The Light of the Holy Qur'an Interpretation of Sura Yusuf
Section 7 : No Fear Or Grief For the Friends of Allah Commentary : Verse 61
Everything in the earth and the heavens is contained in the Open Book There shall not be any fear or grief for any friend of Allah.
(61) وَ ما تَكُونُ في شَأْنٍ وَ ما تَتْلُوا مِنْهُ مِنْ قُرْآنٍ وَ لا تَعْمَلُونَ مِنْ عَمَلٍ إِلاَّ كُنَّا عَلَيْكُمْ شُهُوداً إِذْ تُفيضُونَ فيهِ وَ ما يَعْزُبُ عَنْ رَبِّكَ مِنْ مِثْقالِ ذَرَّةٍ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَ لا فِي السَّماءِ وَ لا أَصْغَرَ مِنْ ذلِكَ وَ لا أَكْبَرَ إِلاَّ في كِتابٍ مُبينٍ
- " And you are not(engaged)in any affair, nor do you recite any part from the Qur'an, and nor any deed you(mankind)may be doing, but We are Witnesses over you when you enter into it. Nor is there hidden from your Lord(so much as)the weight of an atom on the earth or in the heaven, not anything lesser than that or greater but are(recorded)in a Clear Book. "
Commentary :
The "Clear Book" is the 'Preserved Tablet' or Allah's Comprehensive Knowledge which covers the entire cosmos including not only the actions of human beings but also the smallest details of everything in the heavens and the earth. With the utmost subtlety and eloquence, this verse announces that Allah is not only fully aware of the minutest facts in the heavens and the earth but He is also fully aware of the minutest details of the actions of his subjects. Whatever the mood or state of meditation or an important affair you might be in, whatever part of the Qur'an you might be engaged in reciting, and whatever action you begin, you can do nothing which cannot be seen or noticed by Allah when you start it. The verse says:
" And you are not(engaged)in any affair, nor do you recite any part from the Qur'an, and nor any deed you(mankind)may be doing, but We are Witnesses over you when you enter into it. ..."
Then more emphatically, it continues by saying that not slightest thing in the heavens and on earth, even that of an insignificant particle or greater than it can be hidden from Allah. All of these are recorded and registered in the Preserved Tablet and in the Open Book of Allah. It continues saying:
"... Nor is there hidden from your Lord(so much as)the weight of an atom on the earth or in the heaven, not anything lesser than that or greater but are(recorded)in a Clear Book. "
All Muslims are taught a great lesson by this verse, which can place them on the right track, leading them toward the Truth and preventing them from going astray.
It calls our attention to the fact that not only does the Almighty comprehend our every thought, word and deed, but His angels are also carefully watching every step we take, every word we utter, every thought we entertain in our heads, wherever we cast our eyes, and in whatever state we are in.
It is not without proper grounds that Imam Sadiq(a. s)said: "The Prophet of Islam(p. b. u. h)whenever reading this verse, used to weep greatly". If the Prophet of Islam(p.b.u.h.) , with all his sincerity and gratitude, with all the services he had rendered human beings, and with all his unparalleled worship of the Creator could be so concerned about his imperfections before Allah, how then, can we determine our state ?
