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Sayyid Muhammad Husayn Tabatabai

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Presented by the Ahlul Bayt Digital Islamic Library Project team

Created: March 1998

Last updated: May 1998

An article on the Sayyid in Echo of Islam: Seyyed Mohammad-Hossein is a Qur'anic Miracle

(As stated in the Persian daily 'Kayhan's” interview with the Iranian 5-year-old genius reciter of the Holy Qur'an in Mecca)

(Reproduced with gratitude from the 'Echo of Islam', September and October 1997)

The presence of the Iranian prodigy, Seyyed Mohammad Hossein Tabatabaee at this year's great Hajj pilgrimage rituals and his spectacular participation at various Qur'anic contests there amazed the other pilgrims.

His unbelievable command over the meaning and context of the chapters and verses of the Holy Qur'an made every Muslim particularly the rest of the contestants, praise this young prodigy.

Kayhan's correspondent in Mecca has talked to Mohammad Hossein's father on the subject, focusing on the method he has applied to teach his son the Qur'an, the length of time it took him to memorize the Holy Book and how be gained such a great command over its verses and meaning. The following text is a part of this interview.

The glorious presence of Iran's five-year-old prodigy, Seyyed Mohammad Hossein Tabatabaie at this year's Hajj pilgrimage and his spectacular participation at various Qur'anic events and competitions here, astonished the pilgrims of other countries. His great command over the meaning and the context of the verses surprised the reciters and memorizers of other countries, particularly the Egyptian masters at Mecca's “A Night with the Holy Qur'an” event.

Mohammad Hossein had also separate exclusive meetings with the Saudi Information Minister and the Saudi Minister of Interior in which he answered their questions. When they noticed the precision of Mohammad Hossein's replies regarding the Holy Book and his application of the Holy verses of Qur'an, they requested him to attend another meeting with the family members of high-ranking Saudi officials to witness his miraculous command over the Holy Qur'an.

At this meeting, they had also invited the most prominent Saudi Arabian reciters and memorizers of the Holy Qur'an, some of whom are well known all over the Islamic world. There, Mohammad Hossein for two hours answered numerous questions of a large crowd of Qur'anic masters and reciters, which greatly surprised and impressed every one.

At the end of this meeting, a Saudi Arabian author who has published over a hundred books about the Holy Qur'an so far and trained hundreds of Qur'an reciters himself opined: 'Seyyed Mohammad Hossein Tabatabaee is the great miracle of Qur'anic knowledge and the history of Islam has never before witnessed such a prodigy.”

He further added, “Should I attempt to describe all the various capabilities of Mohammad Hossein to those memorizers of the Holy Qur'an who have not seen him, I'm afraid they may accuse me of in-sincerity, and I won't blame them, because it is truly hard to believe if one has not seen or heard him in person.

During the Hajj pilgrimage rituals, Mohammad Hossein also met various interested groups, besides his participation at Qur'anic events, and answered the questions of every individual.

I once had a chance to talk to Mohammad Hossein's father; who is himself a memorizer of the Holy Qur'an, as well as being his son's teacher.

According to him, Mohammad Hossein began memorizing the Qur'an when he was 2.5 years old. His mother, too, who knows the whole Qur'an by heart, played a great role in teaching him the Holy Book. Even when he was a suckling infant, being rocked in his cradle, he heard his mother recite Qur'anic verses. Therefore, one could say. he got acquainted with the Qur'an ever since he was very little and in fact from the very beginning of his life.

When asked, 'How good Mohammad Hossein's command is in memorizing the Holy Qur'an!” His father replied, “He knows the whole Qur'an by heart, while having a perfect command over the meaning of verses and their relation to the whole text.”

“He can tell from the meaning which verse you have in mind as well as which other verses convey the same meaning.

“He can even tell you the verse's number, the page and the first verse at the top of the next page and the following other four pages. He also knows by heart the full text of several other poetry books, such as the great Iranian poets, Sa'di's Golestan, and Mohtasham Kashani's Diwan.”

When I asked Mohammad Hossein's father about the method he had applied, keeping in mind that his son didn't know how to read and write as a 2.5-year-old baby, he says, “The method we devised for Mohammad Hossein is a good approach for teaching all the pre-school age children.”

