Ramadan Reflections 1444/2023 Part 9

Yaqeen is usually translated as certainty. It is a firm bedrock of certitude and conviction, with absolutely no doubt whatsoever.

The Qur’an teaches us that there are three levels of certainty.

1. ilm al-yaqeen - The Knowledge of Certainty

2. ‘ayn al-yaqeen - The Eye of Certainty

3. haqq al-yaqeen - The Absolute Truth of Certainty

The ‘Knowledge of Certainty’ forms the first foundational layer. For example, we are taught what a fire is intellectually with a definition, description, and details.

The 'Eye of Certainty’ is when we witness a fire with our eyes and the intellectual knowledge manifests in reality before us.

The ‘Truth of Certainty’ is when we experience the fire with our whole being (including all the senses), and the truth of the fire manifests upon us.

Surah 101 At-Thakathur (Rivalry/Competition for Worldly Gain), Verses 5 and 7 mentions ‘The Knowledge of Certainty’ and ‘The Eye of Certainty’ respectively.

Surah 56 Waqiah (The Event/Judgment Day) Verse 95 and Surah 69 Al-Haqqah (The Reality) Verse 51, mention ‘The Absolute Truth of Certainty’, telling us that this day will come and we will be held accountable and that the Qur’an is the certain absolute truth, respectively.

إِنَّ هَـٰذَا لَهُوَ حَقُّ ٱلْيَقِينِ ٩٥ [Al-Waqiah]

وَإِنَّهُۥ لَحَقُّ ٱلْيَقِينِ ٥١ [Al-Haqqah]

Surah 102 At-Thakathur

1. Competition/rivalry for more ˹gains˺ diverts you ˹from Allah˺ [heedlessness which is the opposite of taqwa - God-consciousness].

2. until you end up in ˹your˺ grave [death is a certainty].

3. But no! You will soon come to know.

4. Again, no! You will soon come to know [double emphasis so pay attention].

5. Indeed, if you were to know ˹your fate˺ with the knowledge certainty, ˹you would have acted differently˺ [this is a warning to act differently before it’s too late]

6. ˹But˺ you will surely see the fire [with your eyes but it will be too late].

7. Again, you will surely see it with the eye of certainty [it will confirm for you with your eyes what you knew previously with the knowledge of certainty from The Qur'an].

8. Then, on that Day, you will definitely be questioned about ˹your worldly˺ blessings*.

*These ‘blessings’ (na’eem) we will be asked about can even denote single date fruit. So, we are called upon to be conscious, mindful and to act without delay.

A reminder for me and you, that Ramadan is not just about refraining from food and drink during the fasting hours; it's a reminder that this is the month of attaining these three states of consciousness:

1. TAQWA (the centering of the awareness of God in our heart)

2. SHUKR (gratitude for The Guidance of The Qur’an and all its manifest blessings)

3. RUSHD (absolute certainty on the path of guidance, in terms of direction and destination, which is the grave, the coming of The Day of Judgement, and The Afterlife of Heaven or Hell).

Shall we then not reflect upon these verses during these blessed days?

May Allah grant us graves that are like wide spacious gardens filled with light, may He grant us mercy and forgiveness and an immense reward on The Day of Rising and may He protect us from the torment of the conflagration of the fire. Allahumma Ameen.