12:111 Quran -Detailed Explanation of Everything (verses, revelation, Mecca, Egypt)
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12:111. [Pickthall] In their [messengers'] history verily there is a lesson for men of understanding.
It [Quran] is no invented story but a confirmation of the existing (Scripture) and a detailed explanation of everything, and a guidance and a mercy for folk who believe.
12:111 (Asad) Indeed, in the stories of these men there is a lesson for those who are endowed with insight.
[As for this revelation,] it could not possibly be a discourse invented [by man]: nay indeed, it is [a divine writ] confirming the truth of whatever there still remains [of earlier revelations], clearly spelling out everything, and [offering] guidance and grace unto people who will believe.
If the Quran is a detailed explanation of everything, do Muslims need to other sources to execute their duty from other sources?
My other point is, surely that would also contain all the necessary terms and conditions of the covenant a Muslims is bound to.
12:111. [Pickthall] In their [messengers'] history verily there is a lesson for men of understanding.
It [Quran] is no invented story but a confirmation of the existing (Scripture) and a detailed explanation of everything, and a guidance and a mercy for folk who believe.
12:111 (Asad) Indeed, in the stories of these men there is a lesson for those who are endowed with insight.
[As for this revelation,] it could not possibly be a discourse invented [by man]: nay indeed, it is [a divine writ] confirming the truth of whatever there still remains [of earlier revelations], clearly spelling out everything, and [offering] guidance and grace unto people who will believe.
If the Quran is a detailed explanation of everything, do Muslims need to other sources to execute their duty from other sources?
My other point is, surely that would also contain all the necessary terms and conditions of the covenant a Muslims is bound to.
Views?
I seem to be understanding that differently than you do.
The a detailed explanation of everything and a detailed explanation of everything are referring to the scriptures that came before and asserts the Qur'an explains them fully.
"The a detailed explanation of everything and a detailed explanation of everything are referring to the scriptures that came before and asserts the Qur'an explains them fully."
That is not how it reads. Here are several translations:
Sahih International
There was certainly in their stories a lesson for those of understanding. Never was the Qur'an a narration invented, but a confirmation of what was before it and a detailed explanation of all things and guidance and mercy for a people who believe.
Muhsin Khan
Indeed in their stories, there is a lesson for men of understanding. It (the Quran) is not a forged statement but a confirmation of the Allah's existing Books [the Taurat (Torah), the Injeel (Gospel) and other Scriptures of Allah] and a detailed explanation of everything and a guide and a Mercy for the people who believe.
Pickthall
In their history verily there is a lesson for men of understanding. It is no invented story but a confirmation of the existing (Scripture) and a detailed explanation of everything, and a guidance and a mercy for folk who believe.
Yusuf Ali
There is, in their stories, instruction for men endued with understanding. It is not a tale invented, but a confirmation of what went before it,- a detailed exposition of all things, and a guide and a mercy to any such as believe.
Shakir
In their histories there is certainly a lesson for men of understanding. It is not a narrative which could be forged, but a verification of what is before it and a distinct explanation of all things and a guide and a mercy to a people who believe.
Dr. Ghali
Indeed in their narratives is already a lesson to (the ones) endowed with intellects. In no way is it a discourse fabricated, but a (sincere) verification of what is before it, (Literally: between its two hands) and an expounding of everything, and a guidance, and a mercy to people who believe.
Last edited by juju33312; 10-05-2015 at 08:00 PM..
Reason: add underline
I seem to be understanding that differently than you do.
The a detailed explanation of everything and a detailed explanation of everything are referring to the scriptures that came before and asserts the Qur'an explains them fully.
Note the word for word translation;
12:111 Laqad kana fee qasasihim AAibratun li-olee al-albabi ma kana hadeethan yuftara walakin tasdeeqa allathee bayna yadayhi watafseela kulli shay-in wahudan warahmatan liqawmin yu/minoona
12:111 Verily, (there) is in their stories a lesson for men (of) understanding. Not (it) is a narration invented, but a confirmation (of that) which (was) before it and a detailed explanation (of) all things, and a guidance and mercy for a people who believe.
Since you are not Allah, you cannot insist your understanding is the only one or the correct one.