“This method is based on a type of sign language. I mean, each sign would remind the child of a meaning, while a combination of signs imply a more abstract meaning. Young children can memorize the Qur'an word by word, while they also learn the meanings, and eventually be able to analyze the meaning of the text.

“Due to lots of hours spent on exercise, the child will soon get acquainted with these signs, so that it takes him only a few seconds to locate the verse intended.

“The number of the signs and symbols employed to teach Mohammad Hossein was between 700 to 800. At this time, upon receiving a few signs from his father; Mohammad Hossein recited from the verse we had requested and this procedure was repeated for recitation of other verses. After reciting each verse, Mohammad Hossein's father asked him what the first verse at the top of the next page was, and then he also recited that verse, as well as the first verses of the following four pages.

Another particular characteristic of Mohammad Hossein is his appropriate use of the holy verses of Qur'an in his routine conversations.

Mohammad Hossein's father explains:

“Mohammad Hossein reasons with his peers with Qur'anic verses while at play, although they might not understand!”

“For instance once his younger brother was running after him to beat him. Seyyed Mohammad Hossein ran to me to take refuge, while reciting the verse, “We saved him (Moses) from the Pharaoh and the cruel deeds of their group” while he meant “Save me from my brother and his cruelty!” Or once when his sister had blocked his way he instantly recited the verse, “And do not sit in every path, blocking the path of Allah.”

“I remember once I asked his sister to have some honey, and she refused,” says Mohammad-Hossein's father; “Right then he recited the holy verse, 'O Messenger! Why do you deprive yourself of what Allah has bestowed upon you?' All in all, he appropriately utilizes verses very often in his daily life.”

I then asked Mohammad Hossein's father to refer to other examples of his Qur'anic conversations. He said, “When he met the former Iranian President Rafsanjani, the president had prepared a prize for him. As soon as he saw the gift he recited the verse, “And I'll send them a gift, so watch carefully what their reaction would be upon receiving it”' which was referring to when Belqays (Queen of Sheba) ruler of the land where the sun was worshipped had been advising her messengers how to behave when delivering her gift to Prophet Solomon!

The president laughed a lot at this and emphasized, “Mohammad Hossein your talent is unique and research must be done regarding the method of your learning.”

Ayatollah Khaz'ali tested the Qur'anic knowledge of Mohammad Hossein for three hours on three consecutive days. He succeeded to answer the Ayatollah's questions thoroughly in various fields including terminology, meaning, recitation, and memorization. During one of these sessions Ayatollah Khaz'ali told Seyyed Mohammad Hossein, “I want to give you a garment as a gift on the occasion of Eid ul-Ghadir;” he instantly replied with the Qur'anic verse, 'The garment of piety; that is the best garment” and he meant' “if you can, provide a spiritual prize for me, not a material one!”

In his meetings with Ayatollah Javadi Amoli, Ayatollah Hassanzadeh Amoli and Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi, Mohammad Hossein recited verses from the Holy Qur'an. Those meetings are recorded and the tapes are worth listening to several times. The interesting point is that he is capable of fully utilizing relevant verses or a combination of them in his arguments, which is much more important than memorizing the Qur'an itself. When one of his friends took his colored pencils while drawing, he recited the verse, “So leave them (the wheat) in their sheaths” meaning, “leave the pen in its pack!” The verse belongs to the chapter Joseph in the Holy Qur'an.”

Mohammed Hossein studies at Qom Theological School. His father says, “Seyyed Mohammad Hossein has completed primary courses in Arabic grammar at the Theological School. His name is now among the names of B.A.students that receive a scholarship upon a suggestion made by Ayatollah Meshkini and the other masters and approval of Ayatollah Ostadi. His scholarship money is spent for buying the books he needs and since he is a voracious reader; my limited income was really insufficient both for his tuition and for buying so many books, so this scholarship, thank God, helped us!”

We asked Mohammad Hossein's father whether he thinks his sons is a gifted child. “No,” he replies, “He's not an exceptional child. His talent is not that much above average, although he may be a bit better than the majority. All the Muslim children, I believe, can achieve what he has. Of course, a devoted teacher can help children externalize their talents.

