--- Mubashir Inayet wrote:
Dear Aamir Sahib, AA
How do you reconcile the fact that the Qur'an tells us that the Rasool did not know anything about the future even about what will happen to him. About what was to come in the future, The Qur'an makes certain predictions which came true are to come true
in due course.
====================================================
Continuation of Part 4
6. THE THREE DIMENSIONS OF THE GHAYB OF THE HOLY PROPHET(SALLAL LAAHU ALAIHI WASALLAM)
In the light of the foregoing evidence it must be admitted that the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) was endowed with the Knowledge of the
Unseen (I’lm-i-Ghayb) as a Grace from Allah.
We can examine the issue from three angles.
A. The Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) was granted this treasure of knowledge directly from the Providence, i.e. without the means of any agency
conveying the “knowledge.”
B. Through the revelation of the Holy Quran which is the Treasure-House of all Knowledge operating in the universe.
C. The Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) was sent as a “Shahid” (Witness), i.e. a person who is in constant touch will the affairs taking place in the world, examining and analyzing them as an observer with an insight to assess and analyse their influence in day-to-day matters. He thus remained ever aware of the God-gifted vigilance possessing full knowledge as an eye-witness, with powers of Haqq-ul-Yaqeen and Ain-ul-Yaqeen - the faculty of witnessing things with unwavering faith and certitude.
By examining the Holy Prophet’s (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) Knowledge of the Unseen under the first view-point, viz. the bestowment of I’lm-i-Ghayb directly from Allah the Almighty, we might refer to the following verses of the Holy Quran:-
تِلْكَ مِنْ أَنبَاء الْغَيْبِ نُوحِيهَا إِلَيْكَ مَا كُنتَ تَعْلَمُهَا أَنتَ وَلاَ قَوْمُكَ مِن قَبْلِ هَـذَا فَاصْبِرْ إِنَّ الْعَاقِبَةَ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ
A. This is of the tidings of the Unseen which We inspire in thee (Muhammad). Thou thyself knewest it not, nor did thy folk (know it) before this. Then have patience. Lo! the sequel is for those who ward off (evil). [HUD (HUD) Chapter 11 - Verse 49]
ذَلِكَ مِنْ أَنبَاء الْغَيْبِ نُوحِيهِ إِلَيْكَ وَمَا كُنتَ لَدَيْهِمْ إِذْ أَجْمَعُواْ أَمْرَهُمْ وَهُمْ يَمْكُرُونَ
B. This is of the tidings of the Unseen which We inspire in thee (Muhammad). Thou wast not present with them when they fixed their plan and they were scheming. [YUSUF (JOSEPH) Chapter 12 - Verse 102]
وَمَا هُوَ عَلَى الْغَيْبِ بِضَنِينٍ
C. And he is not avid of the Unseen. [AT-TAKWIR (THE OVERTHROWING) Chapter 81 - Verse 24]
Examining the Knowledge of the Unseen of the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) from the second point of view, the following verses of the Holy Quran are enough to open our eyes:-
وَيَوْمَ نَبْعَثُ فِي كُلِّ أُمَّةٍ شَهِيدًا عَلَيْهِم مِّنْ أَنفُسِهِمْ وَجِئْنَا بِكَ شَهِيدًا عَلَى هَـؤُلاء وَنَزَّلْنَا عَلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ تِبْيَانًا لِّكُلِّ شَيْءٍ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةً وَبُشْرَى لِلْمُسْلِمِينَ
A. And (bethink you of) the day when We raise in every nation a witness against them of their own folk, and We bring thee (Muhammad) as a witness against these. And We reveal the Scripture unto thee as an exposition of all things, and a guidance and a mercy and good tidings for those who have surrendered (to Allah). [AN-NAHL (THE BEE) Chapter 16 - Verse 89]
لَقَدْ كَانَ فِي قَصَصِهِمْ عِبْرَةٌ لِّأُوْلِي الأَلْبَابِ مَا كَانَ حَدِيثًا يُفْتَرَى وَلَـكِن تَصْدِيقَ الَّذِي بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ وَتَفْصِيلَ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةً لِّقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ
