Islam is the Straight Path
Allah commands His Prophet , the chief of the Messengers, to convey the news of being guided to Allah's straight path. This path is neither wicked, nor deviant,
دِينًا قِيَمًا
(a right religion...) that is, established on firm grounds,
مِلَّةَ إِبْرَهِيمَ حَنِيفًا وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ
(The religion of Ibrahim, Hanifan and he was not of the Mushrikin.) Allah said in similar Ayat,
وَمَن يَرْغَبُ عَن مِّلَّةِ إِبْرَهِيمَ إِلاَّ مَن سَفِهَ نَفْسَهُ
(And who turns away from the religion of Ibrahim except him who deludes himself) 2:130, and,
وَجَـهِدُوا فِى اللَّهِ حَقَّ جِهَـدِهِ هُوَ اجْتَبَـكُمْ وَمَا جَعَلَ عَلَيْكمْ فِى الدِّينِ مِنْ حَرَجٍ مِّلَّةَ أَبِيكُمْ إِبْرَهِيمَ
(And strive hard in Allah's cause as you ought to strive. He has chosen you, and has not laid upon you in religion any hardship: it is the religion of your father Ibrahim.) 22:78, and,
إِنَّ إِبْرَهِيمَ كَانَ أُمَّةً قَـنِتًا لِلَّهِ حَنِيفًا وَلَمْ يَكُ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ - شَاكِراً لانْعُمِهِ اجْتَبَـهُ وَهَدَاهُ إِلَى صِرَطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ - وَءاتَيْنَـهُ فِى الْدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَإِنَّهُ فِى الاٌّخِرَةِ لَمِنَ الصَّـلِحِينَ - ثُمَّ أَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَيْكَ أَنِ اتَّبِعْ مِلَّةَ إِبْرَهِيمَ حَنِيفًا وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ
(Verily, Ibrahim was an Ummah (or a nation), obedient to Allah, a Hanif, and he was not one of the Mushrikin. (He was) thankful for His (Allah's) favors. He (Allah) chose him (as an intimate friend) and guided him to a straight path. And We gave him good in this world, and in the Hereafter he shall be of the righteous. Then, We have sent the revelation to you (saying): "Follow the religion of Ibrahim, (he was a) Hanif, and he was not of the Mushrikin") 16:120-123. Ordering the Prophet to follow the religion of Ibrahim, the Hanifiyyah, does not mean that Prophet Ibrahim reached more perfection in it than our Prophet . Rather, our Prophet perfectly established the religion and it was completed for him; and none before him reached this level of perfection. This is why he is the Final Prophet, the chief of all the Children of Adam who holds the station of praise and glory, the honor of intercession on the Day of Resurrection. All creation (on that Day) will seek him, even Ibrahim the friend of Allah, peace be upon him to request the beginning of Judgement. Imam Ahmad recorded that Ibn `Abbas said, "The Messenger of Allah ﷺ was asked, `Which religion is the best with Allah, the Exalted' He said,
«الْحَنِيفِيَّةُ السَّمْحَة»
(Al-Hanifiyyah As-Samhah (the easy monotheism))"
The Command for Sincerity in Worship
Allah said next,
قُلْ إِنَّ صَلاَتِى وَنُسُكِى وَمَحْيَاىَ وَمَمَاتِى للَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَـلَمِينَ
(Say: "Verily, my Salah, my sacrifice, my living, and my dying are for Allah, the Lord of the all that exists.") Allah commands the Prophet to inform the idolators who worship other than Allah and sacrifice to something other than Him, that he opposes them in all this, for his prayer is for Allah, and his rituals are in His Name alone, without partners. Allah said in a similar statement,
فَصَلِّ لِرَبِّكَ وَانْحَرْ
(Therefore turn in prayer to your Lord and sacrifice.) 108:2, meaning, make your prayer and sacrifice for Allah alone. As for the idolators, they used to worship the idols and sacrifice to them, so Allah commanded the Prophet to defy them and contradict their practices. Allah, the Exalted, commanded him to dedicate his intention and heart to being sincere for Him alone. Mujahid commented,
إِنَّ صَلاَتِى وَنُسُكِى
(Verily, my prayer and my Nusuk...) refers to sacrificing during Hajj and `Umrah.
Islam is the Religion of all Prophets
The Ayah,
وَأَنَاْ أَوَّلُ الْمُسْلِمِينَ
(and I am the first of the Muslims.) means, from this Ummah, according to Qatadah. This is a sound meaning, because all Prophets before our Prophet were calling to Islam, which commands worshipping Allah alone without partners. Allah said in another Ayah,
وَمَآ أَرْسَلْنَا مِن قَبْلِكَ مِن رَّسُولٍ إِلاَّ نُوحِى إِلَيْهِ أَنَّهُ لا إِلَـهَ إِلاَّ أَنَاْ فَاعْبُدُونِ
(And We did not send any Messenger before you but We revealed to him (saying): "None has the right to be worshipped but I, so worship Me.") 21:25 Allah informed us that Nuh said to his people,
فَإِن تَوَلَّيْتُمْ فَمَا سَأَلْتُكُمْ مِّنْ أَجْرٍ إِنْ أَجْرِىَ إِلاَّ عَلَى اللَّهِ وَأُمِرْتُ أَنْ أَكُونَ مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ
(But if you turn away, then no reward have I asked of you, my reward is only from Allah, and I have been commanded to be of the Muslims.) 10:72 Allah said,
وَمَن يَرْغَبُ عَن مِّلَّةِ إِبْرَهِيمَ إِلاَّ مَن سَفِهَ نَفْسَهُ وَلَقَدِ اصْطَفَيْنَـهُ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَإِنَّهُ فِى الاٌّخِرَةِ لَمِنَ الصَّـلِحِينَ - إِذْ قَالَ لَهُ رَبُّهُ أَسْلِمْ قَالَ أَسْلَمْتُ لِرَبِّ الْعَـلَمِينَ - وَوَصَّى بِهَآ إِبْرَهِيمُ بَنِيهِ وَيَعْقُوبُ يَـبَنِىَّ إِنَّ اللَّهَ اصْطَفَى لَكُمُ الدِّينَ فَلاَ تَمُوتُنَّ إَلاَّ وَأَنتُم مُّسْلِمُونَ
(And who turns away from the religion of Ibrahim except him who deludes himself Truly, We chose him in this world and verily, in the Hereafter he will be among the righteous. When his Lord said to him, "Submit (i.e. be a Muslim)!" He said, "I have submitted myself (as a Muslim) to the Lord of the all that exists." And this was enjoined by Ibrahim upon his sons and by Ya`qub (saying), "O my sons! Allah has chosen for you the (true) religion, then die not except as Muslims.")2:130-132. Yusuf, peace be upon him, said,
رَبِّ قَدْ آتَيْتَنِى مِنَ الْمُلْكِ وَعَلَّمْتَنِى مِن تَأْوِيلِ الاٌّحَادِيثِ فَاطِرَ السَّمَـوَتِ وَالاٌّرْضِ أَنتَ وَلِىِّ فِى الدُّنُيَا وَالاٌّخِرَةِ تَوَفَّنِى مُسْلِمًا وَأَلْحِقْنِى بِالصَّـلِحِينَ
(My Lord! You have indeed bestowed on me of the sovereignty, and taught me something of the interpretation of dreams -- the (Only) Creator of the heavens and the earth! You are my Wali (Protector) in this world and in the Hereafter. Cause me to die as a Muslim, and join me with the righteous.) 12:101 Musa said,
وَقَالَ مُوسَى يقَوْمِ إِن كُنتُمْ ءامَنْتُمْ بِاللَّهِ فَعَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلُواْ إِن كُنْتُم مُّسْلِمِينَ - فَقَالُواْ عَلَى اللَّهِ تَوَكَّلْنَا رَبَّنَا لاَ تَجْعَلْنَا فِتْنَةً لِّلْقَوْمِ الظَّـلِمِينَ - وَنَجِّنَا بِرَحْمَتِكَ مِنَ الْقَوْمِ الْكَـفِرِينَ
(And Musa said: "O my people! If you have believed in Allah, then put your trust in Him if you are Muslims." They said: "In Allah we put our trust. Our Lord! Make us not a trial for the folk who are wrongdoers. And save us by your mercy from the disbelieving folk") 10:84-86 Allah said,
إِنَّآ أَنزَلْنَا التَّوْرَاةَ فِيهَا هُدًى وَنُورٌ يَحْكُمُ بِهَا النَّبِيُّونَ الَّذِينَ أَسْلَمُواْ لِلَّذِينَ هَادُواْ وَالرَّبَّانِيُّونَ وَالاٌّحْبَارُ
(Verily, We did send down the Tawrah, therein was guidance and light, by which the Prophets, who submitted themselves to Allah's will, judged for the Jews. And the rabbis and the priests did also.) 5:44, and,
وَإِذْ أَوْحَيْتُ إِلَى الْحَوَارِيِّينَ أَنْ ءَامِنُواْ بِى وَبِرَسُولِى قَالُواْ ءَامَنَّا وَاشْهَدْ بِأَنَّنَا مُسْلِمُونَ
(And when I (Allah) inspired Al-Hawariyyun (the disciples) of `Isa to believe in Me and My Messenger, they said: "We believe. And bear witness that we are Muslims.") 5:111 Therefore, Allah states that He sent all His Messengers with the religion of Islam, although their respective laws differed from each other, and some of them abrogated others. Later on, the Law sent with Muhammad ﷺ abrogated all previous laws and nothing will ever abrogate it, forever. Certainly, Muhammad's ﷺ Law will always be apparent and its flags raised high, until the Day of Resurrection. The Prophet said, C
«نَحْنُ مَعَاشِرُ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ أَوْلَادُ عَلَّاتٍ دِينُنَا وَاحِد»
(We, the Prophets, are half brothers, but our religion is one.) Half brothers, mentioned in the Hadith, refers to the brothers to one father, but different mothers. Therefore, the religion, representing the one father, is one; worshipping Allah alone without partners, even though the laws which are like the different mothers in this parable, are different. Allah the Most High knows best. Imam Ahmad recorded that `Ali said that when the Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to start the prayer with Takbir saying, "Allahu Akbar" (Allah is the Great) he would then supplicate,
«وَجَّهْتُ وَجْهِيَ لِلَّذِي فَطَرَ السَّمَوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ حَنِيفًا وَمَا أَنَا مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ، إِنَّ صَلَاتِي وَنُسُكِي وَمَحْيَايَ وَمَمَاتِي للهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِين»
(I have directed my face towards He Who has created the heavens and earth, Hanifan and I am not among the Mushrikin. Certainly, my prayer, sacrifice, living and dying are all for Allah, Lord of the worlds.)
«اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ الْمَلِكُ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ، أَنْتَ رَبِّي وَأَنَا عَبْدُكَ ظَلَمْتُ نَفْسِي وَاعْتَرَفْتُ بِذَنْبِي فَاغْفِرْ لِي ذُنُوبِي جَمِيعًا لَا يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ، وَاهْدِنِي لِأَحْسَنِ الْأَخْلَاقِ لَا يَهْدِي لِأَحْسَنِهَا إِلَّا أَنْتَ، وَاصْرِفْ عَنِّي سَيِّئَهَا لَا يَصْرِفُ عَنِّي سَيِّئَهَا إِلَّا أَنْتَ، تَبَارَكْتَ وَتَعَالَيْتَ، أَسْتَغْفِرُكَ وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيْك»
(O Allah! You are the King, there is no deity worthy of worship except You. You are my Lord and I am Your servant. I have committed wrong against myself and admitted to my error, so forgive me all my sins. Verily, You, only You forgive the sins. (O Allah!) Direct me to the best conduct, for none except You directs to the best conduct. Divert me from the worst conduct, for only You divert from the worst conduct. Glorified and Exalted You are. I seek Your forgiveness and repent to You.) This Hadith, which was also recorded by Muslim in the Sahih, continues and mentions the Prophet's supplication in his bowing, prostrating and final sitting positions.
Say ‘My prayer and my rituals my devotions in the way of pilgrimage and otherwise and my living my life and my dying my death are all for God the Lord of the Worlds.
Say: “My prayer and my sacrifice, my life and my death, belong to God.” He who knows that he is in God knows that he belongs to God. When he knows that his soul belongs to God, no portion of him remains for other than God. He surrenders to God's decree, he does not protest against God's predetermination, he does not oppose God's chosen ones, and he does not turn away from embracing God's command. This verse about MuṣṬafā alludes to the station of union. Union is joining with the Real and being released from oneself. The mark of this work is a heart alive through meditation and a tongue loosed in remembrance. One becomes a loan to the creatures, a stranger to oneself, at ease from attachment, at rest with the Real. The Pir of the Tariqah said, “O God, ever since You called me, I have been alone in the crowd. When You said 'Come!,' my seven bodily parts heard. What comes forth from the Adamite? The Adamite's worth is clear: His purse is empty, he treads on air. “This work was before Adam and Eve, a bestowal before fear and hope, but the Adamite undergoes trials because of seeing. He alone is joyful who is free of seeing causes and disloyal toward his own self. Though the millwheel of the states is turning, so what? The pivot of His will is in place.” O friend, I have become all yours. In truth these words have no lying, no deceit. Were you to jump right out of your own selfhood, I would likely be there in your place, my dear.
Say: “My prayer and my sacrifice, my life and my death, belong to God.” He who knows that he is in God knows that he belongs to God. When he knows that his soul belongs to God, no portion of him remains for other than God. He surrenders to God's decree, he does not protest against God's predetermination, he does not oppose God's chosen ones, and he does not turn away from embracing God's command. This verse about MuṣṬafā alludes to the station of union. Union is joining with the Real and being released from oneself. The mark of this work is a heart alive through meditation and a tongue loosed in remembrance. One becomes a loan to the creatures, a stranger to oneself, at ease from attachment, at rest with the Real. The Pir of the Tariqah said, “O God, ever since You called me, I have been alone in the crowd. When You said 'Come!,' my seven bodily parts heard. What comes forth from the Adamite? The Adamite's worth is clear: His purse is empty, he treads on air. “This work was before Adam and Eve, a bestowal before fear and hope, but the Adamite undergoes trials because of seeing. He alone is joyful who is free of seeing causes and disloyal toward his own self. Though the millwheel of the states is turning, so what? The pivot of His will is in place.” O friend, I have become all yours. In truth these words have no lying, no deceit. Were you to jump right out of your own selfhood, I would likely be there in your place, my dear.
Say: “My prayer and my sacrifice, my life and my death, belong to God.” He who knows that he is in God knows that he belongs to God. When he knows that his soul belongs to God, no portion of him remains for other than God. He surrenders to God's decree, he does not protest against God's predetermination, he does not oppose God's chosen ones, and he does not turn away from embracing God's command. This verse about MuṣṬafā alludes to the station of union. Union is joining with the Real and being released from oneself. The mark of this work is a heart alive through meditation and a tongue loosed in remembrance. One becomes a loan to the creatures, a stranger to oneself, at ease from attachment, at rest with the Real. The Pir of the Tariqah said, “O God, ever since You called me, I have been alone in the crowd. When You said 'Come!,' my seven bodily parts heard. What comes forth from the Adamite? The Adamite's worth is clear: His purse is empty, he treads on air. “This work was before Adam and Eve, a bestowal before fear and hope, but the Adamite undergoes trials because of seeing. He alone is joyful who is free of seeing causes and disloyal toward his own self. Though the millwheel of the states is turning, so what? The pivot of His will is in place.” O friend, I have become all yours. In truth these words have no lying, no deceit. Were you to jump right out of your own selfhood, I would likely be there in your place, my dear.
Say: “My prayer and my sacrifice, my life and my death, belong to God.” He who knows that he is in God knows that he belongs to God. When he knows that his soul belongs to God, no portion of him remains for other than God. He surrenders to God's decree, he does not protest against God's predetermination, he does not oppose God's chosen ones, and he does not turn away from embracing God's command. This verse about MuṣṬafā alludes to the station of union. Union is joining with the Real and being released from oneself. The mark of this work is a heart alive through meditation and a tongue loosed in remembrance. One becomes a loan to the creatures, a stranger to oneself, at ease from attachment, at rest with the Real. The Pir of the Tariqah said, “O God, ever since You called me, I have been alone in the crowd. When You said 'Come!,' my seven bodily parts heard. What comes forth from the Adamite? The Adamite's worth is clear: His purse is empty, he treads on air. “This work was before Adam and Eve, a bestowal before fear and hope, but the Adamite undergoes trials because of seeing. He alone is joyful who is free of seeing causes and disloyal toward his own self. Though the millwheel of the states is turning, so what? The pivot of His will is in place.” O friend, I have become all yours. In truth these words have no lying, no deceit. Were you to jump right out of your own selfhood, I would likely be there in your place, my dear.
Say: �My prayer and my sacrifice, my life and my death, belong to God.�He who knows that he is in God knows that he belongs to God. When he knows that his soul belongs to God, no portion of him remains for other than God. He surrenders to God's decree, he does not protest against God's predetermination, he does not oppose God's chosen ones, and he does not turn away from embracing God's command.This verse about MuṣṬafā alludes to the station of union. Union is joining with the Real and being released from oneself. The mark of this work is a heart alive through meditation and a tongue loosed in remembrance. One becomes a loan to the creatures, a stranger to oneself, at ease from attachment, at rest with the Real.The Pir of the Tariqah said, �O God, ever since You called me, I have been alone in the crowd. When You said 'Come!,' my seven bodily parts heard. What comes forth from the Adamite? The Adamite's worth is clear: His purse is empty, he treads on air.�This work was before Adam and Eve, a bestowal before fear and hope, but the Adamite undergoes trials because of seeing. He alone is joyful who is free of seeing causes and disloyaltoward his own self. Though the millwheel of the states is turning, so what? The pivot of His will is in place.�O friend, I have become all yours.In truth these words have no lying, no deceit. Were you to jump right out of your own selfhood,I would likely be there in your place, my dear.
قل -أيها الرسول- لهؤلاء المشركين: إن صلاتي، ونسكي، أي: ذبحي لله وحده، لا للأصنام، ولا للأموات، ولا للجن، ولا لغير ذلك مما تذبحونه لغير الله، وعلى غير اسمه كما تفعلون، وحياتي وموتي لله تعالى رب العالمين.
