未成年的人向你們在三個時辰請示(進入室內的) 許可:晨禮(Fajr)之前、夏季正午脫下衣服、宵禮(Isha)之後這三個時間是你們私居的時候。在別的時候,如果他們進入內室,你們他們都是不受責備的,因為你們大多數的時間是彼此往來的。(24:59)。O you who believe, the slaves owned by you, and those of you who have not reached puberty, must seek your permission (to see you) at three times: before the prayer of Fajr, and when you take off your clothes at noon, and after the prayer of Isha’. These are three times of privacy for you. There is no harm, neither to you nor to them, after these (three times). They are your frequent visitors, as some of you are (frequent visitors) of the others. This is how Allah explains the verses to you.

 

以下的推斷出自這四節經文:
(a) 穆斯林婦女外出時,必須穿上Jilbab,就是一種罩裹在外面的長衣。穿著時該衣從頭部向下覆蓋到腹部而遮住全身。這就是Yudnina Alaihinna min Jalabibihinna (33:60) 這一句《古蘭經》中的話的意思,穿上一件外罩長衣的目的,是保護穆斯林婦女在出外做事時,免於被盯注或受戲弄,或任何在性格上有問題的人們做出各種使她感到不方便等精神上的極度痛苦

(b) 穆斯林男女在偶然迎面相見時,要克制自己的視線。
(c) 第三種律令雖然表面上是對先知的妻子說的,實際上是《古蘭經》的習慣做法,包括其他穆斯林婦女在內。「要常留在自己家中」(33:34) 這句話意示,婦女在必要時可以外出但是她們主要的活動範圍是在家裡
(d) 上述的三種時間內,即使孩子們也不容許進入雙親的私室,家裡的僕人或女奴也不容許進入主人的臥室。

第一個律令用於婦女出外時。那時她們要穿上外衣並應遮住全身。第二個律令主要與家室以內的「隔幔」有關,那裏經常有男性近親來往。這種情況下,要求男女只要克制自己的視線,並且作為一種外加的預防措施,婦女要留意不要顯露她們的Zinah,即人的美色、服裝和裝飾。那時她們不需要穿外用的長罩衣(Jilbab) ,因為在非常近的、有血緣關係的親戚的隨便而經常的訪問中,這樣做會是很令人厭煩而不切合實際情況的。經文的上下文表明了這一律令是與家室以內的「隔幔」有關,因為現在注釋中的這節經文所談到的所有人都是一般來訪問他們親戚的近親。除了近親以外,這節經文還特別談了四種人,即正派的婦女、老僕人,女僕和小男孩,由此更加可得出這樣一個論斷:這節經文中的律令是與家室以內的「隔幔」有關的。

第一個律令是指家室以外的「隔幔」,第二個律令則是指家室以內的「隔幔」。在33:60節經文中,女人外出時要穿的那件衣服叫Jilbab (一件外面罩裹的長衣),遮住頭部、臉部和胸腹部,而當親戚來訪時她在家室以內必須穿的那件衣服是Khimar (頭蓋),只遮住頭部和腹部,但臉部是露出的。

婦女外出時必須穿著的遮住她全身的外用長衣的樣式,按照穆斯林社會的風俗、習慣、社會地位、家庭傳統和不同階層的用法而有所不同。有關家室以內的「頭蓋」的那一律令,也適用於店鋪、田野等處,在那裡穆斯林社會某些部門的婦女必須工作來賺錢維持生計,因此此情形下,婦女不必用面紗遮住臉部,她只要克制自己的視線並且不顯露她的Zinah,即她的首飾和其他裝飾品,猶如婦女在家室內當男性近親訪問她們時所做的那樣。

第三個律令要求婦女在與陌生男子談話時,態度要端莊,要近乎嚴肅的程度:而且也要求她們充分注意履行與自己性幸福有關的各種事務方面的嚴肅而重要的職責、管理家務、照顧和撫養子女以及親屬方面的事情。


