Surah Taha was revealed in, Makkah It discusses the amazing events that took place between Prophet Musa^-AS and the Pharaoh. More incredible is the fact that this Surah led to the conversion of Hadhrat 'Umar Faruq ^–RAU to Islam. One day, he set out from his house in rage to eliminate the Holy Prophet^-SW, the person who, he thought, had created such a rift in the city. On his way he met a Companion^–RAU who, noticing his demeanour, asked him what he was upto. Umar said that he was going to close the chapter of the new religion once and for all. The Companion^-RAU asked him to take care of his own household first, for his sister had already embraced Islam. He was further infuriated and was soon at his sister's door. Inside her house, Hadhrat Khubab bin Art^–RAU was teaching his sister and his brother-in-law this very Surah. He heard the voice but could not make out anything. He asked his brother-in-law to open the door and let him in. He hid Hadhrat Khubab^–RAU somewhere and opened the door. Umar^–RAU asked him what he had been reading. He tried to evade the question but he told him that he had come to know that they had accepted the new religion. He assaulted his brother in law; his sister intervened and received a blow to her head. Both now boldly announced that what he had heard was true and he was free to do whatever he could.

Shaikh Allah Yar Khan^–RAU quotes a relevant couplet from the Shi'ite Chronicle ‘Hamla Haidery’ compiled by Allama Bazil Irani,

'Whether you like it, or hate

We have accepted Muhammad^-SW’s faith.

We are here, if you wish to assassinate

But do not expect us to turn apostate’

This firm statement of his sister, with blood oozing out of her wound, jolted his heart. He^–RAU demanded to see what they had been reading. He^–RAU, being well read person, was aware of scholastic beauty of literature. Her sister replied that it was a sacred scripture while he was not clean and if he wished to see it he would first have to take a bath.

Quranic Ayat Were Documented As Soon As Revealed

This incidentally indicates that the Quran was documented ever since its revelation and the general concept that it was done in the era of Caliph Usman^–RAU is incorrect. The Arabs had started scribing the Quran in their own local dialects. When Islam had spread all over Arabia Caliph 'Usman^–RAU collated all endeavours to the original dialect of the Holy Prophet^-SW.

Anyway, 'Umar^–RAU took a bath and picked up the leaflet on which were scribed the opening Ayat of this very Surah. As he read he was astounded .He exclaimed that it was indeed a unique Scripture and the One Who^-SWT Alone controlled everything ought to be utterly Magnificent. On hearing this comment Hadhrat Khubab ^RAU came out from his hiding and said, '"Umar^–RAU! Yesterday I heard the Holy Prophet^-SW praying to Allaah^-SWT to strengthen Islam through Abi al Hakam bin Hasham^–RAU or Umar bin Khatab^–RAU, I presume that his prayer has been accepted in your favour". So he accompanied Hadhrat Khubab ^–RAU and embraced Islam, which is a very well known event.

The Disciple And The Desired

So Hadhrat 'Umar^–RAU came to be known as the Holy Prophet’s^-SW desired while the rest of the Ummah as the disciples. This is a personal and individual honour enjoyed by him.

Taha are the Isolated Letters discussed earlier to be a secret between Allah^-SWT and His^-SWT Prophet^-SW. The Surah begins with a Divine Announcement that the purpose of revelation of the Quran was certainly not to strain or over burden the Holy Prophet^-SW, who after spending a hectic day, painstakingly propagating Islam would stand in worship for long hours at night. He recited the Quran standing for such long hours that his feet would swell. After Allaah^-SWT disallowed this practice, he would rest during the first half of the night, and keep vigil during the other half for offering Tahajjud and reciting the Quran. This was purely aimed at the attainment of Divine Nearness, yet Allaah^-SWT forbids him from self imposed stress and fatigue.

Night Vigils Or Chillah For Worldly Gains

It is incorrect to undergo strenuous exercises like reciting the Quran for 40 days (i.e. Chillah) standing on one leg throughout the night for any worldly benefit .Rather reciting only for worldly motive itself is incorrect. However, one should recite for understanding and for attaining Allah^-SWT's Pleasure. This may then be followed by a supplication for worldly benefits. And this exactly is the intention of the Holy Prophet^--SW’s Ahadith, which prescribe the recitation of certain Quranic Ayah as beneficial in certain circumstances. They must be recited with devotion purely for Allah^-SWT's Pleasure as distinct from making the recitation a means of temporal gains.

