Surah Al Baqarah (Aayaat No.

6-7)

6. Inna al-ladhina kafaru sawa-un alayhim a-andhartahum "am lam tundhirhum layu-minun

7. Khatama Allahu ala qulubihim waala samihim waala absarihim ghishawatunh walahum adhabun azimun

Quran Word Inna Al Ladhina Kafaru Sawaaun Alayhim A Andhartahum Am Lam Tundhirhum La Yuminun Khatama Allahu Alaa Qulubihim Wa Alaa

English Translation Indeed Those who They disbelieved Same Upon Them Whether You warn them Or Did Not You warn them Not They will believe He sealed Allah Upon Their Hearts And Upon

Samihim Wa Alaa Absaarihim Ghishawatun Wa La Hum Adhabun Azeem

Their Hearing And Upon Their sights A veil or covering And for them A Punishment Great

WORD BREAK-UP Quran Word Break Up Kufr (Disbelief), Waw at the end indicates Plural just like Waw-Noon. Sometimes Waw with an Alif also indicates Plural. So, Kafaru They Disbelieved If, Kafara He Disbelieved Indeed, Those who disbelieved It is same Alaa (Upon) + Him (Them) Hamza Whether Its a word on its own Nadheer (Noon/Dhaal/Raa) Warner; Hum means Them Ta indicates You; Just like Anamta You favoured Andhartahum You warn them Like La - Not He set a seal/ He sealed. E.g. Khatamal Quran, indicates ending of something, When something ends, you put a seal like a letter. Qulub is Plural of Qalb (Hearts) Him - Their Sam Hearing Him - Their Absaar from Basar/Basira sight, vision, eyes Him - Their Like Li - For Them

Kafaru

Innal Ladhina Kafaru Sawaaun Alayhim A

Andhartahum

Lam Khatama Qulubihim Samihim Absaarihim La Hum

WORD ANALYSIS In Surah Fatihah, we learnt about 3 categories of people 1. Those whom Allah Swt has blessed with Guidance, Imaan. In the beginning of Surah Baqarah, we studies about them. Ulaaika alaa hudammirrabbihim wa Ulaaika hum ul Muflihun 2. Those who earned Allah Swts anger, These verses describes them; who know but do not believe, do not do it, do not accept. Inna Indeed, to state a fact, a reality, to emphasize a statement. Kafaru Root Letters Kaaf/Faa/Raa Kufr is from the same root, it means disbelief, denial. Linguistically or literally, Kufr means to cover or hide something. Kafara The word Kaafir, actually, in Arabic language, is used for one who hides or covers something. It is used for a farmer, not because he is a disbeliever; but because he hides the seed under the soil. Kaafir is also used for Night, as it covers everything under its darkness. However the technical meaning , in Shariah, Kufr means Disbelief. Because when a person disbelieves, he is covering the innate Nature, the Fitrah, that Allah Swt has created everybody with. Allah Swt has created everybody as a Believer. When a person is doing Kufr, he hides/covers the Truth. He is hiding that innate Nature/Fitrah that Allah Swt has instilled in every human being. So, a Kaafir is a Disbeliever, one who disbelieves, one who denies/covers the Truth, covers the innate Nature/Fitrah that Allah Swt has created him with. Remember, Kaafir is not a Swear word, it cannot be used to insult somebody. First of all, we have no right to call anybody Kaafir. Allah Swt is the judge. It is a word to describe the reality of someone, to describe someone, to highlight the behaviour of certain people; that Truth is offered to them, Allah Swt has given the Truth to them, but they cover it, they dont accept it, they deny it. Also, the word Kufr is used for Ingratitude/ ungratefulness. Because when a person is ungrateful for a favour that was done to him, he is hiding the favour that was done to him, he is hiding the blessing that was given to him, he is hiding the kindness that was shown to him. On the other hand, when a person expresses gratitude, he is making that Blessing known. However, in this context over here, Kufr refers to Disbelief. Innal Ladhina Kafaru Indeed, Those people who have disbelieved, they have denied/hid the Truth, did not accept the Truth. What have they disbelieved in? 1. Either in Allah Swt, the Prophet Sws, or the Qur'an. Basically, they deny that which one must believe in, they do not believe in what a person must believe in. We have to believe in Allah Swt. Amantubillahi wa Malaaikatihi, wa Qutubihi wa Rasulihi wal yaumal aakhir wal qadr as well. So, whatever a person is required to believe in, if he doesnt believe in that, then Imaan is incomplete; and denying that is Kufr. 2. They do not accept the Message that Prophet Sws has brought; and these

