Dear brother, this is our second lesson on Surat Al-i Imran. Allah the Most High says in ayaat 3-4:

 It is He Who sent down to you (step by step), in truth, the Book, confirming what went before it; and He sent down the Torah (of Musa) and the Injil (of 'Isa).
Before this, as a guide to mankind, and He sent down the Criterion (of judgment between right and wrong). Then those who reject Faith in the Signs of Allah will suffer the severest penalty, and Allah is Exalted in Might, Lord of Retribution.

It is He Who sent down to you(step by step), in truth, the Book,

1- What is Truth?

 Dear brother this Book -the Holy Qur'an- was sent down to the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, in truth. Truth denotes something that is stable, something that opposes falsehood. Also, Truth is that which is meaningful, in opposition to what is trifling. One of the merits of the Noble Qur'an is that its ayaat explain one another. Hence, Truth is something that is fixed, stable and constant. However, falsehood is something that will vanish into the air. Here is an example of the truth: A university might be established to achieve great goals. Leaders and scientists can be its fruitful outcome. On the other hand, as an example of falsehood: A nightclub might be established to extort people's money and make them miserable. So when Allah, glory to Him, says:

"He has created the heavens and the earth with truth"

(at-Taghabun, 64:3)

 It means that there is Truth in the creation of the heavens and the earth; and, furthermore, this Universe is created to last. However,

"All that is on earth will perish."

(ar-Rahman, 55:26)

 and

"Everything (that exists) will perish except His Face."

(al-Qasas, 28:88)

 After this life, either there is Paradise forever or Hellfire forever. So, if you say that Allah created me in truth, it means that you are created to remain, and death is just an accidental situation:

"Every soul shall have a taste of death."

(Al-Imran, 3:185)

 and

 They will cry:

"O Malik! Would that thy Lord put an end to us!"

 He will say,

"Nay, but you shall abide!"

(az-Zukhruf, 43:77)

 Hence Truth is stable, has a goal and a noble aim. On the other hand, entertainment is an action with no aim at all. The one who plays Backgammon is occupying himself with a meaningless, nerve-racking activity; just wasting his time. Anything that lacks aim and is not conducive to something beneficial in one's life is said to be merely entertainment, and playing games is entertainment.
 So if it is said that this Book was sent in truth, the truth is with it. Hence,

"No falsehood can approach it from before or behind it."

(Fussilat, 41:43)

 It has been revealed by Allah, Who created the whole Universe, which means that it is definitely stable. Its aim is to guide people to Truth, to the ways that lead to their safety and happiness.

"Verily this Qur'an does guide to that which is most right (or stable)."

(al-Isra', 17:9)

2. The Qur'an was sent down in Truth:

 It is indeed incredible. You have a book between your hands which contains a complete Methodology. Moreover, you have its explanation in thousands of ahadith. This Book was sent down in truth. It is totally right, its aims are very noble indeed. There had been other Books sent down by Allah. Therefore, this Book must confirm those previous Books,

 It is He Who sent down to you (step by step), in truth, the Book, confirming what went before it;

 Hence, falsehood perishes even if it is the greatest power in the world.

"For Falsehood is (by its nature) bound to perish."

(al-Isra', 17:81)

 There were many powers in the world that were demolished like the spider's house because they were false. Everything that is false perishes; everything that is incorrect does not last; everything that goes along with the Qur'an and the sunnah continues to be alive. Due to the fact that Islam is Truth, it lasts; it is like a high mountain that never trembles. On the other hand, falsehood collapsed although its supporters were strong. The tribe of the Quraish was very powerful; it opposed Truth, and because Allah supports Truth through His Prophet, Truth wins. Those who stood up to the Prophet, like Abu Jahl, Abu Lahab, and Safwan ibn Umaya, ended up in the darkness of history.
 The real strength lies in being on the side of Truth because it survives, contains an objective, and is steady.