However one can make reference to the context of the whole of the Quran.
Note Allah in many verses claims to be omniscient, knows every thing in the universe.
Therefore it would wiser to interpret that phrase as "a detailed explanation of everything" re 12:111 and keep it open.
In this case if you want to argue it relate to the scriptures of old that came before the Quran, that is still a possibility but you cannot insist yours is the only interpretation. In any case you still have to prove and justify your proposition.
Thus I would prefer the Pickthall's [most English translation] "a detailed explanation of everything' rather than your 'closed' interpretation as referring to the scriptures of old.
12:111 Laqad kana fee qasasihim AAibratun li-olee al-albabi ma kana hadeethan yuftara walakin tasdeeqa allathee bayna yadayhi watafseela kulli shay-in wahudan warahmatan liqawmin yu/minoona
12:111 Verily, (there) is in their stories a lesson for men (of) understanding. Not (it) is a narration invented, but a confirmation (of that) which (was) before it and a detailed explanation (of) all things, and a guidance and mercy for a people who believe.
Since you are not Allah, you cannot insist your understanding is the only one or the correct one.
However one can make reference to the context of the whole of the Quran.
Note Allah in many verses claims to be omniscient, knows every thing in the universe.
Therefore it would wiser to interpret that phrase as "a detailed explanation of everything" re 12:111 and keep it open.
In this case if you want to argue it relate to the scriptures of old that came before the Quran, that is still a possibility but you cannot insist yours is the only interpretation. In any case you still have to prove and justify your proposition.
Thus I would prefer the Pickthall's [most English translation] "a detailed explanation of everything' rather than your 'closed' interpretation as referring to the scriptures of old.
As I have said many times, no Muslim or even group of Muslims has the definitive interpretation. We all have our own opinions.
Which I agree we are obligated to explain our reason for.
What is unusual about this Surat is while it is fairly lengthy and consists of 111 ayyats, it is a single discourse and is telling of the Prophets(pbut) Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph (Peace be upon all of them) It makes sense to me that as we have 110 ayyats relateing to past scripture, the last line also would.
Maudidi sort of explains my opinion.
Quote:
Topics of Discussion
Moreover, the Quran does not relate this story as a mere narrative but uses it, as usual, for the propagation of the Message in the following ways:-
Throughout the narrative the Quran has made it clear that the Faith of Prophets Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph (Allah's peace be upon them all) was the same as that of Prophet Muhammad (Allah's peace be upon him) and they invited the people to the same Message to which Muhammad (Allah's peace be upon him) was inviting them.
Then it places the characters of Prophet Jacob and Prophet Joseph side by side with the characters of the brothers of Joseph, the members of the trade caravan, the court dignitary; Al Aziz of Egypt and his wife, the "ladies" of Egypt and the rulers of Egypt and poses a silent question to the reader, as if to say, "Contrast the former characters moulded by Islam on the bedrock of the worship of Allah and accountability in the Hereafter with the latter moulded by kufr and "ignorance" on the worship of the world and disregard of Allah and the Hereafter, and decide for yourselves which of these two patterns you would choose."
The Quran has used this story to bring forth another truth: whatever Allah wills, He fulfills it anyhow, and man can never defeat His plan with his counterplans nor prevent it from happening nor change it in any way whatever. Nay, it often so happens that man adopts some measure to fulfill his own design and believes that he has done that very thing which would fulfill his design, but in the end he finds to his dismay that he had done something which was against his own and conducive to the Divine purpose. When the brothers of Prophet Joseph cast him into the well, they believed that they had once for all got rid of the obstacle in their way but in fact, they had paved the way for the Divine purpose of making him the ruler of Egypt, before whom they would have to humble themselves in the end. Likewise, the wife of Aziz had sent Prophet Joseph to the prison, floating over the thought that she had wreaked her vengeance on him, but, in fact, she had provided for him the opportunity for becoming the ruler of Egypt and for putting herself to the shame of confessing her own sin publicly.
And these are not the solitary instances which prove the truth that even if the whole world united to bring about the down fall of the one whom Allah willed to raise high, it could not succeed. Nay, the very "sure and effective" measures that were adopted by the brothers to degrade Joseph were used by Allah for the success of Joseph and for the humiliation and disgrace of his brothers. On the other hand, if Allah willed the fall of one, no measure, howsoever effective, could raise him high : nay, it helped to bring about his fall and the disgrace of those who adopted them.
