Over nine years ago, Shaykh M I H Pirzada, commenced upon the great task of writing the first exegesis of the Qur’an to be written in the United Kingdom, primarily to address the issues and challenges posed by modern times in a logical and rational manner. Despite his numerous other commitments, Shaykh Pirzada has astoundingly managed to find the time on a regular basis to accomplish this work.

It is with great pleasure that we wish to inform the visitors of www.mihpirzada.com that Shaykh Pirzada has completed the writing of the third volume of Tafseer Imdad-ul-Karam and in the last few days has began the fourth volume beginning with Surat al-Ahzab (chapter 33).

At this auspicious moment, we are pleased to present exclusively for the visitors of www.mihpirzada.com a small extract of the commentary to verse 21 of Surat al-Ahzab that Shaykh Pirzada has written in the last few days:

“Certainly, for you in (the life of) the Messenger of Allah there is an excellent example.” (Qur’an 33:21)

From today, 1425 years ago, all the tribes of Arabia set off to attack the Muslims. Thus, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) called the Companions in order to listen to their advice. The Companion Salman al-Farisi suggested, “O Messenger of Allah! In our land of Persia, whenever an enormous army would intend on attacking, by digging a trench around our city we would put a stop to its forward advance.” The Prophet (peace be upon him) liked this suggestion, since the word of wisdom is the lost property of the believer. Consequently, the Prophet (peace be upon him) ordered the digging of a trench immediately. The Prophet (peace be upon him) and the Companions were digging the trench with their own hands and with their tongues were praying for divine assistance and victory. When the army of unbelievers approached Madinah, the trench had been completed, as a result of which they could not enter Madinah and after surrounding the city for a month, they returned back in vain.

Today, the circumstances appear to be quite similar whereby non-Muslim forces have attacked the geographical as well as the ideological boundaries of the Muslims and an attempt is being made to link Islam with terrorism. However, in spite of the beatings of the last eight years, we have not learnt any lesson.

Before 1425 years, the Muslims benefitted from the technology of the advanced Iranian nation of that time and saved the Muslims from destruction by digging a trench on an immediate basis. Even today, if the Muslims take benefit from the technology of the advanced Western nations of this time and move forward, on an immediate basis, in the fields of education, science, justice and media; then within the next half century they may become able to live their lives with dignity in this modern age. For the decisions of the future will not take place in the battlefield, rather, they will take place in the fields of education and economics.

At this point, I present a hadith to the readers which our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) stated fourteen centuries ago, yet, it is very much applicable to the circumstances of today. The Companion Thawban relates that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “It is near that all the nations get together and attack you just as hungry spongers pounce upon food.” A Companion questioned, “On that day, will our number be small?” The Prophet (peace be upon him) replied, “On that day, your number will be more, but, you will be like straws drifting in the floods. Allah will remove the awe of you from the hearts of your enemies and will place indolence in your hearts.” The Companion asked, “What is this indolence?” The Prophet (peace be upon him) replied, “Love of this world and hatred of death.” [Abu Dawud, Sunan Abi Dawud]

May Allah (Most High) bless Shaykh Pirzada and grant him the ability to complete this truly beneficial and long-awaited work, which is a dire need of the present era. Amin.

For the information of our readers, the second volume of Tafseer Imdad-ul-Karam (Urdu Edition) is currently at the editing stage and we hope will soon be available to our Urdu readers. The English translation and revision of the first volume of Tafseer Imdad-ul-Karam is also actively being pursued by Al-Karam Publications. As and when printing begins, we will inform our readers. We ask all the readers to ask Allah (Most High) to grant his divine assistance and bless all those involved in this project. Amin.

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