If all the members of the family are acquainted with the Holy Qur'an, it helps the children a lot. At our house, Seyyed Mohammad Hossein grew up in an atmosphere where both his parents and his sister who is two years older than him, all had learned the Holy Qur'an and know it by heart. He himself is now the Qur'an teacher of his three-year-old brother; who is memorizing all of the Holy Qur'an as well.

At the end I asked Seyyed Mohammad Hossein Hashemi Tabatabaee to give us journalists a piece of advice. He replied with reciting six verses from Chapter Hojarat. “O believers! If a wrongdoer brings you a message, investigate and substantiate it, lest you might harm people on the next sundawn and regret your act.”

A Selection of Questions Answered by the 6 Year Old Child Prodigy

Sayyid Muhammad Husayn Tabataba’i

at the School of Oriental and African Studies, London

on 14 February 1998

Event organised by the Islamic Unity Society

To obtain a video of the event, please contact the IUS executive at this email: ucecmha@ucl.ac.uk [1]

Compiled by MHM, who takes full responsibility for any errors, for the

Ahlul Bayt Digital Islamic Library Project

The text of the questions have been amended where considered necessary for clarity of expression. Selection of questions in this compilation was discretionary. The actual answers were given seconds after the question being asked and these are underlined. For some answers an explanation or interpretation was provided, usually by the Sayyid’s father, which has also been indicated where considered necessary.

Arabic text was obtained with the kind help of brother Shaun Astarabadi.

Question 1

If you want to memorize the Qur’an, is there any internal or external power to help you?

Answer

Sura:31. Luqman Verse:14

Arabic:

وَوَصَّيْنَا الْإِنْسَانَ بِوَالِدَيْهِ حَمَلَتْهُ أُمُّهُ وَهْنًا عَلَىٰ وَهْنٍ وَفِصَالُهُ فِي عَامَيْنِ أَنِ اشْكُرْ لِي وَلِوَالِدَيْكَ إِلَيَّ الْمَصِيرُ.

Yusuf Ali Translation:

And We have enjoined on man (to be good) to his parents: in travail upon travail did his mother bear him and in years twain was his weaning: (hear the command) “Show gratitude to Me and to thy parents: to Me is (thy final) Goal.(31:14)

Pickthall Translation:

And We have enjoined upon man concerning his parents. His mother beareth him in weakness upon weakness, and his weaning is in two years. Give thanks unto Me and unto thy parents. Unto Me is the journeying.

Transliteration:

WA- WAS.S.AYNAA AL- 'INSAAN BI- WAALIDAI -HI H.AMALAT -HU 'UMM -HU WAHN(AN) cALAA WAHN WA- FIS.AAL -HU FE cAAMAIN 'AN USHKUR LI- -Y WA- LI- WAALIDAI -KA 'ILAY -YA AL- MAS.ER

Question 2

What age did you start to pray?

Answer

(Interpretation: I was five years old)

Sura:58 Mujaadilah Verse:7

Arabic:

أَلَمْ تَرَ أَنَّ اللَّهَ يَعْلَمُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ ۖ مَا يَكُونُ مِنْ نَجْوَىٰ ثَلَاثَةٍ إِلَّا هُوَ رَابِعُهُمْ وَلَا خَمْسَةٍ إِلَّا هُوَ سَادِسُهُمْ وَلَا أَدْنَىٰ مِنْ ذَٰلِكَ وَلَا أَكْثَرَ إِلَّا هُوَ مَعَهُمْ أَيْنَ مَا كَانُوا ۖ ثُمَّ يُنَبِّئُهُمْ بِمَا عَمِلُوا يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ

Yusuf Ali Translation:

Seest thou not that Allah doth know (all) that is in the heavens and on earth? There is not a secret consultation between three but He makes the fourth among them nor between five but He makes the sixth nor between fewer nor more but He is in their midst wheresoever they be: in the end will He tell them the truth of their conduct on the Day of Judgment for Allah has full knowledge of all things.(58:7)

Pickthall Translation:

Hast thou not seen that Allah knoweth all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth? There is no secret conference of three but He is their fourth, nor of five but He is their sixth, nor of less than that or more but He is with them wheresoever they may be; and afterward, on the Day of Resurrection, He will inform them of what they did Lo! Allah is Knower of all things.

