DRAFT: The Quran: Shifa & Guidance for The Believers

مَّا أَصَابَكَ مِنْ حَسَنَةٍ فَمِنَ اللَّهِ وَمَا أَصَابَكَ مِن سَيِّئَةٍ فَمِن نَّفْسِكَ 

وَأَرْسَلْنَاكَ لِلنَّاسِ رَسُولًا وَكَفَىٰ بِاللَّهِ شَهِيدًا

[Q4:79]

Abstract 

DRAFT

Full Text 

أَيْنَمَا تَكُونُوا يُدْرِككُّمُ الْمَوْتُ وَلَوْ كُنتُمْ فِي بُرُوجٍ مُّشَيَّدَةٍ وَإِن تُصِبْهُمْ حَسَنَةٌ يَقُولُوا هَٰذِهِ مِنْ عِندِ اللَّهِ وَإِن تُصِبْهُمْ سَيِّئَةٌ يَقُولُوا هَٰذِهِ مِنْ عِندِكَ قُلْ كُلٌّ مِّنْ عِندِ اللَّهِ فَمَالِ هَٰؤُلَاءِ الْقَوْمِ لَا يَكَادُونَ يَفْقَهُونَ حَدِيثًا

مَّا أَصَابَكَ مِنْ حَسَنَةٍ فَمِنَ اللَّهِ وَمَا أَصَابَكَ مِن سَيِّئَةٍ فَمِن نَّفْسِكَ وَأَرْسَلْنَاكَ لِلنَّاسِ رَسُولًا وَكَفَىٰ بِاللَّهِ شَهِيدًا

Wherever you be will overtake you [the] death even if you are in towers lofty. And if befalls them any good they say, "This (is) from Allah," And if befalls them any evil they say, "This (is) from you." Say, "All (is) from Allah." So what (is wrong) (with) these [the] people, they do not seem (to) understand any statement.

What(ever) befalls you of (the) good (is) from Allah, and whatever befalls you of (the) evil (is) from yourself nafs. And for the people (as) a Messenger, and Allah is sufficient (as) a Witness. 

[Al-Quran 4:78-79; translation edited to retain the word nafs in italics]  

Surah an-Nisa` begins with the statement that all humans have been created from a single nafs. Q4:79 informs us that whatever evil happens to us is due to our nafs.

Surah al-Isra, which relates the story of ascension of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, the Mairaj, also advices the prayer timings, and then declares:

أَقِمِ الصَّلَاةَ لِدُلُوكِ الشَّمْسِ إِلَىٰ غَسَقِ اللَّيْلِ وَقُرْآنَ الْفَجْرِ إِنَّ قُرْآنَ الْفَجْرِ كَانَ مَشْهُودًا

وَمِنَ اللَّيْلِ فَتَهَجَّدْ بِهِ نَافِلَةً لَّكَ عَسَىٰ أَن يَبْعَثَكَ رَبُّكَ مَقَامًا مَّحْمُودًا

وَقُل رَّبِّ أَدْخِلْنِي مُدْخَلَ صِدْقٍ وَأَخْرِجْنِي مُخْرَجَ صِدْقٍ وَاجْعَل لِّي مِن لَّدُنكَ سُلْطَانًا نَّصِيرًا

وَقُلْ جَاءَ الْحَقُّ وَزَهَقَ الْبَاطِلُ إِنَّ الْبَاطِلَ كَانَ زَهُوقًا

وَنُنَزِّلُ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ مَا هُوَ شِفَاءٌ وَرَحْمَةٌ لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَلَا يَزِيدُ الظَّالِمِينَ إِلَّا خَسَارًا

وَإِذَا أَنْعَمْنَا عَلَى الْإِنسَانِ أَعْرَضَ وَنَأَىٰ بِجَانِبِهِ وَإِذَا مَسَّهُ الشَّرُّ كَانَ يَئُوسًا

قُلْ كُلٌّ يَعْمَلُ عَلَىٰ شَاكِلَتِهِ فَرَبُّكُمْ أَعْلَمُ بِمَنْ هُوَ أَهْدَىٰ سَبِيلًا

Establish the prayer, at the decline (of) the sun till (the) darkness (of) the night and Quran at dawn, indeed, the Quran (at) the dawn is ever witnessed.

