SURAH 76 - سورة الإنسان - sūrat l-insān
(The
Social Cooperative Mind)
INTRODUCTION:
The subject of this
surah is mental evolution of mankind to human being; distinguished from other
animals by superior mental development capacity, power of articulate speech,
and upright stance, resulting from cooperating and living together. Aristotle
(384–322 B.C.E.) the legendary Greek philosopher has rightly said,
“Man is by nature a social animal; an individual who is unsocial naturally and
not accidentally is either beneath our notice or more than human. Society is
something that precedes the individual. Anyone who either cannot lead the
common life or is so self-sufficient, has no need, and therefore does not
partake of society, is either a beast or a god.”
Man cannot live alone. He must satisfy certain psychological needs in order to
survive. He has to enter into relationships with his fellowmen for living a
life of connection and cooperation. No man can break the shackles of mutual
dependence. This first connection begins between the embryo and the mother and
continues till his last breath. The need of the embryo may be more physical
than mental, but the mother's need is the other way round.
Man’s mind is his ingenious gadget of survival. Existence is his privilege but
survival is not. His body is his vehicle, but he has to sustain it. The
inherent book is embedded in him, but he has to understand its content. To
remain alive, he must use his script and infuse it with his desire - Before he
can act he must know the nature and purpose of his action. He cannot obtain his
food without knowledge of food and the way to obtain it. He cannot plan or
choose a path – without knowledge of his aim and of the means to achieve it. To
remain alive, and excel he must think and act according to the script..
But to think or copy others is a personal choice. The key to what we recklessly
recognize as ‘human nature,’ the open secret we live with, yet dread to name,
is the fact that man is a being of maverick consciousness. Reason does not work
automatically; thinking is not a mechanical process; the connections of logic
are not made by instinct. The function of your stomach, lungs, or heart is
automatic; the function of your mind is not. In any hour and issue of your
life, you are free to think or to evade that effort. But you are not free to
escape from your own natural script (Al-Kitab) and its consequence. The
fact that reason is your only means of survival, but humans are also attracted
to glamour and temptations which smothers the reason and the destiny which the
inherent book (Al-Kitab) clearly points to - so who are a human being, the
question ‘to be or not to be’ is the question ‘to think or not to think.
Man has no automatic code of survival. His particular distinction from all
other living species is the necessity to act in the face of alternatives by
means of volitional choice. Man must obtain his knowledge and choose his
actions by a process of thinking, which nature will not force him to perform.
Man has the discretion to act as his own Savior and often becomes his own
Destroyer when he acts on impulse or copy without thinking - and that is the
way he has acted through most of his sojourn.
EXEGESIS OF THE SURAH:
Sometimes there comes a time in man's life when his morale is extremely down
and he did not even like to be remembered or mentioned. He is dejected and
isolated; nevertheless man cannot live a lonely life. If all such bad
situations arrive in one's life he should try to mix with people and listen to
their exchange of information or advice and speak to them. Speech and hearing
plays a very important role in man's mental evolution. What you constantly
speak to your own self matters. Man is endowed with a excellent faculty to
repair himself by rebooting his mind through the sensory organs by entering the
right data available around him, but the choice is his. Those who are arrogant
and ignorant of this fact are inviting their own doom. According to
Benjamin Whorf “Language shapes the thoughts and emotions determines one’s
perception of reality.” Hearing is a tool to transmit language in the form of
information to the mind, it is a pathway to learn, understand, grasp knowledge,
built feelings, emotions, create concepts, ideas and construct social identity.
As we all know that hearing, seeing and feeling plays a great role in the
process of evolution rather it is a seed of basic knowledge [Nutfa 76:2] and
that compilation of thoughts leads to various breakthrough in knowledge. The
gradual downloading of our own thoughts (Quran / Furqan), finally leads to the
evolution of empathic social being called Insaan.
We are always at the mercy of knowledge which comes through realization without
which we cannot evolve as a perfect human being as Insaan itself
is an attribute of having complete human qualities.
