As for the Divinity, the Knowledge of the Unseen, the Gain and the Loss, these are the Attributes of the Most Exalted Being. He-SWT , Who created mankind from a single soul, Prophet Adam-AS He-SWT is so Beneficent that for the procreation and preservation of human race He-SWT created a mate for him-AS from his very person. Hawwa (the Eve). He-SWT instilled love and affection in their hearts and a pleasure in intimacy so that their union may not only be the source of procreation but also of soothing pleasure for one another. These indeed are His-SWT Favours.
Wherever a couple gathers in marriage and the female conceives, only Allaah-SWT knows about it. The one who carried the seed in his back and the one who received it both do not know. She, unaware of the event, continues to carry on her daily chores. When the weight of pregnancy is felt the couple realizes the situation. They do not know whether they will have a baby boy or a girl, good looking or ugly, lucky or an unlucky one. They do not know whether the baby will live long or die young, or whether it will be pious or wicked, rich or poor. So the couple begins to implore Allaah-SWT in apprehension. It is deep in their hearts that only Allaah-SWT can help them, so they beg Him-SWT to bless them with a child sound in every aspect.
But generally it is seen that when people are blessed with a normal and healthy baby, they begin to deviate from their beliefs and tend to ascribe partners in His-SWT Attributes. For example, it is assumed that the child has been blessed by a Wall or a saint and that the child is associate with a living or a dead saint. Or else they believe the child to be a gift from a deity, an idol or goddess and make the child to do Sajdah before these idols Whereas Allaah-SWT is far exalted than such polytheism and has no partners in the creating and fashioning of human beings nor does He-SWT need any assistance.
Of Idols and materialistic Saints
People who carry on such practices are fool enough to take those as Allah-SWT's partners who themselves have been created and cannot help them in any way rather depend on their care. Now if this situation is considered in terms of the idols, it is clear that the idols are dependant on human beings after their making and maintenance. But when referred to the materialistic saints, it means the rabbis of the Jews and the Christians who have been leading people astray. Even amongst the Muslims there are many who do not possess the correct beliefs let alone the practice, but pose as saints and mislead people. Their followers are convinced that whatever they get is because of their religious guides. These saints are no different than the idols except for the fact that they are human. Also, they never strive to earn lawful livelihood but depend on the offerings presented to them by their ignorant disciples. Hence those who cannot help themselves and live as parasites on others can do no good to them. On the contrary, if one tries to reform them and invite them to the truth, they do not listen. Whether someone calls out to them or not it is the same for them. In the literal sense it is true for an idol, for it certainly cannot hear. But those humans who stubbornly cling to this misguidance are also not influenced. With due respect to the noble souls, it is also an established fact that Din cannot be acquired without the company of the righteous, it is extremely important to avoid the imposters.
All those who seek help from others than Allaah-SWT and call out for assistance; can't they understand the simple fact that dependence is typical to all creations? Therefore, a creation can never claim the ability to fulfill the needs of others. Allaah-SWT invites the ungodly to call out to their deities for help so that the truth of their beliefs can be exposed. Allaah-SWT asks them whether their idols have feet to walk with or hands to hold something with or eyes to behold or ears to hear something? So when they do not even possess the physiological senses required to perform in this world of causes and effects, how can they create or destroy and give sustenance and health which are far dignified performances? Generally the pseudo saints too are as helpless as the idols, because they cannot provide for themselves. How; then, can they favour others?
Protection against Jinn and Satans
The Holy Prophet-SW is being told to out rightly reject all those forces which the infidels take as Allah-SWT's partners. He-SW is told to challenge these forces to cause him-SW harm if they can without any respite. They certainly can do nothing because he is protected and supported by Allah-SWT, Who has revealed the Quran. He-SWT , Who is so Gracious that He-SWT protects and helps every true believer. This shows that if one does not have Divine Support, he can be harmed by 'he Jinn and the devils. This Divine Support actually refers to that relationship of the Qalb with Allaah-SWT which is attained in the company of an accomplished Shaikh. The Qalb then gains so much strength that the Jinn cannot harm such a person, because the lights reflected from his Qalb are too strong for them to bear. So all those who are worshipped besides Allaah-SWT have no power to help anyone or to even protect themselves. And if they are invited to do something they simply turn a deaf ear. It appears as if they can see but in fact they cannot. This was exactly the condition of the infidels that they could neither understand the importance of the Message nor could their eyes behold the splendor of the glowing countenance. They could only see Muhammad-SW bin 'Abdullah but could not behold Muhammad-SW, the Messenger of Allah-SWT, because indulgence in sin maligns the insight. Thus a person deprived of beholding the Holy Prophet-SW constantly engages in sin. And if ever the vision is enlightened and one can behold the beauty of his-SW countenance, disobedience becomes unimaginable.
