Sűrah “Tâ-Hâ - T. H.”

Period of Revelation:

The period of its revelation is the closer to the period of Sűrah Maryam.  It is possible that it would have been revealed in the period of Migration to Habash or just right after it.  Anyway, it is fact that this Sűrah had been revealed before Hadrat Omar embraced Islam.

 

The famous and authentic tradition of his embracing Islam is that when he departed to kill the Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, in the way a person said to him, first check out your home, your own sister and brother-in-law have entered into this new Deen.  Hearing this, Hadrat Omer directly went to his sister’s house.  There he found his sister, Fatimah-bint-Khattab, and his brother-in-law, Said-bin-Zaid, were getting education on a scripture from Hadrat Khabbab-bin-Art.  As Omer arrived, his sister immediately hid the script.  However, Hadrat Omar had heard the voice of its recital.  First, he interrogated about it.  Then he began to beat his brother-in-law.  Sister tried to save him, Omer also beat her, and her head was wounded.  Finally, sister and brother-in-law, both of them said, "Yes, we have become Muslims; you may do whatever you want”.  Hadrat Omar got upset seeing his sister bleeding and he said, "Well, show me the thing you were reading”.  First, sister took his promise on oath that he would not tear it. Then said, "You cannot touch it unless you take a bath”. Therefore, Hadrat Omar took his bath and start reading the script.  It has Sűrah Ta-Ha.  While reading he spontaneously spoke out, "What an excellent script!"  Hearing this Hadrat Khabbab-bin-Art, who had hidden himself at the sound of his footsteps, came out and said, "By Allâh subhaana wa ta’aala, I have high expectations that Allâh subhaana wa ta’aala will get great service from you to spread the Message of HIS Prophet, just yesterday I heard the Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam praying to Allâh subhaana wa ta’aala, 'My Râbb, make Abul Hakam-bin-Hisham (Abu Jahl) or Omar-bin-Khattab a supporter of Islam.  So O Omar, go towards Allâh subhaana wa ta’aala, go towards Allâh subhaana wa ta’aala”.  These words eliminated rest of the boundaries and right on that moment Hadrat Omer accompanied Hadrat Khabbab and went to the Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam and embraced Islam.  This incident happened in a short period after the Migration to Habash.

 

Theme and Discussion:

The Sűrah begins like, "WE have not revealed this Al-Qur'ân to you (Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) to put you (Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) in difficulty”.  The demand is not that you dig out a milk canal from the mountains, those who deny make them to accept, and introduce Faith in the hearts of the hardhearted.  This is only an advice and reminder for those people who have fear of Allâh subhaana wa ta’aala in their hearts and want to save them from HIS wrath after listening should come to the Right Path.  This is the Word of the Owner of the earth and the heavens.  The Power belongs to HIM Alone.  These two facts are eternal, whether one believes or not."

 

After this introduction, suddenly the incident of Prophet Műsa has been narrated.  Apparently, it has been presented in the form of story.  There is no hint towards the events of the period. However, in the circumstances this incident has been presented, in reference to it; this incident addresses the people of Makkah on some other things, it cannot be realized by its words but it is evident if we read between the lines.  However, before the details of those things, understand it very well that the common Arabs used to acknowledge Műsa as Prophet of Allâh subhaana wa ta’aala because there was presence of large number of the Jews in Arabia and they had mental influence on Arabs, in addition, because of the influence of the Christian of Roman and Habash kingdoms.  Keeping this fact in view, now see what are those things which are presented in between the lines of this incident for the realization of the people of Makkah:

1.       Allâh subhaana wa ta’aala does not appoint a Prophet by gathering the masses on the beat of drums then in a big ceremony formally announcing that today WE have appointed this person as a Prophet.  HE bestows Prophethood in a secret manner, as Prophet Műsa had been given.  Therefore, why is it look strange to you – that Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam has been appointed as a Prophet all of a sudden and it has not been announced from the skies nor the angels publicized on the land on the beat of drums. Have such announcements ever been made on the appointments of the Prophets?

2. The message Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam is presenting today (Tauhid and the Hereafter); Allâh subhaana wa ta’aala taught the same message to Prophet Műsa at the time of his appointment as a Prophet.
3. Then today, as Prophet Muhammad has been made to stand before Quraish all alone without much resources bearer of the Message of the Truth, the same way all of sudden the Prophet Műsa was appointed for a gigantic task – to go to a tyrant king Pharaoh and advise him to give up his attitude of rebellion.  No army was sent with him.  Such are the mysterious ways of Allâh subhaana wa ta’aala.  HE catches a traveler of Midian on his way to Egypt and says, "Go and struggle with the greatest tyrant king of the time”. The most HE did was to appoint his brother as his assistant on his request.  HE did not provide him with armies, elephants, and horses for this giant Mission. 
4. Today the people of Makkah are using the devices of cruelty, objections, doubts, accusations against Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam the same devices were used by Pharaoh against Prophet Műsa.  Then see, how he failed in all his plans and who finally became victorious?  The Prophet of Allâh subhaana wa ta’aala without many provisions – or the Pharaoh with large armies and war equipments?  In this regards, the Muslims have also been comforted, not in so many words, that their less resources against the huge resources of Quraish should not discourage them, the mission supported by Allâh subhaana wa ta’aala comes out victorious in the end.  At the same time, an excellent example of the magicians of Egypt has been presented before the Muslims that when Truth was shown to them they embraced it without any fear and then the Pharaoh’s threat could not shake their Faith a tiny bit.
5. Finally, it has been told by presenting evidence from the history of the Israelites -- in what ridiculous manner the idolization of false gods and goddesses starts and that the Prophets of Allâh subhaana wa ta’aala do not tolerate even the slightest touch of this shameful practice.  Therefore, the opposition of Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam against shirk and idol worship today – is not the first incident in the history of Prophethood.

In this way, the narration of the story of Műsa throws light on all those matters which were connected with the conflict between the Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam and the Quraish. After this a brief sermon has been given – that this Al-Qur'ân is an advice and reminder that has been sent down in your language for your guidance.  If you listen to it and learn a lesson from it, it will be for your own good.  You will suffer an evil end if you reject it.

 

Then by narrating the story of Prophet Adam, they have been made to understand that the path you are following is the path of Satan.  Now and then trapped by Satan is a temporary weakness human can hardly avoid it.  Whereas the right way for human is that when his/her mistake is shown to him/her, he/she should plainly confess it, repent on it, and again return to the service of Allâh subhaana wa ta’aala like his/her forefather Hadrat Adam.  On the other hand, if a person commits an error and sticks to it in stubbornness in spite of all admonition, he/she harms himself/herself and has to suffer the consequences of it alone -- like Satan.

 

In the end, the Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam and the Muslims have been advised not to be impatient in regard of the disbelievers.  It is principle of Allâh subhaana wa ta’aala that HE does not seize any nation on its infidelity at once – but gives them sufficient respite to mend their ways.  Therefore, do not be impatient.  Keep bearing the persecutions of these people with patience.  In addition, keep conveying the Message.

 

 In this relation, it has been enjoined to establish Salât (Prayer) so that, in believers, it may create the virtues of patience, forbearance, contentment, acceptance to the will of Allâh subhaana wa ta’aala and self-analysis, which are greatly needed for the mission of Truth.

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