وقوله تعالى "قل إن صلاتي ونسكي ومحياي ومماتي لله رب العالمين" يأمره تعالى أن يخبر المشركين الذين يعبدون غير الله ويذبحون لغير اسمه أنه مخالف لهم في ذلك فإن صلاته لله ونسكه على اسمه وحده لا شريك له وهذا كقوله تعالى "فصل لربك وانحر" أي أخلص له صلاتك وذبحك فإن المشركين كانوا يعبدون الأصنام ويذبحون لها فأمره الله تعالى بمخالفتهم والانحراف عما هم فيه والإقبال بالقصد والنية والعزم على الإخلاص لله تعالى قال مجاهد في قوله "إن صلاتي ونسكي" النسك الذبح في الحج والعمرة. وقال الثوري عن السدي عن سعيد بن جبير "ونسكي" قال ذبحي. وكذا قال السدي والضحاك وقال ابن أبي حاتم حدثنا محمد بن عوف حدثنا أحمد بن خالد الذهبي حدثنا محمد بن إسحاق عن يزيد بن أبي حبيب عن ابن عباس عن جابر بن عبد الله قال:ضحى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم في يوم عيد النحر بكبشين وقال حين ذبحهما وجهت وجهي للذي فطر السموات والأرض حنيفا وما أنا من المشركين.
ثم قل لهم للمرة الثانية : إن صلاتى التى أتوجه بها إلى ربى { وَنُسُكِي } أى عبادتى وتقربى إليه - وهو من عطف العام على الخاص - وقيل المراد به ذبائح الحج والعمرة . { وَمَحْيَايَ وَمَمَاتِي } أى : ما أعمله فى حياتى من أعمال وما أموت عليه من الإيمان والعمل الصالح .كل ذلك { للَّهِ رَبِّ العالمين } فأنا متجرد تجرداً كاملا لخالقى ورازقى بكل خالجة فى القلب ، وبكل حكة فى هذه الحياة .
القول في تأويل قوله : قُلْ إِنَّ صَلاتِي وَنُسُكِي وَمَحْيَايَ وَمَمَاتِي لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ (162)قال أبو جعفر: يقول تعالى ذكره لنبيه محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم: (قل)، يا محمد، لهؤلاء العادلين بربهم الأوثان والأصنام, الذين يسألونك أن تتبع أهواءهم على الباطل من عبادة الآلهة والأوثان =(إن صلاتي ونسكي)، يقول: وذبحي (77) =(ومحياي)، يقول: وحياتي =(ومماتي) يقول: ووفاتي =(لله رب العالمين)، يعني: أن ذلك كله له خالصًا دون ما أشركتم به، أيها المشركون، من الأوثان =(لا شريك له) في شيء من ذلك من خلقه, ولا لشيء منهم فيه نصيب, لأنه لا ينبغي أن يكون ذلك إلا له خالصًا =(وبذلك أمرت)، يقول: وبذلك أمرني ربي =(وأنا أول المسلمين)، يقول: وأنا أوّل من أقرَّ وأذْعن وخضع من هذه الأمة لربه بأن ذلك كذلك . (78)* * *وبنحو الذي قلنا في ذلك قال أهل التأويل .* ذكر من قال: " النسك "، في هذا الموضع، الذبح.14296- حدثنا ابن حميد قال، حدثنا حكام, عن عنبسة, عن محمد بن عبد الرحمن, عن القاسم بن أبي بزة, عن مجاهد: (إن صلاتي ونسكي)، قال: " النسك "، الذبائح في الحج والعمرة .14297- حدثني محمد بن عمرو قال، حدثنا أبو عاصم قال، حدثنا عيسى, عن ابن أبي نجيح, عن مجاهد, في قول الله: (ونسكي) ، ذبحي في الحج والعمرة . (79)14298- حدثني المثنى قال، حدثنا أبو حذيفة قال، حدثنا شبل, عن ابن أبي نجيح, عن مجاهد: (ونسكي)، ذبيحتي في الحج والعمرة .14299- حدثنا محمد بن بشار قال، حدثنا عبد الرحمن قال، حدثنا سفيان, عن إسماعيل, وليس بابن أبي خالد, عن سعيد بن جبير, في قوله: (صلاتي ونسكي)، قال: ذبحي .14300- حدثنا الحسن بن يحيى قال، أخبرنا عبد الرزاق قال، أخبرنا الثوري, عن إسماعيل, عن سعيد بن جبير في قوله: (صلاتي ونسكي)، قال: ذبحي . (80)14301- حدثنا ابن وكيع قال، حدثنا عبد الرحمن بن مهدي, عن سفيان, عن إسماعيل، عن سعيد بن جبير= قال ابن مهدي: لا أدري من " إسماعيل " هذا !=(صلاتي ونسكي)، قال: صلاتي وذبيحتي .14302- حدثني المثنى قال، حدثنا إسحاق قال، حدثنا عبد الرزاق قال، حدثنا الثوري, عن إسماعيل بن أبي خالد, عن سعيد بن جبير, في قوله: (صلاتي ونسكي)، قال: وذبيحتي . (81)14303- حدثنا محمد بن عبد الأعلى قال، حدثنا محمد بن ثور, عن معمر, عن قتادة: (ونسكي)، قال: ذبحي .14304- حدثني محمد بن الحسين قال، حدثنا أحمد بن المفضل قال، حدثنا أسباط, عن السدي قوله: (ونسكي)، قال: ذبيحتي .14305- حدثنا ابن وكيع قال، حدثنا المحاربي, عن جويبر, عن الضحاك: (صلاتي ونسكي)، قال: " الصلاة "، الصلاة, و " النسك "، الذبح .--------------------الهوامش :(77) انظر تفسير (( النسك )) فيما سلف 3 : 77 - 80 / 4 : 86 ، 195 .(78) انظر تفسير (( الإسلام )) فيما سلف من فهارس اللغة ( سلم ) .(79) في المطبوعة : (( ذبيحتي )) ، وأثبت ما في المخطوطة .(80) في المطبوعة : (( ذبيحتي )) ، غير ما في المخطوطة .(81) الآثار : 14299 - 14302 - (( إسماعيل )) ، الذي روى عنه (( سفيان الثوري )) ، وروى هو (( سعيد بن جبير )) ، والذي جاء في الخبر الأول أنه (( ليس بابن أبي خالد )) ، وفي رقم : 14302 (( إسماعيل بن أبي خالد )) مصرحًا به ، والذي جهله (( ابن مهدي )) في رقم : 14301 ، لم أجد من أشار إليه ، إلا أني وجدت في أسماء الرواة عن (( سعيد بن جبير )) :(( إسماعيل بن مسلم )) ، مولى بني مخزوم ، سمع منه وكيع ، وابن المبارك وعمرو العنقزي ، مترجم في الكبير 1 / 1 / 372 ، وابن أبي حاتم 1 / 1 / 197 ، فلا أدري أهو هو ، أم هو غيره .
( قل إن صلاتي ونسكي ) قيل : أراد بالنسك الذبيحة في الحج والعمرة ، وقال مقاتل : نسكي : حجي ، وقيل : ديني ، ( ومحياي ومماتي ) أي : حياتي ووفاتي ، ( لله رب العالمين ) أي : هو يحييني ويميتني ، وقيل : محياي بالعمل الصالح ومماتي إذا مت على الإيمان لله رب العالمين ، وقيل : طاعتي في حياتي لله وجزائي بعد مماتي من الله رب العالمين . قرأ أهل المدينة : " ومحياي " بسكون الياء و " مماتي " بفتحها ، وقراءة العامة " محياي " بفتح الياء لئلا يجتمع ساكنان .
