Ramadhan 2016 – Day 25 (As-Saff)

This is one of chapters of the tasbih block (comprising Ch 57-66), the block of chapters which focus on the action plan of the system of peace and justice. Ch 61 (As-Saff) is the end chapter of the ‘sabbaha’ level of this block, comprising Ch 57-61. After this is the ‘yusabbihu’ block comprising Ch 62-64.

Ch 61 begins the ‘sabbaha’ (causing work harmoniously) towards Allah. All systems of god work toward this condition. Vs 2-4 gives a basic philosophy of action. Vs 2 tells to act, not just talk. Vs 3 tells us how odious this is in the sight of Allah and Vs 4 tells us that Allah loves those who fight for peace and justice like a cohesive wall. This philosophy of action will be explicated by the narratives of isa and musa below

61/5 mentions musa speaking to his people, asking them why they take liberties with him when they know he is the messenger of Allah. This refers to the fact that they refuse to confront the oppressors in the sanctified land (5/20).

61/6 mentions isa’s speech to his people. He will confirm to them what will give them initiative to create the system out of his capacities and humanise them with the state of the highest bliss (ahmad). This state is explained further in 48/29.

61/7 explains the call of musa and isa as the calls towards the acquirement of peace (islaam). This is contrasted with the system of oppresson. 61/8 tells us that this is the light of Allah, bringing humanity into a state of enlightenment.

61/14 is a single aya call powerfully ending this chapter. It explains the speech of isa to his people to become the helpers of Allah and to bring about this blissful state.