Tafsir Surah Abasa (part 8) In the way of self building The terms which are stated in these short and deep effecting ayaat sketched the whole program of the self building: 1 from one side it is ordering the man to crush his pride and made him think about the beginning of his creation and to find out how he is created from valueless semen, as we know the major obstacle in the way of self building is pride, self esteem, egotism and vainglory. 2 From other side introduced the divine guidance which is the excellent way to make him safe and secure on the resurrection day. The instructions, the fountainhead of them are the ways of revelations and showing the straight path through prophets and saints. And the direction through wisdom, study of laws and the systems of the inner self. 3 Then instructs the man to observe carefully at the food provided for his body and open his eyes and sight how the Kind and Merciful God descended the various food materials, the grains and fruits from this dark soil and to bow down in respect before his supreme being. Not only study in their natural structure but carefully observe how it is acquired as the clean and legal food among the fundamental needs for the self building. 4 With the help of the body food he have to think upon the food of his soul and find out from where its fountain head is originated? Whether it is clear or polluted? As the unhealthy education and the misguiding propagation are like the poisonous food, risky for man’s spiritual life. Strangely some people are very much careful, insightful and strict about the food of their body. But in the matter of the food of their soul they do not believe in the rules and the restrictions. In a narration from the Commander of the Faithfuls Ali alaihis salam we read: We observe the people for acquiring a reason, when they are making the food ready in the night, kindle a light to see, what kind of food they are sending into their stomach? But they do not give any importance to the food of their soul and they do not want to light the lamp of wisdom with the beam of knowledge to make themselves safe and intact from the ill effect of the ignorance, sins in beliefs and acts. Similarly his son imam Hasan Mujtaba alaihis salam said: I am wondered by the people who a careful about the food of their body but they are careless regarding the food of the soul. They keep away the harmful food from their belly but fill their heart with the fatal matters. 5 Then remember the loud roar of the judgment day which awakens all from the careless sleep of death and made the man to stand before his deeds. And the condition of the resurrection day is horrible to such extent that he forgets his nearest dear ones. He should think that what deed he had to perform in this world, today, to have a bright, delighted and smiling face on the day of judgment. Or does he want to have a dark, gloomy and ugly face then make himself ready for that day. O Omnipotent God bestow us ability of self building. O Provider God do not deprive us from the food of the soul which makes it alive. O Protector God before the loud roar of the Judgment day, wake us up from the careless sleep of ignorance. Ameen O the Provider of the whole universe. Source: alhassanain.com Other Links: Tafsir Surah Abasa: part 3 Tafsir Surah Abasa (part 4) Tafsir Surah Abasa (part 5)