استئناف أيضاً ، يتنزّل منزلة التّفريع عن الأوّل ، إلاّ أنَّه استؤنف للإشارة إلى أنّه غرض مستقلّ مُهِمّ في ذاته ، وإن كان متفرّعاً عن غيره ، وحاصل ما تضمّنه هو الإخلاص لله في العبادة ، وهو متفرّع عن التّوحيد ، ولذلك قيل : الرياءُ الشّرك الأصغر . عُلّم الرّسول صلى الله عليه وسلم أن يقوله عقب ما عُلّمه بما ذكر قبله لأنّ المذكور هنا يتضمّن معنى الشّكر لله على نعمة الهداية إلى الصّراط المستقيم ، فإنَّه هداه ثمّ ألهمه الشّكر على الهداية بأن يجعل جميع طاعته وعبادته لله تعالى . وأعيد الأمر بالقول لما علمتَ آنفاً .وافتتحت جملة المقول بحرف التّوكيد للاهتمام بالخبر ولتحقيقه ، أو لأنّ المشركين كانوا يزعمون أنّ الرّسول عليه الصّلاة والسّلام كان يُرائي بصلاته ، فقد قال بعض المشركين لمَّا رأى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يصلّي عند الكعبة : « ألاَ تنظرون إلى هذا المُرائي أيُّكم يقوم إلى جَزور بني فلان فيعمِد إلى فَرثها وسلاها فإذا سجد وضعه بين كتفيه » . فتكون ( إنّ ) على هذا لردّ الشكّ .واللاّم في { لله } يجوز أن تكون للملك ، أي هي بتيسير الله فيكون بياناً لقوله : { إنني هداني ربي إلى صراط مستقيم } [ الأنعام : 161 ]. ويجوز أن تكون اللام للتعليل أي لأجل الله .وجعل صلاته لله دون غيره تعريضاً بالمشركين إذ كانوا يسجدون للأصنام . ولذلك أردف بجملة { لا شريك له }.والنّسك حقيقته العبادة ومنه يسمى العابد الناسك .والمحْيَا والممات يستعملان مصدرين ميميين ، ويستعملان اسمي زمان ، من حيي ومات ، والمعنيَان محتمَلان فإذا كان المراد من المحيا والممات المعنى المصدري كان المعنى على حذف مضاف تقديره : أعمال المحيَا وأعمال الممات ، أي الأعمال التي من شأنها أن يتلبّس بها المرء مع حياته ، ومع وقت مماته . وإذا كان المراد منهما المعنى الزمني كان المعنى ما يعتريه في الحياة وبعد الممات .ثمّ إنّ أعمال الحياة كثيرة وفيرة ، وأمّا الأعمال عند الموت فهي ما كان عليه في مدّة الحياة وثباتُه عليه ، لأنّ حالة الموت أو مدّته هي الحالة أو المدّة التي تنقلب فيها أحوال الجسم إلى صفة تؤذن بقرب انتهاء مدّة الحياة وتلك حالة الاحتضار ، وتلك الحالة قد تؤثّر انقلاباً في الفكر أو استعجالاً بما لم يكن يستعجل به الحي ، فربّما صدرت عن صاحبها أعمال لم يكن يصدرها في مدّة الصحّة ، اتّقاءً أو حياءً أو جلباً لنفع ، فيرى أنَّه قد يئس ممّا كان يُراعيه ، فيفعل ما لم يكن يفعل ، وأيضاً لتلك الحالة شؤون خاصّة تقع عندها في العادة مثل الوصيّة ، وهذه كلّها من أحوال آخر الحياة ، ولكنّها تضاف إلى الموت لوقوعها بقربه ، وبهذا يكون ذكر الممات مقصوداً منه استيعاب جميع مدّة الحياة حتّى زمن الإشراف على الموت .ويجوز أن يكون المراد من الممات ما يحصل للرسول عليه الصّلاة والسّلام بعد وفاته من توجهاته الرّوحيّة نحو أمّته بالدّعاء لهم والتّسليم على من سلّم عليه منهم والظّهور لخاصّة أمَّته في المنام فإنّ للرّسول بعد مماته أحكام الحياة الرّوحيّة الكاملة كما ورد في الحديث : " إذا سلّم عليّ أحد من أمَّتي رَدّ الله عليّ روحِي فرددتُ عليه السّلام " وكذلك أعماله في الحشر من الشّفاعة العامّة والسّجود لله في عرصات القيامة فتلك أعمال خاصة به صلى الله عليه وسلم وهي كلّها لله تعالى لأنَّها لنفع عبيده أو لنفع أتباع دينه الذي ارتضاه لهم ، فيكون قوله : { ومماتي } هنا ناظراً إلى قوله في الحديث : " حياتي خير لكم ومماتي خير لكم " .ويجوز أن يكون معنى مماته لله الشهادة في سبيل الله فإن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم سمّته اليهودية بخيبر في لحم شاة أطعموه إياه حصل بعض منه في إمعائه . ففي الحديث " ما زالت أكلة خيبر تعتادني كل عام حتى كان هذا أوان قطع أبْهَري " .وبقوله : { ومحياي ومماتي لله رب العالمين } تحقّق معنى الإسلام الذي أصله الإلقاء بالنّفس إلى المُسْلَم له ، وهو المعنى الذي اقتضاه قوله : { فقل أسلمت وجهي لله ومن اتبعن } كما تقدّم في سورة آل عمران ( 20 ) ، وهو معنى الحنيفية الذي حكاه الله تعالى عن إبراهيم عليه السّلام في قوله : { إذ قال له ربه أسلم قال أسلمت لرب العالمين } كما في سورة البقرة ( 131 ).وقوله : رب العالمين } صفة تشير إلى سبب استحقاقه أن يكون عمل مخلوقاته له لا لغيره ، لأنّ غيره ليس له عليهم نعمة الإيجاد ، كما أشار إليه قوله في أوّل السورة ( 1 ) : { الحمد لله الذي خلق السماوات والأرض وجعل الظلمات والنور ثم الذين كفروا بربهم يعدلون . }
{ قُلْ إِنَّ صَلَاتِي وَنُسُكِي } أي: ذبحي، وذلك لشرف هاتين العبادتين وفضلهما، ودلالتهما على محبة الله تعالى، وإخلاص الدين له، والتقرب إليه بالقلب واللسان، والجوارح وبالذبح الذي هو بذل ما تحبه النفس من المال، لما هو أحب إليها وهو الله تعالى. ومن أخلص في صلاته ونسكه، استلزم ذلك إخلاصه لله في سائر أعماله. وقوله: { وَمَحْيَايَ وَمَمَاتِي } أي: ما آتيه في حياتي، وما يجريه الله عليَّ، وما يقدر عليَّ في مماتي، الجميع { لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ }
قوله تعالى قل إن صلاتي ونسكي قد تقدم اشتقاق لفظ الصلاة . وقيل : المراد بها هنا صلاة الليل . وقيل : صلاة العيد . والنسك جمع نسيكة ، وهي الذبيحة ، وكذلك قال مجاهد والضحاك وسعيد بن جبير وغيرهم . والمعنى : ذبحي في الحج والعمرة . وقال الحسن : نسكي ديني . وقال الزجاج : عبادتي ; ومنه الناسك الذي يتقرب إلى الله بالعبادة . وقال قوم : النسك في هذه الآية جميع أعمال البر والطاعات ; من قولك نسك فلان فهو ناسك ، إذا تعبد .ومحياي أي ما أعمله في حياتي ومماتي أي ما أوصي به بعد وفاتي .لله رب العالمين أي أفرده بالتقرب بها إليه . وقيل : ومحياي ومماتي لله أي حياتي وموتي له . وقرأ الحسن : ( نسكي ) بإسكان السين . وأهل المدينة ( ومحياي ) بسكون الياء في الإدراج . والعامة بفتحها ; لأنه لا يجتمع ساكنان . قال النحاس : لم يجزه أحد من النحويين إلا يونس ، وإنما أجازه لأن قبله ألفا ، والألف المدة التي فيها تقوم مقام الحركة . وأجاز يونس اضربان زيدا ، وإنما منع النحويون هذا لأنه جمع بين ساكنين وليس في الثاني إدغام ، ومن قرأ بقراءة أهل المدينة وأراد أن يسلم من اللحن وقف على محياي فيكون غير لاحن عند جميع النحويين . وقرأ ابن أبي إسحاق وعيسى بن عمر وعاصم الجحدري ( ومحيي ) بتشديد الياء الثانية من غير ألف ; وهي لغة عليا مضر يقولون : قفي وعصي . وأنشد أهل اللغة :سبقوا هوي وأعنقوا لهواهموقد تقدم .قال إلكيا الطبري : قوله تعالى : قل إنني هداني ربي إلى صراط مستقيم إلى قوله : قل إن صلاتي ونسكي ومحياي ومماتي لله رب العالمين استدل به الشافعي على افتتاح الصلاة بهذا الذكر ; فإن الله أمر نبيه صلى الله عليه وسلم وأنزله في كتابه ، ثم ذكر حديث علي رضي الله عنه أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم كان إذا افتتح الصلاة قال : وجهت وجهي للذي فطر السماوات والأرض [ ص: 139 ] حنيفا وما أنا من المشركين . إن صلاتي ونسكي ومحياي ومماتي لله رب العالمين . إلى قوله : وأنا من المسلمين . قلت : روى مسلم في صحيحه عن علي بن أبي طالب عن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم أنه كان إذا قام إلى الصلاة قال : وجهت وجهي للذي فطر السماوات والأرض حنيفا وما أنا من المشركين . إن صلاتي ونسكي ومحياي ومماتي لله رب العالمين لا شريك له وبذلك أمرت وأنا أول المسلمين . اللهم أنت الملك لا إله إلا أنت ، أنت ربي وأنا عبدك ظلمت نفسي واعترفت بذنبي فاغفر لي ذنوبي جميعا إنه لا يغفر الذنوب إلا أنت واهدني لأحسن الأخلاق لا يهدي لأحسنها إلا أنت واصرف عني سيئها لا يصرف عني سيئها إلا أنت لبيك وسعديك والخير كله في يديك والشر ليس إليك . تباركت وتعاليت . أستغفرك وأتوب إليك الحديث . وأخرجه الدارقطني وقال في آخره : بلغنا عن النضر بن شميل وكان من العلماء باللغة وغيرها قال : معنى قول رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم والشر ليس إليك الشر ليس مما يتقرب به إليك . قال مالك : ليس التوجيه في الصلاة بواجب على الناس ، والواجب عليهم التكبير ثم القراءة . قال ابن القاسم : لم ير مالك هذا الذي يقوله الناس قبل القراءة : سبحانك اللهم وبحمدك . وفي مختصر ما ليس في المختصر : أن مالكا كان يقوله في خاصة نفسه ; لصحة الحديث به ، وكان لا يراه للناس مخافة أن يعتقدوا وجوبه . قال أبو الفرج الجوزي : وكنت أصلي وراء شيخنا أبي بكر الدينوري الفقيه في زمان الصبا ، فرآني مرة أفعل هذا فقال : يا بني ، إن الفقهاء قد اختلفوا في وجوب قراءة الفاتحة خلف الإمام ، ولم يختلفوا أن الافتتاح سنة ، فاشتغل بالواجب ودع السنن . والحجة لمالك قوله صلى الله عليه وسلم للأعرابي الذي علمه الصلاة : إذا قمت إلى الصلاة فكبر ثم اقرأ ولم يقل له سبح كما يقول أبو حنيفة ، ولا قل وجهت وجهي ، كما يقول الشافعي . وقال لأبي : كيف تقرأ إذا افتتحت الصلاة ؟ قال : قلت الله أكبر ، الحمد لله رب العالمين فلم يذكر توجيها ولا تسبيحا . فإن قيل : فإن عليا قد أخبر أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم كان يقوله . قلنا : يحتمل أن يكون [ ص: 140 ] قاله قبل التكبير ثم كبر ، وذلك حسن عندنا . فإن قيل : فقد روى النسائي والدارقطني أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم كان إذا افتتح الصلاة كبر ثم يقول : إن صلاتي ونسكي الحديث قلنا : هذا نحمله على النافلة في صلاة الليل ; كما جاء في كتاب النسائي عن أبي سعيد قال كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم إذا افتتح الصلاة بالليل قال : سبحانك اللهم وبحمدك تبارك اسمك وتعالى جدك ولا إله غيرك . أو في النافلة مطلقا ; فإن النافلة أخف من الفرض ; لأنه يجوز أن يصليها قائما وقاعدا وراكبا ، وإلى القبلة وغيرها في السفر ، فأمرها أيسر .
