Lessons From Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim

 

Lessons From Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim

Arfad A. Razak

 

Muslim believes without any doubt that the Qur’an is the final revelation from God (also Allah in Arabic). Any Muslim who doubts even to the slightest letter must rekindle their faith through further research and exploration. In this brief article, we will draw lessons from the first verse of the first chapter of the Qur’an, in that this Ayat actually provide substantial evidence to the Muslim as to why the Qur’an is the final revelation from God.

The very first chapter of the Qur’an, in fact, the very first verse sets the precedence for the entire Qur’an. When a person flips past the cover page, they are greeted with the verse “In the name of God, the Most Merciful, the entirely Merciful,” or in some other translation “In the name of God, the Most Merciful, the ever Gracious.” No other scripture in the world greets its readers in this manner. In fact, “Al-Fateha” basically means “the Opening.” We can look at this from two angles: the physical action of a person opening the Qur’an, as well as God’s opening the heart of a person to read the Qur’an, upon which they may either be guided or continues to be misguided.[1]

If we look at this from the former, a person will need to make the initial move in order to receive guidance from God. No doubt, God will send down signs upon those whom He wills. However, even if countless signs are sent down from God, and a person does not make the first move (to respond to the signs sent down by God), they will continue to be in the state of lost. Human beings have been granted free will, and it is up to them what they do with it. Should a person respond to the ‘calling,’ the next thing they will do is mostly to read the Qur’an. This is when they have responded to the signs God sent them.

If we look at this from the latter, God opens the heart of those He wills. This will become their opening to receive the message or signs from God. Thus, the first chapter of the Qur’an is not only a greeting to those who receive God’s mercy (these are the ones who responded to God’s signs), they have opened the window to receive Paradise. Now, their journey has begun. They are to continue reading the Qur’an and adhere to the commandments of God as taught by the prophet Muhammad.

Now that they have received God’s mercy, and have opened the glorious Qur’an, they will recite “In the name of God, the Most Merciful, the ever Merciful.” This verse can either make or break the reader (so to speak). This verse is also a test from God to those who read it the very first time. For those who approaches the Qur’an with great animosity and filled with baggage (for example they have heard awful stories about Islam and the prophet Muhammad), they will find it difficult to overcome the very first test. This is a test on one’s mindset because one’s mindset is the most important matter to consider carefully and cautiously. If one’s mindset is negative, meaning they read or study the Qur’an just to find fault in it or to refute Muslims by stating that the Qur’an is an invention of the prophet Muhammad (like most orientalist do), then their endeavor with the Qur’an will only lead to their own demise. Imagine studying the Qur’an your entire life only to die not believing in the oneness of God, and that the prophet Muhammad is the final messenger of God. These people are amongst those who have failed the very first test.

The successful ones are those who approaches the Qur’an with great humility and humbleness. They want to learn from the Qur’an and see which of its teachings can be applied to their lives. They open the Qur’an with an open heart and an open mind. They are able to leave their pre-conceived notion of the Qur’an behind, and truthfully allow the book to speak for itself rather than adopting others’ opinion. These are the ones who have a higher chance of receiving guidance from God.

One should understand and remind themselves that God is the Most Merciful, and ever Merciful. The Qur’an is a mercy for mankind, and the prophet Muhammad path the way and methodologies for us to glue ourselves to the teachings of the Qur’an. Why did God, in the very first verse of His holy book states that He is the Most Merciful, and ever Merciful/Gracious? The wisdom behind it is so that mankind ponders upon this very statement itself. God has given us sustenance, our faculties, our indulgences, and we will never be able to return the favors for what He has given us. Yet, there are many among us who disbelieve in the existence of a divine being, who continues to ascribe partners with Him, who caused corruptions and atrocities in this world, and who refused to prostrate to Him as our Master. Despite all this, God continues to provide us sustenance, we continue to breathe, and He kept sending us signs in order we may receive His mercy and guidance. In short, human beings should internalize that our Lord is the most merciful and ever gracious. We should obey His commandment to the very best of our abilities. And for us to be upon this path, we first have to open the Qur’an, and through it, God will open our hearts.

In conclusion, one’s approach towards the Qur’an is very important. If one approach the Qur’an from a judgmental perspective, do not expect to learn anything positive from the Qur’an. One’s mindset is a key factor to receive guidance or to continue be in a state of misguidance. Just like everything else in life, one’s mindset set the stage for one’s life. There were many orientalists to spend their entire life learning the Qur’an, however, they died not in a state of Iman. Thankfully, we will not be question for what they used to do, and they will not be questioned for what we are doing. My final piece of advice to the readers is that let your heart be pure when you open the Qur’an, and you will see God opening the paths to Heaven for you. All you need to do is to do everything in the name of God, the Most Merciful, the ever Gracious.


[1] 13:27, 6:125

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