Moreover, the story contains other lessons for those who intend to follow the way of Allah. The first lesson it teaches is that one should remain within the limits, prescribed by the Divine Law, in one's aims and objects and measures, for success and failure are entirely in the hands of Allah. Therefore if one adopts pure aims and lawful measures but fails, at least one will escape ignominy and disgrace. On the other hand, the one who adopts an impure aim and unlawful measures to achieve it, shall not only inevitably meet with ignominy and disgrace in the Hereafter, but also runs the risk of ignominy and disgrace in this world.
The second lesson it teaches is that those who exert for the cause of truth and righteousness and put their trust in Allah and entrust all their affairs to Him, get consolation and comfort from Him, for this helps them face their opponents with confidence and courage and they do not lose heart, when they encounter the apparently terrifying measures of the powerful enemies. They will persevere in their task without fear and leave the results to Allah.
But the greatest lesson this story teaches is that if the Believer possesses true Islamic character and is endowed with wisdom, he can conquer a whole country with the strength of his character alone. The marvelous example of Prophet Joseph teaches us that a man of high and pure character comes out successful even under the most adverse circumstances. When Prophet Joseph went to Egypt, he was only a lad of seventeen years, a foreigner, all alone and without any provisions; nay, he had been sold there as a slave. And the horrible condition of the slaves during that period is known to every student of history. Then he was charged with a heinous moral Crime and sent to prison for an indefinite term. But throughout this period of affliction, he evinced the highest moral qualities which raised him to the highest rank in the country.
As the entire Surah is relating to 4 Prophets of past scripture, I am of the opinion that is what the "Everything" is relating to. Line 111 being the summation of the Surah. Which is a commentary of 4 past Prophets(Pbut)
Also it becomes clearer when and why this Surah was related and to understand the Audience would have been primarily Jews of the Banu Quarysh tribe and very familiar with the stories of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph
Again from Maududi
Quote:
When and Why Revealed?
The subject matter of this Surah indicates that it was revealed during the last stage of the Holy Prophet's residence at Makkah, when the Quraish were considering the question of killing or exiling or imprisoning him. At that time some of the unbelievers put this question (probably at the instigation of the Jews) to test him :"Why did the Israelites go to Egypt?" This question was asked because they knew that their story was not known to the Arabs for there was no mention of it whatever in their traditions and the Holy Prophet had never even referred to it before. Therefore they expected that he would not be able to give any satisfactory answer to this question or would first evade it, and afterwards try to enquire about it from some Jew, and thus he would be totally exposed. But, contrary to their expectations, the tables were turned on them, for Allah revealed the whole story of Prophet Joseph then and there, and the Holy Prophet recited it on the spot. This put the Quraish in a very awkward position because it not only foiled their scheme but also administered a warning to them by aptly applying it to their case, as if to say, "As you are behaving towards this Prophet, exactly in the same way the brothers of Prophet Joseph behaved towards him; so you shall meet with the same end."
As I have said many times, no Muslim or even group of Muslims has the definitive interpretation. We all have our own opinions.
Which I agree we are obligated to explain our reason for.
What is unusual about this Surat is while it is fairly lengthy and consists of 111 ayyats, it is a single discourse and is telling of the Prophets(pbut) Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph (Peace be upon all of them) It makes sense to me that as we have 110 ayyats relateing to past scripture, the last line also would.
As the entire Surah is relating to 4 Prophets of past scripture, I am of the opinion that is what the "Everything" is relating to. Line 111 being the summation of the Surah. Which is a commentary of 4 past Prophets(Pbut)
Also it becomes clearer when and why this Surah was related and to understand the Audience would have been primarily Jews of the Banu Quarysh tribe and very familiar with the stories of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph
Again from Maududi
What Maududi's commented is the Story of Joseph as stated in 12:4-101. He has is own views and I am not discussing this point.
However note 12:102 [mine]
12:102. This is of the tidings of the Unseen which We inspire in thee (Muhammad). Thou waft not present with them [infidels] when they bed their plan and they were scheming.