In the pages of the Quran, God has revealed His religion in the uncorrupted state in which He had given it to Abraham and other prophets. Now, one who wants to be blessed by the Grace of God and His support should adopt this religion. He should dedicate his prayers to God; he should have a relation with God at the level of sacrifice; if he lives, he should live for the sake of God, and when he is overtaken by death, he should by that time have unreservedly become a subject of God, in body and soul. The vast universe with its heavenly bodies follows this religion of obedience to God. Then, how can a man adopt a path other than this? In the world of obedience to God, how can arrogance directed against God lead to success? This is a matter which concerns every individual. Nobody can share another’s reward or suffer another’s punishment. The individual should be as serious about this as he is about all matters which concern him personally.
In the first verse it has been said: قُلْ إِنَّنِي هَدَانِي رَبِّي إِلَىٰ صِرَاطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ (As for me, my Lord has guided me to a straight path). The hint given here is that he has not taken this path prompted like them by their own ideas or under the weight of ancestral customs. Instead of that, this is a way to which he has been directed by his Lord. Then, by using the word: رَبّ (Rabb, the essential nurturer, benefactor and carer under all conditions, unfortunately not expressed through any equivalent in English), it was indicated that it is the very dictate of His beneficence that He guides to the right path. Those who look for guidance will have guidance from Him.
In the second verse (162), it was said: دِينًا قِيَمًا مِّلَّةَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ حَنِيفًا ۚ وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ (the straight religion, the faith of Ibrahim, the upright; and he was not of those who associate partners with Allah). Here, the word: قِیَم (qiyam) is a verbal noun in the sense of: قِیَام (qiyam) meaning what stands established on strong and secure foundation. In other words, this religion is fortified. It stands on God-sent basics. This is no compendium of someone's personal ideas. Then, it is not some strange new religion either lending itself to doubting eyebrows. This has been the religion of all past prophets, may peace be upon them all. That the name of Sayyidna Ibrahim (علیہ السلام) has been particularly mentioned here is because all religions in the world admit his greatness and religious patriarchy. Among the groups of the time, the Jews, the Christians and the disbelievers of Arabia - no matter how different from each other they may be - they were still unanimous in paying homage to the great spiritual station of Sayyidna Ibrahim (علیہ السلام) . And this spiritual-station of leadership has been given to him by Allah Ta` ala as a special reward: إِنِّي جَاعِلُكَ لِلنَّاسِ إِمَامًا (I am going to make you an Imam for the people - 2:124).
Then, every sect from them tried to prove that they were staunch adherents of the religion of Ibrahim (علیہ السلام) and were part of his Community. To remove their misgiving, it was said that Ibrahim (علیہ السلام) had the distinction of always abstaining from bowing before anyone other than Allah and he had a distaste for all kinds of Shirk which led people to associate partners in His pristine Divinity. This conduct was the greatest achievement of his life. In sharp contrast to him, here you are all soaked in Shirk. Everyone took someone as partners with Allah - the Jews did that with Sayyidna ` Uzayr ؓ the Christians with Sayyidna ` Isa (علیہ السلام) . and the disbelievers of Arabia were so liberal that they took thousands of rocks to be partners in the Divinity of Allah. In this state of affairs, no one had the right to claim that they were adhering to the ideal of the spiritual community of Sayyidna Ibrahim (علیہ السلام) - except Muslims. They shun Shirk and Kufr.
In the third verse (163), it was said: قُلْ إِنَّ صَلَاتِي وَنُسُكِي وَمَحْيَايَ وَمَمَاتِي لِلَّـهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ ﴿162﴾ (Say, "My prayer, my offering, my life and my death are all for Allah, the Lord of all the worlds). The word:' نُسُكِ (nusuk) in this verse means sacrifice. Everything one does in Hajj is also called: Nusuk. So, the rites of Hajj are known as مَنں اسِک Manasik, the plural of Nusuk. Then, this word is also used for ` Ibadah or worship of Allah in the absolute sense.
Therefore, Nasik is used in the sense of ` Abid (one who worships Allah). At this place, any of the meanings given above can be applied. Tafsirs to that effect have been reported from commentators among the Sahabah and Tabi` In. But, ` Ibadah or offering of acts of worship devoted to Allah, taken in the absolute sense, appears to be the more appropriate meaning at this place. In that case, the meaning of the verse would be: ` My prayer, my offerings in ` Ibadah, my life and my death are all for Allah, the Lord of all the worlds.'
Out of the subsidiaries of deeds, the first to be mentioned here was Salah because that is the moving spirit of all good deeds and is, of course, the pillar of the religion. Mentioned briefly after that were all deeds and acts of worship. Then, rising to a wider level, everything done or faced in a lifetime was pointed to. The last to be mentioned was death. After having identified all these, it was admitted that they are only for Allah who is the Lord of all the worlds and who has no associate or partner in His Divinity. And this is the outcome of perfect faith and perfect sincerity. This leads one to think, care and keep in sight, in all states of life and in everything one does, that: ` my Rabb, and the Rabb of the whole wide world is One Rabb. I am His servant. I am in His sight - all the time. Let not my heart, my mind, my eyes, my ears, my tongue, and hands, and feet, nor my pen or step, move in any direction against His pleasure.' This is a simple meditation (Muraqabah) of the highest order, something which, if one trains himself to keep present in one's heart and mind, then, there is no doubt that he or she will become a human being in the real sense. Things like sin and disobedience and crimes will be scared to come anywhere even close to a person that strong.
In Tafsir Ad-Durr Al-Manthur, under the commentary on this verse, it has been reported that the well-known Sahabi, Sayyidna Abu Musa Al-Ash` ari ؓ used to say: "I honestly wish that every Muslim would keep reciting this verse time and again, almost making it the constant formula of his or her life."
In this verse, the statement - that the prayers and the rest of acts of worship are for Allah - very obviously means that these should be free from any Shirk or hypocrisy or any other worldly interest. As for life and death being for Allah, it could also mean : ` When my very life and death are in His control, then, what I do in my physical and spiritual life (a` mal and 'ibadat), has to be for Him alone.' And it could also mean: ` Whatever deeds are tied with life are for Allah alone - such as, Salah, Sawm, rights and duties involved in dealings with people etc. Then, deeds which relate to death - such as, a will (wasiyyah) and the concept of an ideal life one longs for - then, they too are for Allah, the Lord of all the worlds, and subordinate to what He has commanded.'
After that it was said: وَبِذَٰلِكَ أُمِرْتُ وَأَنَا أَوَّلُ الْمُسْلِمِينَ (And this I have been commanded and I am the first one to submit). It means that ` in this Ummah, I am the first Muslim' - because the first Muslim (one who submits) in every Ummah is the Nabiyy (prophet) or Rasul (Messenger) himself to whom the Shari'ah (religious code of guidance) is revealed through Wahy (revelation).
There could be a hint in the expression ` first Muslim,' towards the saying that the first to be created was the blessed Nur (light) of the Holy Prophet ﷺ ، after which the heavens and the earth and the rest of creation came into existence - as it appears in a Hadith with the words: اَوَّل مَا خَلَقَ اللہُ تعالیٰ نُورِی (Ruh a1-Ma` ani).
(Say) O Muhammad: (Lo! my worship) the five daily prayers (and, my sacrifice) my religion, proof, sacrifice and worship (and my living and my dying are for Allah) in this world are for the sake of Allah's obedience and pleasure, (Lord of the Worlds) the Master of the jinn and human beings.
