Qur'an Tafseer: "Illuminating Discourses on the Noble Qur'an"?

[The Deen]

Assalamu Alaykum,

I have heard about a commentary of the Qur'an in English, but am not sure of the name. Is there such thing as a commentary called 'The Illustrations of the Holy Qur'an', which is 10 volumes?

[abuhajira]

No the Tafseer is titled "Illuminating Discourses on the Noble Qur'an" which is a 10 Volume set. It is an english translation of "Anwar ul Bayan" by Mufti Muhammad Ashiq Ilahi Buland Shahri..

An authentic full-length tafseer that will meet the needs of the average Muslim who wants to understand and follow the Qur'an. It has been ably translated into English in South Africa by Maulana Ismail Ebrahim, and edited by Ismail Khathrada and Mufti Afzal Hoosen Elias.

Maulana Ashiq Ilahi was a contemporary of Mufti Muhammad Shafi. A great scholar and author of our times, he lived in Madinah Munawwarah for the last twenty years of his life and is buried there. He wrote the Tafseer Anwar-ul-Bayan in Urdu. This is its English translation.

Important features:

-Explains difficult passages and answers questions that would arise regarding them.
-Adds inspiring comments.
-Discusses contemporary issues and describes important rulings derived from the verse being explained.
-Very frequently refers to other verses, ahadith, and statements of authentic commentators to explain a verse.
-Discusses important points of tasawwuf.

http://www.albalagh.net/bookstore/?a...view&item=0475

Personal Comments :

It an absolute must have for those who love to read and collect Islamic Literature. The english is very easy and it is laid out in a very contemporary style. There are no "Thou Art" "Thou Shalls"..

Whats good is that after every small passage, he makes a small title ..like a small essay and then explains it.. I will post anexcerpt for you to read..

[abuhajira]

Here is an excerpt:

(Surah Baqara Verse 151 - 152)

TRANSLATION:
151. As We have sent to you a messenger from among yourselves who will recite to you Our verses; purify you; teach you the Book and wisdom; and teach you what you knew not.

152. So remember Me and I will remember you. Be grateful to Me and be not ungrateful.


COMPLETION OF THE FAVOUR FOR THE PEOPLE OF IMAAN

The first of the above verses is linked to the ones mentioned previously. It means that just as Allaah, by virtue of specifying the Qibla, will bestow His favours upon the Muslims in the Hereafter; so too has He bestowed a favour in this world by sending His Prophet (sallallaahu-alayhi-wa-sallam) to mankind.

The task of Rasulullaah (sallallaahu-alayhi-wa-sallam) included reciting Allaah’s verses and spiritual purification of the masses. By practising his teachings, one may attain purity from physical and spiritual maladies. He teaches the Qur’aan, wisdom and things which people knew not, which cannot be learnt except through divine revelation. Allaah sent His Prophet (sallallaahu-alayhi-wa-sallam) and inspired him with revelation by virtue of which man benefits tremendously. Therefore Allaah declares, “Remember Me and I will remember you. Be grateful to Me and do not show ingratitude.”

EXPLANATION OF THE VERSE “REMEMBER ME AND I WILL REMEMBER YOU”

The commentator Allaama Baydawi (A.R) explains the verse thus: “Remember Me by obedience to Me and I will remember you by awarding the appropriate reward.” Remembrance of Allaah may be accomplished by way of the heart, tongue and also by the practical obedience of His commandments. Abstaining from sin because of the fear of Allaah is also classified as His remembrance. Islamic research scholars say that every person who is obedient to Allaah in fact remembers Him.

There is also great reward in remembering Allaah with the tongue. It is reported in a hadith in which Rasulullaah (sallallaahu-alayhi-wa-sallam) quotes Allaah as saying, “I am with My servant when He remembers Me and engages His tongue in the recitation of My name.” [Bukhari, from Abu Hurairah (R.A)]

Another hadith reports Rasulullaah (sallallaahu-alayhi-wa-sallam) to have said, “Allaah says that I am with My servant when he remembers Me. When he remembers me in privacy then I remember him likewise. When he remembers Me in a gathering then I remember him in a nobler gathering i.e. a gathering of angels.” [Bukhari, from Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (R.A)]

THE VIRTUES OF DHIKR (REMEMBRANCE OF ALLAAH)

There are great virtues reported in the traditions of Rasulullaah (sallallaahu-alayhi-wa-sallam) concerning the recitation of Tasbeeh (subhanallah), Tahleel (laa ilaaha illallah) and Takbeer (Allahu Akbar). Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (R.A) reports that Rasulullaah (sallallaahu-alayhi-wa-sallam) said, “For me to recite ‘subhaanallah wal hamdu lillah wa laa ilaaha illalaahu wallaahu akbar’ is more beloved than everything upon which the sun shines.” [Muslim Vol.2 Pg.345.]