B. In their history verily there is a lesson for men of understanding. It is no invented story but a confirmation of the existing (Scripture) and a detailed explanation of everything, and a guidance and a mercy for folk who believe. [YUSUF (JOSEPH) Chapter 12 - Verse 111]
وَمَا مِن دَآبَّةٍ فِي الأَرْضِ وَلاَ طَائِرٍ يَطِيرُ بِجَنَاحَيْهِ إِلاَّ أُمَمٌ أَمْثَالُكُم مَّا فَرَّطْنَا فِي الكِتَابِ مِن شَيْءٍ ثُمَّ إِلَى رَبِّهِمْ يُحْشَرُونَ
C. There is not an animal in the earth, nor a flying creature flying on two wings, but they are peoples like unto you. We have neglected nothing in the Book (of Our decrees). Then unto their Lord they will be gathered. [AL-ANAAM (CATTLE, LIVESTOCK) Chapter 6 - Verse 38]
يَا أَهْلَ الْكِتَابِ قَدْ جَاءكُمْ رَسُولُنَا يُبَيِّنُ لَكُمْ كَثِيرًا مِّمَّا كُنتُمْ تُخْفُونَ مِنَ الْكِتَابِ وَيَعْفُو عَن كَثِيرٍ قَدْ جَاءكُم مِّنَ اللّهِ نُورٌ وَكِتَابٌ مُّبِينٌ
D. O People of the Scripture! Now hath Our messenger come unto you, expounding unto you much of that which ye used to hide in the Scripture, and forgiving much. now hath come unto you light from Allah and plain Scripture, [AL-MAEDA (THE TABLE, THE TABLE SPREAD) Chapter 5 - Verse 15]
وَمَا مِنْ غَائِبَةٍ فِي السَّمَاء وَالْأَرْضِ إِلَّا فِي كِتَابٍ مُّبِينٍ
E. And there is nothing hidden in the heaven or the earth but it is in a clear Record. [AL-NAML (THE ANT, THE ANTS) Chapter 27 - Verse 75]
وَعِندَهُ مَفَاتِحُ الْغَيْبِ لاَ يَعْلَمُهَا إِلاَّ هُوَ وَيَعْلَمُ مَا فِي الْبَرِّ وَالْبَحْرِ وَمَا تَسْقُطُ مِن وَرَقَةٍ إِلاَّ يَعْلَمُهَا وَلاَ حَبَّةٍ فِي ظُلُمَاتِ الأَرْضِ وَلاَ رَطْبٍ وَلاَ يَابِسٍ إِلاَّ فِي كِتَابٍ مُّبِينٍ
F. And with Him are the keys of the Invisible. None but He knoweth them. And He knoweth what is in the land and the sea. Not a leaf falleth but He knoweth it, not a grain amid the darkness of the earth, naught of wet or dry but (it is noted) in a clear record. [AL-ANAAM (CATTLE, LIVESTOCK) Chapter 6 - Verse 59]
It is seen that in these verses, first there is the mention of the Holy Quran being the Kitab-i-Mubeen - the Book Manifest making everything clear, without even the minutest part remaining under any shadow of doubt or omitted. It is worth observing that the Book manifest contains the mention of all things (with all their attributes), under the sun. Now just imagine what shall be the expanse and depth of the knowledge of the Person on whom the Book was revealed. Surely each and everything mentioned in the Book must have been in full view of the recipient. The phenomena must be pondered over in a most dispassionate and open-minded manner without casting any aspersions over the Divine bestowment on the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam).
Examining the Knowledge of the Unseen possessed by the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) as a SHAHID or witness to all affairs, the following verses carry us to the visionary world of enlightenment where we stand completely wonder-struck at the very idea of the extent of the knowledge which Allah the Almighty revealed to him so as to make him the true representative of Divine rights, not alone on this earth, but even forces of heavenly kingdom operating at the present moment as well as that would take place in the universe and the Hereafter. It is but essential that we should bow our heads and accept the truth of Divine assertions, and spare ourselves the repercussions, should any shade of wavering creep our mind and vision. It is beyond our capacity to guess the extent of Knowledge of the Unseen (I’lm-i-Ghayb) bestowed upon the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) by Almighty Allah. Only Allah knows that He has bestowed upon His beloved Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam).