Islam is the Straight Path
Allah commands His Prophet , the chief of the Messengers, to convey the news of being guided to Allah's straight path. This path is neither wicked, nor deviant,
دِينًا قِيَمًا
(a right religion...) that is, established on firm grounds,
مِلَّةَ إِبْرَهِيمَ حَنِيفًا وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ
(The religion of Ibrahim, Hanifan and he was not of the Mushrikin.) Allah said in similar Ayat,
وَمَن يَرْغَبُ عَن مِّلَّةِ إِبْرَهِيمَ إِلاَّ مَن سَفِهَ نَفْسَهُ
(And who turns away from the religion of Ibrahim except him who deludes himself) 2:130, and,
وَجَـهِدُوا فِى اللَّهِ حَقَّ جِهَـدِهِ هُوَ اجْتَبَـكُمْ وَمَا جَعَلَ عَلَيْكمْ فِى الدِّينِ مِنْ حَرَجٍ مِّلَّةَ أَبِيكُمْ إِبْرَهِيمَ
(And strive hard in Allah's cause as you ought to strive. He has chosen you, and has not laid upon you in religion any hardship: it is the religion of your father Ibrahim.) 22:78, and,
إِنَّ إِبْرَهِيمَ كَانَ أُمَّةً قَـنِتًا لِلَّهِ حَنِيفًا وَلَمْ يَكُ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ - شَاكِراً لانْعُمِهِ اجْتَبَـهُ وَهَدَاهُ إِلَى صِرَطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ - وَءاتَيْنَـهُ فِى الْدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَإِنَّهُ فِى الاٌّخِرَةِ لَمِنَ الصَّـلِحِينَ - ثُمَّ أَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَيْكَ أَنِ اتَّبِعْ مِلَّةَ إِبْرَهِيمَ حَنِيفًا وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ
(Verily, Ibrahim was an Ummah (or a nation), obedient to Allah, a Hanif, and he was not one of the Mushrikin. (He was) thankful for His (Allah's) favors. He (Allah) chose him (as an intimate friend) and guided him to a straight path. And We gave him good in this world, and in the Hereafter he shall be of the righteous. Then, We have sent the revelation to you (saying): "Follow the religion of Ibrahim, (he was a) Hanif, and he was not of the Mushrikin") 16:120-123. Ordering the Prophet to follow the religion of Ibrahim, the Hanifiyyah, does not mean that Prophet Ibrahim reached more perfection in it than our Prophet . Rather, our Prophet perfectly established the religion and it was completed for him; and none before him reached this level of perfection. This is why he is the Final Prophet, the chief of all the Children of Adam who holds the station of praise and glory, the honor of intercession on the Day of Resurrection. All creation (on that Day) will seek him, even Ibrahim the friend of Allah, peace be upon him to request the beginning of Judgement. Imam Ahmad recorded that Ibn `Abbas said, "The Messenger of Allah ﷺ was asked, `Which religion is the best with Allah, the Exalted' He said,
«الْحَنِيفِيَّةُ السَّمْحَة»
(Al-Hanifiyyah As-Samhah (the easy monotheism))"
The Command for Sincerity in Worship
Allah said next,
قُلْ إِنَّ صَلاَتِى وَنُسُكِى وَمَحْيَاىَ وَمَمَاتِى للَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَـلَمِينَ
(Say: "Verily, my Salah, my sacrifice, my living, and my dying are for Allah, the Lord of the all that exists.") Allah commands the Prophet to inform the idolators who worship other than Allah and sacrifice to something other than Him, that he opposes them in all this, for his prayer is for Allah, and his rituals are in His Name alone, without partners. Allah said in a similar statement,
فَصَلِّ لِرَبِّكَ وَانْحَرْ
(Therefore turn in prayer to your Lord and sacrifice.) 108:2, meaning, make your prayer and sacrifice for Allah alone. As for the idolators, they used to worship the idols and sacrifice to them, so Allah commanded the Prophet to defy them and contradict their practices. Allah, the Exalted, commanded him to dedicate his intention and heart to being sincere for Him alone. Mujahid commented,
إِنَّ صَلاَتِى وَنُسُكِى
(Verily, my prayer and my Nusuk...) refers to sacrificing during Hajj and `Umrah.
Islam is the Religion of all Prophets
The Ayah,
وَأَنَاْ أَوَّلُ الْمُسْلِمِينَ
(and I am the first of the Muslims.) means, from this Ummah, according to Qatadah. This is a sound meaning, because all Prophets before our Prophet were calling to Islam, which commands worshipping Allah alone without partners. Allah said in another Ayah,
وَمَآ أَرْسَلْنَا مِن قَبْلِكَ مِن رَّسُولٍ إِلاَّ نُوحِى إِلَيْهِ أَنَّهُ لا إِلَـهَ إِلاَّ أَنَاْ فَاعْبُدُونِ
(And We did not send any Messenger before you but We revealed to him (saying): "None has the right to be worshipped but I, so worship Me.") 21:25 Allah informed us that Nuh said to his people,
فَإِن تَوَلَّيْتُمْ فَمَا سَأَلْتُكُمْ مِّنْ أَجْرٍ إِنْ أَجْرِىَ إِلاَّ عَلَى اللَّهِ وَأُمِرْتُ أَنْ أَكُونَ مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ
(But if you turn away, then no reward have I asked of you, my reward is only from Allah, and I have been commanded to be of the Muslims.) 10:72 Allah said,
وَمَن يَرْغَبُ عَن مِّلَّةِ إِبْرَهِيمَ إِلاَّ مَن سَفِهَ نَفْسَهُ وَلَقَدِ اصْطَفَيْنَـهُ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَإِنَّهُ فِى الاٌّخِرَةِ لَمِنَ الصَّـلِحِينَ - إِذْ قَالَ لَهُ رَبُّهُ أَسْلِمْ قَالَ أَسْلَمْتُ لِرَبِّ الْعَـلَمِينَ - وَوَصَّى بِهَآ إِبْرَهِيمُ بَنِيهِ وَيَعْقُوبُ يَـبَنِىَّ إِنَّ اللَّهَ اصْطَفَى لَكُمُ الدِّينَ فَلاَ تَمُوتُنَّ إَلاَّ وَأَنتُم مُّسْلِمُونَ
(And who turns away from the religion of Ibrahim except him who deludes himself Truly, We chose him in this world and verily, in the Hereafter he will be among the righteous. When his Lord said to him, "Submit (i.e. be a Muslim)!" He said, "I have submitted myself (as a Muslim) to the Lord of the all that exists." And this was enjoined by Ibrahim upon his sons and by Ya`qub (saying), "O my sons! Allah has chosen for you the (true) religion, then die not except as Muslims.")2:130-132. Yusuf, peace be upon him, said,
رَبِّ قَدْ آتَيْتَنِى مِنَ الْمُلْكِ وَعَلَّمْتَنِى مِن تَأْوِيلِ الاٌّحَادِيثِ فَاطِرَ السَّمَـوَتِ وَالاٌّرْضِ أَنتَ وَلِىِّ فِى الدُّنُيَا وَالاٌّخِرَةِ تَوَفَّنِى مُسْلِمًا وَأَلْحِقْنِى بِالصَّـلِحِينَ
(My Lord! You have indeed bestowed on me of the sovereignty, and taught me something of the interpretation of dreams -- the (Only) Creator of the heavens and the earth! You are my Wali (Protector) in this world and in the Hereafter. Cause me to die as a Muslim, and join me with the righteous.) 12:101 Musa said,
وَقَالَ مُوسَى يقَوْمِ إِن كُنتُمْ ءامَنْتُمْ بِاللَّهِ فَعَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلُواْ إِن كُنْتُم مُّسْلِمِينَ - فَقَالُواْ عَلَى اللَّهِ تَوَكَّلْنَا رَبَّنَا لاَ تَجْعَلْنَا فِتْنَةً لِّلْقَوْمِ الظَّـلِمِينَ - وَنَجِّنَا بِرَحْمَتِكَ مِنَ الْقَوْمِ الْكَـفِرِينَ
(And Musa said: "O my people! If you have believed in Allah, then put your trust in Him if you are Muslims." They said: "In Allah we put our trust. Our Lord! Make us not a trial for the folk who are wrongdoers. And save us by your mercy from the disbelieving folk") 10:84-86 Allah said,
إِنَّآ أَنزَلْنَا التَّوْرَاةَ فِيهَا هُدًى وَنُورٌ يَحْكُمُ بِهَا النَّبِيُّونَ الَّذِينَ أَسْلَمُواْ لِلَّذِينَ هَادُواْ وَالرَّبَّانِيُّونَ وَالاٌّحْبَارُ
(Verily, We did send down the Tawrah, therein was guidance and light, by which the Prophets, who submitted themselves to Allah's will, judged for the Jews. And the rabbis and the priests did also.) 5:44, and,
وَإِذْ أَوْحَيْتُ إِلَى الْحَوَارِيِّينَ أَنْ ءَامِنُواْ بِى وَبِرَسُولِى قَالُواْ ءَامَنَّا وَاشْهَدْ بِأَنَّنَا مُسْلِمُونَ
(And when I (Allah) inspired Al-Hawariyyun (the disciples) of `Isa to believe in Me and My Messenger, they said: "We believe. And bear witness that we are Muslims.") 5:111 Therefore, Allah states that He sent all His Messengers with the religion of Islam, although their respective laws differed from each other, and some of them abrogated others. Later on, the Law sent with Muhammad ﷺ abrogated all previous laws and nothing will ever abrogate it, forever. Certainly, Muhammad's ﷺ Law will always be apparent and its flags raised high, until the Day of Resurrection. The Prophet said, C
«نَحْنُ مَعَاشِرُ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ أَوْلَادُ عَلَّاتٍ دِينُنَا وَاحِد»
(We, the Prophets, are half brothers, but our religion is one.) Half brothers, mentioned in the Hadith, refers to the brothers to one father, but different mothers. Therefore, the religion, representing the one father, is one; worshipping Allah alone without partners, even though the laws which are like the different mothers in this parable, are different. Allah the Most High knows best. Imam Ahmad recorded that `Ali said that when the Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to start the prayer with Takbir saying, "Allahu Akbar" (Allah is the Great) he would then supplicate,
«وَجَّهْتُ وَجْهِيَ لِلَّذِي فَطَرَ السَّمَوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ حَنِيفًا وَمَا أَنَا مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ، إِنَّ صَلَاتِي وَنُسُكِي وَمَحْيَايَ وَمَمَاتِي للهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِين»
(I have directed my face towards He Who has created the heavens and earth, Hanifan and I am not among the Mushrikin. Certainly, my prayer, sacrifice, living and dying are all for Allah, Lord of the worlds.)
«اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ الْمَلِكُ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ، أَنْتَ رَبِّي وَأَنَا عَبْدُكَ ظَلَمْتُ نَفْسِي وَاعْتَرَفْتُ بِذَنْبِي فَاغْفِرْ لِي ذُنُوبِي جَمِيعًا لَا يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ، وَاهْدِنِي لِأَحْسَنِ الْأَخْلَاقِ لَا يَهْدِي لِأَحْسَنِهَا إِلَّا أَنْتَ، وَاصْرِفْ عَنِّي سَيِّئَهَا لَا يَصْرِفُ عَنِّي سَيِّئَهَا إِلَّا أَنْتَ، تَبَارَكْتَ وَتَعَالَيْتَ، أَسْتَغْفِرُكَ وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيْك»
(O Allah! You are the King, there is no deity worthy of worship except You. You are my Lord and I am Your servant. I have committed wrong against myself and admitted to my error, so forgive me all my sins. Verily, You, only You forgive the sins. (O Allah!) Direct me to the best conduct, for none except You directs to the best conduct. Divert me from the worst conduct, for only You divert from the worst conduct. Glorified and Exalted You are. I seek Your forgiveness and repent to You.) This Hadith, which was also recorded by Muslim in the Sahih, continues and mentions the Prophet's supplication in his bowing, prostrating and final sitting positions.
Say: “My prayer and my sacrifice, my life and my death, belong to God.” He who knows that he is in God knows that he belongs to God. When he knows that his soul belongs to God, no portion of him remains for other than God. He surrenders to God's decree, he does not protest against God's predetermination, he does not oppose God's chosen ones, and he does not turn away from embracing God's command. This verse about MuṣṬafā alludes to the station of union. Union is joining with the Real and being released from oneself. The mark of this work is a heart alive through meditation and a tongue loosed in remembrance. One becomes a loan to the creatures, a stranger to oneself, at ease from attachment, at rest with the Real. The Pir of the Tariqah said, “O God, ever since You called me, I have been alone in the crowd. When You said 'Come!,' my seven bodily parts heard. What comes forth from the Adamite? The Adamite's worth is clear: His purse is empty, he treads on air. “This work was before Adam and Eve, a bestowal before fear and hope, but the Adamite undergoes trials because of seeing. He alone is joyful who is free of seeing causes and disloyal toward his own self. Though the millwheel of the states is turning, so what? The pivot of His will is in place.” O friend, I have become all yours. In truth these words have no lying, no deceit. Were you to jump right out of your own selfhood, I would likely be there in your place, my dear.
Say: “My prayer and my sacrifice, my life and my death, belong to God.” He who knows that he is in God knows that he belongs to God. When he knows that his soul belongs to God, no portion of him remains for other than God. He surrenders to God's decree, he does not protest against God's predetermination, he does not oppose God's chosen ones, and he does not turn away from embracing God's command. This verse about MuṣṬafā alludes to the station of union. Union is joining with the Real and being released from oneself. The mark of this work is a heart alive through meditation and a tongue loosed in remembrance. One becomes a loan to the creatures, a stranger to oneself, at ease from attachment, at rest with the Real. The Pir of the Tariqah said, “O God, ever since You called me, I have been alone in the crowd. When You said 'Come!,' my seven bodily parts heard. What comes forth from the Adamite? The Adamite's worth is clear: His purse is empty, he treads on air. “This work was before Adam and Eve, a bestowal before fear and hope, but the Adamite undergoes trials because of seeing. He alone is joyful who is free of seeing causes and disloyal toward his own self. Though the millwheel of the states is turning, so what? The pivot of His will is in place.” O friend, I have become all yours. In truth these words have no lying, no deceit. Were you to jump right out of your own selfhood, I would likely be there in your place, my dear.
Say: “My prayer and my sacrifice, my life and my death, belong to God.” He who knows that he is in God knows that he belongs to God. When he knows that his soul belongs to God, no portion of him remains for other than God. He surrenders to God's decree, he does not protest against God's predetermination, he does not oppose God's chosen ones, and he does not turn away from embracing God's command. This verse about MuṣṬafā alludes to the station of union. Union is joining with the Real and being released from oneself. The mark of this work is a heart alive through meditation and a tongue loosed in remembrance. One becomes a loan to the creatures, a stranger to oneself, at ease from attachment, at rest with the Real. The Pir of the Tariqah said, “O God, ever since You called me, I have been alone in the crowd. When You said 'Come!,' my seven bodily parts heard. What comes forth from the Adamite? The Adamite's worth is clear: His purse is empty, he treads on air. “This work was before Adam and Eve, a bestowal before fear and hope, but the Adamite undergoes trials because of seeing. He alone is joyful who is free of seeing causes and disloyal toward his own self. Though the millwheel of the states is turning, so what? The pivot of His will is in place.” O friend, I have become all yours. In truth these words have no lying, no deceit. Were you to jump right out of your own selfhood, I would likely be there in your place, my dear.
Say: “My prayer and my sacrifice, my life and my death, belong to God.” He who knows that he is in God knows that he belongs to God. When he knows that his soul belongs to God, no portion of him remains for other than God. He surrenders to God's decree, he does not protest against God's predetermination, he does not oppose God's chosen ones, and he does not turn away from embracing God's command. This verse about MuṣṬafā alludes to the station of union. Union is joining with the Real and being released from oneself. The mark of this work is a heart alive through meditation and a tongue loosed in remembrance. One becomes a loan to the creatures, a stranger to oneself, at ease from attachment, at rest with the Real. The Pir of the Tariqah said, “O God, ever since You called me, I have been alone in the crowd. When You said 'Come!,' my seven bodily parts heard. What comes forth from the Adamite? The Adamite's worth is clear: His purse is empty, he treads on air. “This work was before Adam and Eve, a bestowal before fear and hope, but the Adamite undergoes trials because of seeing. He alone is joyful who is free of seeing causes and disloyal toward his own self. Though the millwheel of the states is turning, so what? The pivot of His will is in place.” O friend, I have become all yours. In truth these words have no lying, no deceit. Were you to jump right out of your own selfhood, I would likely be there in your place, my dear.
Say: �My prayer and my sacrifice, my life and my death, belong to God.�He who knows that he is in God knows that he belongs to God. When he knows that his soul belongs to God, no portion of him remains for other than God. He surrenders to God's decree, he does not protest against God's predetermination, he does not oppose God's chosen ones, and he does not turn away from embracing God's command.This verse about MuṣṬafā alludes to the station of union. Union is joining with the Real and being released from oneself. The mark of this work is a heart alive through meditation and a tongue loosed in remembrance. One becomes a loan to the creatures, a stranger to oneself, at ease from attachment, at rest with the Real.The Pir of the Tariqah said, �O God, ever since You called me, I have been alone in the crowd. When You said 'Come!,' my seven bodily parts heard. What comes forth from the Adamite? The Adamite's worth is clear: His purse is empty, he treads on air.�This work was before Adam and Eve, a bestowal before fear and hope, but the Adamite undergoes trials because of seeing. He alone is joyful who is free of seeing causes and disloyaltoward his own self. Though the millwheel of the states is turning, so what? The pivot of His will is in place.�O friend, I have become all yours.In truth these words have no lying, no deceit. Were you to jump right out of your own selfhood,I would likely be there in your place, my dear.