第四個律令責成夫妻盡可能同其他家庭成員的臥室分開,即使小男孩也不容許在59節經文所述的時間內進入自己的臥室。



在這節經文中用的Zinah (زِيۡنَتَهُنَّ)這個單詞包括天然和人工的兩種美色——身體、服裝和飾物的美色。「除非自然顯露的」這句話包含婦女所不能遮掩的所有那些事物,諸如聲音、身材、體態,也包含了按照她的社會地位、家庭傳統、職業以及社會的風俗所容許的可以露出的身體的某些部分。允許身體某些部分可以不必遮掩的情況可有某些變動。因此,「不要顯露自己的美色」這句話,對屬於社會不同部門和等級的婦女將有不同的涵義,而且這種涵義將隨著一個民族的風俗和生活方式以及各種職業的變化而變化。「不要為使人知道所隱藏的裝飾而跺腳」(24:32) 這句話,表明有某些國家普遍風行的當眾跳舞,伊斯蘭教是絕對不容許的。


這就是伊斯蘭教「婦女隔幔制度」的概念。按照穆斯林的看法,婦女可經常出外,只要情理上需要她們這樣做;但是她們主要的職能是限在家中,如果婦女擔任了男子的本職的話,她們試想違反自然,而違反自然則必將受到懲罰。



33. 要為你們中的寡婦和善良的男女奴婢安排婚配事宜。假如他們是窮人, 安拉將出自自己的慈惠賜其資力。安拉是廣施的,全知的。Arrange the marriage of the spouseless among you, and the capable from among your bondmen and bondwomen. If they are poor, Allah will enrich them out of His grace. Allah is All-Encompassing, All-Knowing.


34. 凡是不能結婚的,他們要固守貞操,以待安拉以自己的慈惠使其富裕。在你們的奴僕中,凡要求立約釋放者,如果你們見他們是適合的,那麼,你們就與他們訂約,如果他們沒有足夠的錢財,那麼,你們要用安拉賜與你們的財富援助她們獲得自由。如果你們的奴婢願保持貞操,切不要強迫她們過失節生涯,而尋求今世生活的利益。可是如果任何人強迫他們,那麼,安拉在那些婦女受迫之後,是極為寬恕的,不斷仁慈的,他將不拿問他們And those who cannot afford marriage should keep themselves chaste until Allah enriches them out of His grace. And those of  your slaves who wish to enter the contract of Kitabah (emancipation by paying money), contract Kitabah with them, if you recognize some good in them. And give them out of the wealth of Allah that He has given to you. And do not compel your maids to prostitution – if they wish to observe chastity in order that you may seek the temporary benefit of the worldly life. If one compels them, then after their being compelled, Allah is Most-Forgiving, Very-Merciful.


Mukatabah (解放奴隸的契約)是一張契約書。根據這一契約,男女奴隸可以得到解放,不受他們主人意願的約束和影響。契約內規定一個數量的錢財或勞動作為奴隸獲得自由的代價。



36. 安拉是天地的光。他的光好像一個光輝的壁龕。那明燈是在玻璃罩裡。那個玻璃罩好像是一顆光輝的星。這明燈是用吉慶的橄欖油點著的,它不是東方的,也不是西方的,它的油即使沒有燃燒,也幾乎發出光來。這明燈好像許多光束的匯集!安拉領導他願意的人獲得光明。安拉為人類作出比喻,他是完全知道萬物的。Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The example of His light is that of a niche, in which there is a lamp; the lamp is in a glass – the glass looks like a brilliant star – it is lit by (the oil of) a blessed tree, the olive, which is neither eastern, nor western. Its oil is about to emit light even though the fire has not touched it – (it is) light upon light. Allah guides to His light whomsoever He wills; Allah describes examples for the people, and Allah knows everything well.


37. 這光是在這樣的房子裡安拉已命令增加它們的高度,好在那裏面紀念他的尊名,朝夕讚頌他的清高。(The guided people worship Allah) in the houses that Allah has permitted to be raised, and where His name is recounted and His purity is pronounced, in the morning and in the evening,


這節經文既含有一個明證,又含有一個預言。它預言,由《古蘭經》內具有的光所照亮的那些房子將被升高,居住其中的人們將朝夕讚頌安拉。這將成為安拉的光照亮他們的一個明證


38. 有些紀念安拉的人不因商業和交易而疏忽紀念安拉、固守拜功和完納天課,他們懼怕那一天,即心和眼都受到擾亂的那一天;by the men whom no trade or sale makes neglectful of the remembrance of Allah, nor from establishing Salah and paying Zakah ; they are fearful of a day in which the hearts and the eyes will be over-turned.