disbelievers refers to all of the disbelievers, whether they were at the time of Prophet Sws or anytime after that. What about them? Allah Swt tells us: Sawaaun Alayhim It is the same upon them Root Letters Seen/Waw/Yaa Sawaa is that which is equal from both sides, it is the same. And in particular, when the word Sawaa is followed by the word Alaa, it gives a meaning of when something doesnt make a difference, it is the same whether you do it or you dont do it, whether you use it or you dont use it, whether you apply it or you dont apply it. Doing it or not doing it, is the same. Using and not using it, is the same. Applying it and not applying it, is the same. It is the same upon them. Them who? The disbelievers. Your warning them or your not warning them is the same. Whether you warn them or you dont warn them, its not going to make any difference, its not going to bring any change, its not going to benefit them. A - Hamza Its called Hamza Istefahm. Istefahm means Interrogation. Here it means - Whether Andhartahum/Tundhirhum Both the words share the same root letters Noon/Dhaal/Raa. The word Nadheer means Warner The word Indhaar means warning. But what kind of warning is Indhaar? 1. To inform, to make known about something that is dangerous, that you are warning someone against. It is not just to hint, but to make it known clearly and completely, to inform clearly so that a person knows. 2. While a person is informing, is making known about something, he is also instilling an element of Fear. Basically, it is to inform about something that is dangerous or harmful. How others are going to feel? Theyll feel scared, worried, fearful. So Indhaar is not just to inform; but also to arouse some fear in the hearts of the listeners. 3. Indhaar is to warn with a mention of the consequences of not heeding or benefitting from the warning, of not listening to the warning. 4. Indhaar is a particular way of warning as well. Sometimes people warn very harshly or rudely that you get terrified. Indhaar is to warn not in a threatening or frightening way, but in a way that is very gentle. It is to warn someone out of wellwishing, you care for them, you are concerned for them, thats why you are telling them. It is to warn someone out of well-wishing, compassion, sincerity. Prophet Sws was called a Nadheer; all Messengers were Nadheer as they conveyed the warning out of well-wishing, sincerity, compassion and mercy. Prophet Sws, when He called the People of Mecca to give them the message of Islam, He said to them Fa Inni Nadhirullakum Baina Yadiyyee adhaabun shadeed I am a warner to You before a severe punishment. So the Prophets, they were warners. And when the Messengers warned their nations, they did so with a lot of kindness & compassion, out of well-wishing, not out of hate or dislike. 5. Indhaar is to notify or warn in advance, so that the warning is also beneficial. E.g. Road signs are placed well beforehand so that you can save yourself from incurring some harm or loss. So Allah Swt says a Andhartahum whether you warn these People out of well-wishing,

out of compassion, before-time, in a way that is very sincere, in order to save them, to help them; Am Lam Tundhirhum or you do not warn them; La Yuminun They are not going to believe. Your warning is not going to benefit them at all. Who is You over here? It refers to Prophet Sws in particular. Prophet Sws had an intense desire that everyone would believe. He was sent as a Messenger. He was the last Messenger. He knew that no messenger was coming after him, so He wanted that everyone would benefit from the Guidance that he has brought and he really wanted every single person to believe in the message he has brought. This has been described in Qur'an Surah Kahf Ayaat No. 6. And you have this feeling for someone when you know the importance of believing and you know the consequences or harm of not believing. Purpose: 1. First of all, there will be some people who will not accept, no matter what you do or what you say to them or how much you try. E.g. Abu Jahal, Abu Lahab, they were the relatives of Prophet Sws, He wanted them to believe. You cannot guide everyone. 2. Secondly, Prophet Sws has been given reassurance, that it is not his fault if they dont believe. If somebody does not benefit from the advice that you gave them, You feel May be I didnt convey properly or explain properly. Problem is with me, not with them. Perhaps Im not doing my job properly. So, Prophet Sws is putting in his effort, but its the People; its their fault. They are not going to believe. Why? Allah Swt tells us in the next Aayaat. Khatamallahu Alaa Qulubihim Allah has set a seal upon their hearts. Hence, they are not going to believe. Khatama Root Letters Khaa/Taa/Meem Derived from the word Khatam (Khaa/Taa/Meem with a Sukoon on Taa) Meaning to put a seal on something, to close something. When a person locks or closes something, he has actually sealed it. So, nothing is going to go in and nothing is going to come out. And this Khatm is always put at the end or upon completion. E.g. KhatamalQur'an is when entire Qur'an is recited or studied. When something is completed or has been done completely, then you put a seal. From the same root, is the Title of Prophet Sws Khaatim Un Nabiyyin Seal of the Prophets. Because no other Prophet was going to come after Him. Qulub is the Plural of Qalb (heart). Root Letters Qaaf/Laam/Baa In Quran, Qalb and other words for heart is often used to denote perception, understanding and reasoning. In English, when we say Heart, it means the one that pumps blood in our bodies. Thats it. We dont think that the heart thinks, that the heart has understanding but Allah Swt tells us that Qur'an uses the word Heart for perception, understanding and reasoning. Heart over here, does not refer to the physical heart but the ability of understanding, the faculty of reasoning. Qalb literally means to turn about. So whats the connection between that and the Heart? When something turns about, it doesnt remain the same. And our heart, it doesnt remains the same for even 10 minutes. Our feelings, our thoughts, they change all the time. It is constantly changing.