Rehmat is an abstract
system of education through Rehman. This system depends upon the urge to seek
knowledge that relates to breakthrough thinking so that one can clearly
distinguish right from wrong. As thinking plays very important role in the
realization process that leads to person's social status. When a person is social
his articulation and cognitive skills develops. Learning to speak is important
in social development of person. As language or to be more specific mother
tongue is not the creation of one person or of one period but it is an
institution, on which hundreds of generations and countless individual workers
have worked. By the virtue of mother tongue, gradually the mode of guidance and
criterion is developed in the form of compilation of our thought process that
speaks to us, which when settles in our mind is called Quran. The
present study is undertaken with a view to explain role of the hearing,
listening, insight through which the seed of knowledge [Nutfa 76:2] blossom
and Al-Quran is formed. The more evolved is the mother tongue the greater it
contributes to intellectual development, emotional development and social development
of the person.
The highest form of
reward for man's efforts to gain knowledge is the settling down of personal
Al-Quran on himself because without it he cannot have guidance and criterion of
right and wrong [76:22-23] – When I say personal Quran it
means his / her own compilation of thoughts that speaks and guides her /
him. In the context of the book Quran the words Quran, Quranan, Al-Quran
does not signify 114 chapters Book.
الْأَبْرَارَ - Al-Abrar [76:5] is an attribute of
that thought or a person which signifies gentleness, affectionate, pious,
kindness, virtuous, righteous, good, honest, full of love and one who nourishes
those whose lives are stalled, deprived and are captivated / suppressed due to
some reason [76:8]. These obedient servants are ever vigilant and
apprehensive about the evil hovering over them. Because of this cautious
nature [mutaqi] they enjoy inner satisfaction which nobody can
see and experience because it is directly related to the mind [76:11].
Such people understand the pros and cons of their conscious system and follow
it accordingly. They are also aware of the dreadful quality of the system and
its always in their mind and they know whatever they do will boomerang to them,
so they are very obedient to it. Because of their obedience, the dreadful
system is benevolent to them and they enjoy its protection and are happy in it.
Allah is the System of Conscience / Consciousness you can also call it Nizame – Rabbubiyat; it is a very sensitive, maverick,
volitional, highly balanced inherent system. If you understand and follow it, it’s
a system of unending and of unimaginable bliss otherwise the same system
becomes the system of unending misery, depression, grief and sadness. That's
why I call this system a very dreadful system, because it forgives none and is
unjust to none; a very dangerous system to those who are not aware and are
ignorant of its working. So we need to be aware, conscious, cautious, mindful and
diligent of the system of conscience (Allah). Always make an effort to
keep your conscience clean, because your own conscience is your Allah. If we
are not conscious of it [Allah], it has the capacity to become your Shaitaan
and take revenge by alluring you from the right path..
Many many salutations to the respected author who is time and again warning us
by reminding about the Mercurial System installed in all of us. The respected
author cautioning us about great possibility of the evil / destructive
time الدهر be falling upon man if he does not understands or
recognize the system install in him [76:1]. The key to evolution is
living together and helping each other in just and fair growth. The definition
of Al-Insaan (الانسان) is those who live together, social and always ready
to help others. Its an adjective, a character of a person and not a title of
human species as generally understood.
Learning is a gradual process, a byproduct of continuous thinking. Without the
use of reason man is deaf and dumb. Living in a society is the best way to
learn, it is a best teacher. The consciousness is a fertile field developed in
a society where there is freedom to think; conducive to good growth. One cannot
grow consciousness without a proper environment. We procure seeds of awareness
from society. Without these seeds, consciousness can never grow. And this
requires tremendous patience, efforts and observation. The combination of right
efforts, right thoughts, patience in all adversity, determination, fighting
peer pressure will bring forth/raise the strong tree of consciousness. Living
under such knowledgeable shade of this Tree of Consciousness is
called Jannah or the garden of bliss where enlightenment flows [76:12].