Transliteration:

'A- LAM TARA 'ANNA 'ALLAAH YAcLAM MAA FE AS- SAMAAWAAT WA- MAA FE AL- 'ARD. MAA YAKON MIN NAJWAA THALAATHAH 'ILLAA HUWA RAABIc -HUM WA- LAA KHAMSAH 'ILLAA HUWA SAADIS -HUM WA- LAA ADNAA MIN DHAALIKA WA- LAA AKTHAR 'ILLAA HUWA MAcA -HUM 'AYNA-MAA KAANO THUMMA YUNABBI' -HUM BI- MAA cAMILO YAWM AL- QIYAAMAH 'INNA 'ALLAAH BI- KULL SHAY' cALEM

Question 3

What would you like to do when you grow up?

Answer

(Interpretation: I would like to become an Islamic scholar)

Sura:35. Faatir Verse: 28

Arabic:

وَمِنَ النَّاسِ وَالدَّوَابِّ وَالْأَنْعَامِ مُخْتَلِفٌ أَلْوَانُهُ كَذَٰلِكَ ۗ إِنَّمَا يَخْشَى اللَّهَ مِنْ عِبَادِهِ الْعُلَمَاءُ ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ غَفُورٌ

Yusuf Ali Translation:

And so amongst men and crawling creatures and cattle are they of various colors. Those truly fear Allah among His Servants who have knowledge: for Allah is Exalted in Might Oft-Forgiving.(35:28)

Pickthall Translation:

And of men and beasts and cattle, in like manner, diverse hues? The erudite among His bondsmen fear Allah alone. Lo! Allah is Mighty, Forgiving.

Transliteration:

WA- MIN AN- NAAS WA- AD- DAWAAB WA- AL- ANcAAM MUKHTALIF ALWAAN -HU KA- DHAALIKA 'INNA-MAA YAKHSHAA 'ALLAAH MIN cIBAAD -HI AL- cULAMAA' 'INNA 'ALLAAH cAZEZ GHAFOR

Question 4

What age do you want to get married?

Answer

(Interpretation: When I complete my studies)

Sura: 6. An'aam Verse: 115

Arabic:

وَتَمَّتْ كَلِمَتُ رَبِّكَ صِدْقًا وَعَدْلًا ۚ لَا مُبَدِّلَ لِكَلِمَاتِهِ ۚ وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ

Yusuf Ali Translation:

The Word of thy Lord doth find its fulfillment in truth and in justice: none can change His Words: for He is the one who heareth and knoweth all. (6:115)

Pickthall Translation:

Perfected is the Word of thy Lord in truth and justice. There is naught that can change His words. He is the Hearer, the Knower.

Transliteration:

WA- TAMMAT KALIMAH RABB -KA S.IDQ(AN) WA- cADL(AN) LAA MUBADDIL LI- KALIMAAT -HI WA- HUWA AS- SAMEc AL- cALEM

Question 5

Where in the Qur’an does it say that music is haraam (disallowed)?

Answer

Sura: 22. Hajj Verse: 30

Arabic:

ذَٰلِكَ وَمَنْ يُعَظِّمْ حُرُمَاتِ اللَّهِ فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَهُ عِنْدَ رَبِّهِ ۗ وَأُحِلَّتْ لَكُمُ الْأَنْعَامُ إِلَّا مَا يُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْكُمْ ۖ فَاجْتَنِبُوا الرِّجْسَ مِنَ الْأَوْثَانِ وَاجْتَنِبُوا قَوْلَ الزُّورِ

Yusuf Ali Translation:

Such (is the Pilgrimage): whoever honors the sacred rites of Allah for him it is good in the sight of his Lord. Lawful to you (for food in pilgrimage) are cattle except those mentioned to you (as exceptions): but shun the abomination of idols and shun the word that is false. (22:30)

Pickthall Translation:

That (is the command). And whoso magnifieth the sacred things of Allah, it will be well for him in the sight of his Lord. The cattle are lawful unto you save that which hath been told you. So shun the filth of idols, and shun lying speech.