القول في تأويل قوله : قُلْ إِنَّ صَلاتِي وَنُسُكِي وَمَحْيَايَ وَمَمَاتِي لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ (162)قال أبو جعفر: يقول تعالى ذكره لنبيه محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم: (قل)، يا محمد، لهؤلاء العادلين بربهم الأوثان والأصنام, الذين يسألونك أن تتبع أهواءهم على الباطل من عبادة الآلهة والأوثان =(إن صلاتي ونسكي)، يقول: وذبحي (77) =(ومحياي)، يقول: وحياتي =(ومماتي) يقول: ووفاتي =(لله رب العالمين)، يعني: أن ذلك كله له خالصًا دون ما أشركتم به، أيها المشركون، من الأوثان =(لا شريك له) في شيء من ذلك من خلقه, ولا لشيء منهم فيه نصيب, لأنه لا ينبغي أن يكون ذلك إلا له خالصًا =(وبذلك أمرت)، يقول: وبذلك أمرني ربي =(وأنا أول المسلمين)، يقول: وأنا أوّل من أقرَّ وأذْعن وخضع من هذه الأمة لربه بأن ذلك كذلك . (78)* * *وبنحو الذي قلنا في ذلك قال أهل التأويل .* ذكر من قال: " النسك "، في هذا الموضع، الذبح.14296- حدثنا ابن حميد قال، حدثنا حكام, عن عنبسة, عن محمد بن عبد الرحمن, عن القاسم بن أبي بزة, عن مجاهد: (إن صلاتي ونسكي)، قال: " النسك "، الذبائح في الحج والعمرة .14297- حدثني محمد بن عمرو قال، حدثنا أبو عاصم قال، حدثنا عيسى, عن ابن أبي نجيح, عن مجاهد, في قول الله: (ونسكي) ، ذبحي في الحج والعمرة . (79)14298- حدثني المثنى قال، حدثنا أبو حذيفة قال، حدثنا شبل, عن ابن أبي نجيح, عن مجاهد: (ونسكي)، ذبيحتي في الحج والعمرة .14299- حدثنا محمد بن بشار قال، حدثنا عبد الرحمن قال، حدثنا سفيان, عن إسماعيل, وليس بابن أبي خالد, عن سعيد بن جبير, في قوله: (صلاتي ونسكي)، قال: ذبحي .14300- حدثنا الحسن بن يحيى قال، أخبرنا عبد الرزاق قال، أخبرنا الثوري, عن إسماعيل, عن سعيد بن جبير في قوله: (صلاتي ونسكي)، قال: ذبحي . (80)14301- حدثنا ابن وكيع قال، حدثنا عبد الرحمن بن مهدي, عن سفيان, عن إسماعيل، عن سعيد بن جبير= قال ابن مهدي: لا أدري من " إسماعيل " هذا !=(صلاتي ونسكي)، قال: صلاتي وذبيحتي .14302- حدثني المثنى قال، حدثنا إسحاق قال، حدثنا عبد الرزاق قال، حدثنا الثوري, عن إسماعيل بن أبي خالد, عن سعيد بن جبير, في قوله: (صلاتي ونسكي)، قال: وذبيحتي . (81)14303- حدثنا محمد بن عبد الأعلى قال، حدثنا محمد بن ثور, عن معمر, عن قتادة: (ونسكي)، قال: ذبحي .14304- حدثني محمد بن الحسين قال، حدثنا أحمد بن المفضل قال، حدثنا أسباط, عن السدي قوله: (ونسكي)، قال: ذبيحتي .14305- حدثنا ابن وكيع قال، حدثنا المحاربي, عن جويبر, عن الضحاك: (صلاتي ونسكي)، قال: " الصلاة "، الصلاة, و " النسك "، الذبح .--------------------الهوامش :(77) انظر تفسير (( النسك )) فيما سلف 3 : 77 - 80 / 4 : 86 ، 195 .(78) انظر تفسير (( الإسلام )) فيما سلف من فهارس اللغة ( سلم ) .(79) في المطبوعة : (( ذبيحتي )) ، وأثبت ما في المخطوطة .(80) في المطبوعة : (( ذبيحتي )) ، غير ما في المخطوطة .(81) الآثار : 14299 - 14302 - (( إسماعيل )) ، الذي روى عنه (( سفيان الثوري )) ، وروى هو (( سعيد بن جبير )) ، والذي جاء في الخبر الأول أنه (( ليس بابن أبي خالد )) ، وفي رقم : 14302 (( إسماعيل بن أبي خالد )) مصرحًا به ، والذي جهله (( ابن مهدي )) في رقم : 14301 ، لم أجد من أشار إليه ، إلا أني وجدت في أسماء الرواة عن (( سعيد بن جبير )) :(( إسماعيل بن مسلم )) ، مولى بني مخزوم ، سمع منه وكيع ، وابن المبارك وعمرو العنقزي ، مترجم في الكبير 1 / 1 / 372 ، وابن أبي حاتم 1 / 1 / 197 ، فلا أدري أهو هو ، أم هو غيره .
In the first verse it has been said: قُلْ إِنَّنِي هَدَانِي رَبِّي إِلَىٰ صِرَاطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ (As for me, my Lord has guided me to a straight path). The hint given here is that he has not taken this path prompted like them by their own ideas or under the weight of ancestral customs. Instead of that, this is a way to which he has been directed by his Lord. Then, by using the word: رَبّ (Rabb, the essential nurturer, benefactor and carer under all conditions, unfortunately not expressed through any equivalent in English), it was indicated that it is the very dictate of His beneficence that He guides to the right path. Those who look for guidance will have guidance from Him.
In the second verse (162), it was said: دِينًا قِيَمًا مِّلَّةَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ حَنِيفًا ۚ وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ (the straight religion, the faith of Ibrahim, the upright; and he was not of those who associate partners with Allah). Here, the word: قِیَم (qiyam) is a verbal noun in the sense of: قِیَام (qiyam) meaning what stands established on strong and secure foundation. In other words, this religion is fortified. It stands on God-sent basics. This is no compendium of someone's personal ideas. Then, it is not some strange new religion either lending itself to doubting eyebrows. This has been the religion of all past prophets, may peace be upon them all. That the name of Sayyidna Ibrahim (علیہ السلام) has been particularly mentioned here is because all religions in the world admit his greatness and religious patriarchy. Among the groups of the time, the Jews, the Christians and the disbelievers of Arabia - no matter how different from each other they may be - they were still unanimous in paying homage to the great spiritual station of Sayyidna Ibrahim (علیہ السلام) . And this spiritual-station of leadership has been given to him by Allah Ta` ala as a special reward: إِنِّي جَاعِلُكَ لِلنَّاسِ إِمَامًا (I am going to make you an Imam for the people - 2:124).
Then, every sect from them tried to prove that they were staunch adherents of the religion of Ibrahim (علیہ السلام) and were part of his Community. To remove their misgiving, it was said that Ibrahim (علیہ السلام) had the distinction of always abstaining from bowing before anyone other than Allah and he had a distaste for all kinds of Shirk which led people to associate partners in His pristine Divinity. This conduct was the greatest achievement of his life. In sharp contrast to him, here you are all soaked in Shirk. Everyone took someone as partners with Allah - the Jews did that with Sayyidna ` Uzayr ؓ the Christians with Sayyidna ` Isa (علیہ السلام) . and the disbelievers of Arabia were so liberal that they took thousands of rocks to be partners in the Divinity of Allah. In this state of affairs, no one had the right to claim that they were adhering to the ideal of the spiritual community of Sayyidna Ibrahim (علیہ السلام) - except Muslims. They shun Shirk and Kufr.
In the third verse (163), it was said: قُلْ إِنَّ صَلَاتِي وَنُسُكِي وَمَحْيَايَ وَمَمَاتِي لِلَّـهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ ﴿162﴾ (Say, "My prayer, my offering, my life and my death are all for Allah, the Lord of all the worlds). The word:' نُسُكِ (nusuk) in this verse means sacrifice. Everything one does in Hajj is also called: Nusuk. So, the rites of Hajj are known as مَنں اسِک Manasik, the plural of Nusuk. Then, this word is also used for ` Ibadah or worship of Allah in the absolute sense.
Therefore, Nasik is used in the sense of ` Abid (one who worships Allah). At this place, any of the meanings given above can be applied. Tafsirs to that effect have been reported from commentators among the Sahabah and Tabi` In. But, ` Ibadah or offering of acts of worship devoted to Allah, taken in the absolute sense, appears to be the more appropriate meaning at this place. In that case, the meaning of the verse would be: ` My prayer, my offerings in ` Ibadah, my life and my death are all for Allah, the Lord of all the worlds.'
Out of the subsidiaries of deeds, the first to be mentioned here was Salah because that is the moving spirit of all good deeds and is, of course, the pillar of the religion. Mentioned briefly after that were all deeds and acts of worship. Then, rising to a wider level, everything done or faced in a lifetime was pointed to. The last to be mentioned was death. After having identified all these, it was admitted that they are only for Allah who is the Lord of all the worlds and who has no associate or partner in His Divinity. And this is the outcome of perfect faith and perfect sincerity. This leads one to think, care and keep in sight, in all states of life and in everything one does, that: ` my Rabb, and the Rabb of the whole wide world is One Rabb. I am His servant. I am in His sight - all the time. Let not my heart, my mind, my eyes, my ears, my tongue, and hands, and feet, nor my pen or step, move in any direction against His pleasure.' This is a simple meditation (Muraqabah) of the highest order, something which, if one trains himself to keep present in one's heart and mind, then, there is no doubt that he or she will become a human being in the real sense. Things like sin and disobedience and crimes will be scared to come anywhere even close to a person that strong.
In Tafsir Ad-Durr Al-Manthur, under the commentary on this verse, it has been reported that the well-known Sahabi, Sayyidna Abu Musa Al-Ash` ari ؓ used to say: "I honestly wish that every Muslim would keep reciting this verse time and again, almost making it the constant formula of his or her life."
In this verse, the statement - that the prayers and the rest of acts of worship are for Allah - very obviously means that these should be free from any Shirk or hypocrisy or any other worldly interest. As for life and death being for Allah, it could also mean : ` When my very life and death are in His control, then, what I do in my physical and spiritual life (a` mal and 'ibadat), has to be for Him alone.' And it could also mean: ` Whatever deeds are tied with life are for Allah alone - such as, Salah, Sawm, rights and duties involved in dealings with people etc. Then, deeds which relate to death - such as, a will (wasiyyah) and the concept of an ideal life one longs for - then, they too are for Allah, the Lord of all the worlds, and subordinate to what He has commanded.'
After that it was said: وَبِذَٰلِكَ أُمِرْتُ وَأَنَا أَوَّلُ الْمُسْلِمِينَ (And this I have been commanded and I am the first one to submit). It means that ` in this Ummah, I am the first Muslim' - because the first Muslim (one who submits) in every Ummah is the Nabiyy (prophet) or Rasul (Messenger) himself to whom the Shari'ah (religious code of guidance) is revealed through Wahy (revelation).
There could be a hint in the expression ` first Muslim,' towards the saying that the first to be created was the blessed Nur (light) of the Holy Prophet ﷺ ، after which the heavens and the earth and the rest of creation came into existence - as it appears in a Hadith with the words: اَوَّل مَا خَلَقَ اللہُ تعالیٰ نُورِی (Ruh a1-Ma` ani).