This imply that Allah is discussing Unseen knowledge to Muhammad. To reinforce his credentials, Allah always introduces some verses to assert his omnipotence, omniscience, omnipresent, i.e. Allah is Great, create this that, know all, etc. So in this case 12:111 a general principle is introduced to support the above.
But verse 12:111 is a general verse which is applicable to the whole of the Quran which is 'a detailed explanation of everything', and a guidance and a mercy for folk who believe.
It is not a statement to support specifically verse 12:4-101 re Joseph or any other Biblical story but applicable all that is need to be explained.
If Allah has stated 'Allah know all and can explain everything" in 12:111 it mean generally ALL and not merely knowing the Biblical stories.
What Maududi's commented is the Story of Joseph as stated in 12:4-101. He has is own views and I am not discussing this point.
However note 12:102 [mine]
12:102. This is of the tidings of the Unseen which We inspire in thee (Muhammad). Thou waft not present with them [infidels] when they bed their plan and they were scheming.
This imply that Allah is discussing Unseen knowledge to Muhammad. To reinforce his credentials, Allah always introduces some verses to assert his omnipotence, omniscience, omnipresent, i.e. Allah is Great, create this that, know all, etc. So in this case 12:111 a general principle is introduced to support the above.
But verse 12:111 is a general verse which is applicable to the whole of the Quran which is 'a detailed explanation of everything', and a guidance and a mercy for folk who believe.
It is not a statement to support specifically verse 12:4-101 re Joseph or any other Biblical story but applicable all that is need to be explained.
If Allah has stated 'Allah know all and can explain everything" in 12:111 it mean generally ALL and not merely knowing the Biblical stories.
How ever
As this was a very early revelation and it was revealed to the Jews of Mecca. One needs to be aware as to what was the message being sent to them. They were being told the of the mistreatment of the past Prophets(pbut) and this surah was in relation to past scripture.
Yes most of the Surat have both a specific and a General Message.
Surah 12 is no exception. the specific message being that Muhammad faces the same difficulties that were faced by Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph
ayyat 111 is a summation of surah 12 Which is the stories of Abraham,Isaac, Jacob and Joseph
The General message being "Allaah(swt) is in charge of all things and knows the answer to all things"
Again you will find different opinions. No one person or group is the authoritative source.
Yes all people have a covenant with God(swt) which is:
Quote:
Do Muslims have a covenant with God?
The Jews believe that they have a covenant with God. Do Muslims believe they have a covenant with God? What does Islam say about God’s covenant?
God’s covenant with people has been the same since He created Adam. It is that we believe in Him alone, do not associate anything or anybody with Him in worship, uphold His laws, follow His Messengers, and honor His scriptures. That is Al-Amaana (the Trust) which God speaks about in this key verse,
- See more at: Do Muslims have a covenant with God? « Adam And Eve « Understand Islam
As this was a very early revelation and it was revealed to the Jews of Mecca. One needs to be aware as to what was the message being sent to them. They were being told the of the mistreatment of the past Prophets(pbut) and this surah was in relation to past scripture.
Yes most of the Surat have both a specific and a General Message.
Surah 12 is no exception. the specific message being that Muhammad faces the same difficulties that were faced by Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph
ayyat 111 is a summation of surah 12 Which is the stories of Abraham,Isaac, Jacob and Joseph
The General message being "Allaah(swt) is in charge of all things and knows the answer to all things"
Again you will find different opinions. No one person or group is the authoritative source.
Yes all people have a covenant with God(swt) which is:
12:111 is not speaking of the covenant.
It is simply a summation of Surah 12
My point is 12:111 reaffirm the general message/principle [which is most critical] which then support the specific message.
I am not insisting 12:111 is specifically about the covenant but the affirmation of the general message then it follows to support the point the terms and conditions of the covenant are in the Quran, i.e.
1. The Quran contain explanation of all things [including matters of the covenant] [12:111].
2. The terms and conditions are things relating to the covenant
3. Therefore the Quran contain the terms and conditions of the covenant. 16:91-96 & others
Do you dispute the above?
You will note I am presenting my argument logically and systematically whereas most of the commentaries from Muslim scholars [from links you provide] beat around the bushes.
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