🔴 What is "AL-'AQABAH"?
AL-IMAAM AS-SAN’ANI said:
"It is the steep path up a mountain, and here it refers to difficult matters."
(Al-Tanweer, 4/569)
✏️ AL-IMAAM IBNU-L-QAYYIM says in explaining the following verses:
✨{فَلا اقْتَحَمَ الْعَقَبَةَ * وَمَا أَدْرَاكَ مَا الْعَقَبَةُ * فَكُّ رَقَبَةٍ * أَوْ إِطْعَامٌ فِي يَوْمٍ ذِي مَسْغَبَةٍ * يَتِيمًا ذَا مَقْرَبَةٍ * أَوْ مِسْكِينًا ذَا مَتْرَبَةٍ * ثُمَّ كَانَ مِنَ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالصَّبْرِ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالْمَرْحَمَةِ * أُولَئِكَ أَصْحَابُ الْمَيْمَنَةِ * وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا بِآيَاتِنَا هُمْ أَصْحَابُ الْمَشْأَمَةِ * عَلَيْهِمْ نَارٌ مُؤْصَدَةٌ}.✨
✨ "But he has not attempted the steep path. And what can make you know what is the steep path? It is freeing a slave, or feeding on a day of severe hunger an orphan of near relationship, or a needy person in misery. Then he becomes one of those who have believed and advised one another to patience and advised one another to compassion. They are those on the Right Hand (the dwellers of Paradise). But they who disbelieved in Our Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.), they are those on the Left Hand (the dwellers of Hell). they are the companions of the Left Hand (the dwellers of Hell). Over them will be fire closed in."
(Surah Al-Balad, 90:11-20)
IBNU-L-QAYYIM said:
"Man has not crossed the steep path that lies between him and his Lord, a path that cannot be crossed except by:
1️⃣ Doing good to others: By freeing a slave, which involves delivering them from bondage. In return, Allah will deliver the person from the bondage of their own self and from their enemy.
2️⃣ Feeding the needy and orphans: Especially during times of famine and hardship.
3️⃣ Sincerity to Allah: Through pure faith, which is the exclusive right of Allah upon His servants. This involves believing His messages and obeying His commands sincerely for His sake.
4️⃣ Advising others: Encouraging them to patience and compassion, while also accepting such advice. This makes one patient and compassionate within themselves and a source of support for others in these virtues, guiding them to the same path.
🚫 Whoever does not cross this "AL-'AQABAH" and perishes without doing so is cut off from their Lord, unable to reach Him, and remains veiled from Him."
🟢People are of two categories:
1️⃣ The successful: Those who have crossed the "AL-'AQABAH" and moved beyond it.
2️⃣ The doomed: Those who remain stuck before the "AL-'AQABAH", representing the majority of people.
🌟 This 'steep path' is only crossed by the dedicated and prepared (referred to as Mudammirun)(1), for it is a tough and challenging path. Only those who are light-burdened manage to cross it—these are "the companions of the right hand (the dwellers of Paradise)."
🚫 As for those who fail to cross the 'steep path', rejecting the truth and disobeying the commands, they are "the companions of the Left Hand (the dwellers of Hell)." "Over them is a fire sealed tightly", leaving them unable to escape, just as they were encompassed
by deviant actions and false beliefs which opposed the messages brought by the messengers. Similarly, the fire encompasses them, trapping their bodies as their false beliefs trapped their hearts.
💫 Reflect upon this short chapter (Surah Al-Balad) and its profound content, encompassing the essentials of knowledge and faith. Allah grants success.
📚 AT-TIBYAN FI AYMANI
L-QURA'AN - (1/64)
----------
(1) The term Mudammirun refers to those who train their horses for battle or racing, indicating preparedness and focus.
⚠️ Note: There is a continuation of Ibn al-Qayyim’s explanation, which will follow, in sha Allah.
https://t.me/NawwasalHindiEng/420