39. 結果,安拉將賜給他們行為最好的回報,並以他的慈惠增賜他們財富和子女。安拉無限地供給他所意欲的人。The fate (of such people) is that Allah will reward them for the best deeds they did, and will give them more out of His grace. Allah gives whom He wills without counting.


41. 或者那些不信者的行為正如籠罩著茫茫海洋的黑暗。那海洋波濤澎湃,天空雲層密布,黑暗重重,甚至人看不見自己伸出的手凡是未蒙安拉賜給光明的人,他是不會有光明的Or (their deeds) are like layers of darkness in a vast deep sea overwhelmed by a wave, above which there is another wave, above which there are clouds –layers of darkness, one above the other. When one puts forth his hand, he can hardly see it; and the one to whom Allah does not give light can have no light at all.


44. 你沒見安拉使雲朵漸漸地飄盪,繼而把它集合起來,然後把它堆疊在一起,然後你看雨從雲向下降嗎?他從如山的雲中下降冰雹,用它打擊它所意欲的人,使它離開他所意欲的人。電光的閃耀幾乎奪去他的視覺。Do you not realize that Allah drives the clouds, then joins them together, then turns them into a heap? Then you see the rain coming out from their midst. He sends down from the sky mountains (of clouds) having hail in them, then He afflicts with it whomsoever He wills and turns it away from whomsoever He wills. The flash of its lightning seems to snatch away the eyes.


這節經文可能意指,對有些人說來,啟示的經典可以成為及時雨,他們從中得到極大益處、而對另一些人說來,啟示的精典是冰雹,帶給他們的後果是毀滅。


46. 安拉用水創造了一切動物,其中有些用腹部行走的,有些用兩足行走的,有些用四足行走的。安拉創造他所意欲的,安拉能做他願做的一切事情。Allah has created every moving creature from water. So, some of them move on their bellies; and some of them move on two legs, and some of them move on four. Allah creates what He wills. Surely, Allah is powerful over everything.


這節經文描寫精神旅行去目的地的方式及其性質。有些人的進步是極其緩慢的。他們是爬著去目的地的。另外一些人像兩足動物那樣前進得快些,還有些人像四條腿的動物進步地更快些。這裡暗示的是速度而不是行動的方法。四條腿的動物,一般說來,比兩足的或爬行動物的運動要快些。精神旅行者的情況也是一樣。


47. 我確已下降了明顯的跡象,安拉引導他所意欲的人知行正道We have surely sent down enlightening verses, and Allah guides whom He wills to the straight path.


52. 當信仰的人受安拉和他的使者召喚,以便他為他們判決事情時,他們的回答是:「我們聽見了,我們服從了。」這些人才是成功的人。The only reply of the (true) believers, when they are summoned to Allah and His messenger that he (the messenger) may judge between them, is that they say, “We listen and obey.” Such people are the successful.


53. 凡是服從安拉和他的使者、也懼怕安拉、並對安拉忠於職守的人,他們就是成功者。Whoever obeys Allah and His messenger and has awe of Him and observes Taqwa for His sake, then such people are the victorious.


54. 他們憑著安拉立下堅決的誓言:如果你命令他們,他們必定馬上出去。你對他們說:「你們不要發誓我的命令只是正常的服從。安拉的確知悉你們的行為。」And they (the hypocrites) swear by Allah on forceful oaths that if you (O prophet) order them, they will certainly leave (their homes for Jihad ). Say, “do not swear, (the reality of your) obedience is known. Indeed Allah is fully aware of what you do.”

→「你們不要發誓」,這裡指不需要發誓,阿拉伯人古時候他們常做的一個習慣,(發誓代表這件事情是很嚴重的意思)另外還有一個意思是發誓者對這件事情,是千真萬確的意思。為了得到取得穆聖的信任,在穆聖前面未為信者發誓,說他們一定會遵守。這裡講的是,安拉確是盡知你們的所有行為,所以不需要發誓。


55. 你說:「要服從安拉,服從使者。」假如你們背逆,那麼,他使者只負他應盡的責任,你們負你們應盡的責任。假若你們聽從他,你們就得正道。使者的職責只是公開地傳達使命Say, “Obey Allah and obey the messenger. But if you turn away, then on him (the messenger) lies (the responsibility of) what he is burdened with, and on you lies (the responsibility of) what you are burdened with. And if you obey him, you will get the right path. The duty of the Messenger is no more than to convey the message clearly.


