Every year Ramzan rings in with a definite promise of some value addition to life. Despite various personal failings, it's purely by His Divine Grace, that one does feel enriched by the time the yearly affair of showering blessings is over.
The ritual of going through Quran as a user manual is generally more intense during this month, and at times this earnest ardor to grasp the essence pays off as the Scripture opens to us in ways other than her usual self.
The interesting fact is, that even after a millenium and a half, Quran is still a veiled beauty. There is always more, more and still more to be understood; more depth to be fathomed.
During my growing years I'd always be intrigued when my mother would talk about a verse that inspired some new meanings to her. Considering that I had always seen her as a daily Quran reciter, it used to amaze me. 'She reads this Book daily, why is there room still to amuse her?' I'd think in my heart.
The ritual of going through Quran as a user manual is generally more intense during this month, and at times this earnest ardor to grasp the essence pays off as the Scripture opens to us in ways other than her usual self.
The interesting fact is, that even after a millenium and a half, Quran is still a veiled beauty. There is always more, more and still more to be understood; more depth to be fathomed.
During my growing years I'd always be intrigued when my mother would talk about a verse that inspired some new meanings to her. Considering that I had always seen her as a daily Quran reciter, it used to amaze me. 'She reads this Book daily, why is there room still to amuse her?' I'd think in my heart.
After all these years, I think I'm beginning to understand why did the Divine choose this Scripture to accompany His most beloved ( صلى الله تعالى عليه وآله وسلم). It is an infinite Source.
This year, it was verse 3 from Surah Baqrah that graciously granted a newer perspective to my take on life and relationships.
A very simple, short verse, it forms a preface of the condition that makes the beneficiaries of Quran stand out. It says:
TRANSLATION:
(by Muhammad Asad)
(by Yusuf Ali)
Who believe in the Unseen, are steadfast in prayer, and spend out of what We have provided for them;
(by Muhammad Asad)
who believe in [the existence of] that which is beyond the reach of human perception, and are constant in prayer, and spend on others out of what We provide for them as sustenance;
Now, for me the interpretation of the two words "Al-ghayb" and "Ar-rizq" has been the discovery.
The discovery of Al-ghayb induces a sense of humbleness because one must submit to one's given limitation in defining the ultimate reality. Man, as composed of five finite senses, can not make a claim upon penetrating the Infinite. Just can not.
Ar-rizq, on the other hand, opened new vistas to realize how limited our perception of "rizq" is!
There are times when one goes through a sense of starvation; not physical but intellectual or/and emotional starvation. Are you familiar with that sensation?
"The Message of the Quran" by Muhammad Asad explains the two terms as follows.
May we all believe in which is beyond the reach of human perception, and be constant in prayer, and spend on others out of what Allah provides for us as sustenance. Ameen!
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