Taraweeh Top 🔟

Juz 29 (Surah Al-Mulk to Al-Mursalat)

Here are some beneficial fruits 🍐 from the Quran: 

1.) The root (خ - س - ء) refers to distancing oneself from something due to feelings of disgust or repulsion from it.  For example, one can say in the language, خَسَأتُ الكَلْبَ, meaning “I distanced [myself] from the dog 🐕.” The adjective from this root is خَاسِئ, which translates to “abased, humiliated,” with the idea that something that is abased is to be “avoided.” This word is seen (though with a slightly different connotation) in verse 67:4 (“ثُمَّ ٱرْجِعِ ٱلْبَصَرَ كَرَّتَيْنِ يَنقَلِبْ إِلَيْكَ ٱلْبَصَرُ خَاسِئًۭا وَهُوَ حَسِيرٌۭ) (“Then return your sight two more times, your sight will return abased and humbled”). This verse is referring to the perfection of God’s creation, as the verse challenges mankind to view His creation and see if they can find any fault in it. Then, God says for them to look again and see if they can find any discrepancy anywhere. They will see only God’s Perfection in the creation, and thus they will be humbled. 

2.) The root (س - ع - ر) refers to the ignition of something on fire 🔥. From this root, we obtain the word السَّعِير, which refers to a scorchingly hot fire 🔥, specifically indicating Hellfire, as is seen in verse 67:5 (وَلَقَدْ زَيَّنَّا ٱلسَّمَآءَ ٱلدُّنْيَا بِمَصَـٰبِيحَ وَجَعَلْنَـٰهَا رُجُومًۭا لِّلشَّيَـٰطِينِ ۖ وَأَعْتَدْنَا لَهُمْ عَذَابَ ٱلسَّعِيرِ) (“And indeed, We beautified the lowest heaven with lamps and made them [means of] stoning for the devils, and We have prepared for them the punishment of the Intense Fire”).  There are several words in the Quran that are used to refer to the Hellfire, one of them being السَّعِير

3.) The root (ش - ه - ق) indicates a meaning of raising 📈and elevation. From this root, we obtain the adjective شَاهِقٌ, which means “elevated,” such as in جَبَلٌ شَاهِقٌ (“elevated mountain ⛰️”). Another derived word is شَهِيقٌ, which refers to the anatomical process of inhalation 🫁 (as opposed to exhalation, which is زَفِيرٌ). This word relates to its root meaning in that inhalation leads to elevation of the chest. This word شَهِيق is seen in verse 67:7 (إِذَآ أُلْقُوا۟ فِيهَا سَمِعُوا۟ لَهَا شَهِيقًۭا وَهِىَ تَفُورُ) (“When they are cast into it [Hellfire], they will hear it inhalation while it is fuming”). In this verse, شَهِيق gives more of the meaning of violent breathing rather than simply inhalation.  The Quran is giving us vivid imagery as to the terror that is the Hellfire, as it is described as a beast that is violently breathing and fuming out of rage. 

4.) The root (غ - ي - ظ) refers to sorrow, anger, and gloom that he/she receives from another. From this root, we obtain the word غَيظٌ, which means “anger. However, the word غَضَب also means “anger.” What is the difference here? The word غَيظ is a more intense form of anger, hence why we often translate it to “rage.” This worse is seen in verse 67:8 (تَكَادُ تَمَيَّزُ مِنَ ٱلْغَيْظِ) (“it [Hellfire] is on the verge of exploding in rage”). Here, this is vivid imagery of how intensely raging Hellfire will be in the next life. 

5.) The root (س - ح - ق) has two distinct root meanings: 1.) distancing oneself from something, and 2.) to tire out, wear out, exhaust something.  From the first meaning, we obtain the word سُحْق (distancing), which we see in verse 67:11 (فَٱعْتَرَفُوا۟ بِذَنۢبِهِمْ فَسُحْقًۭا لِّأَصْحَـٰبِ ٱلسَّعِيرِ) (“So they will confess their sins. [God will distance them from His Mercy with] a wide distance for the inhabitants of the Scorching Fire”). Here, the word سُحْقًا is used as emphasis (with an implied verb), that God will distance the inhabitants of Hell from His Mercy.