56. 他為他們必穩固他們所喜歡的宗教在他們的恐懼之後他必賜給他們安全和平安He will certainly establish for them their religion which He has chosen for them, and will certainly give them peace in place of fear in which they were before.


60. 當你們的兒童達到成年時,要令他們請示許可,正如在他們以前成年人請示許可一樣。When the children from among you reach puberty, they must seek permission, as the permission is sought by those before them.


61. 那些上了年紀的婦女,不能結婚,如果他們脫去外衣而不露出首飾。這對於她們是無罪的。但如果她們避免這種行徑,那對她們是最好的。And those old women who have no hope for marriage, there is no sin on them, if they take off their (extra) clothes while they do not display their adornment. Still, that they refrain (even from this) is better for them.

→Qa'id意思是指已經停止生育和絕經的,或沒有丈夫,或一個年事很高的女人。


62. 瞎子、瘸子、病人以及你們自己,不妨在你們自己、父親、母親、弟兄、姊妹、叔伯、姑母、舅父、姨母、由你們管理鎖鑰者,或你的朋友的家裡吃飯,無論聚餐或分食對你們都是無妨的

There is no blame on a blind person, nor is there any blame on any lame one, nor is there any blame on a sick person, nor on yourselves in that you eat (something) from your own homes or from the homes of your fathers or the homes of your mothers or the homes of your brothers or the homes of your sisters or the homes of your paternal uncles, or the homes of your paternal aunts or the homes of your maternal uncles or the homes of your maternal aunts or from the places the keys of which you have under your control,16 or from (the home of) your friend. There is no sin on you if you eat together or separately.

伊斯蘭教主張社會完全平等而且極端敵視把人們進行嚴格的區分。這節經文強調社會一切階層之間自由交往和集體進餐的重要性和有效性,並且鼓勵和贊同共餐來促進相互之間的親近而去掉些隔離社會地位不同的人們的障礙,然而它並不禁止他們分開來進餐。伊斯蘭教鼓勵所有不同階層和部分的人們之間的自由交往和共同進餐。



Haraj的意思是:一種罪惡;一個反對意見;傷害;責怪或犯罪行為。


Reference: 古蘭經導讀


Tuesday, October 19, 2021

【阿拉伯語】太陽字母以及月亮字母

阿拉伯語有許多對華語人來說怪奇的發音,比如各種彈舌、磨喉、咬舌等,因此阿拉伯語也有一套讓發音比較簡單的方法。太陽字母以及月亮字母就是這套偉大的方法。有些阿拉伯字母對舌頭非常的不友善,容易造成舌頭打結,尷尬的用大舌頭的方式講話,以此我稱它為「舌頭不友善派字母」,反之那些不干擾舌頭運作,讓人暢話如流水的,我稱它為「舌頭友善派單字」。了解太陽字母月亮字母是一個避免舌頭打結的方法。也就是說,你只要能注意到哪些字母會讓你舌頭打結,你就會分辨他到底是太陽字母還是月亮字母。


我們先來了解這兩者。



太陽字母(舌頭不友善派):會令舌頭打結

(發音時,舌頭位置會改變)


所以舉例來說 ر (Ra)、 د (Da) 、ت (Ta) 、س (Sa) ,這些音就是太陽字母,因為你可以發現你的舌頭在你的口腔裡巨幅地擺動著。


剩下的還有


ذ (Dha)、ز (Za)、ش (Shin)、ص (Sa)、ض(Da)、ط (Ta)、ظ (Dha)、ل (Lam)、 ن(Num)




月亮字母(舌頭友善派):平平凡凡,讓舌頭安穩

(發音時,舌頭位置不會改變)

這類的字母,舌頭就只是想稍微伸展筋骨的幅度移動


ج (Jin)、 ه (Ha) 、 ع (Ayn’) 、 ف (Fa) 


剩下的還有 أ (Alif)、ب (Ba)、 خ (Kha)、 غ (Gha) 、 ق (Qaf) 、 ك (Kaf) 、 ل (Lam)、 م (Mim)、 و (Wa)、 ي(Ya)


