Taraweeh Salaah – Night 8
Taraweeh Salaah – Night 8
By Sheikh Abdul Hamid Lachporia – Canada
In the Name of Almighty Allah Most Gracious, Most Merciful
Tonight’s Tarawee consists of the remaining quarter of Qa-lal Mala-u(Juz 9) and the whole of Wa’lamu Annama(Juz 10). In this evening’s Tarawee we will Insha’Allah cover Surah Al Anfal and three quarters of Surah Al-Tawbah. In the previous introductions to the Surahs we have seen how each Surah is a step or gradation in the teaching of the Most Holy Qur’an. The first seven Surahs, comprising a little less than one third of the Holy Qur’an, form a gradation, sketching the early spiritual history of man and leading up to the formation of the new Muslim Ummah or Community of Rahmatul Liel Ala’meen. Now we begin another gradation, consolidating that Ummah and directing us as to various phases in our new collective life.
Tonight we have the lessons of the Battle of Badr enforced in their larger aspects: (1) the question of war booty; (2) the true virtues necessary for fighting the good fight; (3) victory against all odds; (4) clemency and consideration for one’s own and for others in the hour of victory. As regards booty taken in battle, the first point to note is that that should never be our aim in war. It is only an adventitious circumstance, a sort of windfall. Secondly, no soldier or troop has any inherrent right to it. A righteous war is a community affair, and any accessions resulting from it belongs to Allah, or community or Cause. Thirdly, certain equitable principles of division should be laid down to check human greed and selfishness. A fifth share goes to the Commander and he can use it at his discretion; for his expenses, and for the relief of the poor and suffering, the orphans and the widows. The remainder was always divided, according to our Beloved Nabee Sallallahoo Alayhi Wasallam’s practice.
These principles are followed in the best modern practice of civilised nations. All acquisitions of war belong absolutely to the Sovereign as representing the commonwealth. In the distribution of booty not only the actual captors but also the “joint captors” and the “constructive captors” share. As regards the military virtues, which are the types of virtues throughout life, we are shown by an analysis of the incidents of Badr how against the greatest odds, Almighty Allah’s help will give victory if men are fighting not for themselves but for the Sacred Cause of Almighty Allah. Directions are given for the treatment of prisoners and for maintaining the solidarity of the Muslim Ummah. The date of this Surah is shortly after the Battle of Badr, which was fought on Friday the 17th of Ramadan in the second year of the Hijrah. Obedience and intelligent discipline, zeal, faith and gratitude to Almighty Allah, are the true passports to success and protection from the assaults of evil for evil will be piled up with evil and will be destroyed.
SURAH AL-TAWBAH:
Surah Al-Tawbah follows up the argument of the previous Surah. It was revealed seven years after the previous Surah. Surah Al-Tawbah is also the only Surah that begins without the prefixing of Bimillah. It was among the last Surahs to be revealed. Verses 1 to 29 show the State Policy of our Nabee Sallallahoo Alayhi Wasallam. which came into effect during the month of Shawwal in the ninth year of the Hijrah. Our Nabee Sallallahoo Alayhi Wasallam instructed Sayyidina Ali R.A. to announce it two months later during Hajj in order to give it the widest possible publicity. The remainder or Surah Al-Tawbah was revealed a little earlier during the month of Ramadan in the Ninth year after the Hijrah and also sums up the lessons of the Tabuk expedition which was undertaken during Summer of the same year. The Surah also deals with an important question on what must be done if the enemy breaks a peace treaty and is guilty of wrong-doing. Do not indulge in wrong-doing like the hypocrites. No help should be sought from them neither should we aid them for aid should only go to the poor and needy. Strive hard against the unbelievers because they are bound to reach a stage where they will not be forgiven by Almighty Allah. Shun all evil as unclean because evil goes against Truth and mocks everything that is Good.
Courtesy: www.everymuslim.com