إِنَّا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ شَاهِدًا وَمُبَشِّرًا وَنَذِيرًا
A. Lo! We have sent thee (O Muhammad) as a witness and a bearer of good tidings and a warner, [AL-FATH (VICTORY, CONQUEST) Chapter 48 - Verse 8]
فَكَيْفَ إِذَا جِئْنَا مِن كُلِّ أمَّةٍ بِشَهِيدٍ وَجِئْنَا بِكَ عَلَى هَـؤُلاء شَهِيدًا
B. But how (will it be with them) when We bring of every people a witness, and We bring thee (O Muhammad) a witness against these? [AN-NISA (WOMEN) Chapter 4 - Verse 41]
إِنَّا أَرْسَلْنَا إِلَيْكُمْ رَسُولًا شَاهِدًا
C. Lo! We have sent unto you a messenger as witness against you [AL-MUZZAMMIL (THE ENSHROUDED ONE, BUNDLED UP) Chapter 73 - Verse 15]
وَيَوْمَ نَبْعَثُ فِي كُلِّ أُمَّةٍ شَهِيدًا عَلَيْهِم مِّنْ أَنفُسِهِمْ وَجِئْنَا بِكَ شَهِيدًا عَلَى هَـؤُلاء وَنَزَّلْنَا عَلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ تِبْيَانًا لِّكُلِّ شَيْءٍ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةً وَبُشْرَى لِلْمُسْلِمِينَ
D. And (bethink you of) the day when We raise in every nation a witness against them of their own folk, and We bring thee (Muhammad) as a witness against these. And We reveal the Scripture unto thee as an exposition of all things, and a guidance and a mercy and good tidings for those who have surrendered (to Allah). [AN-NAHL (THE BEE) Chapter 16 - Verse 89]
From these verses it is clear that on the day of Judgement not only the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) shall be a Witness over his own Ummah, but shall also testify before Almighty Allah on behalf of the peoples of other Prophets. Now this testimony or evidence can only be given by the person who is an eye-witness to all events and incidents under scrutiny on the Day of Judgement.
This, in other words, means that the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is fully informed and kept in touch with all those events which he shall be witness to. Incidently, this also means that he is keeping watch over our deeds and misdeeds at all times. We should therefore beware of our activities lest any of them displeases or grieves him.
This fact is further corroborated by the (under noted) traditions (Ahadith) of the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam):-
A. In one tradition it is said: “As I see in front of me, so I see things clearly behind me.” [Muslim]
B. In the second tradition the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is reported to have said: “I saw Prophet Musa (alaihis salaam) in the valley of Azraq, while passing from Mecca to Madina. He was reciting Talbiah. On another ocassion, I saw Prophet Yunus (alaihis salaam) wearing a long woollen overcoat and riding a red camel.” [Ibn-i-Majah]
C. In the third Tradition, the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is described witnessing Paradise and Hell. [Muslim]
D. From the fourth Tradition it is learnt that the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) knows each inmate by name going in the Paradise or in the Hell. [Miskhat]
E. From the fifth Tradition, it is learnt that when a man enquired from the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) whether he would go into Jannah or Jahannam, the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) replied without a moment’s pause that, “You shall go to Jahannam.” [Bukhari]
F. The sixth Tradition says: “My entire Ummah was presented before me with each individual’s scroll of deeds, good as well as bad.” [Muslim, Musnad-i-Ahmad; Ibn-e-Maja]
G. In the seventh Tradition, the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) said: “One night, my Ummah was presented before me at my Hujrah and I know each of them as clearly as anyone knows his colleague.” [Tibrani]
At one place in the Holy Quran, it is said:
أَعِندَهُ عِلْمُ الْغَيْبِ فَهُوَ يَرَى
Hath he knowledge of the Unseen so that he seeth? [AN-NAJM (THE STAR) Chapter 53 - Verse 35]
It is understood from this verse that only such a person possesses I’lm-i-Ghayb as is capable of seeing things beyond normal reach in terms of time and space. At various places in the Holy Quran, the transcendental power of witnessing things by the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) has been described.