The Quran is a guide and an admonition for those who develop reverence and awe for Allaah^{-SWT .} Imam Ibn-e-Kathir^–RAU quotes a Hadith that Allaah^-SWT would tell the learned scholars on the Day of Judgment that He^-SWT had granted them knowledge with the very intention of forgiving them, so it does not matter how much they have erred. But to qualify as such a scholar one must possess the quality of fearing Allah^-SWT, a condition laid down by the Ayat under discussion. And this is not a word of someone oblivious of the world but it is His^-SWT Word, He^-SWT Who has created the earth and the heavens and everything that lies therein.

Established On ‘Arsh

Besides, He^-SWT has not abandoned these after creating them but has established Himself^-SWT on the 'Arsh which denotes, in modern dialect, that it is the Divine Secretariat or the Control Centre for the earth and the heavens. This is only to facilitate understanding otherwise Allaah^-SWT is far too Glorious and Exalted to be restricted by location or direction. Nowadays a group amongst the Muslims is propagating the belief that Allaah^-SWT is personally seated on the 'Arsh while His^-SWT Knowledge encompasses everything. But the truth is that His^-SWT Being^-SWT encompasses everything. The early scholars reject this misconception with great clarity. They assert that any assumption that Allaah^-SWT is seated on the Throne would determine a direction or location for Him^-SWT thereby restricting and limiting Him^-SWT . And the limited is always mortal. Therefore, this belief is incorrect. The accomplished Shaikh Allah Yar Khan^–RAU asserts that the belief held by the noble ancestors was that the meaning of the Ayah can be known but the state is unknown, no one can comprehend the intrinsic state.

And all that lies on the earth and in the heavens, or within the depths of the earth, where human knowledge or probing instruments have no access, all belong to Allah^{-SWT .} He^-SWT is well Aware of what is spoken out aloud or sprouts as a thought inside the heart. Rather He^-SWT is also Aware of the thoughts yet to materialize. And He^-SWT is Allaah^-SWT save Whom^-SWT no one deserves to be worshipped. And His^-SWT are all the Beautiful Names.

So O’ Prophet^-SW! Did you hear the story of Prophet Musa^-AS, which recounts the hardships encountered by the Prophets^-AS in the matter of propagation of the Message? Certainly you will also face similar challenges. So instead of keeping vigil all night you must focus your attention on spreading this Word.

To Strive For Reformation Of Mankind Is Far Superior

This proves that striving for the betterment of mankind is more important and meritorious than mere worship in seclusion.

In this Section, the story of Prophet Musa^-AS begins from the time of his formal raising as Allah^-SWT ’s Prophet and Messenger. According to the events described elsewhere in the Quran when the Pharaoh gave orders for his execution, he managed to escape to Madyan where he met Prophet Shu'aib^-AS. He married his daughter and served him for promised years. Then he set out to return to his native land. He had been separated from his mother, brother and sister for the last ten years, and hoped that such a long time might well have obscured the story of his escape.

He left with his wife and an attendant stealthily on a track off the usual route. They reached the valley on the right flank of Mount Tur at dusk. Since it was winter, the temperature fell further at night and it became quite cold. He saw a light shining in one of the passes of Mount Tur .He asked his family to stay put while he got some fire for them and found some one there to guide them to the right route through the wilderness. When he reached the spot, he witnessed something totally amazing: a tree engulfed by flames, as if made of fire, but instead of being consumed it was blooming even more. He stood dumb founded when he heard a voice: 'O’ Musa^-AS! Your Rabb^-SWT is speaking to you’.

Ilham Or Ilqa, And Wijdan Are Attended By A Feeling Of Certainty

According to the learned Commentators, Prophet Musa^-AS heard the voice as if it was coming from all the directions. And not only was it audible to his ears but it was as if his entire body was listening. They also beautifully answer the question how Prophet Musa^-AS was so sure of it being the voice of his Rabb^-SWT .Allaah^-SWT had set his Qalb at rest over it so that he could believe. The Aulia^--AS who do not have Kashf are blessed with an inspiration in their hearts known as Wijdan, a state of certainty whereby the Qalb is content. However, if a Satanic whisper also finds its way in, this state of certainty is lost.