Hadhrat Abu Dharr (R.A) reports that Rasulullaah (sallallaahu-alayhi-wa-sallam) was asked as to which form of dhikr was best. Rasulullaah (sallallaahu-alayhi-wa-sallam) replied, “It is the words which Allaah had chosen His angels to say, viz. ‘subhanallah hi wa bi hamdihi’.” [Muslim Vol.2 Pg.351]

Hadhrat Jaabir (R.A) narrates that Rasulullaah (sallallaahu-alayhi-wa-sallam) said “A date palm is planted in Jannah for the person who recites ‘subhaanallah hil azeem wa bi hamdihi’.” [Tirmidhi, Chapter of Du’aa]

Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (R.A) transmitted the hadith in which Rasulullaah (sallallaahu-alayhi-wa-sallam) said, “Two phrases are light on the tongue, heavy on the scales (on the Day of Judgement) and loved by Allaah. They are ‘subhaanallahi wa bi hamdihi; suhaanallah hil azeem’. [Last hadith of Bukhari]

A companion asked the Prophet (sallallaahu-alayhi-wa-sallam) to prescribe for him an action which he could practise continuously since the injunctions of Islaam are numerous. Rasulullaah (sallallaahu-alayhi-wa-sallam) replied, “Keep your tongue moist with the dhikr of Allaah”. [Tirmidhi]

Hadhrat Abu Moosa Ash’ari (R.A) described that once he was walking behind Rasulullaah (sallallaahu-alayhi-wa-sallam) while reciting “laa howla wa laa quwwata illaa billah” (“There is no power or might except with Allaah”) to himself. Rasulullaah (sallallaahu-alayhi-wa-sallam) turned and said, “O Abdullah bin Qais (which was his real name)! Should I inform you of a treasure from the treasures of Allaah?” Abu Moosa (R.A) replied in the affirmative, to which Rasulullaah (sallallaahu-alayhi-wa-sallam) said, “It is ‘laa howla wa laa quwwata illaa billah”. [Muslim Vol.2 Pg.346]

Hadhrat Abu Saeed Khudri (R.A) says that Rasulullaah (sallallaahu-alayhi-wa-sallam) told them, “The people who remain engaged in the dhikr of Allaah are encircled by the angels; Allaah’s mercy and tranquility descends upon them; and Allaah makes mention of them in His court”. [Muslim Vol.2 Pg.345]

THE VIRTUE AND IMPORTANCE OF SHOWING GRATITUDE

After making mention of dhikr, the discussion now revolves around the showing of gratitude. Allaah says, “Be grateful to Me and be not ungrateful.” Showing gratitude together with dhikr is of great importance. It is compulsory for every person to be thankful to Allaah for His numerous bounties which are impossible to enumerate. In showing gratitude, one admits the favours Allaah has bestowed upon him. These favours are expressed and appreciated both by word and by action. The person verbally praises Allaah for these bounties and simultaneously invests these favours in His worship and obedience. Rejecting these bounties, and utilising them in the committing of sins is actually a display of ingratitude. It is indeed foolish to use the very same bounties given by Allaah for His disobedience and in the subservience of one’s carnal desires and servitude to Shaytaan. Every person exploits the boons of Allaah but very few show gratitude.

Allaah says in Surah Saba, “…And few of my servants are grateful” [verse 13]. Giving thanks is an action due to which bounties are perpetuated and increased. Ingratitude results in the deprivation of a favour. Allaah informs us in Surah Ibraheem, “When your Rabb announced, ‘If you show gratitude, then I will definitely give you more, and if you are ungrateful, then indeed My punishment is severe.” [verse 7]

Ingratitude is predominant in the psyche of man. It appears in Surah Zukhruf, “Man is clearly ungrateful.” [verse 15] Surah Ibraheem contains the following, “And He grants you whatever you ask Him for. If you try to count Allaah’s bounties, you will never be able to do so. Indeed, man is extremely unjust and very ungrateful.” [verse 34]

It should be the duty of Allaah’s servants that we keep showing thanks to Him and keep His favours in mind. When employing the bounty of Allaah a person should praise Him. The supplications reported in the books of hadith constantly repeat the praises of Allaah. It is reported in a hadith that the phrase ‘Alhamdu lillah’ is the crown of gratitude and that the person who does not praise Allaah has not shown gratitude to Him. [Bayhaqi in Shu’abul Imaan recorded in Mishkaat Pg. 102]

[The Deen]

Assalamu Alaykum,

Jazakallah. Insha'Allah I'll get it.

[The Deen]

Assalamu Alaykum,

Masha'Allah so far it's good. Got it in 5 volumes from Azhar.

PS Anyone who goes to the warehouse, there's 10% discount due to Ramadhan.

[ENIGMA]

Is their warehouse in East London?

[The Deen]

Yes

Azhar Academy Ltd
54-68 Little Ilford Lane
Manor Park
London
E12 5QA

[hope1]

Assalamu alaikum,

I just got this book. It looks very good. It is shorter and less wordy compared to Ma'ariful Qur'an and makes the point clear enough. But it was in a box and I could not see the cover so I ended up with the older print with the brown cover instead of the newer print with the blue cover. But no complaints with the price and the translation - excellent book.

[Sulaiman84]

Illuminating Discourses on the Noble Qur'an and Qur'an made Easy are both translated by Mufti Afzal Husein Ilyas.

The Best I've seen so far

Hope1,

Do you have Siratun Nabi in English by Allamah Shibli Nomani & Syed Sulaiman Nadwihim?

I think it's in several volumes but it's worth the buy, especially for English readers.

[slm]

How does this tafsir compare to Maariful Quran by Mufti Shafi ?