Under this Tree of Consciousness flows the unending guidance which the man
eagerly yearned for and by which is able to distinguish right from wrong and
this is the main source of peace and tranquility. The breakthrough moments are
the actual triumph of a man to get the Right Guidance from his Rabb. Al-Quran (The
expression) is that ultimate medium that raises your Tree of Consciousness to
higher level, however it has several branches.
بسم
الله الرحمن الرحيم
CONTEXTUAL TRANSLATION:
1 هَلْ أَتَىٰ عَلَى الْإِنسَانِ حِينٌ مِّنَ الدَّهْرِ لَمْ يَكُن شَيْئًا
مَّذْكُورًا
What if there befalls
the destructive calamity upon the social mind where he did not even have a
desire to be remembered ?
2 إِنَّا خَلَقْنَا الْإِنسَانَ مِن نُّطْفَةٍ أَمْشَاجٍ نَّبْتَلِيهِ
فَجَعَلْنَاهُ سَمِيعًا بَصِيرًا
Indeed, We have evolved
social mind from the seed of diverse knowledge that We may test him; and We
made him a seer listener. (96:2) (18:37) (22:5) (23:13) (35:11)
(40:67)
3 إِنَّا هَدَيْنَاهُ السَّبِيلَ إِمَّا شَاكِرًا وَإِمَّا كَفُورًا
Indeed, We guided him to the way - whether to be grateful, whether to be
ignorant. (the
choice is his)
4 إِنَّا أَعْتَدْنَا لِلْكَافِرِينَ سَلَاسِلَ وَأَغْلَالًا وَسَعِيرًا
Indeed, We have prepared
for those who can't see the facts suffocation and malice and flame of
antipathy
5 إِنَّ الْأَبْرَارَ يَشْرَبُونَ مِن كَأْسٍ كَانَ مِزَاجُهَا
كَافُورًا
Indeed, the righteous
will be continuously assimilating / absorbing / grasping from the elegance in
smartness its temperament / nature / will always be in veil / cover.
6 عَيْنًا يَشْرَبُ بِهَا عِبَادُ اللَّهِ يُفَجِّرُونَهَا تَفْجِيرًا
Assimilating / absorbing
the spectacle with it is the devotion / service of the Conscience / Consciousness [Allah]; causing it to gush forth in
abundance force.
7 يُوفُونَ بِالنَّذْرِ وَيَخَافُونَ يَوْمًا كَانَ شَرُّهُ مُسْتَطِيرًا
Some (thoughts) will
fulfilled with the vows/pledges and apprehensions each moment of its evilness
hovering over
8 وَيُطْعِمُونَ الطَّعَامَ عَلَىٰ حُبِّهِ مِسْكِينًا وَيَتِيمًا
وَأَسِيرًا
And they will be
provided the nourishment [education], consequently love
it by those whose lives are stalled, due to unique ideas, and are
suppressed [due
to lack of awareness]
9 إِنَّمَا نُطْعِمُكُمْ لِوَجْهِ اللَّهِ لَا نُرِيدُ مِنكُمْ جَزَاءً
وَلَا شُكُورًا
"We nourish you
only for seeking attention / countenance / focus of the Conscience /
Consciousness [Allah]. We wish not from you any reward or gratitude.
10 إِنَّا نَخَافُ مِن رَّبِّنَا يَوْمًا عَبُوسًا قَمْطَرِيرًا
Indeed, We fear from our
own Consciousness each moment of
austere and distress."
11 فَوَقَاهُمُ اللَّهُ شَرَّ ذَٰلِكَ الْيَوْمِ وَلَقَّاهُمْ نَضْرَةً
وَسُرُورًا
So the Conscience / Consciousness
[Allah] will preserve/caution them from the evil of that moment and give them radiance and
happiness
12 وَجَزَاهُم بِمَا صَبَرُوا جَنَّةً وَحَرِيرًا
And will reward them for
what they patiently endured [with] hidden enlightenment and freedom (to think).
