[42]. Surah Ash-Shura [The Consultation]: Ayat 017-018

১৭. আল্লাহই সত্যসহ কিতাব ও ইনসাফের মানদন্ড নাযিল করেছেন। আপনি কি জানেন, সম্ভবতঃ কেয়ামত নিকটবর্তী।

১৮. যারা তাতে বিশ্বাস করে না তারা তাকে তড়িৎ কামনা করে। আর যারা বিশ্বাস করে, তারা তাকে ভয় করে এবং জানে যে, তা সত্য। জেনে রাখ, যারা কেয়ামত সম্পর্কে বিতর্ক করে, তারা দূরবর্তী পথ ভ্রষ্টতায় লিপ্ত রয়েছে। 

 

Ayat 17. It is Allah Who has sent down the Book (the Qur’an) in truth, and the Balance (i.e. to act justly). And what can make you know that perhaps the Hour is close at hand?  

18. Those who believe not therein seek to hasten it, while those who believe are fearful of it, and know that it is the very truth. Verily, those who dispute concerning the Hour are certainly in error far away.

Tafseer of Surah Al Shura (Consultation) Ayat 17 and 18. It is Allah Who has sent down the Book in Truth, and the Balance (by which to weigh conduct). And what will make thee realize that perhaps the Hour is close at hand? Revelation is like a balance, an instrument placed by Allah in our hands, by which we can weigh all moral issues, all questions of right and wrong in conduct. We must do so constantly. For the Judgment in any given case may come at any time: it may be quite near, and we must always be prepared. The Balance may also refer to the God-given faculty by which man can judge between right and wrong. Ayat 18. Only those wish to hasten it who believe not

in it: those who believe hold it in awe, and know that it is the Truth. Behold, verily those that dispute concerning the Hour are far astray. The Unbelievers do not believe in Judgment and laugh at it. They say defiantly, "If there is to be a punishment, let it come at once!" The threefold answer to this will be found in 13:6. With those who believe, the case is different. They know that the Hereafter is an awful Reality, and prepare for it. They see clearly on what a wrong track the scoffers are!

Hazrat Umar bin Al-Khattab (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah  [SAWW](PBUH) said, "Verily, Allah elevates some people with this Qur'an and abases others.''

[Muslim Book 04, Chapter 138, Hadith # 1780]

Lesson: as mentioned above in Surah Ash-Shura Ayat 17. It is Allah Who has sent down the Book (the Qur’an) in truth, and the Balance (i.e. to act justly)” Only such people will be elevated who act upon the teachings of the Qur'an and abstain from what is forbidden by Allah. The Muslims of the early centuries of Islam were blessed with great honor by Allah because they loved and applied the Qur'an. Because of this meaningful attachment with the Qur'an, they made great achievements in religious and worldly spheres. Those who neglected the teachings of Islam will be disgraced and humiliated. May Allah guide and enable us to re-establish our contact with the Qur'an so that we can regain our past glory. Exaltation and humiliation mentioned in the Hadith is bound to happen in both this life and the Hereafter.