Transliteration:

DHAALIKA WA- MAN YUcAZ.Z.IM H.URUMAAT 'ALLAAH FA- HUWA KHAYR LA- -HU cINDA RABB -HI WA- UH.ILLAT LA- -KUM AL- ANcAAM 'ILLAA MAA YUTLAA cALAY -KUM FA- IJTANIBO AR- RIJS MIN AL- AWTHAAN WA- IJTANIBO QAWL AZ- ZOR

Question 6

If either the mother or father hit their child, is it a sin?

Answer

(Interpretation: It is an evil deed)

Sura: 3. Al.'Imran Verse: 135

Arabic:

وَالَّذِينَ إِذَا فَعَلُوا فَاحِشَةً أَوْ ظَلَمُوا أَنْفُسَهُمْ ذَكَرُوا اللَّهَ فَاسْتَغْفَرُوا لِذُنُوبِهِمْ وَمَنْ يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَلَمْ يُصِرُّوا عَلَىٰ مَا فَعَلُوا وَهُمْ يَعْلَمُونَ

Yusuf Ali Translation:

And those who having done something to be ashamed of or wronged their own souls earnestly bring Allah to mind and ask for forgiveness for their sins and who can forgive sins except Allah? And are never obstinate in persisting knowingly in (the wrong) they have done.(3:135)

Pickthall Translation:

And those who, when they do an evil thing or wrong themselves, remember Allah and implore forgiveness for their sins. Who forgiveth sins save Allah only?. and will not knowingly repeat (the wrong) they did.

Transliteration:

WA- 'ALLADHENA 'IDHAA FAcALO FAAH.ISHAH 'AW Z.ALAMO ANFUS -HUM DHAKARO 'ALLAAH FA- ISTAGHFARO LI- DHUNOB -HIM WA- MAN YAGHFIR ADH- DHUNOB 'ILLAA 'ALLAAH WA- LAM YUS.IRRO cALAA MAA FAcALO WA- HUM YAcLAMON

Question 7

What is the importance of the number ‘twelve’ in the Qur’an?

Answer One

Sura: 5. Maa'idah Verse: 12

Arabic:

وَلَقَدْ أَخَذَ اللَّهُ مِيثَاقَ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ وَبَعَثْنَا مِنْهُمُ اثْنَيْ عَشَرَ نَقِيبًا ۖ وَقَالَ اللَّهُ إِنِّي مَعَكُمْ ۖ لَئِنْ أَقَمْتُمُ الصَّلَاةَ وَآتَيْتُمُ الزَّكَاةَ وَآمَنْتُمْ بِرُسُلِي وَعَزَّرْتُمُوهُمْ وَأَقْرَضْتُمُ اللَّهَ قَرْضًا حَسَنًا لَأُكَفِّرَنَّ عَنْكُمْ سَيِّئَاتِكُمْ وَلَأُدْخِلَنَّكُمْ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي مِنْ تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ ۚ فَمَنْ كَفَرَ بَعْدَ ذَٰلِكَ مِنْكُمْ فَقَدْ ضَلَّ سَوَاءَ السَّبِيلِ

Yusuf Ali Translation:

Allah did aforetime take a Covenant from the Children of Israel and We appointed twelve captains among them and Allah said: “I am with you: if ye (but) establish regular prayers practice regular charity believe in My apostles honor and assist them and loan to Allah a beautiful loan verily I will wipe out from you your evils and admit you to gardens with rivers flowing beneath; but if any of you after this resisteth faith he hath truly wandered from the path of rectitude.” (5:12)

Pickthall Translation:

Allah made a covenant of old with the Children of Israel and We raised among them twelve chieftains: and Allah said: Lo! I am with you. If ye establish worship and pay the poor due, and believe in My messengers and support them, and lend unto Allah a kindly loan, surely I shall remit your sins, and surely I shall bring you into gardens underneath which rivers flow. Whoso among you disbelieveth after this will go astray from a plain road.