And from the night arise from sleep for prayer with it (as) additional for you; it may be that will raise you your Lord (to) a station praiseworthy.

And say, "My Lord! Cause me to enter an entrance sound, and cause me to an exit sound and make for me from near You an authority helping."

And say, "Has come the truth and perished the falsehood. Indeed, the falsehood is (bound) to perish."

And We reveal from the Quran that it (is) a healing and a mercy for the believers, but not it increases the wrongdoers except (in) loss.

And when We bestow on man he turns away and becomes remote on his side. And when touches him the evil he is (in) despair.

Say, "Each works on his manner, but your Lord (is) most knowing of who [he] (is) best guided (in) way."

[Al-Quran 17:78-84] 

Surah Ta Ha reiterates the importance of establishing prayer. When Allah speaks with Moses, He tells him twice to establish prayer and to not to slacken in it:

Indeed, [I] I Am Allah. (There is) no god but I, so worship Me and establish the prayer for My remembrance.

Indeed, the Hour (will be) coming. I almost [I] hide it that may be recompensed every soul nafs for what it strives.

So (do) not (let) avert you from it (one) who (does) not believe in it and follows his desires, lest you perish.

...

And I (have) chosen you for Myself Nafs.

Go, you and your brother with My Signs, and (do) not slacken in My remembrance.

Go, both of you, to Firaun. Indeed, he (has) transgressed.

And speak to him a word gentle, perhaps he may take heed or fear."

They said, "Our Lord! Indeed, we fear that he will hasten against us or that he will transgress."

He said, "(Do) not fear. Indeed, I Am with you both; I hear and I see.

So go to him and say, "Indeed, we both (are) Messengers (of) your Lord, so send with us (the) Children of Israel, and (do) not torment them. Verily, we came to you with a Sign from your Lord. And peace on (one) who follows the Guidance.

Indeed, we verily, it has been revealed to us that the punishment (will be) on (one) who denies and turns away."

[Al-Quran 20:14-16 ... 41-48; Translation edited (in italics)]

Surah Ta Ha goes on to inform us of that the criminals who shunned the Reminder will be gathered blue-eyed:

Only your God (is) Allah the One, (there is) no god but He. He has encompassed all things (in) knowledge.

Thus We relate to you from (the) news (of) what has preceded. And certainly We have given you from Us a Reminder.

Whoever turns away from it, then indeed, he will bear (on the) Day (of) Resurrection a burden.

Abiding forever in it, and evil for them (on the) Day (of) the Resurrection (as) a load

(The) Day will be blown in the Trumpet, and We will gather the criminals, that Day, blue-eyed.

[Al-Quran 20:98-102]  

Surah Ta Ha then informs us of the temptation that led to the expulsion of Adam from The Garden: seeking immortality and a kingdom that doesn't decline (eternal well-being?). Elsewhere in The Quran we are informed that it was zulm on the nafs. Surah Ta Ha continues with the narration about Adam, emphasising the central role of The Reminder:

Then they both ate from it, so became apparent to them their shame and they began, (to) fasten on themselves from (the) leaves (of) Paradise. And Adam disobeyed his Lord, and erred.

Then chose him his Lord, and turned to him and guided (him).

He said, "Go down from it all, some of you to others (as) enemy. Then if comes to you from Me guidance then whoever, follows My guidance, then not he will go astray and not suffer.

And whoever turns away from My remembrance, then indeed, for him (is) a life straitened and We will gather him (on the) Day (of) the Resurrection blind."

He will say, "My Lord! Why You raised me blind while [verily] I had sight."

He will say, "Thus came to you Our Signs, but you forgot them, and thus today you will be forgotten."

And thus We recompense (he) who transgresses, and not believes in (the) Signs (of) his Lord. And surely (the) punishment (of) the Hereafter (is) more severe and more lasting.

[Al-Quran 20:121-127]

Surah al-Furqan day and night --> gratitude and remembrance --> peace --> spend night sujjadan wa qiyamah --> seeking protection from The Fire


Surah Saba ...