To Hear Allah's Word Directly

The Commentators quote many an Ahadith in this context, and it is also obvious as the Divine Address is direct: O' Musa^-AS! This establishes beyond doubt that it was heard directly. In other words, if Allaah^-SWT Wills, one can hear His^-SWT Words directly without a medium as the very miracles of the Prophets^-AS are manifested as Karamah of the Aulia^-AS .Prophet Musa^-AS was also commanded to take off his shoes as he was in the sacred valley of Tuwa.

Salat Can Be Offered In Shoes If Clean

Taking off shoes denotes respect. It may be that in those days the shoes were made of untanned leather. However, if the leather is tanned and the shoes are clean, it is permissible to offer Salat without taking these off. This has been endorsed by the practice of the Holy Prophet^-SW and his Companions^-RAU. Yet the shoes made in Europe and America must be scrutinized carefully, as they use the hog skin as the inner layer, which remains unclean even after tanning Therefore, salat cannot be offered in such shoes, which even render the feet unclean.

Prophet Musa^-AS was informed that he had been chosen for Prophethood and Messengership, which is always an endowment from Allah^-SWT . He must, therefore, listen very attentively to what was being revealed.

Etiquettes of Listening Quran

According to Hadlth, the Quran must be listened to with due respect and decorum, to the extent that no part of the body should engage in any other activity. When these etiquettes are observed Allaah^-SWT grants the listener the capacity to understand it.

Zikr is the Soul of Salat

Allah^-SWT spoke to Prophet Musa^-AS that He indeed was Allaah^-SWT save Whom^-SWT no one deserved to be worshipped. So he must worship Him^-SWT and establish Salat for His^-SWT Zikr. The author of Mu'arif ul Quran asserts that Zikr Allaah^-SWT is the soul of Salat, and it is during Salat that the honour of engaging in Zikr is availed by the heart, the tongue and the limbs. Nevertheless, all worships are confined to a particular time-frame while Allah's^-SWT Zikr remains enjoined at all times. Undoubtedly, the Day of Judgment is at hand. It is His^-SWT Wisdom that He^-SWT wishes to keep the promised moment concealed from everyone. He^-SWT will recompense each soul for his / her actions. It is His^-SWT Favour that He^-SWT has foretold of the portent Day so that mankind may prepare for it. Otherwise, over each individual hangs an individual Qayamah, that is the death, while ultimately everyone has to gather for accountability. .And a denier of this Day cannot deter a believer from Allah^-SWT ’s worship by force or attractive offers. He^-SWT is the one who himself has lost faith by pursuing his vain temporal desires and must not be allowed to divert any believer from the right path, lest the latter is also destroyed.

Prophet Musa^-AS was again asked what was he holding in his hand .He said, ^‘O’ Rabb^-SWT this is an ordinary staff .I often lean on it and use it while grazing my herd and it serves me many other purposes.

Elegance In Seeking

Though the Divine Question was quite simple demanding a brief answer, yet observing the generous downpour of Mercy; he could not resist prolonging the dialogue. The most delightful speech in the entire universe is that of Allaah^-SWT and when someone is honoured with a direct address, it is simply marvellous. Of all the bounties peculiar to Jannah the most delectable will be beholding Allaah^-SWT and hearing His^-SWT Speech. He^-SWT may bless this unique honour to whoever He^-SWT pleases even in this very life. Away from the hustle bustle of city life, the Ocean of Clemency was unveiling His^-SWT Personal Splendour in the midst of wilderness. Nevertheless, the elegance in seeking demands that the limits are not crossed Prophet Musa^-AS did prolong his answer but not so much as to go beyond the limits, adding succinctly that the staff served him many other purposes Praise be to Allaah^-SWT !

He was Commanded to cast his staff, and it turned into a real serpent moving to and fro. By virtue of being human, the Prophet^-AS was afraid, but Allaah^-SWT Commanded him to get hold of it and as soon as he would do so Allaah^-SWT would revert it to his staff. He was also commanded to place his hand under his armpit and it would come out luminous. This would be the second miracle to witness the Divine Omnipotence. With these proofs of his Prophethood, he must now proceed to Pharaoh's Court who had indeed transgressed.

Miracle Substantiates Truth And Prophet^-SW's Strength is his Truthfulness

It is proved that a Prophet’s^-AS miracle is the evidence of his truthfulness, indeed the very strength with which he is raised. Therefore, only that supernatural event will qualify as a Wali’s Karamah which will endorse the Prophet’s^-AS truthfulness and uphold Din. Otherwise it will be mere trickery. Besides, the uprightness of a Wali's conduct is a pre-requisite to the manifestation of Karamah.