Transliteration:

WA- LA- QAD 'AKHADHA 'ALLAAH METHAAQ BANE 'ISRAA'EL WA- BAcATHNAA MIN -HUM ITHNAI cASHAR NAQEB(AN) WA- QAALA 'ALLAAH 'INNI -Y MAcA -KUM LA- 'IN AQAMTUM AS.- S.ALAAH WA- 'AATAYTUM AZ- ZAKAAH WA- 'AAMANTUM BI- RUSUL -E WA- cAZZARTUMO -HUM WA- AQRAD.TUM 'ALLAAH QARD.(AN) H.ASAN(AN) LA- UKAFFIRANNA cAN -KUM SAYYI'AAT -KUM WA- LA- UDKHILANNA -KUM JANNAAT TAJRE MIN TAH.TI -HAA AL- ANHAAR FA- MAN KAFARA BAcDA DHAALIKA MIN -KUM FA- QAD D.ALLA SAWAA' AS- SABEL

Answer Two

Sura: 9. Taubah Verse: 36

Arabic:

إِنَّ عِدَّةَ الشُّهُورِ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ اثْنَا عَشَرَ شَهْرًا فِي كِتَابِ اللَّهِ يَوْمَ خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ مِنْهَا أَرْبَعَةٌ حُرُمٌ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ الدِّينُ الْقَيِّمُ ۚ فَلَا تَظْلِمُوا فِيهِنَّ أَنْفُسَكُمْ ۚ وَقَاتِلُوا الْمُشْرِكِينَ كَافَّةً كَمَا يُقَاتِلُونَكُمْ كَافَّةً ۚ وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَ الْمُتَّقِينَ

Yusuf Ali Translation:

The number of months in the sight of Allah is twelve (in a year) so ordained by Him the day He created the heavens and the earth; of them four are sacred; that is the straight usage. So wrong not yourselves therein and fight the pagans all together as they fight you all together. But know that Allah is with those who restrain themselves. (9:36)

Pickthall Translation:

Lo! the number of the months with Allah is twelve months by Allah's ordinance in the day that He created the heavens and the earth. Four of them are sacred: that is the right religion. So wrong not yourselves in them. And wage war on all the idolaters as they are waging war on all of you. And know that Allah is with those who keep their duty (unto Him).

Transliteration:

'INNA cIDDAH ASH- SHUHOR cINDA 'ALLAAH ITHNAA cASHAR SHAHR(AN) FE KITAAB 'ALLAAH YAWM KHALAQA AS- SAMAAWAAT WA- AL- 'ARD. MIN -HAA ARBAcAH H.URUM DHAALIKA AD- DEN AL- QAYYIM FA- LAA TAZ.LIMO FE -HINNA ANFUS -KUM WA- QAATILO AL- MUSHRIKEN KAAFFAH KA-MAA YUQAATILON -KUM KAAFFAH WA- IcLAMO 'ANNA 'ALLAAH MAcA AL- MUTTAQEN

Question 8

What does the Qur’an say about encouragement to acquire knowledge?

Answer

Sura: 9. Tawbah Verse: 122

Arabic:

وَمَا كَانَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ لِيَنْفِرُوا كَافَّةً ۚ فَلَوْلَا نَفَرَ مِنْ كُلِّ فِرْقَةٍ مِنْهُمْ طَائِفَةٌ لِيَتَفَقَّهُوا فِي الدِّينِ وَلِيُنْذِرُوا قَوْمَهُمْ إِذَا رَجَعُوا إِلَيْهِمْ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَحْذَرُونَ

Yusuf Ali Translation:

Nor should the believers all go forth together: if a contingent from every expedition remained behind they could devote themselves to studies in religion and admonish the people when they return to them that thus they (may learn) to guard themselves (against evil). (9:122)

Pickthall Translation:

And the believers should not all go out to fight. Of every troop of them, a party only should go forth, that they (who are left behind) may gain sound knowledge in religion, and that they may warn their folk when they return to them, so that they may beware.

Transliteration:

WA- MAA KAANA AL- MU'MINON LI- YANFIRO KAAFFAH FA- LAW-LAA NAFAR MIN KULL FIRQAH MIN -HUM T.AA'IFAH LI- YATAFAQQAHO FE AD- DEN WA- LI- YUNDHIRO QAWM -HUM 'IDHAA RAJAcO 'ILAY -HIM LAcALLA -HUM YAH.DHARON

Question 9

Can you give some advice for children from the Qur’an?

