A028
Surah: 013 - Ayah: 028
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13:28
The method of physical cure is such that for every disease, there is a separate prescription. Contrary to this, in spiritual healing, a single medicine can cure hundreds of diseases. Take for instance, Divine remembrance, through which is attained the satisfaction (itminan) of the heart (13:28). But this point should be remembered well that the state of the human heart which God, the Knowing, the Wise, has called satisfaction, has such vast and lofty meanings, that they, in addition to being a solution for innumerable difficulties, expand to the spiritual heights of Hazrat Ibrahim (may peace be on him) (2:260). On the other hand, satisfaction is embodied in the terrestrial angels (17:95). Further, see also the description of the satisfied soul (nafs-i muÌma'innah) in the Qur’an (89:27-30), so that, the vast meaning of this wisdom-filled word may be realised.
After studying this article carefully, you may be perfectly sure that false fear is a trial as well as a spiritual disease, which can be completely cured by three things: remembrance of God, fear of God and spiritual knowledge. Remembrance of God cures it in the sense that, in it (remembrance) the hearts find satisfaction miraculously (13:28), whereas false fear snatches it from the heart. Through the blessing of the fear of God, the false fear vanishes in such a way that, the heart which truly fears God does not fear any creature nor is there any place left for the fear of anybody else. It is cured through spiritual knowledge in the sense that, in its light it clearly becomes evident that false fear is nothing but ignorance. Thus, the darkness of ignorance vanishes through the effulgence of the light of knowledge.
Tatma'innu (It/he finds peace, satisfaction)
The greatest praise of the remembrance of God is in verse (13:28): "Be aware! that the hearts find satisfaction in the remembrance of God." Question: What is the Qur'anic standard and the Prophetic example of the act of satisfaction? Answer: Its standard is the observation of spiritual miracles and the Prophetic example of the act is the ideal practice of Hazrat Ibrahim. (See eight different grammatical forms of itminan in the Qur'an).
In verse (13:28) it is mentioned: "Verily in the remembrance of Allah do hearts (qulub) find peace." Q: What is the exegesis of this verse from the point of view of an arif or sufi? A: Qulub is the plural of qalb which means heart, soul and intellect, thus until these three things find complete peace, it cannot be called true peace. Thus true peace is the everlasting wealth of knowledge of certainty (ilmu'l-yaqin), the eye of certainty (aynu'l-yaqin) and the truth of certainty (haqqu'l-yaqin).
Although the same word "fear" applies equally to animals, ordinary people, the Prophets and the Imams, there is a world of difference in what is meant by it. This is because fear has many levels and the supreme level is the fear of God alone, and unlike worldly fear there is everlasting peace and satisfaction in it. For in reality, to "fear" God means to remember Him and it is His remembrance that gives satisfaction to the heart (13:28). It is clear for people of intellect that there are treasures of knowledge and wisdom hidden in the proper fear of God, whereas in worldly fear there is nothing but helplessness and despondency. The fear of God fills man’s life with mercies and blessings. If someone has no fear of God, the Supreme King, then as an inevitable punishment he will fear others and his life becomes full of bitterness.
The key to the treasure of bliss is kept for every one in verse (13:28), which is: "Beware that in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find satisfaction (itminan)." The special meanings of itminan are extremely high. By it, in reality, are meant great miracles, which can be seen only by those fortunate ones who have become habituated to seeing small wonders, marvels and miracles, because every magnificent thing has many levels.
Thus God, the Omnipotent has placed His names in front of human beings, in which there is luminous help for the caql and spiritual happiness for the nafs, so that by remembering them they may attain satisfaction of the heart. As God says: “Verily, in the remembrance of God (which is done through His real names) do hearts find satisfaction” (13:28). Heart is another name for the nafs. The nafs receives spiritual happiness from the remembrance of God and in the hope of more delight and happiness it starts to obey the caql.
To such a nafs, which following the caql has attained final satisfaction and spiritual peace by doing cibadat and true dhikr, comes this call from God: “O the satisfied soul! Return unto your Lord, in a state in which you are happy with Him and He is happy with you. Enter among My (specially favoured) servants and enter My Paradise” (89:26-30).
Wisdom 31
The total eradication of fear which exists in our animal soul is neither possible nor is there any expediency in doing so. Rather, it should be transformed under the influence of the heavenly prescriptions of the Qur’an and Islam from false fear to the fear of God. And this is not impossible. About this cure it is stated in the Qur’an: "Beware! Only with the remembrance of God do hearts attain satisfaction" (13:28). There are many moral and spiritual diseases in the human heart. The cure for all these is found in Divine remembrance. The process of thi s remembrance should cont inue uninterruptedly, and then only, the heart being cleansed of false fear and all other weaknesses, will illumine with Divine inspiration and guidance. Initiate the long process of dhikr-i kathir (abundant remembrance) along with your religious and worldly obligations, and insha’llah you will have success beyond your expectations.
This verse has been referred 13 times.