أَلَمْ تَرَ أَنَّ اللَّهَ يَعْلَمُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ مَا يَكُونُ مِن نَّجْوَى ثَلَاثَةٍ إِلَّا هُوَ رَابِعُهُمْ وَلَا خَمْسَةٍ إِلَّا هُوَ سَادِسُهُمْ وَلَا أَدْنَى مِن ذَلِكَ وَلَا أَكْثَرَ إِلَّا هُوَ مَعَهُمْ أَيْنَ مَا كَانُوا ثُمَّ يُنَبِّئُهُم بِمَا عَمِلُوا يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ
Hast thou not seen that Allah knoweth all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth? There is no secret conference of three but He is their fourth, nor of five but He is their sixth, nor of less than that or more but He is with them wheresoever they may be; and afterward, on the Day of Resurrection, He will inform them of what they did. Lo! Allah is Knower of all things. [AL-MUJADILA (SHE THAT DISPUTETH, THE PLEADING WOMAN) Chapter 58 - Verse 7]
أَلَمْ تَرَ أَنَّ اللّهَ خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأَرْضَ بِالْحقِّ إِن يَشَأْ يُذْهِبْكُمْ وَيَأْتِ بِخَلْقٍ جَدِيدٍ
Hast thou not seen that Allah hath created the heavens and the earth with truth? If He will, He can remove you and bring (in) some new creation; [IBRAHIM (ABRAHAM) Chapter 14 - Verse 19]
أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى الَّذِينَ خَرَجُواْ مِن دِيَارِهِمْ وَهُمْ أُلُوفٌ حَذَرَ الْمَوْتِ فَقَالَ لَهُمُ اللّهُ مُوتُواْ ثُمَّ أَحْيَاهُمْ إِنَّ اللّهَ لَذُو فَضْلٍ عَلَى النَّاسِ وَلَـكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لاَ يَشْكُرُونَ
Bethink thee (O Muhammad) of those of old, who went forth from their habitations in their thousands, fearing death, and Allah said unto them: Die; and then He brought them back to life. Lo! Allah is a Lord of Kindness to mankind, but most of mankind give not thanks. [AL-BAQARA (THE COW) Chapter 2 - Verse 243]
أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى الَّذِي حَآجَّ إِبْرَاهِيمَ فِي رِبِّهِ أَنْ آتَاهُ اللّهُ الْمُلْكَ إِذْ قَالَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ رَبِّيَ الَّذِي يُحْيِـي وَيُمِيتُ قَالَ أَنَا أُحْيِـي وَأُمِيتُ قَالَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ فَإِنَّ اللّهَ يَأْتِي بِالشَّمْسِ مِنَ الْمَشْرِقِ فَأْتِ بِهَا مِنَ الْمَغْرِبِ فَبُهِتَ الَّذِي كَفَرَ وَاللّهُ لاَ يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الظَّالِمِينَ
Bethink thee of him who had an argument with Abraham about his Lord, because Allah had given him the kingdom; how, when Abraham said: My Lord is He Who giveth life and causeth death, he answered: I give life and cause death. Abraham said: Lo! Allah causeth the sun to rise in the East, so do thou cause it to come up from the West. Thus was the disbeliever abashed. And Allah guideth not wrongdoing folk.[AL-BAQARA (THE COW) Chapter 2 - Verse 258]
أَلَمْ تَرَ أَنَّ اللَّهَ يُسَبِّحُ لَهُ مَن فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَالطَّيْرُ صَافَّاتٍ كُلٌّ قَدْ عَلِمَ صَلَاتَهُ وَتَسْبِيحَهُ وَاللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ بِمَا يَفْعَلُونَ
Hast thou not seen that Allah, He it is Whom all who are in the heavens and the earth praise, and the birds in their flight? Of each He knoweth verily the worship and the praise; and Allah is Aware of what they do. [AL-NOOR (THE LIGHT) Chapter 24 -Verse 41]
In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful.
أَلَمْ تَرَ كَيْفَ فَعَلَ رَبُّكَ بِأَصْحَابِ الْفِيلِ
أَلَمْ يَجْعَلْ كَيْدَهُمْ فِي تَضْلِيلٍ
وَأَرْسَلَ عَلَيْهِمْ طَيْرًا أَبَابِيلَ
تَرْمِيهِم بِحِجَارَةٍ مِّن سِجِّيلٍ
فَجَعَلَهُمْ كَعَصْفٍ مَّأْكُولٍ
Hast thou not seen how thy Lord dealt with the owners of the Elephant? Did He not bring their stratagem to naught, And send against them swarms of flying creatures, Which pelted them with stones of baked clay, And made them like green crops devoured (by cattle)? [AL-FIL (THE ELEPHANT) Chapter 105 - 5 Verses]
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7. THE PROPHET (SALLAL LAAHU ALAIHI WASALLAM) ALSO DISTRIBUTEDPORTIONS OF HIS I’LM-I-GHAYB TO HIS SERVANTS
So far we have been discussing the vast expanse and depth of the Holy Prophet’s (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) knowledge and meditative understanding of the cosmic forces operating in the universe together with the super human forces operating in the universe with super human visual insight of the Unseen as a special gift from the Divine Grace, transcending and surpassing human intellect, unmatched in the entire history of mankind.
We are apt to feel and think if the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) kept the whole repository of these God-gifted treasures, of the knowledge, particularly relating to the Unseen confined to himself alone or he also, as charitable gesture, passed on some part of it to his devotees who were eager and capable to receive and preserve the rare and priceless beneficence from Almighty Allah.