1. Family of David (Khalifa): work in gratitude
2. ungrateful for the flourishing land; dam of Saba breached and flood ruined the land 
3. short distances; distance journeys/books increase zulm on nafs; ungrateful for the security 

This life is short as per the wisdom and decree of Allah; it is a test of our nafs; evil comes from the nafs; lengthening life increases our risks; death is inevitable and essential to move on; gratitude for life and death, with the hope of receiving Allah's Mercy when we are raised from death.

Surah at-Tur wait patiently and acknowledge the perfection of The Lord ...

Notes:

مَّا أَصَابَكَ مِنْ حَسَنَةٍ فَمِنَ اللَّهِ وَمَا أَصَابَكَ مِن سَيِّئَةٍ فَمِن نَّفْسِكَ 

nafs removed during sleep
sleep 

doctors say the body heals / repairs when we sleep 

the morning call for prayer includes the phrase: Prayer is better than Sleep 

Surah alMuzammil emphasises on standing in prayer during the night reciting The Quran 

it also goes on emphasize its importance in withstanding the day when children will age rapidly - and the sky bursts open. Progeria is a known condition which is affecting children since ... the advent of electrical technology?? 

A number of people are apprehensive of modern technologies, especially communication technologies, which have the potential to mass control and/or harm a great number of people. ... silos, tin foil hats, ... 

1. Surah alKahf tells us that the hearts of the youth were strengthened when they stood against the polytheism, and then they were asked to hide in the open cave. Will we also need to hide in caves to protect ourselves from harmful technologies? Is that one of the lessons to protect against Dajjal? Their ears were covered and they put to sleep. Was the technology of that time affecting through sound? So the recitation of the ayaat of Surah alKahf (first ten & last ten: hadith ref?) will provide the healing/deterrent we need for protection? Allah is observing and listening! so no need to worry. He will protect the believers.    
2. second lesson: flourishing gardens, disbelieving owner -> eventual great loss 
3. third lesson: Satan is the enemy and he was not a witness to creation. Don't take them as auliya. Snake symbols ...  
4. fourth lesson: have patience as reasons are beyond our knowledge and comprehension
5. fifth lesson: show gratitude through containing corruption? 

Dr Israr on Surah alKahf and fitna of last days; ba`as un shadeedun great war hunger etc beginning of video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ba8TZw9PTZ0

قَيِّمًا لِيُنْذِرَ بَأْسًا شَدِيدًا مِنْ لَدُنْهُ وَيُبَشِّرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ   Q18:2
http://corpus.quran.com/qurandictionary.jsp?q=ldn#(18:2:6)

Sabbath - A Day of Repair 

in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest (tatmainna)
violation of Sabbath (excessive pursuit of worldly benefits at the cost of neglecting the nafs) resulted in Allah changing them into monkeys and pigs (devolution)

Nafs
Surah Fussilat states that We will show them the signs on the horizons and within their own nafs ... so we will eventually come to know what is the nafs and where it resides.
nafs-e-mutmainna
is nafs within the heart? is it the vision, hearing, feeling of the heart? when the Ruh is blown into (Q32) then the becomes a nephesh (The Bible)? Rust upon the heart?
or is the nafs at the centre of the hyoid bone, with the two receivers on the right and left (horns) recording everything being said.
or just behind it in C2? as it is the bone which is broken when a person is killed by harming the neck
Q6:93 Give up your Nafs?

According to some Christian scholarship, nephesh is the living (awake) body.

Zulm? injustice? Wronging the Nafs? through kufr: ingratitude for what is? be it:

• mortality, example Adam 
• good flourishing land, example Dam of Saba 
• safety and security, example close by towns mentioned in Surah Saba 

Q21:83 http://corpus.quran.com/qurandictionary.jsp?q=Drr#(21:83:7)

وَأَيُّوبَ إِذْ نَادَىٰ رَبَّهُ أَنِّي مَسَّنِيَ الضُّرُّ وَأَنْتَ أَرْحَمُ الرَّاحِمِينَ 

   

Q38:41

وَاذْكُرْ عَبْدَنَا أَيُّوبَ إِذْ نَادَىٰ رَبَّهُ أَنِّي مَسَّنِيَ الشَّيْطَانُ بِنُصْبٍ وَعَذَابٍ