3. Don't attach your destiny to something short-lived

 Sometimes, one might be devoting one's entire life to a person. So, if this person goes away, one loses everything. Therefore, this person is ephemeral and thus false. Islam, on the other hand, lasts, so it is Truth. The real strength is not to attach yourself, your future, or your destiny to something that is ephemeral. One of the believer's merits is that he relates himself with Allah the Almighty, who is the Ever-Lasting One. So, anyone who attaches himself, his life, or his destiny to any earthly power is gambling because whenever this earthly power gets shaken, everything is lost.
  The believer feels what sh3er feel only when they lose it. The believer does not have doubts about his creed. While science is being developed, the facts of Islam are being confirmed.  Nevertheless, if you find a difference between the scientific facts and the religious facts, it will be due to the defects of science. The Muslim does not discover suddenly that he is on the wrong track, or that what he believes in is incorrect, or else that what he attaches his life to perishes. This never happens. The believer is with Allah the Most High and if you are with Him, He will be with you, will support and protect you.

"It is He Who sent down to you (step by step), in truth, the Book, confirming what went before it; and He sent down the Torah (of Musa) and the Injil (of 'Isa)."

(Al-Imran, 3:3)

Before this, as a guide to mankind, and He sent down the Criterion.

1- The Old and the New Testament were in accordance with the Qur'an before their distortion:

  There are differences in these two books because both were distorted. In their origins they were in accordance with the Holy Qur'an; but when they were distorted, there arose a big difference:
 And He sent down the Torah (of Musa) and the Injil (of 'Isa). Before this, as a guide to mankind, and He sent down the Criterion (of judgment between right and wrong). Then those who reject Faith in the Signs of Allah will suffer the severest penalty, and Allah is Exalted in Might, Lord of Retribution

2- Allah does not leave His servants without guidance:

 Allah does not leave His servants without clear guidance.

"Verily We take upon Ourselves to guide,"

(al-Layl, 92:12)

  Which means that Allah gives guidance to all people...

"Now have We caused the Word to reach them themselves,
in order that they may receive admonition."

(al-Qasas, 28:51)

  It is impossible for a father not to warn his child if he is fooling about near a fireplace. This mercy of the father is nothing against Allah's mercy. The role of the father is to guide, warn and instruct. He may grasp his child's hand to push him away from the fireplace. Allah, glory to Him, commits Himself to guiding people. Whenever the word "ala" (upon) comes with the name of Allah, it means that Allah the Most High commits Himself to guidance:

"Verily We take upon Ourselves to guide,"

(al-Layl, 92:12)

 This guidance is manifested in the Holy Books that He sent down to His Messengers: Zabur (Psalms), Torah (the Old Testament), Injil (the New Testament), and the Qur'an. Only this last Book has Allah protected from distortion:

"We have, without doubt, sent down the Message;
and We will assuredly guard it (from corruption)."

(al-Hijr, 15:9)

 This is due to the fact that the Qur'an is the miracle of Prophet Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, so it must be protected. On the other hand, Prophet Isa’s (Jesus) miracles were to heal those born blind and the lepers, and to bring back the dead, by Allah's leave. Prophet Musa’s (Moses) miracles were his rod, parting the sea, and so on. Hence, Allah the Most High did not protect the previous two Books –and that is why they were distorted and corrupted– for a certain purpose which Allah only knows and according to His Wisdom,

"And He sent down the Torah (of Musa) and the Injil (of 'Isa). Before this, as a guide to mankind, and He sent down the Criterion (of judgment between right and wrong)."

3- The Qur'an is the Methodology of the Creator, the All-Knowing, so it must be followed:

 After you read, grasp, meditate and understand the Holy Qur'an well, you will be able to distinguish between Truth and Falsehood; good and evil; halal and haram (permitted and prohibited); what should be done and what should be avoided; what makes you happy and what makes you miserable. Just as drinking water, breathing air, and eating food are a must to keep you alive, so is grasping and understanding this Qur'an because it is the Methodology of man's life. It is the way conducive to his safety and happiness; a clarification of everything.