當阿拉伯語的冠詞 ال (AL) 遇到太陽字母的時候,比如說後面加了一個ز (Za) ,變成الز 。這時,我們不會念Alza ,而是省略AL的 L,直接念: A-zza。中間重複的Z就代表他是一個「促音」,也就是念完A的時候聽個半秒,在念Za,會變成「ㄚ(停頓)扎」。


反之,ال (AL) 遇到月亮字母的時候就不用管那麽多,儘管唸下去。比如遇到ق (Qaf) ,變成 الق ,儘管把他念AL-Qaf就可以了,中間不需要任何的遲疑以及停頓。


因為太陽叫做شمس(Shams),第一個字母的發音Shin讓舌頭容易打結,屬於舌頭不友善派。反之月亮قمر (Qamar)的第一個字母Qaf 屬於舌頭友善派。所以古阿拉伯文法學家就浪漫地把「舌頭不友善派字母」稱作為「太陽字母」,「舌頭友善派字母」稱作為「月亮字母」。





Thursday, July 29, 2021

Holding Fast to the Rope of Allah

 


[3:104] 當共同緊握安拉的繩索莫要分開。追憶一下安拉對你們的這個恩德,當你們互相為敵時,他在你們的心中產生了親愛之情,結果你們賴他的恩德竟做成弟兄了;你們原在火坑邊緣上的,他從那裏拯救了你們。 Hold fast, all of you, by the rope of Allah, and be not divided. Remember the blessing of Allah upon you: When you were enemies to each other, and He brought your hearts together, so that, you became brothers through His blessing.

[22: 79] 要在安拉的道上全力奮鬥,因為他已選擇了你們,沒使你們在宗教教義方面遭受煩難。信仰的人啊!要奉行你們的父親伊布拉欣的宗教;安拉在從前和這部書裡給你們取名「穆斯林,」以便使者為你們作證,而你們為整個人類作證。你們要固守拜功、交納天課、緊緊地握著安拉。他是你們的保護者。這是多麼好的保護者、多麼好的幫助者啊And strive in the cause of Allah, as it behoves you to strive for it. He has chosen you and has laid no hardship upon you in religion; so follow the faith of your father Ibrahim. He (Allah) named you Muslims both before and in this Book (Qur’an), so that the Messenger becomes a witness over you, and you become witnesses over mankind. Therefore, observe Salah, pay the Zakah and hold fast to Allah. He is your Master. An excellent Mester and an excellent Helper!



Holding fast to Him protects one from doom and destruction, for the one who is journeying towards Allah is like one who is travelling on a path towards his intended destination. Hence he needs guidance on the road and he needs to be safe whilst travelling; he cannot reach his intended destination except after attaining these two things.


The guide will protect him from losing his way, and will guide him to the right path; and equipment, physical strength and weapons will help him to be safe from bandits and any other troubles he may encounter on the road.


So holding fast to the rope of Allah will lead him on the path of guidance and help him to follow the guide.


Ibn ‘Abbaas said: Adhere to the religion of Allah.


Ibn Mas‘ood said: It is the jamaa‘ah (main body of the Muslims). And he said: You should adhere to the jamaa‘ah, for it is the rope of Allah that He has enjoined us to hold fast to. What you may find of things you dislike when you are with the jamaa‘ah is better than what you may find of things you like when you are scattered.


Mujaahid and ‘Ataa’ said: It means adhering to the covenant of Allah. Qataadah, as-Saddi and many of the scholars of tafseer said: It means adhering to the Qur’an.


Then he said: As for holding fast to Him, it means putting one’s trust in Him, seeking strength with Him, seeking protection with Him, and asking Him to protect the individual, give him strength and ward off harm from him. For the result of holding fast to Him is that He will ward off harm from His slave, for Allah defends those who believe. So He will ward off from his believing slave, if he holds fast to Him, any cause that could lead to problems, and He will protect him from that. So He will protect him from doubts and desires, and from the schemes of his enemies both apparent and hidden, and from the evil of his own self. He will ward off from him the consequences of that which may lead to problems and troubles after the causes thereof are all present, commensurate with the strength with which he holds fast to Him, so that the causes of troubles and problems will be removed in his case, and thus Allah will protect him from what could result from that and the causes thereof. He may ward off from him something that He had decreed by means of another decree, and something that He willed by means of something else that He wills, thus protecting him from it. End quote from Madaarij as-Saalikeen (1/457-460).