6.) The root (م - س - ك) refers to the containment of something. From this root, we obtain the Form IV verb (أَمْسَكَ - يُمْسِكُ), which means “to catch, restrain, constrain.” This verb is seen in verse 67:21 (أَمَّنْ هَـٰذَا ٱلَّذِى يَرْزُقُكُمْ إِنْ أَمْسَكَ رِزْقَهُۥ ۚ بَل لَّجُّوا۟ فِى عُتُوٍّۢ وَنُفُورٍ) (“Or who is the One who provide for you if He restricts your provision? Rather, they are persistent in rebellion”).  Here, the verse challenges mankind to think about who will provide for them if God were to prevent their provisions and sustenance, but those who act arrogantly refuse to acknowledge this and humble themselves. In the medical world, the word إمساك refers to “constipation,” with a clear relationship to its root.

7.) The root (ك - ب - ب) refers to the inversion of something. From this root, we obtain the verb (كَبَّ - يَكُبُّ), which means to overturn or turn upside down. The receiving pattern (اسم الفاعل) of مُكِبًّا (“that which overturns”) is seen in verse 67:21 (أَفَمَن يَمْشِى مُكِبًّا عَلَىٰ وَجْهِهِۦٓ أَهْدَىٰٓ أَمَّن يَمْشِى سَوِيًّا عَلَىٰ صِرَٰطٍۢ مُّسْتَقِيمٍۢ) (“Is the one who walks inverted upon his face more guided? Or the one who walks upright on the Straight Path?”). There is difference of opinion as to what مُكِبًّا here is referring to, but according to one tafsir source, it refers to the disbelievers and criminals who will be dragged on their faces to the Hellfire (God protect us all). 

8.) The root (ز - ل - ف) refers to something approaching something else in proximity. From this root, we obtain the word مُزْدِلفَة, referring to the area “Muzdalifa” that most know as part of the ritual pilgrimage of Hajj 🕋. The reason this area is called this name is related to this root meaning: the area of Muzdalifa is closer in proximity to Mina after the pilgrims go to ‘Arafat. The word زُلْفَى also comes from this root and means “close to,” as occurs in verse 38:40 (وَإِنَّ لَهُۥ عِندَنَا لَزُلْفَىٰ وَحُسْنَ مَـَٔابٍۢ) (And for him is a close status to us and the best of return”). We also see the word زُلْفَة in verse 67:27 (فَلَمَّا رَأَوْهُ زُلْفَةًۭ سِيٓـَٔتْ وُجُوهُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟) (“when they see it [Hellfire] approaching, the faces of those who disbelieved will be distressed”. Here, زُلْفَة refers to the Hellfire in that it is approaching them.

9.) The root (م - ت - ن) refers to the solidity and strength of something. From this root, we obtain the word مَتَانَة, which refers to the durability of something. We also obtain the word مَتِين, describing something as firm and unshakeable, as occurs in verse 68:45 (إِنَّ كَيْدِى مَتِينٌ) (“Indeed, my Planning is Firm”), referring to the Plan of God being perfect and unshakeable. 

10.) The root (د - ن - و) refers to something being close by or near. From this root, we obtain the verb (دَنَا  يَدْنُو - دُنُوٌّ) , which means “to be near.” This verb in its receiving pattern form (اسم الفاعل) as دانِيَة in verse 69:23 (قُطُوفُهَا دَانِيَةٌ) (its fruits are nearby). This refers to the fruits 🍉 of Jannah that will be nearby and easy to pluck and eat for the Inhabitants of Paradise, such that they will not have to exert any effort to reach them.  This verb is also common in many classical texts such as in the Diwan of Shaykh Muhammad ibn Habib (notable wali from Morocco, and one of the most prominent saints of our time): وَنُودِيَ ادْنُ حَبِيبِي وَاسْكُنْ مِنْ خَجَلِ (“and he was called out to, “Draw near, my Beloved, and set aside any shyness”).  Here, the command form is being used.