By: Uwaymir Anjun
Remarkably, the chapter of Al-‘Araaf, the Heights, the seventh chapter of the Noble Quran, has for its theme the topic that we are con¬cerned with here, that is, history. Or more precisely, it is about the manifestation of Allah's message of Tawheed, monotheism, in history and the various human responses to it.
This theme is lost to most cursory readers of the Quran. Remarkably few readers notice that every chapter of the Quran has a unique theme, an ethos that sets it apart from all other chapters and hence the meanings every chapter derives from the same historical event are different. This is why the same historical event appears to have been narrated several times in the Quran in different chapters; few realize that it is not mere repetition; it has a different purpose and perspective each time. In the chapter of Al-‘Araaf, the theme of the narratives is to give a sense of the historical progression of humankind and how different groups of humans responded to the Truth of Allah Almighty. It begins by reassuring the Prophet Muhammad that his mission is not only true, it is the truth—the truth around which the entire history of humanity revolves. Hence he should have no hesitation in reminding his folks of their Creator and warn them of their waywardness. To reassure him, Allah Almighty calls to witness the entire history of humankind. He Almighty Says (what means):
"Alif, Laam, Meem, Saad. [This is] a Book revealed to you [O Muhammad] – so let there not be in your breast distress therefrom – that you may warn thereby and as a reminder to the believers. Follow (O mankind!) what has been revealed to you from your Lord and do not follow other than Him any allies.
Little do you remember! And how many cities have We destroyed, and Our punishment came to them at night or while they were sleeping at noon!" [Quran 7:1-4]
Then, the chapter recounts the story of the creation, emphasizing the promise Satan made to himself that he will do his best to deceive and delude the humanity. Human history is a sad witness to how he has been able to triumph over human reason and goodness so often — despite Allah's clear signs. The chapter recounts stories of Allah's message in human societies, and after relating several stories of encounter between the truthful prophets and their disbelieving people, it summarizes the lessons of these stories by saying (what means): {And if only the people of the cities had believed and feared Allah, We would have opened upon them blessings from the heaven and the earth; but they denied [the messengers], so We seized them for what they were earning."} [Quran 7:96]
One thing Satan often did successfully, the chapter states, was to make people forget the true meanings of their history. The cause of the downfall of nations one after the other in the aforementioned verse is that they neglected the moral lessons of the history of their forefathers, and thought that the same does not apply to them. Allah The Most High Says (what means): {And We sent to no city a prophet [who was denied] except that We seized its people with poverty and hardship that they might humble themselves [to Allah]. Then We exchanged in place of the bad [condition], good, until they increased [and prospered] and said, ‘Our fathers [also] were touched with hardship and ease.’ So We seized them suddenly while they did not perceive.} [Quran 7: 94-95]
One remarkable verse of this chapter comes after a long description of the rise and fall of the Israelites, and tells us how they became more and more corrupt because instead of learning lessons from their past and holding fast to the Book of Allah, they became adept at making excuses for themselves. Allah Almighty Says (what means): {"And there followed them successors who inherited the Scripture [while] taking the commodities of this lower life and saying, ‘It will be forgiven for us.’ And if an offer like it comes to them, they will [again] take it. Was not the covenant of the Scripture taken from them that they would not say about Allah except the truth, and they studied what was in it? And the home of the Hereafter is better for those who fear Allah, so will you not use reason?”} [Quran 7:169]
Let us look at some of the most prominent advantages of learning history of humanity from an Islamic perspective.
1. Faith and Certainty
When connected to a Quranic understanding of history, a believer feels connected to the numerous prophets, reformers, martyrs and inviters to Allah Almighty who have struggles and sacrificed in the way of Allah since the dawn of humanity. The facts of history bear witness that the truth always prevails and Allah's side is always victorious, and this increases the believers in faith and certainty in their cause.
2. Liberation from the Deception of Narrow Materialist Thinking
History of rise and fall of nations makes us realize the fleeting nature of power and glory in this world. A thoughtful look at history shows us that the nations that today arrogantly rebel against Allah Almighty and oppress others based on their material superiority were not too long ago dependent and weak, and will soon be replaced by others. It is human nature to be deceived by a `static' view of history, that makes us think that those who are wealthy, strong and powerful today have always been so and will always remain so.
Imaam Al-Ghazaali gives an example of this weakness and shortsightedness of human senses: If we look at the Sun, it appears still, and if we did not know the big picture and know its course of daily rising and setting, we would imagine that it will always stay up in the sky shining forever. Just as our eyes deceive us about the Sun being static; our lack of knowledge of history and of Allah's ways misleads us into thinking that the wealth and power are permanent.
3. Tolerance and Forbearance
Critical knowledge of one's origins and one's past is always humbling and eye-opening. In the history of Islam, one often sees ignorant followers of a great scholar fighting the followers of another scholar, while the two scholars greatly respected and learned from each other. If we know even a little history of how the Islamic sciences of Fiqh (Islamic Jurisprudence) and Hadeeth developed through diverse and multiple contributions of scholars from all over the world, how the pioneering scholars were open-minded about criticisms to their verdicts and opinions, and how they changed their opinions when a reasonable argument was presented to them, we will never fight other Muslims over differences in opinions. The much-needed attitude of mutual tolerance and accommodation of opinions (within well-known Islamic limits) can be attained only through proper education of Islamic history.
4. Motivation and Inspiration
When the believers from the Israelites encountered the mighty giant Goliath and his tremendous army under the leadership of Saul (Taaloot), people felt overwhelmed by the enemy's strength, except a few who had obeyed their leader. These few reminded their fellow believers of lessons from history to encourage them to fight for the truth. Here is the story in the Quran:
Allah Almighty Says (what means): {“And when Saul went forth with the soldiers, he said, ‘Indeed, Allah will be testing you with a river. So whoever drinks from it is not of me, and whoever does not taste it is indeed of me, excepting one who takes [from it] in the hollow of his hand.’ But they drank from it, except a [very] few of them. Then when he had crossed it along with those who believed with him, they said, ‘There is no power for us today against Goliath and his soldiers.’ But those who were certain that they would meet Allah said, ‘How many a small company has overcome a large company by permission of Allah. And Allah is with the patient.’"} [Quran 2:249]
In summary, the two articles in this series have made the case that reading human history from a correct perspective, the spiritual and moral perspective, is an obligation of the Muslim community without which we cannot properly understand and apply the message of the Quran. And that Islamic history is not only history of Muslims, but any history learned with the eye on Allah's plan and on moral and spiritual forces at work. This does not mean that Muslims can neglect material explanations for historical changes—in fact one cannot fully understand the moral or religious challenges without carefully sifting through the political, economic and social challenges of any given time. Hence, by learning history, carefully and critically, both as amateurs and as academic scholars, we will be reminded time and again of Allah's power and plan and of the power of faith and hope in Him Almighty. Thus, our learning can become a guide towards the regeneration and revival of the Muslim Ummah.