Allah says: “Hold fast, all together, to the Rope of Allah.” The scholars mention five interpretations of the term, “rope”:

The Qur’an,

Being sincere with Allah

The whole religion of Islam

The pious and upright scholars

Our Prophet Muhammad


The ‘holding fast” that is mentioned in the Qur’an is of two types: holding fast to Allah, and holding fast to the rope of Allah.


The fifth meaning encompasses all the previous meanings mentioned. It is through our Prophet ﷺ that we are able to reach Allah, as Allah Himself has mentioned that the Prophet ﷺ is the door to Allah. May Allah give us the ability to follow the Prophet ﷺ and his guidance.


It is the responsibility of the Muslim Ummah to understand the reality of the rope of Allah and to spread this message to the people around us.


Our Prophet ﷺ is mercy, a blessing to all creation. Allah says:

“We have not sent you but as a mercy to all the worlds.”


Our beloved Prophet ﷺ not only showed mercy to the believers, but also to those who do not believe and even to those who showed enmity to him. Look at the hadith of the moths and the fire. One meaning of the fire here is the dunya, our lower selves and our desires. Allah sent the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to save mankind from destruction and the Hellfire. When we give preference to things other than Allah, we are essentially bringing ourselves to destruction.


Look at the story of the Prophet ﷺ at Ta’if. The angels guarding the two mountains were ready to destroy the people of Ta’if who had cursed and stoned him, and yet our Prophet ﷺ had hoped that from their progeny would come forth people who worship Allah and would be close to Him. Similarly, at the battle of Uhud, when the Prophet ﷺ was injured, he prevented his Companions from cursing the Quraysh and instead prayed for their guidance.


No justice is like the justice that Prophet Muhammad ﷺ showed. No country exists today that treats prisoners of war the way Prophet Muhammad ﷺ treated his prisoners and those who showed enmity to him. People today champion human rights, yet the very same people violate the rights of many people in this world. The Prophet ﷺ taught us the reality of human rights. He commanded those in charge of the prisoners of war to feed them with food that was better than what everyone else, including what the high-ranking commanders ate. This was the kindness he displayed in his dealings with disbelievers who had showed enmity to him and fought against him. There is no doubt that he treated disbelievers who were not hostile towards him with more kindness and he treated Muslims with more kindness still.


Wednesday, July 28, 2021

THE FAST OF THE TONGUE

當你開口說話只會有兩種結果,一是對你有利,二是對你不利,沒有所謂的中間效果。所以,每說話前要三思過

When you open your mouth to speak, there will only two things can happen. Your words will either be for you or against you. There’s nothing in between. (Mufti Menk)


Abu Sa’id al-Khudri reported: The Prophet (S.A.W.) said, “When the son of Adam wakes up in the morning, all of his limbs defer to the tongue and they say: Fear Allah regarding us, for we are only a part of you. If you are upright, we are upright. If you are crooked, we are crooked.


Source: Sunan al-Tirmidhī 2407


This Hadith shows the importance of guarding one's tongue against that which is prohibited. Even the slightest carelessness on the part of the tongue can make all the organs suffer for it. Crookedness of the tongue means the careless use of the tongue which lands the whole body in trouble; and keeping the tongue straight means keeping oneself safe from all kinds of troubles and ordeals.



The Tongue Expresses what is in the Heart:


If a person is good, it reflects in their saying. Allah has made it very easy for the tongue to move, and it is not difficult to realize that a person’s tongue moves much more as if compared to the limbs. So if a person is not careful about what he says, even a single saying of his can invalidate his actions. It is for this reason that the whole body warns the tongue saying, “Fear Allah concerning us, for we are (dependant) upon you. If you are upright then we will be upright and if you are corrupt then we will be corrupt.” - Sunan at-Tirmidhi (1912), Mishkaat (4838) and Riyaadh as-Saleheen (2/1521)


And at the same time, the tongue is a great blessing from Allah. If we look at the animals, who are unable to speak, we realize the importance of this great tool of communication.


The gratitude that we should show for this great blessing should include, using it as follows:

(a) for the obedience to Allah

(b) for reading the Qur'aan

(c) for seeking Knowledge

(d) to enjoin good and forbidding evil

→The prohibitions of the tongue are that you do not lie, abuse, use foul language, backbite and slander.