 When you buy a very expensive and complicated machine, and you find with it an instruction manual, you feel happy and read it with interest. For example, there are now computers that can analyze blood in no time at all. Just a drop of blood is drawn and put into it, then you press the button, and about twenty seven results come out! You can order them to be printed if you want. One analysis may cost 3,000 pounds, and there might be 100 people waiting for their turn. Here, you just need to press the button. How amazing! Suppose that this computer comes in without a manual. It would be useless. In this case, the instruction manual is more important than the machine itself. It might break down if not used according to the manufacturer's instructions. That is why Allah says:

"(Allah) Most Gracious! It is He Who has taught the Qur'an.
He has created man: He has taught him speech (and Intelligence"

(ar-Rahman, 55:1-4)

4- The existence of man is meaningless without a methodology:

 The Qur'an has been taught, the man has been created! Is this order a logical one? The scholars of Tafsir (i.e. interpretation of the Qur'an) say that this is a ranking order not a chronological one. It means that there is no sense in man's existence without the Holy Qur'an. Your existence means nothing without a methodology that you should follow. This Book shows the permitted and the forbidden; the difference between good and evil, and the way to safety and happiness. There are also numerous ayaat which talk about the Universe, about gone peoples, about the approaching future and the times past. Everything is included in the Noble Qur'an. We have, furthermore, wonderful explanations by Prophet Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace.

Then those who reject Faith in the Signs of Allah will suffer the severest penalty.

1- The disbelief in Allah's Signs

 It is certain that "those who reject Faith in the Signs of Allah", either the Quranic ones or those regarding the Universe, will receive a severe punishment. They are those who do not care about the Qur'an, abandon it, never read it, or even ask about what it calls to.
 Now, dear brother, why are you here? To learn something about Allah's Book. It is this great task that makes you move. There is not a greater objective in our lives than understanding Allah's Book. You bought this computer to make money; the best thing to do is to read the instruction manual to know how to use it in order to get this money. It is the same with you attending a session on Allah's Book. You are carrying out one of the most important objectives because you come to the Masjid to learn Allah's Orders, what is good and what is evil, permitted and prohibited. So,

'Those who reject Faith in the Signs of Allah will suffer the severest penalty'

2- The disbelief in Allah's Signs is followed by His Punishment

 Man has desires and his movements may stem from these desires without following a method. Therefore, when he gains money unlawfully, he gets punished. If he rapes women or mistreats people, he gets punished. They get severely punished because they have acted without a method. For instance, if one of the most splendid cars is driven by a drunken man who misuses it and causes an accident, there will be a curse on him. So,

'Those who reject Faith in the Signs of Allah will suffer the severest penalty'

 It is quite normal that those disbelievers will act without a method. The problem is that they meet whomever they want, eat what they want, take any money that they want. There are no rules, no limits, no values, and no aims. As a result, they enjoy what they do not deserve, take money unlawfully, and rape women. That is why they must be punished:

"Then those who reject Faith in the Signs of Allah will suffer the severest penalty, and Allah is Exalted in Might, Lord of Retribution."

3- and Allah is Exalted in Might, Lord of Retribution

The meaning of al-Aziz and al-Muntaquim

 Scholars of the Interpretation of the Qur'an (al-Tafsir) say that the Lord of Retribution (al-Muntaqim) is the One Who deters His sinful servant who thinks that he can do whatever he wants. What is the meaning of that? Allah deters him from doing wrong as a token of His Mercy. Allah can not be defeated or defied because He is the Almighty (al-Aziz). One of the most beautiful meanings that I read of "the Almighty is": the One and the Only who has no partner, Whom it is impossible to reach; Whom everything else needs for everything. More clearly: It is impossible to grasp His Greatness as a whole. For instance, you can reach the sea and stand on the beach; however, you cannot reach each point on it as a whole. It is impossible. Hence, you can ask Allah whatever you want, pray to Him, get to know Him, but to be aware of His Greatness is impossible. Allah is Exalted in Might, Lord of Retribution. So:

"It is He Who sent down to thee (step by step) the Book, in truth"

 The truth, which is something stable and meaningful. Why is it stable? Because it is Truth. Why is it Truth? Because it is stable. What is the meaning of stable? It is the Book that contains only the facts which are firm. It is known, for example, that metals exposed to heat expand. It is a law which operates wherever you go, thus, it is firm. Therefore, if you grasp the fact that this Book is stable, you will attain happiness.

