6:155

Salaam all,

Wahatha kitabun anzalnahu mubarakun faittabiAAoohu waittaqoo laAAallakum turhamoona

The Aya says: And this is a book, We brought down, blessed therefore join and follow it, and act consciously, perhaps you (plural) will receive mercy.

My personal note: There are some interesting themes here. The Aya comes after the very positive praise of the book of Moses. However, while the book of Moses was praised, this book, the Qur’an, is the one that was associated with the order to join and follow.

In a sense, both books are by the same author Allah, and while the earlier version is worthy of praise and of being followed at a time, the later “edition” is the one that is to be followed once it came down and was completed.

The Aya ends with perhaps you (plural) will receive mercy. Although the perhaps is present, this is a form of Arabic literary style where the perhaps is more of an emphasis. Also, the term Mercy is really the bottom line since all we aim for as people in our actions towards God is to be deserving of receiving His Mercy.

Translation of the transliterated words Wahatha: and this kitabun: book/ the collection of knowledge Note: the root K-T-B and it means putting things together as in grouping the herd together or closing the lips or writing (the most common use), because in writing, one puts the letters and the ideas together. KITABUN means, the process of writing or the book or anything related to it from the ideas to the ink and paper to the place where all is put together. In a sense, it points to the collection of knowledge and information that are communicated. Anzalnahu: We brought it down/ made it come/ descended it from high Note: the root is N-Z-L and it carries the meaning of arrival to stay and descent. One concrete meaning is the descent of the person from his or her horse or camel as they arrive at the place where they plan to stay. ANZALNA is an action that is completed. It means: the action of making the object (HU= him pointing to the book) arrive or making it descend happened by the subject (first person plural).

Mubarakun: blessed/ anchored and bountiful of good Note: the root is B-R-K and it means in concrete when the water is on the ground in a pool, or when the camel is sitting on the ground with his chest touching it. Conceptually, it is used for stability/ anchoring and plentifulness/ bountifulness of good since the water is a source for lots of good. The word is also used in Arabic and Hebrew to mean blessing with all the potential meanings that come with blessing. MUBARAKUN means made blessed. faittabiAAoohu: therefore join it and follow it Note: Fa means then or therefore or so. ITTABiAAooHU is derived from the root T-B-Ain and it means following footsteps or following behind, or joining and following. ITTABiAAooHU is an order to a group. It means Join and follow. waittaqoo: and act consciously Note: WA is a letter that links what is before with what is after. This link is through inclusion, either one is included in the other or they are all included in the bigger sentence or bigger picture. WA is often translated as an addition (and), but inclusion probably covers the meaning a little better ITTAQOO is derived from the root W-Qaf-W and it means guarding or protecting. Since the best way to guard is through consciousness and action according to consciousness. ITTAQOO is a demand addressing a group of people. It means: make yourselves act consciously.

laAAallakum: perhaps you (plural) turhamoona: you (plural) will be engulfed in mercy Note: the root is R-Ha-M and it means womb in concrete. This term is used to mean mercy and all the good that the womb provides. TURHAMOONA is an action that is being completed or will be completed. It means: the action of mercifulness will happen to the object (second person plural) by an undeclared subject.

Salaam all and have a great day. Hussein