Answer

(Interpretation: They should play and enjoy themselves)

Sura: 12. Yusuf Verse: 12

Arabic:

أَرْسِلْهُ مَعَنَا غَدًا يَرْتَعْ وَيَلْعَبْ وَإِنَّا لَهُ لَحَافِظُونَ

Yusuf Ali Translation:

“Send him with us tomorrow to enjoy himself and play and we shall take every care of him.” (12:12)

Pickthall Translation:

Send him with us tomorrow that he may enjoy himself and play. And lo! we shall take good care of him.

Transliteration:

ARSIL -HU MAcA -NAA GHAD(AN) YARTAc WA- YALcAB WA- 'IN(NA) -NAA LA- -HU LA- H.AAFIZ.ON

Question 10

Was ‘Isa (Jesus) [as] killed or raised by Allah to the heavens?

Answer

Sura: 4. Nisaa Verses: 157 - 158

Arabic:

وَقَوْلِهِمْ إِنَّا قَتَلْنَا الْمَسِيحَ عِيسَى ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَمَا قَتَلُوهُ وَمَا صَلَبُوهُ وَلَٰكِنْ شُبِّهَ لَهُمْ ۚ وَإِنَّ الَّذِينَ اخْتَلَفُوا فِيهِ لَفِي شَكٍّ مِنْهُ ۚ مَا لَهُمْ بِهِ مِنْ عِلْمٍ إِلَّا اتِّبَاعَ الظَّنِّ ۚ وَمَا قَتَلُوهُ يَقِينًا {157}

بَلْ رَفَعَهُ اللَّهُ إِلَيْهِ ۚ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ عَزِيزًا حَكِيمًا {158}

Yusuf Ali Translation:

That they said (in boast) “We killed Christ Jesus the son of Mary the Apostle of Allah”; but they killed him not nor crucified him but so it was made to appear to them and those who differ therein are full of doubts with no (certain) knowledge but only conjecture to follow for of a surety they killed him not. (4:157-158)

Nay Allah raised him up unto Himself; and Allah is Exalted in Power Wise.

Pickthall Translation:

And because of their saying: We slew the Messiah Jesus son of Mary, Allah's messenger They slew him not nor crucified, but it appeared so unto them; and lo! those who disagree concerning it are in doubt thereof; they have no knowledge thereof save pursuit of a conjecture; they slew him not for certain.

But Allah took him up unto Himself. Allah was ever Mighty, wise.

Transliteration:

WA- QAWL -HIM 'IN(NA) -NAA QATALNAA AL- MASEH. cESAA IBN MARYAM RASOL 'ALLAAH WA- MAA QATALO -HU WA- MAA S.ALABO -HU WA- LAAKIN SHUBBIHA LA- -HUM WA- 'INNA 'ALLADHENA IKHTALAFO FE -HI LA- FE SHAKK MIN -HU MAA LA- -HUM BI- -HI MIN cILM 'ILLAA ITTIBAAc AZ.- Z.ANN WA- MAA QATALO -HU YAQEN(AN)

BAL RAFAcA -HU 'ALLAAH 'ILAY -HI WA- KAANA 'ALLAAH cAZEZ(AN) H.AKEM(AN)

Question 11

Which are the three places in the Qur’an where Musa [as]’s stick changes into a snake?

Answer One

Sura: 20. Ta-ha Verses: 19-20

Arabic:

قَالَ أَلْقِهَا يَا مُوسَىٰ {19}

فَأَلْقَاهَا فَإِذَا هِيَ حَيَّةٌ تَسْعَىٰ {20}

Yusuf Ali Translation:

(Allah) said “Throw it O Moses!” He threw it and behold! it was a snake active in motion. (20:19-20)

Pickthall Translation:

He said: Cast it down, O Moses! So he cast it down, and Lo! it was a serpent, gliding.

Transliteration:

QAALA ALQI -HAA YAA MOSAA FA- ALQAA -HAA FA- 'IDHAA HIYA H.AYYAH TAScAA

Answer Two

Sura: 26. Shu’araa Verse: 45

Arabic:

فَأَلْقَىٰ مُوسَىٰ عَصَاهُ فَإِذَا هِيَ تَلْقَفُ مَا يَأْفِكُونَ

Yusuf Ali Translation:

Then Moses threw his rod when behold it straightway swallows up all the falsehoods which they fake! (26:45)

Pickthall Translation:

Then Moses threw his staff and lo! it swallowed that which they did falsely show.