4- The kafir (disbeliever) will not be left uncontrolled

 Before I tackle this ayah…he who disbelieves in Allah's Signs will not be left alone:

 And let not those who disbelieve think that they can outstrip (escape from the punishment). Verily, they will never be able to save themselves (from Allah's Punishment). (al-Anfal, 8:59)

 It means that sooner or later, the sinful will be punished. If the disbeliever thinks something else or that he did something against Allah's Will, he is a fool. No-one can do anything unless Allah permits it to happen. So, Allah permits the disbeliever to do what he does, and then punishes him. It is an indirect threat.
  Then those who reject Faith in the Signs of Allah will suffer the severest penalty,

 Surely, when they disbelieved, they acted following their desires which are without limits, and that turned into transgression. A man admires a woman, so he simply rapes her. He just wants to enjoy his lust; he rapes a woman, and he is punished. It is a fair sequence.

 Then those who reject Faith in the Signs of Allah will suffer the severest penalty, and Allah is Exalted in Might, Lord of Retribution.

 He is the Exalted in Might that cannot be defeated, the Lord of Retribution that cannot be opposed.

From Allah, verily nothing is hidden on earth or in the heavens.

1. Allah's knowledge is related to everything and encompasses everything:

 His knowledge is related to everything that can be; He knows what was, what is, and what will be; and He knows what was not, and if it had been, He would know how it was. Nothing is hidden from Him:

"(Allah) knows of (the tricks) that deceive with the eyes, and all that the hearts (of men) conceal."

(Ghafir, 40:19)

 He knows your secrets and that about you which is hidden even from you.

"For verily He knows what is secret and what is yet more hidden."

(Taha, 20:7)

 So, 

"From Allah, verily nothing is hidden on earth or in the heavens."

2. Foolishness: To conceive the possibility of deceiving Allah the Most High:

  Allah, the Great and Almighty, says:

"They seek to deceive but it is Allah Who will deceive them;"

(al-Nisa', 4:142)

"Mighty indeed were the plots which they made,
but their plots were (well) within the Sight of Allah."

(Ibrahim, 14:46)

 If one comes to think that one can deceive Allah, he is both foolish and dense:

"From Allah, verily nothing is hidden on earth or in the heavens"

(Al-Imran, 3:5)

He it is Who shapes you in the wombs as He pleases..

1- Allah's creation of the human being:

  The fertilized ovum is a cell that has membrane, cytoplasm, and a nucleus. Inside the nucleus, there are millions of genes. Some say that there are five million genes; I read that there are 5,000 million. Each one is programmed for a certain period of time.

"He it is Who shapes you in the wombs as He pleases."

(Al-Imran, 3:6)

 He gives the human being all the abilities, both mental and emotional ones. He creates for the man muscles, bones, eyes, hair and face… There a lot of things to be said about that...

"He it is Who shapes you in the wombs as He pleases. There is no god but He,
the Exalted in Might, the Wise."

(Al-Imran, 3:6)

2- The Creator (al- Khaliq), the Supreme Fashioner (al-Musawwir) is the Wise (al-Hakim)

 It means that the Only One Who controls this Universe is Allah the Most Hight. Consequently, there is nothing that deserves to be worshipped in truth except Him. He is the Almighty (al-Aziz) and the Wise (al-Hakim). Al-Aziz means that no-one can defeat Him. Al-Hakim means that all His actions are according to a (certain) wisdom. If these actions had not happened, Allah would have been blamed. The most accurate explanation for al-Hakim is that everything that happens is according to Allah's Will; that everything Allah has wanted to happen, has happened. Allah's Will is related to the Absolute Wisdom, which is related to the Absolute Goodness.