It is learnt from different Traditions of the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) that he not only favoured his devotees and admirers with this rare and Divine gift, but did so in a greater and open-hearted manner, taught them how communion with Divinity may be maintained and carried forward as the intellect advances and progresses in the realm or history. This is an expression of Divine Dispensation of charity among the fellow beings, the humanity at large for whose benefit the vast universe has been created.
A. This is what the well-known and famous devoted Companion of the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) Abu Zarr Ghaffari (radi Allahu anhu) has to say in this respect, “The Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) did not leave this material world without telling us in effect that there is not a single birdflying in the atmosphere about which he left anything unsaid.” [Musnad-i-Ahmad and Tabaqat-i-Ibn- i-Sa’ad]
B. Another companion, Hazrat Huzaifa (radi Allahu anhu) reports, “Only the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) stood amongst us (to deliver a sermon) and disclosed before us every detail of events that were to take place that moment onward till the Day of Judgement; he left nothing. Anyone who could retain in his memory remembered it; and the one who forgot it, could not revive it afterwards.” [Bukhari, Muslim and Musnad-i-Ahmad]
C. It is reported in the Tradition: “The Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) did not leave the world without telling the description of every disrupter (creating disturbance on earth) till the coming of the Day of Resurrection; everything, i.e. his name, his father’s name and the name of the tribe or clan to which he belonged.” [Miskhat Shareef, Bab al-Fitan]
D. The Battle of Badr took place on the 17th of Ramadaan. Before the fighting (Jihad) started, the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) went over the field and disclosed the identity of the enemies of Islam and indicated by placing his hand at different spots and telling “here so and so will be slain.” When the battle was over, it was discovered that each and every person about whom the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) had indicated, was found at the very spot lying dead, neither inch more or less. [Muslim]
E. There is a lengthy Tradition (Hadith) of the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) which is an eye-opener for any sceptic who entertained misgivings about the truth of the Holy Prophet’s (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) Knowledge of the Unseen. It is reported by Hazrat Anas bin Malik (radi Allahu anhu), who says: “After the decline of the sun (noon) the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) came out of his Hujrah, and led the Zohr Prayer. After completing the prayer the Holy Prophet mounted the pulpit and delivered the sermon about the Day of Judgement and the big events that will take place before the advent of the Day. Then addressing the companions he asked them if any one of them had any question to ask from him. He proceeded, ‘I swear in the name of Allah, there is nothing that you would ask me and I will not answer it (no query, whatever its nature shall remain unanswered), so long as I am here.’” Hazrat Anas (radi Allahu anhu) reports that on hearing this the companions burst in tears, (for it forbode the grave tidings of his leaving the world). But the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) continued, saying again and again: “Ask me. Ask me (as none after me will tell you).” [Bukhari Shareef, Kitab al-E’tisaam]
The following verse of the Holy Quran bears testimony to his truth:
وَمَا هُوَ عَلَى الْغَيْبِ بِضَنِينٍ
And he is not avid of the Unseen. [AT-TAKWIR (THE OVERTHROWING) Chapter 81 - Verse 24]
It amounted to saying, “whatever you ask will be answered and whatever you will require, shall be granted.”
The insistence of the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) on oath in the Name of Allah and urging the audience again and again to ask and enquire about anything indicates beyond a shadow of doubt that by the Grace of Almighty Allah, the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) was endowed with the Knowledge of the Unseen and was extremely generous to satisfy every enquirer in his quest for knowledge including the Unseen.
An Arab Scholar, Shaikh Ahmad bin Muhammad Al-Siddique Al-Ghamari Al-Hasani has written a very learned book entitled “Motabiqa al-Ikhtia’at al-Asriya.” (Mufti Ahmad Mian Barkati has translated this book in Urdu with the title “Islam aur Asri Eijadaat” printed and published at Lahore in 1980).
In this book the learned scholar has collected forebodings of the Unseen, which the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) has disclosed on various ocassions. One is explicably amazed and wonderstruck while going through these details how gracefully the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) was honoured by Allah the Almighty about even the minutest details of the Unseen. It appears that the past, the present and the future lay clear before the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) like a mirror. Why this should not be so! because the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) has himself said:
“The keys of the Unseen were brought before me and placed over my hand.”[Bukhari & Muslim]
Thus the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) was made the key Bearer (Owner) of the treasures of the earth, [Bukhari and Muslim] because one who possesses the keys, enjoys the right of possession too. This however does not mean that Allah the Almighty has divested himself of the Divine Powers of the Unseen. On the contrary, it indicates the Absolute Authority and Power of Allah even to bestow any one of His Choice anything as He pleases. It also demonstrates how much Allah has favoured and honoured the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam)! These are, in fact, the keys with which the hidden meanings and interpretations of the Holy Quranic treasures are opened. The Holy Quran as the Divine Book, we all see and recite, but whatever the Prophetic Vision observes behind the contents of words and letters we cannot even imagine and visualize with our limited blurred vision of intellect.