Standard of Worship
Believers should strive with their lives in order to serve the Holy Prophet-SW, who is being told not to fix a very high criterion of allegiance for people. Rather he should accept whatever a believer sincerely and devotedly does. This is because not everyone has the same level of observation and absorption. Therefore, even if people are able to display a nominal level of obedience, the Holy Prophet-SW should accept it so that more and more people can be blessed with Divine Mercy. This Ayah may also imply that the Holy Prophet-SW should be patient towards even those who vex him and do not obey him, dishing out forgiveness as much as possible. And he should continuously invite them to virtue and piety. Even then, if out of sheer ignorance, someone intends to cause him pain, it is best that all ties are severed with such a person.
The Rules of Propagating Islam
These are the rules of propagation that the way people are worshipping with ease should be accepted and worships should not be made difficult for them. Nor should people be questioned about their inner feelings. Secondly, propagation must be done purely to seek Allah-SWT's Pleasure and the task of training people must always be carried on with love and care. However, if someone tries to argue only for the sake of argument, one should not indulge in futile discussion but should avoid it. Time should not be wasted with ignorant people, but if a situation does arise which threatens Islam or the Muslims then in self defense Jihad becomes obligatory.
If one feels angry he must seek refuge in Allaah-SWT because anger is a Satanic whisper and the easiest refuge is the Divine Protection. Allaah-SWT is always well Aware of everything. The Ayah pertains to the anger which one feels for the other for his personal sake. Whereas if it is felt on matters pertaining to Din and one counters evil zealously then this emotion is a Divine Blessing. Often sarcastic remarks and ignorant false accusations of people generate a feeling of distress and a spirit to defend oneself. This generally culminates in a conflict and mischief. Such an emotion is a whisper of the devil, therefore, immediately one must seek Allah-SWT's Protection by reciting Ta'uz. This will help one to cool down.
People with Insight
When people blessed with Taqwa and insight are faced with a similar situation and Satan tries to allure them, they instantly turn to Allah-SWT's Zikr. This, in turn, enlightens their hearts and becoming cognizant of the inner reality, they succeed in warding off the Satanic trick. The others who have cultivated friendship with him and follow him are allured further into the quagmire of misguidance.
A Great Miracle
Sometimes people would demand all sorts of miracles. When their demand denied they simply deny the Prophets-AS .The miracles of the Holy Prophet-SW excelled the miracles of the preceding Prophets-AS and were clear enough to verify his Prophet hood. It is, therefore, sheer malice to demand a particular manifestation in order to become a believer. It is the same as if a person demands certain evidence in a court of law, and once it is presented he starts insisting on some other evidence. This certainly will not be allowed. The Holy Prophet-SW is being told to inform these people that he only follows the Revelations of Allaah-SWT in the form of Quran, which by itself is a living miracle. It lays down the entire Code of Life perfectly on every matter. It explains everything by the Grace and Mercy of Allaah-SWT in the simplest and the easiest manner. But only the believers benefit from it. All these blessings are based on faith, and faith demands from a believer to listen quietly and carefully to the recitation of the Quran. This also means that the listener must try to act in accordance with the Quran in order to receive Divine blessings.
Etiquettes of Reciting the Quran
Whereas it is heard quietly during the Salat, one must also try to concentrate on its meaning. It is not permissible to speak during the Friday sermon nor to offer Sunnah while it is in progress .According to scholars listening to Quran in silence and with full attention is obligatory when it is especially being recited for the benefit of listeners. However, if some people are individually- reciting the Quran sitting at a public place, it is not obligator)' for any one to be silent, nor is it possible. Practically it should not be read out in a manner whereby it becomes impossible for people to listen carefully, for instance, throughout the night from the masaajid on loud speakers or in a crowd where people are busy in daily routine of life, tuning Quranic lesson on a loud volume is also disrespectful. Besides, reciting the Quran in a way which causes discomfort to people or interferes with their worship is not permissible. The best thing to do is to lend an attentive ear to the recitation wherever and whenever it is heard.
The Emphasis on Zikr and its Method
In the end, the emphasis to practice Zikr and its method being highlighted. All Muslims must be told to remember Allaah-SWT . Whether it is recitation of the Quran, hymning His-SWT Praise or Zikr-e-Qalbi all come in this slot, because the etiquettes to be observed in both Zikr and the recitation of the Quran are the same. Mufti Muhammad Shaft-RAU asserts that according to the consensus this Ayah refers to Allah-SWT's Zikr only.
