The Quran is more than a book of
guidance; it is a divine utterance of immense power, a fact beautifully
illustrated in Surah al-Hashr, Ayah 21. "Had We revealed this Quran
to a mountain, you would have seen it humbled, split asunder out of the fear of
Allah. And those similitudes – We put forward for people that they may
reflect.”
This powerful simile invites us to contemplate
the profound nature of the divine word and to re-evaluate our own relationship
with it. It serves as both a warning and a profound call to introspection,
urging us to consider why a book that could move mountains often fails to move
our hearts.
The metaphor of a mountain being
humbled and split asunder underscores the sheer power and weight of the Quran’s
message. A mountain, in our human perception, is the very symbol of permanence,
strength, and immovability. It stands as a testament to the might of the earth,
an obstacle that seems impenetrable. Yet, Allah states that even this colossal
entity would crumble under the force of His revelation. This imagery tells us
that the Quran is not just a collection of stories or laws; it is a living,
powerful force. Its words are infused with divine authority and gravitas,
capable of altering the very fabric of existence. The Ayah sets a benchmark for
the reverence we should have for the Quran, showing that its truth and reality
are so immense that they would break the most solid of creations.
This ayah should fundamentally
change our perspective on how we approach and receive the teachings of the
Quran. We often treat it as a book to be read casually, a text for ritualistic
recitation, or a source of information. However, the revelation that a mountain
would be humbled by it suggests that our approach should be one of profound awe
and humility. We must recognize that we are not merely reading words, but
engaging with a force that commands the cosmos. This calls for a state of
presence, reflection, and openness, where we allow the Quran to speak to us, to
challenge us, and to transform us. Our hearts, in their spiritual rigidity, can
sometimes be harder than mountains. This Ayah serves as a reminder to soften
them, to make them receptive to the divine light.
The significance of the phrase
“We put forward for people that they may reflect” cannot be overstated. It
reveals the purpose behind Allah’s use of such a powerful similitude. This is
not a random poetic flourish; it is a direct invitation for humanity to engage
in deep contemplation. Allah desires that we not just read His words, but that
we think about their implications, their weight, and their relevance to our
lives. The act of reflection (tafakkur) is a cornerstone of faith. It is
through reflection that we move from passive consumption to active
understanding and ultimately, to spiritual transformation. This ayah teaches us
that the path to true guidance lies in pondering over the signs that Allah
places before us, both in the Ayah and in His final revelation.
The individual’s heart can indeed
be like a mountain—firm in its convictions, stubborn in its habits, and
resistant to change. The worldly life, with its endless distractions and
attachments, can harden our hearts, making them insensitive to divine truth. The
Quran, however, can "humble" it by softening this spiritual rigidity.
When we truly listen to its message, it challenges our ego, dismantles our
false notions, and fills us with a sense of awe for our Creator. It exposes our
weaknesses and provides the remedy, guiding us from arrogance to humility, from
heedlessness to remembrance. Just as the mountain would be compelled by divine
force to surrender, our hearts, when they submit to the Quran, find a profound
and freeing humility.
Finally, the "fear of Allah"
described here is not a simple feeling of terror, but rather a profound awe and
reverence that stems from knowing His greatness. It is the fear that comes from
a deep understanding of His power, wisdom, and justice. This fear is not
paralyzing; it is motivating. It is the fear of being inattentive to the divine
word, of failing to live up to our purpose, and of losing His favor. It is a
love-driven fear that inspires us to be better, to seek His pleasure, and to
align our lives with His will. This type of fear is a spiritual necessity, and
the Quran is the very source that cultivates it within us, reminding us of the
immense reality we are a part of. The ayah serves as a timeless reminder that
our relationship with the Quran must be built on this foundation of awe,
humility, and reflection.
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