Commentary : Verse 62.63.64
(62) أَلا إِنَّ أَوْلِياءَ اللَّهِ لا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَ لا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ
(63) الَّذينَ آمَنُوا وَ كانُوا يَتَّقُونَ
(64) لَهُمُ الْبُشْرى فِي الْحَياةِ الدُّنْيا وَ فِي الْآخِرَةِ لا تَبْديلَ لِكَلِماتِ اللَّهِ ذلِكَ هُوَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظيمُ
" Behold! Verily no fear shall be upon the friends of Allah, nor shall they grieve; "
" Those who believe and constantly keep from evil. "
" For them are Glad Tidings in this world's life and in the Hereafter. There is no change in the Words of Allah. That is the great success. "
Commentary :
In the previous verses, some of the characteristics of the polytheists and non- believers were explained, from now on, the characteristics of the true believers and those who struggle and strive, who constantly guard against evil and who are the exact opposite of the first group will be described. The verse attracts the attentions implying that there is no fear among the men of Allah and they will have no sorrows. The verse says:
" Behold! Verily no fear shall be upon the friends of Allah, nor shall they grieve; "
Here sorrows and fears are those that relate to worldly matters for Allah's worshippers are imbued with the owe of Him. This kind of fear is concerned with one's failure to carry out ones duties and responsibilities and that kind of sorrow which one feels towards his lack of achievements during the course of his life. Here fear and sorrow have spiritual connotations, which help in man's perfection and development. This is quite contrary to the fear and sorrow that have a material basis and is the source of degradation and deviations.
The friends of Allah are those whose position requires no boundaries between them and their Lord and they are not distant from Him. Their hearts are open and unveiled and they see Him with all their hearts through the light of knowledge, faith, and good deeds which leaves them with perfect sincerity. It is because of such an acquaintance with Allah that, in their views, anything else other than Him is insignificant, of little value, and ephemeral. The verse says:
" Those who believe and constantly keep from evil. "
They are those who have become believers, continuously strive after virtue and make continence their habit. For them there is good news both in this world and in the Hereafter, because there are no changes in the Divine words and promises, for Allah always fulfils the promises He has made to His friends. This is a great victory and happiness for the person concerned. The verse says:
" For them are Glad Tidings in this world's life and in the Hereafter. There is no change in the Words of Allah. That is the great success. "
Commentary : Verse 65
(65) وَ لا يَحْزُنْكَ قَوْلُهُمْ إِنَّ الْعِزَّةَ لِلَّهِ جَميعاً هُوَ السَّميعُ الْعَليمُ
- " And let not their speech grieve you. Verily the glory is wholly Allah's; He is All- Hearing, All- Knowing. "
Commentary :
As a good end awaits those who observe continence, the attainment of this goal requires one to pass through some great difficulties. Among them is that one can cite the struggle which the faithful experience within their hearts in the process of overthrowing and revising their aspirations. This can tend to make them feel hopeless, giving them the impression that the oppressors can overcome them. But this is not so, Allah, the Exalted in Majesty informs us that we must not let the oppressors make us sorrowful. The Majesty is entirely His. It is He Who is All- Hearing and Omniscient. This good news only applies to those whose existence embodies the characteristics of the friends of Allah. The verse says:
" And let not their speech grieve you. Verily the glory is wholly Allah's; He is All- Hearing, All- Knowing. "
In the Islamic texts one reads that:
Amir- ul- Mu'mineen Ali- ibn- Abi- Talib(a.s.)once was asked about the meaning of Allah's words when He says: "Behold! Verily no fear shall be upon the friends of Allah, nor shall they grieve", and who the friends of Allah were.
Amir- ul- Mu'mineen answered: "The friends of Allah are those who are sincere in their worship, they are cognizant of the depth of those matters that are of the world, whereas others attach importance to the outward appearance of the world. These believe in the idea of the permanent character of the world while the others do not believe in its lack of permanence. "(1)
It is also narrated from Imam Baqir(a.s.)who said that it is written in Imam Sajjad's(a.s.), book concerning the friends of Allah that they are those who accomplish their religious obligations, and act according to the practice of Allah's Messenger(p.b.u.h.) . They are those who abstain from all that is forbidden, and have let the transient world go by, while they are only interested in what is dear to Allah. They make a living in accordance with the laws which consider these ways of earning a livelihood lawful. They abhor arrogance, shun the hoarding of wealth and pay all the obligatory religious dues. Allah has blessed them all for what they earn, and He has also fixed a great reward for what they have saved in advance for their life in Hereafter.
(1) The Commentary of Al- Mizan, the explanation upon the verse