13 مُّتَّكِئِينَ فِيهَا عَلَى الْأَرَائِكِ ۖ لَا يَرَوْنَ فِيهَا شَمْسًا
وَلَا زَمْهَرِيرًا
Enjoying the bonding in
itself, consequent to continuous feeding. They will not see therein any dazzle
or any austerity (in mind).
14 وَدَانِيَةً عَلَيْهِمْ ظِلَالُهَا وَذُلِّلَتْ قُطُوفُهَا تَذْلِيلًا
And worldly attachment
over themselves as its shelter / refuge, and its yield is humiliation (of nafs)
15 وَيُطَافُ عَلَيْهِم بِآنِيَةٍ مِّن فِضَّةٍ وَأَكْوَابٍ كَانَتْ
قَوَارِيرَا
And circulation (of
waves of excitement) over them with proximity from the
breakthrough [of knowledge] and getting
strategic advancement that are satisfactorily established
16 قَوَارِيرَ مِن فِضَّةٍ قَدَّرُوهَا تَقْدِيرًا
By satisfactorily
established from the breakthrough [of
knowledge], they
will determine its destiny.
17 وَيُسْقَوْنَ فِيهَا كَأْسًا كَانَ مِزَاجُهَا زَنجَبِيلًا
And they will imbibe in it [elegant thoughts], forever elegance in smartness
whose nature is
sharpening of intellect
18 عَيْنًا فِيهَا تُسَمَّىٰ سَلْسَبِيلًا
In it is a view recognized as the
most easiest one
19 ۞ وَيَطُوفُ عَلَيْهِمْ وِلْدَانٌ
مُّخَلَّدُونَ إِذَا رَأَيْتَهُمْ حَسِبْتَهُمْ لُؤْلُؤًا مَّنثُورًا
And continuous circulation of excitement upon them, what they brought forth
made them eternal. When you see them, you would think them [as beautiful as] scattered pearls.
20 وَإِذَا رَأَيْتَ ثَمَّ رَأَيْتَ نَعِيمًا وَمُلْكًا كَبِيرًا
And
when you look there, then you will see pleasure and great dominion.
21 عَالِيَهُمْ ثِيَابُ سُندُسٍ خُضْرٌ وَإِسْتَبْرَقٌ ۖ وَحُلُّوا أَسَاوِرَ
مِن فِضَّةٍ وَسَقَاهُمْ رَبُّهُمْ شَرَابًا طَهُورًا
Upon them will be restoration of many subtle blessing. And they will shine and
they will gain the jump from the breakthrough [of knowledge], and
their Consciousness will irrigate them a clean imbibe (to receive into mind).
22 إِنَّ هَـٰذَا كَانَ لَكُمْ جَزَاءً وَكَانَ سَعْيُكُم مَّشْكُورًا
"Indeed, this is for you a reward, and your effort has been
appreciated."
23 إِنَّا نَحْنُ نَزَّلْنَا عَلَيْكَ الْقُرْآنَ تَنزِيلًا
Indeed, We who have settled upon you, the Qur'an [The compilation of our
own good thoughts that speaks to us / guide us ] is downloading progressively.
24 فَاصْبِرْ لِحُكْمِ رَبِّكَ وَلَا تُطِعْ مِنْهُمْ آثِمًا أَوْ كَفُورًا
So be patient for the wise command [Al-Quran] of
your Consciousness and do not obey among them any law-breaker or ignorant
(can't see the facts).
25 وَاذْكُرِ اسْمَ رَبِّكَ بُكْرَةً وَأَصِيلًا
And remember to recognize / identify your esteemed Consciousness giving precedence
/ top priority and firmness
26 وَمِنَ اللَّيْلِ فَاسْجُدْ لَهُ وَسَبِّحْهُ لَيْلًا طَوِيلًا
And from the thoughts of anxiety, so be humble for it and strive knowledge a
very long journey of anxiety.
27 إِنَّ هَـٰؤُلَاءِ يُحِبُّونَ الْعَاجِلَةَ وَيَذَرُونَ وَرَاءَهُمْ
يَوْمًا ثَقِيلًا
Indeed, those love the immediate and leave behind them a grave moment.