The best way of doing Zikr listed here is to remember Allaah-SWT within oneself with humility and awe of His-SWT Majesty. If it is Zikr-e-Lisani, it should be done in a low voice and not by screaming on the microphone.
Zikr-e-Khaffi
This term refers to Zikr-e-Qalbi, with or without the participation of the tongue. This blessing is attained by virtue of Tazkiyah, which emanates from the duties of the Holy Prophet-SW Whoever, as a believer, met him or was seen by him-SW was honored with the status of a CompanionRUA. The distinction of the Companions-RAU as revealed in the Quran is that their entire selves, from outer skin to their hearts became engrossed in perpetual Zikr. This priceless condition was passed to Tab’ain by the Companions-RAU and in turn, to Tab’a Tab’ain-RAU. Then from one generation to the other these spiritual states were transmitted by the Aulia. Once Qalb takes to Zikr, not a single moment goes without remembering Allaah-SWT . Whether a person is at work or idle, travelling or stationed, each and every single heart beat calls out Allah-SWT's Name many times. This leads to the desired level of contemplation, termed as Muraqabah. It is a name given to a state in which one gets engrossed in his spiritual states, with his head down. This is a great blessing which once attained can enable a person to experience the real and eternal pleasure of his worship and his virtue in this very life, while the hideousness of sin also appears before him personified.
Zikr-e-Jahr
The second method is Zikr-e-Jahr, also termed as Zikr-e-Lisani, and is performed by the tongue. It can be the recitation of the Quran, hymning His-SWT Praises or Zikr of His-SWT Personal Name, Allaah-SWT .
It must be ensured that the voice is kept low without making noise. This will allow one to concentrate his attention towards Allaah-SWT without causing disturbance in the worship or the peace of others. Besides, it will also help in avoiding pretence. Many Sufi Orders teach the seekers Zikr-e-Lisani in the beginning for developing concentration but eventually lead to Zikr-e-Khaffi. Hence both methods of practicing Zikr are correct and must be done in accordance with the conditions laid down. Same applies to the recitation of the Quran, and the reciting in Salat too.
Timings and Duration of Zikr
The Ayah lays down both morning and evening. It may well mean that Zikr must be done especially at these occasions. However, by enjoining it at morning and evening it indeed covers the entire day. Just as Hadhrat 'Ayeshah Siddiqah-RAU once reported that the Holy Prophet-SW practiced Zikr all the time.
This alludes to Zikr-e-Qalbi which is free from interruption. Thus it w ill go on during sleep, while walking and talking etc. Zikr-e-Lisani is also a stepping stone to Zikr-e-Qalbi. It must be remembered that Zikr-e-Qalbi or Khaffi can only be attained in the company of a Shaikh. There is no other source. A person practising Zikr-e-Qalbi can also do Zikr-e-Lisani in a better way but not all those doing Zikr-e-Lisani can attain Zikr-e-Qalbi; for it is a light reflected unto the Qalb.
It must also be noted that as long as the limits of Shari'ah are not trespassed one can practice Zikr the way he wants. The important thing is that one must never be heedless of Zikr, not even for a moment. This is because heedlessness is mortality whereas life is in being present in Divine Court. This state of constant Zikr can only be attained through Zikr-e-Qalbi, and not through neglect. Hence Zikr-e-Qalbi must be practiced.
The Quality of Aulia
It is a special feature or His-SWT Court that the more one gets closer to Him-SWT the more active and determined he gets in worship. Those near to Him-SWT , human beings or angels-AS, Prophets-AS or the Aulia do not worship Him-SWT in pride. Nothing becomes a barrier in their acceptance of improvement in their beliefs. They constantly praise Allaah-SWT and remember Him-SWT and remain in Sajdah, which represents all the supererogatory worships. Sajdah holds a special place in worship as reported in Hadith that a person is nearest to Allaah-SWT during Sajdah. Therefore, one should pray during Sajdah. According to Imam Abu HanifahRUA excessive Sujud refers to excessive supererogatory Salat. However, it is also permissible to prostrate only to supplicate. In any case, the Aulia are not exempted from worshipping Him as the ignorant would have it believed. People mistake those who do not even offer their Salat as accomplished saints. On the contrary, the Aulia constantly engages them in worship. According to a saying of the Holy Prophet-SW, for admission to Paradise and elevation of spiritual status, one must be frequently in Sajdah, that is, to offer supererogatory Salat frequently. It is obvious that the one who offers the supererogatory Salat will certainly offer his obligatory as well as Sunnah Salat diligently.
