The Environment, Quran and the Burden of Scholars

Al Jumuah Magazine

IT HAPPENED IN the Masjid of Madinah, the Mosque of the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam. Those who made Salatul-Maghribthere would mostly come together to listen to the weekly lecture intafseer from well-known mufassir (commentator on the Qur’an) and major scholar of Islam, the late Shaykh Muhammad al-Ameen Ash-Shinqiti (d.1973). He recited the verse he was going to explain, ayah56 of Surah al-’Araf, or The Heights. As he read “Nor shall you spread corruption in the earth after it has been set aright (by God)” the Shaykh choked up and began to sob. He tried to continue, but could not utter a word. To the astonishment of those present, for he was not one known for emotional display, he went on crying inconsolably- until it was time for the salah of isha, as a matter of fact. He was never seen experiencing anything like this before or after.

Qur’anic commentators throughout time have all stated that this verse refers to, and seeks to focus the attention on, the fact that man’s actions, in general, because of ignoring or deviating from God’s teachings which He revealed through the various prophets and messengers from Adam to Muhammad, Allah’s peace be upon them all, tend to harm and corrupt life-all its aspects and everything in it, including man himself.