Transliteration:

FA- ALQAA MOSAA cAS.AA -HU FA- 'IDHAA HIYA TALQAF MAA YA'FIKON

Three

Sura: 7. A’raaf Verse: 107

Arabic:

فَأَلْقَىٰ عَصَاهُ فَإِذَا هِيَ ثُعْبَانٌ مُبِينٌ

Yusuf Ali Translation:

Then (Moses) threw his rod and behold! it was a serpent plain (for all to see)! (7:107)

Pickthall Translation:

Then he flung down his staff and lo! it was a serpent manifest;

Transliteration:

FA- ALQAA cAS.AA -HU FA- 'IDHAA HIYA THUcBAAN MUBEN

Question 12

Have you seen Imam al-Mahdi [as]?

Answer

(Interpretation: I have seen him twice)

Sura: 36. Yaasin Verse: 14

Arabic:

إِذْ أَرْسَلْنَا إِلَيْهِمُ اثْنَيْنِ فَكَذَّبُوهُمَا فَعَزَّزْنَا بِثَالِثٍ فَقَالُوا إِنَّا إِلَيْكُمْ مُرْسَلُونَ

Yusuf Ali Translation:

When We (first) sent to them two apostles they rejected them: but We strengthened them with a third: they said “Truly we have been sent on a mission to you.” (36:14)

Pickthall Translation:

When We sent unto them twain, and they denied them both, so We reinforced them with a third, and they said; Lo! we have been sent unto you.

Transliteration:

'IDH ARSALNAA 'ILAY -HIM ITHNAIN FA- KADHDHABO -HUMAA FA- cAZZAZNAA BI- THAALITH FA- QAALO 'IN(NA) -NAA 'ILAY -KUM MURSALON

Question 13

How did you know it was Imam al-Mahdi [as]?

Answer

Sura: 64. Taghaabun Verse: 8

Arabic:

فَآمِنُوا بِاللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ وَالنُّورِ الَّذِي أَنْزَلْنَا ۚ وَاللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرٌ

Yusuf Ali Translation:

Believe therefore in Allah and His Apostle and in the Light which We have sent down. And Allah is well-acquainted with all that ye do. (64:8)

Pickthall Translation:

So believe in Allah and His messenger and the light which We have revealed. And Allah is Aware of what ye do.

Transliteration:

FA- 'AAMINO BI- 'ALLAAH WA- RASOL -HI WA- AN- NOR 'ALLADHE ANZALNAA WA- 'ALLAAH BI- MAA TAcMALON KHABER

Question 14

How is evil and good described in the Qur’an?

Answer

Sura: 17. Al-Israa Verse: 81

Arabic:

وَقُلْ جَاءَ الْحَقُّ وَزَهَقَ الْبَاطِلُ ۚ إِنَّ الْبَاطِلَ كَانَ زَهُوقًا

Yusuf Ali Translation:

And say: “Truth has (now) arrived and Falsehood perished: for Falsehood is (by its nature) bound to perish.” (17:81)

Pickthall Translation:

And say: Truth hath come and falsehood hath vanished away. Lo! falsehood is ever bound to vanish.

Transliteration:

WA- QUL JAA'A AL- H.AQQ WA- ZAHAQA AL- BAAT.IL 'INNA AL- BAAT.IL KAANA ZAHOQ(AN)

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Topic Tags:

- Qur'an [5]

Person Tags:

- Sayyid Muhammad Tabatabai [6]

Source URL: https://www.al-islam.org/articles/sayyid-muhammad-husayn-tabatabai

Links
[1] mailto:ucecmha@ucl.ac.uk
[2] https://www.al-islam.org/printpdf/book/export/html/17905
[3] https://www.al-islam.org/printepub/book/export/html/17905
[4] https://www.al-islam.org/printmobi/book/export/html/17905
[5] https://www.al-islam.org/tags/quran
[6] https://www.al-islam.org/person/sayyid-muhammad-tabatabai