28 نَّحْنُ خَلَقْنَاهُمْ وَشَدَدْنَا أَسْرَهُمْ ۖ وَإِذَا شِئْنَا
بَدَّلْنَا أَمْثَالَهُمْ تَبْدِيلًا
We have evolved them (thoughts) and strengthened their distinction, and when We
desire, We can change their likenesses with [complete] alteration.
29 إِنَّ هَـٰذِهِ تَذْكِرَةٌ ۖ فَمَن شَاءَ اتَّخَذَ إِلَىٰ رَبِّهِ
سَبِيلًا
Indeed, this is a reminder, so he who desires, may take to the way of
Consciousness / Awareness / Knowledge.
30 وَمَا تَشَاءُونَ إِلَّا أَن يَشَاءَ اللَّهُ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ
عَلِيمًا حَكِيمًا
And you do not desire except that the Consciousness / Conscience [Allah] desires. Indeed, the
Conscience / Consciousness is ever Knowing and Wise.
31 يُدْخِلُ مَن يَشَاءُ فِي رَحْمَتِهِ ۚ وَالظَّالِمِينَ أَعَدَّ لَهُمْ
عَذَابًا أَلِيمًا
He admits whom He desires into His favorable knowledge; but the unjust - He has
prepared for them a painful chastisement.
BRIEF:
The
surah is regarding mental evolution of a cooperative social mind [الْإِنسَانَ] which mainly develops
through listening ears سَمِيعًا or understanding. We hear with our
ears but listens with our brain, this initiate insight بَصِيرًا is
processed due to listening. The words [Kalimat] which pass
through our ears is termed as Nutfah or seed of evolution.
"Christians" also called this seed of evolution as the word of Lord.
From the moment we are born the world comes to us through sound - especially
through our first and second years of life when we learn to interpret and make
sense of our environment through sound. We learn to listen for our mother’s
voice, we understand the tones which gradually venture into speech. In Hinduism
and traditional Islam also a priest or any elderly person whispers holy
mantras or Azaan into the newly born child's ears, and this signifies that he
is formally initiated into education.
Some meanings of the words in the Quran have been deliberately altered to fit
meanings into them. One of this word is “nutfah”.
It is said that this word has been coerced/squeezed to mean “sperm” to promote
“scientific perfection” in the Quran. The word has been translated in many way
by the "scholars."
Multiple meanings of the word resulted in some quarters saying that the
intended meaning is different as to what is claimed. For example some say that
the word “nutfah” means drop of mingled semen, sperm, seed, female gametes,
tiny drops, living germ or something that is ejaculated and not sperm itself.
The same examples goes with many words. They are been deliberately coerced into
the fabricated context just to justify their understanding and little respect
is given to the insight of the respected author.
Any referential meaning has to be contextual if not literal as correct context
is more important than the linguistic marksmanship. Let us look into the
literal meaning from Arabic – English Lexicon.
Nutfah - نطفة means earring it also means قبيطى -
genuine people who live together, its a process or art of living, chain -
Coptic tribe of North Africa and Middle east. But the contextual meaning is the
seed of knowledge which goes through the ear and develops our understanding and
insight [76:2]
Man is a psychological animal. The evolution of man to human being is a privilege
journey due to his / her superior mental developmental capacity, power of
articulate speech, and upright stance. He will only be called human if he
values humanity otherwise he is just a cunning predator. The seed of knowledge
is the key to his development. If we take the meaning of nutfah as sperm or
semen then he can only become a body of flesh and bone but not an intelligent
human being. Insaan is a quality of humanity which he has to attain by the
virtue of good character to his fellow human beings.
I
have tried to translate this surah with utmost sincerity and honest but it can
be made more meaningful with good vocabularies. As a human I have my own
shortcomings but the message of the book Quran is immemorial and applicable to
entire mankind, who are not captivated with any ideological belief.
