JUZ EIGHT
The eighth juz begins at verse 111 of Surah al-Anʿam and ends at verse 87 of Surah al-Aʿraf. Both of these surahs were revealed during the early Makkan era. As a result, they share several themes and flow together as one discussion. One common theme that runs throughout these two surahs is Islamic theology (ʿaqidah) and its various branches. Surah al-Anʿam focuses more on the concept of monotheism, while Surah al-Aʿraf continues this with further emphasis on the afterlife and the messengers. All of the
primary beliefs of Islam can be found in this juz of the Qur’an, making it the juz of ʿaqidah.
The juz begins with a firm reminder that those who reject the truth will do so regardless of the evidence provided to them. Allah says, “Even if We sent down the angels to them, and the dead spoke to them, and We gathered all things before them, they still would not believe, unless God wills; but most of them are ignorant.” The problem, therefore, is not with the message but with the recipients of the message.
This verse condemns radical skepticism. This type of skepticism, when taken to its natural conclusion, will cause a person to doubt everything, even when the proofs are clear in front of them. It is the same with those who reject the truth. The miracle of the Qur’an and the proofs of prophethood are all clear and evident, yet they still disbelieve. Even if
angels descended, they would claim it was a hallucination, bewitchment, or something else. Those who do not want to believe, will find no reason to do so.
We are then reminded that the truth is not always with the majority or the dominant powers. Truth has its own criterion and can often be found with minorities. “If you were to obey most of those on earth, they would divert you from God’s path. They follow nothing but assumptions, and they only conjecture.” The reality is that truth is uncomfortable, and most people do not want to leave their comfort zones. We become complacent with the dominant culture and political correctness. This is easier than seeking the truth and following hard truths that the rest of society may reject.
The parables of truth and falsehood continue throughout the surah as Allah compares the guided to the living and the misguided to the dead. “Is he who was dead, then We gave him life, and made for him a light by which he walks among the people, like he who is in total darkness, and cannot get out of it? Thus, the doings of disbelievers are made to appear good to them.”
This verse shows us how Islam brings light to the hearts of people and can soften the hearts of even the biggest of critics. Umar ibn al-Khattab is a good example of this. Initially, he was the harshest enemy of Islam, but when the light of Islam entered his heart, he became a beacon of light for others whose example continues to light our way today. The parable of guidance and misguidance continues in next few verse.
Whomever God desires to guide, He spreads open his heart to Islam; and whomever He desires to misguide, He makes his heart narrow, constricted, as though he were climbing up the sky. God thus lays defilement upon those who do not believe.
Concluding the section on guidance, Allah reminds us that He does not need anything. We are in constant need of His Sustenance, Mercy, and Guidance. Guidance can only come from Allah and He guides whoever proves worthy of guidance.
Your Lord is the Rich Beyond Need, the Possessor of Mercy. If He wills, He can do away with you, and substitute whomever He wills in your place, just as He produced you from the descendants of another people.
Surah al-Anʿam ends with a reminder to submit entirely to Allah. It is not enough to recognize that Allah is the Creator. To fulfill the purpose of life, we must submit entirely to Allah. Our entire lives must be dedicated to the service of Allah. Reminding us about this, the surah ends with a powerful set of verses.
Say, “My Lord has guided me to a straight path, an upright religion, the creed of Abraham the Monotheist, who was not a polytheist.” Say, “My prayer and my worship, and my life and my death, are devoted to God, the Lord of the Worlds. No associate has He. Thus, I am commanded, and I am the first of those who submit.
Surah al-Aʿraf continues this theme of theology and guidance. It begins with the story of Adam and the devil. Allah describes to us how the devil refused to prostrate because he believed that he was better than Adam. Arrogance led him astray. Arrogance remains the primary cause of misguidance. When a person is arrogant, they cling to their opinions and beliefs even when they know that they are wrong. Guidance then lies in purifying our souls from arrogance.
The devil promises to lead people astray and that the majority of people will be ungrateful. When describing the people of Paradise in this surah, Allah shows us that the devil will fail in this mission with the sincere believers. They will be in Paradise, praising Allah, expressing gratitude for all of His favors.
We will remove whatever rancor is in their hearts. Rivers will flow beneath them. And they will say, “Praise be to God, who has guided us to this. Had God not guided us, we would never be guided. The messengers of our Lord did come with the truth.” And it will be proclaimed to them, “This is the Garden you are made to inherit, on account of what you used to do.”
By Dr. Omar Suleiman & Sh. Ismail Kamdar
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