The Light of the Holy Qur'an — Page 28
T HE L IGHT OF T HE HOLY Q U R’AN—NUM BE R ON E T HE L IGHT OF T HE HOLY Q U R’AN—NUM BE R ON E 28 His help. This chapter [of the Qur’an] affirms that the purpose of the advent of the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, had been fulfilled; that is to say, thousands of people had accepted Islam. It also alludes to the [approaching] demise of the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him— accordingly, he died within a year [of this revelation]. Thus, it was inevitable that just as the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, was pleased with the revelation of this verse, he would also be grieved, for the garden had been planted, but what arrangement had been made for its eternal irrigation [into the future]? Hence, God Almighty, in order to remove this very concern, gave him the directive to do istighf a r. Since in the lexicon such ‘covering up’ is said to be the means through which man is safeguarded from calamities, it was for this reason that mighfar —which has the meaning of ‘helmet’—was derived from this very idea, and the meaning of seeking maghfirat [forgiveness] is that [in relation to] the calamity that is feared or the sin that elicits anxiety, God Almighty may stop that calam- ity or that sin from becoming manifest and may keep it covered. Therefore, in regard to this istighf a r, the promise was given that he should not grieve over this faith; God Almighty would not let it go to waste and would forever turn to it with mercy and hold back those calamities which could befall at any time of weakness. Most ignorant Christians, having failed to grasp the true essence of maghfirat, believe that anyone who seeks forgiveness is a transgressor and a sinner. However, after careful reflection upon the word maghfirat , it is clearly understood that he alone is a trans- gressor and a sinner who does not seek maghfirat from Allah. For, when every single unadulterated purity is conferred by Him alone