These first five verses of Surah Al-Imran explain the doctrine of Tauhid, the Oneness of Allah, which is the basic point of difference between Islam and other religions, and between a disbeliever and a true Muslim. Those who believe in Tauhid (and all His prophets) are Muslims, those who do not are not.
The first word of this verse Alif Lam Mim (الم) belongs to the special set of words used by the Quran which are words of hidden meaning and are known as Mutashabihat, the real meaning of which is a secret between Allah Ta'alah and His Messenger ﷺ. In the words اللّٰهُ لَاۤ اِلٰهَ اِلَّا هُوَۙ (Allah: there is no God but He) which follow immediately, the doctrine of the Oneness of Allah has been put forth as a categorical declaration. It means there is absolutely nothing worthy of worship other than Allah.
Then a rational argument for the Oneness of Allah has been presented by using the words الۡحَىُّ الۡقَيُّوۡمُؕ. The word حَىُّ means 'the living' in Arabic. Out of the Divine names, the use of this one here emphasises that He is Ever-living and Ever-lasting. He is above and beyond death. The word قَيُّوم is derived from Qiyam which means 'to stand', and Qaim refers to 'one who stands'. The words 'Qayyum' and 'Qayyam' are forms of exaggeration. They mean 'one who himself stands firmly and keeps other sustained and supported, all simultaneously'.
The essence of the argument is that worship means presenting oneself before someone in complete and utter submission and humility. It, therefore, requires that the one who is being worshipped must occupy the highest point of honour and power, and who is perfect from from every angle. And by using the words الۡحَىُّ الۡقَيُّوۡمُؕ it is argued that how can a being or deity which is dependent on someone else for both coming into existence and for remaining existent, be worthy of worship. Therefore, it is obvious that everything in this world which is dependent on other for its creation or ongoing existence, like stone idols, fire, prophets, or religious scholars, cannot be worthy of worship. Only a Being who has always existed and will always exist, and who does not depend on anyone or anything for its existence, can be worthy of worship, and that is Allah Ta'alah.
To be continued...
From Ma'ariful Quran, by Mufti Muhammad Shafi Rehmatullah Elaih
The first word of this verse Alif Lam Mim (الم) belongs to the special set of words used by the Quran which are words of hidden meaning and are known as Mutashabihat, the real meaning of which is a secret between Allah Ta'alah and His Messenger ﷺ. In the words اللّٰهُ لَاۤ اِلٰهَ اِلَّا هُوَۙ (Allah: there is no God but He) which follow immediately, the doctrine of the Oneness of Allah has been put forth as a categorical declaration. It means there is absolutely nothing worthy of worship other than Allah.
Then a rational argument for the Oneness of Allah has been presented by using the words الۡحَىُّ الۡقَيُّوۡمُؕ. The word حَىُّ means 'the living' in Arabic. Out of the Divine names, the use of this one here emphasises that He is Ever-living and Ever-lasting. He is above and beyond death. The word قَيُّوم is derived from Qiyam which means 'to stand', and Qaim refers to 'one who stands'. The words 'Qayyum' and 'Qayyam' are forms of exaggeration. They mean 'one who himself stands firmly and keeps other sustained and supported, all simultaneously'.
The essence of the argument is that worship means presenting oneself before someone in complete and utter submission and humility. It, therefore, requires that the one who is being worshipped must occupy the highest point of honour and power, and who is perfect from from every angle. And by using the words الۡحَىُّ الۡقَيُّوۡمُؕ it is argued that how can a being or deity which is dependent on someone else for both coming into existence and for remaining existent, be worthy of worship. Therefore, it is obvious that everything in this world which is dependent on other for its creation or ongoing existence, like stone idols, fire, prophets, or religious scholars, cannot be worthy of worship. Only a Being who has always existed and will always exist, and who does not depend on anyone or anything for its existence, can be worthy of worship, and that is Allah Ta'alah.
To be continued...
From Ma'ariful Quran, by Mufti Muhammad Shafi Rehmatullah Elaih
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