I might refer to but one verse of the Quran:
وَأَعِدُّواْ لَهُم مَّا اسْتَطَعْتُم مِّن قُوَّةٍ وَمِن رِّبَاطِ الْخَيْلِ تُرْهِبُونَ بِهِ عَدْوَّ اللّهِ وَعَدُوَّكُمْ وَآخَرِينَ مِن دُونِهِمْ لاَ تَعْلَمُونَهُمُ اللّهُ يَعْلَمُهُمْ وَمَا تُنفِقُواْ مِن شَيْءٍ فِي سَبِيلِ اللّهِ يُوَفَّ إِلَيْكُمْ وَأَنتُمْ لاَ تُظْلَمُونَ
Make ready for them all thou canst of (armed) force and of horses tethered, that thereby ye may dismay the enemy of Allah and your enemy, and others beside them whom ye know not. Allah knoweth them. Whatsoever ye spend in the way of Allah it will be repaid to you in full, and ye will not be wronged. [AL-ANFAL (SPOILS OF WAR, BOOTY) Chapter 8 - Verse 60]
In this verse the word “power” seems to denote nothing in particular, i.e. weapon or means to subdue the enemy, but when the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) lifts the veil from the word “power” then the human wisdom simply gets perplexed to the extreme, as the real significance, as expressed and stressed by the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is definitely beyond the reach of human intellect. Expressing the real significance of the word “power”, he said: “Beware this power is Rami! Beware this power is Rami! Beware this power is Rami!” [Muslim]
In the Arabic language, the word “Rami” means to throw or strike. One of the important ritual observance during the course of hajj, is to throw small stones at the Satan which ritual is known as “Rami.” In this Hadith (Tradition) the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) meant all such weapons which demand throwing or hurting from a distance at the enemy. The simplest form of this “throw” is by the hands with as much power as one is capable of, and this power is in
the hands of those nations in possession of those weapons, especially firing cannon shells, hurting missiles, rockets or even bombs of any description.
All these weapons are thrown at the enemies from a distance and these are the secrets of “power.” If you refer to Ahadith (Traditions) you will discover an ocean of the Knowledge of the Unseen spring up from its bottom.
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8. CONCLUSIVE FACTS CONCERNING I’LM-I-GHAYB
From what has been discussed with apparent justification and presentable conviction, the following broad basic realities about the Knowledge of the Unseen must be borne in mind to avoid any pitfalls from any biased and intense quarters in this behalf.
A. This first thing to be noted in this connection is that the “Unseen” is a reality, concrete and irrefutable.
B. That the “I’lm-i-Ghayb” or the “Knowledge of the Unseen” belongs exclusively to Allah the Almighty as His Exclusive Divine Prerogative, none having any share in it, or any power to controvert and refute His Exclusive Domain. His knowledge is total.
C. Allah the Almighty bestows this Knowledge of the Unseen (I’lm-i-Ghayb) to his chosen servants.
D. Allah the Almighty has granted this Knowledge of the Unseen to the Apostles and Prophets.
E. Allah the Almighty has granted this Knowledge of the Unseen to the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam).
F. The Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) bestowed this Knowledge of the Unseen (I’lm-i-Ghayb) to his companions who in turn passed this knowledge to the qualified persons who were entrusted with the mission to propagate the Religion of Allah to succeeding generations.
No doubt, the great poet philosopher of Islam, Allama Iqbal, has aptly summed up the illustrious personality of the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) in one of his beautiful couplets:
“Lauh bhi tu, Qalam bhi tu, tera wajud Al-KitabGhumbad- e-Abgina rang tere muheet mein habab”
“You are O Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) the Scroll (of human destiny), you are the pen of Divine(with powers) to scribe and delineate the affairs of the universe, you are the personification of the Book of Allah.This vast glassy canopy (the sky) is not more than a bubblein the vast ocean of your August Knowledge.”
[COURTESY: Professor Dr. Muhammad Mas’ud Ahmed, M.A. Phd. Translated by Prof. Azimi Faqir Muhammad Shaikh]
CONCLUDED
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