Aurangzaib Yousufzai - August 2017
Thematic Quranic Translation Series
Installment 17
(In English Language)
Crucial Themes of “the Count of 12 months
as Deen Al-Qayyam” and “Youm
al-Hajj al-Akbar”
Defined in the True Light of The Quran
PRELUDE
Here we are having a second but most rational look at Verses 9:36 and 9:3-4 as I have been asked to explain as to why “the count of 12 months is declared as Deen Al-Qayyam” (9:36), meaning the “firm & established Divine Discipline”; and what is Hajj al-Akbar (9:3), especially in the perspective of Hajj having been refuted by you as a canonized Muslim pilgrimage. Let me clarify both themes by taking up one at a time.
1) DOES “THE FIRM AND ESTABLISHED DISCIPLINE” ACTUALLY CONSIST IN OBSERVING THE COUNT OF 12 MONTHS???
In the traditional translations of Verse 9:36, the “firm and established Discipline” is defined to be “the count of 12 months” out of which 4 are the sacred months????
Obviously, that is the most absurd and treacherous definition of Deen Al-Qayyam. Deen is commonly defined as a Mode of Conduct or a Discipline of Life, not the “count of some months”. That is why the need for an academic and rational re-translation of the relevant Verse was emphasized, which may stand in conformity with the Quran’s true message and ideology, and may appeal to the modern, educated minds. Let us then start first with the existing absurd traditional translation, which stands overwhelmingly propagated all over the world, and blindly accepted by frigid minds.
سورۃ التوبۃ: ۳۶: Chapter At-Taubah (9), Verse 36:
إِنَّ عِدَّةَ الشُّهُورِ عِندَ اللَّهِ اثْنَا عَشَرَ شَهْرًا فِي كِتَابِ اللَّهِ يَوْمَ خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ مِنْهَا أَرْبَعَةٌ حُرُمٌ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ الدِّينُ الْقَيِّمُ ۚ فَلَا تَظْلِمُوا فِيهِنَّ أَنفُسَكُمْ ۚ وَقَاتِلُوا الْمُشْرِكِينَ كَافَّةً كَمَا يُقَاتِلُونَكُمْ كَافَّةً ۚ وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَ الْمُتَّقِينَ-۔
9:36 “Indeed the number of months before Allah is twelve – in the Book of Allah – since the day He created the heavens and the earth, of which four are sacred; this is the straight religion; so do not wrong yourselves in those months; and constantly fight against the polytheists as they constantly fight against you; and know well that Allah is with the pious.”
What do you think about that? Do you find any sense in this text? No? I agree. It is the vilest of translations we have come across! Allah swt obviously did not create the Universe in one day; it was a process spread over millions and billions of years. So 12 months could not have been fixed during that long period when a state of timelessness had persisted. Then, scientifically speaking, the count of time could only have started when the 2nd phase of Creation, the stage of the Planet Earth had taken its present shape, with all natural laws formulated and applied for its proper flawless functioning. Again, Allah swt could never have made a stupid and unjustified classification of sacred months and non-sacred months, being totally illogical and unworthy of His Exalted existence as the Super-most and Absolute Consciousness behind the most scientific act of creation!!!
So, then, here is the most up to date, rational and academic version of this divine text, for those whose consciousness is alive:-
9:3-4 “Indeed, since the hour He unfolded the process of creation of the Universe (يَوْمَ خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ), Allah had made it mandatory (فِي كِتَابِ اللَّهِ fi kitaab Allah) that the prescribed and reckonable (عِدَّةَ iddata) living conditions (الشُّهُور shuhoor) as approved by him (عِندَ اللَّهِ ‘indallah) will be the state of a highly praiseworthy and admirable (اثْنَا athnaa’), intimate human community (عَشَرَ ‘ashara); and in its composition (مِنْهَا min-ha) the segment possessing the attributes of deeper affection and utmost compassion (أَرْبَعَةٌ arba’atun) will be regarded as the respected ones (حُرُمٌ ۚ hurumun). That alone is prescribed as the most sustainable, ideal (الْقَيِّمُ qayyam) discipline of life (الدِّينُ Deen).