What it means Allah has set a seal upon their hearts? Its their inability to to absorb or accept or understand the Words of Allah Swt. Because Heart is the faculty of reasoning, understanding and comprehending. If it is sealed, it means nothing is going in and nothing is coming out. They are not accepting anything and they are not reflecting on anything. So, their hearts are sealed means they are unable to accept, understand and reflect on the Words of Allah Swt. And as a result of that, Imaan is not going to enter their hearts. Then Allah Swt says Khatamallahu alaa Qulubihim wa alaa Samihim And also upon their hearing. Samihim Root Letters Seen/Meem/Ain In Arabic, the word Sama has 2 meanings 1. Hearing, ability to hear, faculty of hearing, listening 2. Ears What it means Sealing of ears or Hearing? Do they become deaf? No, it means that they refuse to listen to the Words of Allah Swt, it means the inability to hear anything that is good, inability to benefit from what they hear. The word Sama or Hearing in Arabic Language, is not just about hearing a sound, but it also means to accept what a person hears. When we say Listen to me we dont just mean Hear what I am saying but it means do what I am telling to do. Wa Alaa Absarihim Ghishawaah And upon their eyes is a veil, is a covering. Absaar is the Plural of Basar. Root Letters Baa/Saad/Raa It also has 2 meanings 1. Sight, vision, ability to see, faculty of seeing. 2. Eyes Ghishawaah Root Letters Ghain/Sheen/Yaa (Yaa is of Huroof Illa) So, as per their eyes, Allah Swt says there is a covering, a Ghishawaah The word Ghashiyah literally means to cover something, to veil something. But Ghishawaah is such a veil through which a little can still be seen, Not clearly but little bit. What it means And upon their eyes is a veil, is a covering? Their inability to see or recognize the Truth. Because even though they can see little bit through Ghishawaah, still they do not benefit or obtain Guidance by looking at the Miracles even. These People Al Ladhina Kafaru they saw the Prophet but they did not benefit. What good are those eyes who saw the Prophet, but they dont believe in Him! So this covering prevents them from believing, from seeing, from recognising, from benefitting from what they see. So they dont see the clear signs of Allah Swt. What is their outcome? Wa La Hum Adhaabun Azeem Wa La Hum And for them (the disbelievers), who remain the same, who continue to disbelieve until they die. They die upon their disbelief. For them, is the Adhaab Root Letters Ain/Dhaal/Baa Meaning Punishment, torture, that which inflicts pain or suffering on a person. Derived from the word Adhb/Adhbun which has 3 meanings

1. To be unable to eat or sleep because of extreme thirst. We cannot even imagine it. Like a thirsty person in desert. Adhaab is a punishment or torture or pain or hurt or agony that is not just physical but it is mental. 2. That which is sweet. So Adhaab is to take away or remove the sweetness of something. And Adhaab is a punishment that puts a complete end on a persons happiness, pleasure, comfort and enjoyment. Especially, we are talking about the Punishment of Hereafter. 3. Imprisonment or Confinement so adhaab confines a person to a punishment. He is not allowed to do anything else but to suffer the punishment. What kind of punishment? Azeem that which is great, enormous Azeem Root Letter Ain/Zaa/Meem Opposite is Haqeer that which is small, insignificant, of little value or importance. Other word for big is Kabeer. Its opposite is Sagheer meaning small. How is Azeem different from Kabeer? Azeem is that which is big, great but it also gives a meaning of Quwah strength, power as well as Shiddah severity, intensity. So it is very big and also very strong, very intense, very severe. The word Azm is from the same root. It is used for a big bone. Because its not just big in size but also solid, strong, tough, not broken easily. Adhaabun Azeem punishment that is great conveys such a punishment that which is very enormous and also very intense, also everlasting. The punishment of Hellfire is so great that nothing can be compared to it. There is a Hadeeth is Sahih Muslim - Abu Hurayrah narrated, We were once with the Messenger of Allah (p.b.u.h.), when he heard a sound. He said, Do you know what this sound was? We said, Allah and His Messenger have more knowledge. He said, This is a stone that was thrown into the Fire seventy years ago, and it kept falling until now when it reached its bottom, and this is what you have heard, the sound of its falling. So, that is Hellfire, its a pit, very deep. Why has Allah Swt set a seal upon their hearts, hearing and sight? 1. When something is not being used, it becomes eventually weak and useless. They did not use their hearts, minds, vision, and hearing. Allah Swt created them with Fitrah, He sent Prophet Sws to them, He sent many signs. And when a person does not use the ability that Allah Swt has given them, they eventually lose that ability. E.g. a machine, if you use it, it functions well. If not used, it rusts, it becomes rusty. Same is for the heart also, if not used, it will decay. Surah Safha Ayaat No. 9 When they deviated, Allah Swt caused their hearts to deviate. When they made the choice of deviating. Truth was offered to them, they made the choice. They close their hearts, ears, they didnt use their abilities, Allah Swt took that ability away from them. This is something very scary, we should all be very careful. If Allah Swt has given us some ability, time, opportunity; we should use it, in such a way that it benefits us and others. Wa Mimma Razaqnahum Yunfiqun. Because if we dont then it becomes a liability. 2. As a punishment from Allah Swt because of their deliberate and constant denial. Prophet Sws was living amongst them for so long, they knew him so well, still they refused to believe. So Allah Swt punished them

Surah Nisaa Ayaat No. 155