Inspirations From The Qur'an

  

 

Inspirations From The Qur’an

M. Bakri Musa

May 24, 2066

 

Excerpt from my Qur’an, Hadith And Hikayat:  Exercises In Critical Thinking (2021)

 

I use the Qur’an as exercises in critical thinking in three ways. One, I challenge readers to pick an ayat that is most meaningful to them and why. I did this with a group of over 250 Malay undergraduates in Northeastern United States in 2010. Two, I analysed the most frequently recited Surah of the Qur’an, Al Fatihah, in particular its last two ayats (6^th and 7^th). All Muslims are familiar with that Surah as it is recited at least three times with every prayer, and there are five daily prayers. Three, I revisited Surah An Nisa (Women) the infamous “wife beating” verse (4:34) and its various interpretations.

 

With the first exercise, no two students chose the same ayat! No surprise there as the Qur’an contains over 6,000. Each of those students had his or her special verse that carried a unique meaning or had a spot in their heart. That speaks volumes of the richness of the Qur’an. To me, that is its true miracle.

 

The first student chose an ayat from Surah Ar Ra’ad (The Thunder: 13:3), approximate translation:

 

He it is Who spread out the earth and placed therein firm mountains and streams . . . . He causes the night to cover the day. Truly in that are signs for a people to reflect.

 

That verse came to him early one morning while camping at the Grand Canyon National Park during late summer. He woke up to the peaceful silence and embracing tranquility of the still, stretched-out morning, engulfed in the cool desert air. Far beyond and just visible through the soft rays of sunshine sneaking up from the eastern horizon was the northern rim of the vast canyon. Deep below, the shimmering ribbon of water flowing at its own leisure, bordered by sheer cliffs on both sides. That water supports myriad life within and at its edges, as well as to the millions of humans, plants, and animals downstream. The vertical walls of the canyon contain many secrets of the past yet to be discovered. Above, the vast expanse of the cloudless sky, and as described in the Qur’an, with no pillars supporting it.

 

He felt privileged to enjoy the vast grandeur of the Grand Canyon all to himself. To him, that was Allah’s generosity and benevolence manifested. Amidst the omnipresent silence, his subuh (dawn) prayer felt extra special. It was as if Allah had revealed Himself in all His magnificence and splendor.

 

Anyone visiting the Grand Canyon cannot but be struck by the spirituality of the place. Even if one were not religious, one would be constrained from blemishing it. To toss out your empty plastic water bottle or pizza container would be blasphemous. Indeed to Native American Indians, the Grand Canyon is a sacred site. It should be to every visitor.

 

Another student recalled his experience attending an English language class at a New York City public library. He was struck by the diversity of skin colors and facial features of those present, as well as the cacophony of languages spoken prior to the start of the class. Then at break time he was again struck by the rich aroma of the variety of foods the students had brought. He wished he could sample the rich cornucopia of culinary delights.

 

This was what Surah al-Hujurat (Private Apartments 43:13) meant to him. Approximately translated, “We have created you from a male and a female and made you into different peoples and tribes that you may come to know one another. Surely the most noble of you before God are the most reverent of you.”

 

Imagine relating what would have been an ordinary class experience to a specific verse of the Qur’an! I would add that we should go beyond merely tolerating the differences amongst us but to embrace and celebrate them, as this student did.

 

The last student recalled the experience of her classmate, a refugee from Northeast Africa. She endured treacherous tracks across barren plateaus and crossing turbulent rivers chased by her own kind except that they did not share the same faith and thus were intent on killing her. What kept her going was the Qur’anic verse describing the Prophet’s own harrowing escape to Medina from Mecca, chased by his own kin and kind. Surah An Nisa (4:100), again approximate translation, “ Whoever migrates in the name of God will find upon the earth many a refuge and abundance.”

 

It was that singular thought plus her prayers and firm belief in a Just and Benevolent Allah that kept her and her family going. Allah would not abandon His children.

 

That was the power of the Qur’an on her.