Hence to attain those living conditions (فِيهِنَّ ), you are ordained to stop being cruel (فَلَا تَظْلِمُوا) by violating your own people’s rights in the community. And for now, concentrate fully in fighting the polytheists just like they are intent on fighting against you with their full might. However, keep always in mind that in a confrontation, Allah sides with those taking full cognizance of His commandments.”
I sincerely hope this latest translation attempt from this end removes a great treacherous anomaly from the fake old translations of the Quran, for all times to come.
Meanings of important words:
Iddatushh-Shahoor (عدّۃ الشھور): That state of affairs which is the proposed one, is preferable, is worth taking note of.
Athna ‘ashara (اثنا عشر): The most admirable, praiseworthy; thana (ثنا)= praise, admiration.
‘ashara : (عشر): An integrated community/society. معاشرہ
Shahran (شھرا): State of affairs, situation, conditions.
Arba’atun (اربعۃ): ر ب ع : wealth, sufficiency, abundance, affectionate, pitiful, compassionate, a place of permanent abode, fourth or four; to treat gently, middle class, to fill with speed, to grow abundantly, etc. etc. (A very wide range of meanings).
Al-Qayyam (القیم): firm, well established. Conducted, ordered, regulated, etc.
2) WHAT IS THE “HAJJ AL-AKBAR”?
You have questioned about the Quranic compound Hajj Al-Akbar. I am well aware of your actual confusion behind this question. I presume you are still in some doubt about the research-based new definition of Hajj. That’s why you and other unconvinced friends have raised this question. Anyway, my duty is to satisfy rather than criticize, and I’m ready to fulfill this duty to the fullest extent. The compound under discussion is not just “Hajj al-Akbar”, but “Youm-al-hajj al-Akbar”. The major point to follow is that the emphasis here is not laid on a “bigger Hajj” but on a “Big Occasion” of a mass conversion/submission (Hajj).
This theme comes in Verses 3 & 4 of Chapter At-Tawbah (9), which are reproduced hereunder:-
وَأَذَانٌ مِّنَ اللَّـهِ وَرَسُولِهِ إِلَى النَّاسِ يَوْمَ الْحَجِّ الْأَكْبَرِ أَنَّ اللَّـهَ بَرِيءٌ مِّنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ ۙ وَرَسُولُهُ ۚ فَإِن تُبْتُمْ فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ ۖ وَإِن تَوَلَّيْتُمْ فَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّكُمْ غَيْرُ مُعْجِزِي اللَّـهِ ۗ وَبَشِّرِ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا بِعَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍ ﴿٣﴾ إِلَّا الَّذِينَ عَاهَدتُّم مِّنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ ثُمَّ لَمْ يَنقُصُوكُمْ شَيْئًا وَلَمْ يُظَاهِرُوا عَلَيْكُمْ أَحَدًا فَأَتِمُّوا إِلَيْهِمْ عَهْدَهُمْ إِلَىٰ مُدَّتِهِمْ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّـهَ يُحِبُّ الْمُتَّقِينَ
And now I present its most up to date rational translation, which is in full accord with its context, which is related to treaties/agreements made with the polytheist enemies:-
9:3-4 “And from Allah and His Noble Messenger, it is proclaimed for all humanity, on this great occasion (الْأَكْبَرِ يَوْمَ) of securing their intended faith (الْحَجِّ ), that Allah and His Messenger are now free from any moral or strategic obligations (بَرِيءٌ) with regard to the defying polytheists; therefore if you repent from your past behavior, it will be in your best interest. However, if you still turn away, then know that you cannot subdue Allah. And give the disbelievers the glad tidings of a painful punishment, excepting those among them with whom you had a treaty, and they have not defaulted in abiding by its terms and conditions, nor any of them has tried to gain superiority over you. With such people you still are bound to fulfill your obligations up to the appointed term. Indeed Allah befriends those who are conscious of his laws.”
Hope this most academic and rational translation comes up to satisfy your quest to know the ultimate truth.
The scope of meaning of the word Hajj:
ح جج= Haa-Jiim-Jiim = to intend to a certain target, aim at, repair, undertake, repaired/betook himself to or towards a person / place / object of veneration/respect/honour, went/visit frequently/repeatedly, pilgrimage.
Overcome another by/in argument/evidences/proofs/testimonies, plead, contend/argue/dispute.
Refrain/abstain.