A072
Surah: 033 - Ayah: 072
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33:72
What is the manat mentioned in the verse (33:72) of the Qur’an? The answer is that the amanat, which the entire world was afraid of bearing, but which was assumed by man was “ikhtiyar” (choice, free will). For in man only, Ikhtiyar or choice, is the capacity which is returned after a fixed time, You can see this in the Qur’an where “tawakkul (trust in God)” is mentioned, there is the meaning of the gradual returning of the amanat or trust of ikhtiyar to the real Agent. Thus, at the level of perfect faith, the mu’min is relieved entirely of the burden of amanat.
“Lo! We offered the trust unto the heavens and the earth and hills, but they shrank from bearing it and were afraid of it. And man assumed it. Lo! he has proved unjust and a fool (for himself)” (33:72). Now, we might ask what was this trust or amanat? Was it ikhtiyar (choice, freewill)? Was it ibadat and marifat? What was the heavy burden which the universe shrank away from and became afraid of? And when man assumed it, why was he called unjust and a fool? God willing, these questions will be answered in this article.
Zalum (Very unjust, very dark)
It is said in verse (33:72): "Verily We offered the trust (choice and responsibility of recognition) to the heavens and the earth and the mountains, but they refused to bear it and were afraid of it, but man undertook it, verily he was unjust (and) ignorant (or very dark and ignorant)." Since man is very dark and ignorant, he needs light and intellect which can be attained only by bearing this burden of trust.
In verse (33:72) God says: “ verily We offer the trust (amᾱnah)unto the heaven and the earth and the hills, but they shrank from bearing it and were afraid of it. And man assumed it. Verily he wa very dark and ignorant” (33:72).
Q494 Please tell us what was the trust (amanat) mentioned in verse (33:72): “Verily We offered the [burden of] trust to the heavens and the earth and the mountains, but they refused to bear it and were afraid of it; but man undertook it; verily he was unjust and arrogant.”
A494
- This is the trust of freewill given to man. That is, freewill is given to human beings as a trust so that they may return it through the stages of tawakkul.
- You know the story of dying before death, that as soon as the salik enters the destination of cIzra’il, he no longer has freewill. A subtle allusion to this fact is in verse (33:36).
This verse has been referred 2 times.