3- Why isn't man wise?

 It might be because of his ignorance, for wisdom requires knowledge. Sometimes, he might be under strong pressure, so he might do something he is not convinced of. It might not have been wise on his part to say those words or assume that attitude. Therefore, he is not wise either due to pressure, his ignorance or irresistible temptation.

 Allah, Exalted be He, is the All-Knowing, and He cannot be otherwise. There is no power in the world that can put pressure on Him or that can tempt Him. All those characteristics that are related to the human beings cannot be applied to Allah. So, He is al-Hakim, the Wise, because if anything had not happened according to the way it should have happened, Allah would have been blamed. It could be considered a deficiency in His Wisdom. Abu al-Darda' narrated that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

"Everything has truth; and when the worshiper reaches the truth of faith, he realizes that anything that happens to him has been destined and what does not happen has also been destined."

[Reported by Al Imam Ahmad]

4- This Truth makes the Muslim happy:

 Dear brother, the believer is happy due to the Quranic Truth. Firstly, when you believe that nothing can be hidden from Allah, you will never try to deceive Him. You will deal with Him clearly. When you believe that He is the Strong One (al- Kawiy), the Lord of Retribution
 (Al-Muntqim), with any sin you do and insist on doing, you know that you will not escape Allah's Punishment. These facts make you adhere to the right path. The more you believe in them, the more rightly you are following the Method of Allah.

 It has been transmitted to us that a scholar was once asked by a certain man for advice as regards one's disobedience to Allah. The scholar said:

 - If you do five things, you will never be hurt by wrongdoing.
 - That's something wonderful! What are these things?
 - If you wish to disobey Allah, you should never live in His lands.
 - So where am I to live?
 - How could you live in His lands and disobey Him? Is it reasonable? If a person has welcomed you in his home as a guest, is it reasonable that you should hit his son while you're there? Is it reasonable that you should poison his food while you're there?
 - Tell me the second thing.
 - If you wish to disobey Allah, you should never eat of His sustenance.
 - So what am I to eat?
 - Is it reasonable that you should live in His lands, and eat of His sustenance, then disobey Him?
 - Tell me the third thing.
 - If you wish to disobey Allah, you should do this in a place where He cannot see you.
 - But he can always see me!
 - Is it reasonable that you should live in Allah's lands, eat of His sustenance, and disobey Him, knowing that He sees you?
 -Tell me the fourth thing.
 - If you wish to disobey Allah, and the Angel of Death comes to take your soul, do not go with him!
 - I can't do that.
 - So, you live in His lands, eat of His sustenance, disobey Him while He sees you, and you cannot avoid the Angel of Death?
 - Tell me the fifth thing.
 - If you wish to disobey Allah, and the Angels of Torment come to take you to Hell, don't go with them.
 - I can't do that!
 - So, you live in Allah's lands, eat of His sustenance, disobey Him while He sees you, and you can avoid neither the Angel of Death nor the Angels of Torment! Have you heard enough?
 As a result, when you believe deeply that He knows about all your action and inaction; when you believe that nothing in the skies or on the earth can be hidden from His knowledge and everything is within His Hands, including your relations with sh3er, your health, your marriage, your five senses, your heart, your veins, your kidneys, and everything else, however small –if you believe in this, you will obey Him.

 These ayaat are enough to make us obey Allah, the Great and the Almighty. In the next lesson, insha' Allah, we will tackle the ayaat which follow:

 It is He Who has sent down to you the Book (this Quran). In it are verses that are entirely clear, they are the foundations of the Book-; and sh3er not entirely clear. So as for those in whose hearts there is a deviation (from the truth) they follow that which is not entirely clear thereof, seeking al-Fitnah ( polytheism and trials ), and seeking for its hidden meanings, but none knows its hidden meanings save Allah. And those who are firmly grounded in knowledge say: "We believe in it ; the whole of it (clear and unclear ayaat) are from our Lord." And none receive admonition except men of understanding.