Stories of the Qur’an... Deep ocean of sermons and lessons

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has emphasised the importance of understanding and reflecting on the wisdom, sermons, and morals found in the stories of the Holy Qur’an. He stressed the significance of using language, history, and events as tools of interpretation to grasp the inherent value of each story. His Highness Sheikh Sultan is dedicated to writing about the stories in the Holy Qur’an to benefit people, and these articles are published every Monday in Al Khaleej newspaper, sister publication of Gulf Today.

His Highness Sheikh Sultan emphasised the importance of reflecting on the wisdom, sermons, and morals found in the stories of the Holy Qur’an. His Highness Sheikh Sultan highlighted the significance of understanding the tools of interpretation, such as language, history, and events, to grasp the inherent value of each story. His Highness Sheikh Sultan is dedicated to compiling these stories from the Holy Qur’an for the benefit of people, and they are published every Monday in an article in Al Khaleej newspaper.

In a recent telephone interview on SBA’s “Direct Line” programme, His Highness Sheikh Sultan spoke with media figure Mohammed Hassan Khalaf, Director General of Sharjah Broadcasting Authority. His Highness Sheikh Sultan emphasised the inexhaustible wisdom and teachings found in the stories of the Holy Qur’an. He highlighted the importance of interpreters grasping the linguistic meanings, historical context, and events surrounding each story to comprehend its inherent value fully. For instance, His Highness Sheikh Sultan cited verse 83 of Surat Al-Kahf, where God Almighty addresses the questioning of Zul-Qarnain. His Highness Sheikh Sultan pointed out that it was the Jews who questioned our Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, about Dhul-Qarnayn, despite their familiarity with the story.

His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah continued: “Now that we know that they asked our Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) about the story of Dhul-Qarnayn despite knowing it, we will have another question: ‘Why did they ask him about it when they knew it?’ The answer is that their question to the Messenger about the story of Dhul-Qarnayn was ‘a test and a challenge.’ If Muhammad was truly a prophet and messenger, he would know this story that no one else knew, as his story dates back to 332 BC. He travelled and moved around and went to Sindh and India.

In the second century BC, a man named Daniel wrote about Dhul-Qarnayn – they called his writings “The Book of Daniel” – saying that Dhul-Qarnayn was the king of Persia. This is incorrect information, as Dhul-Qarnayn was not Persian, but Greek. When the Jews asked our Prophet Muhammad about the story of Dhul-Qarnayn, at a time when if anyone was asked to research and come up with the story of Dhul-Qarnayn, they would not be able to know it. God Almighty revealed to our Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, the full story of Dhul-Qarnayn as it appeared in Greek history, and this is one of the miracles of the Qur’an.

According to His Highness Sheikh Sultan, it is important for those who read the Qur’an to contemplate the sermon and history contained within it. Understanding the language, history, and events mentioned in the Qur’an is essential for diligent servants of God.

His Highness Sheikh Sultan expressed his intention to write stories from the Holy Qur’an, emphasising that he would not delve into intricate details or deviate from the Quranic verses.

He announced that these writings would be published every Monday in Al Khaleej newspaper, with the hope that people would benefit from them and be encouraged to contemplate the meanings of the Holy Qur’an and appreciate its wisdom. He stressed that the stories in the Holy Qur’an are meant for faith, learning lessons, and moral reflection, rather than for entertainment.