Allah says in the begining of Soorah al-Mumineen, “Indeed successful are the Believers, those who in their prayer have Khushoo’ (fear of Allah) and those who refrain from vain talk.” [Soorah Mumineen : 1-3]


Here Allah mentions that refraining from vain talk is a sign of the successful believers. Allah also mentions refraining from vain talk after he mentions al-Khushoo’. This is because too much talk makes the heart hard. It is not possible to reach the level of Khushoo’ (fear of Allah) unless one refrains from vain talk.


Imaam an-Nawawee - rahimahullah - mentions “Know it is incumbent upon all to guard their tongues from most speech, except a word that has some benefit in it....” - Kitaabul-Adhkaar


And for those who take heed there is a constant reminder in the verse, “Not a word is said except that there is a watcher by him ready to record it.” - [Soorah Qaf (50):18]


The Messenger of Allah, Muhammed - SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam - said, “Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should speak good or keep silent.


Imaam ash-Shafiee - rahimahullah - said. “If you wish to speak then it is upon you to think before you speak. If you think there is good in it then speak and if not then do not speak.


The earlier mentioned Qur'aanic verses, Hadeeth (sayings) of our noble Prophet and advices by the scholars of Islaam are a guide for those searching for salvation against vain talk. So before we talk, should we not ask ourselves....


>Will this saying of mine please Allah?

>Will this saying of mine bring me closer to Allah?

>Does this saying earn with it obedience to Allah?

>If yes, then speak, otherwise one should keep quiet.


安拉不喜歡人們宣揚惡事,除非他是被人虧枉的。安拉是全聽的是全知的。「古蘭經:4:148」Allah does not like the evil words to be said openly except from anyone wronged. Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.


THE FAST OF THE TONGUE

In Ramadan, we fast with our mind, stomach, limbs and tongue. How does the tongue fast? It fasts from uttering anything that is displeasing to Allah, all praises and glory be to Him. The harm of the tongue is great and its dangers are huge. In a well known hadith, the Prophet (S.A.W.) was asked whether we would be held accountable for what we say. He (S.A.W.), replied:


“Is there anything that has thrown people on their faces – or he said on their noses – into the Fire except that which their tongues reap?” (Recorded in al-Tirmidhi)


Don’t let Ramadan be a time to let your tongue reap bad deeds. Take care not to backbite, or mention the faults of others, or participate in vain talk. Surely Allah will be merciful to the one who guards their tongue from such acts. We should remember, as Allah advises us in the Qur’an:


“Not even a word can he utter but there is a watcher with him, ever-present.” (Surah Qaf:18)


We will be held to account for everything that our tongue says. In this regard, the Prophet (S.A.W.) said:


”Whoever guarantees me (the chastity of) what is between his legs (i.e. his private parts), and what is between his jaws (i.e., his tongue), I guarantee him Paradise.” (Recorded in Al-Bukhari)


When our righteous predecessors disciplined themselves with the morality of the Qur’an and Sunnah, they weighed their utterances and considered their words. They did not take words lightly. When they uttered, they uttered the praises of Allah and remembrances of him, because they feared their meeting with their Lord. They refrained from treachery, backbiting, obscenities and vain talk. They said a good word, or remained silent.


Allah advises us in the Noble Qur’an:


“O you who believe! Avoid much suspicion; indeed some suspicions are sins. And spy not, neither backbite one another. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would hate it (so hate backbiting). And fear Allah. Verily Allah is the One who Forgives and accepts repentance, Most Merciful.” (Surah al-Hujurat:12)


There are ten misdeeds that can emanate from our tongues if we don’t control them properly. Among them are lying, backbiting, slander, obscenity, cursing, shamelessness, false evidence, derision and scorn. How can a believer fast and then give free reign to their tongue? How can someone fast and then lie and backbite or abuse others forgetting about the Day of Judgement? Is Islam anything other than deeds, practice, methodology, submission, behaviour and application? The purpose of fasting is not hunger and thirst, it is discipline.


The tongue is therefore a means to good or evil. Let’s ensure it is a source of good for us by moistening our tongues with the remembrance of Allah this Ramadan.


Reference: https://www.siasat.com/