Quran Talks (7 of 9): Surah Ad Dahar

Shaykh Fadhlalla Haeri

In this discourse, Shaykh Fadhlalla presents a comprehensive commentary on Surah Ad Dahar, ‘Forgetfulness’, also referred to as Surah Al Insan, or ‘Mankind’. This surah is part of a selection of surahs that contain both Medinan and Meccan verses. It highlights the story of mankind; the purpose of life; and awareness of that which is permanent – sacred presence. The surah presents a sketch of human nature, emphasizing the meaning of duty and the path of wholesomeness. The Qur’an is the manual of life and existence which, if applied and lived, will enhance our attitudes through the journey of life. The miracle of the Qur’an indicates how bursts of light from the timeless zone seamlessly connect within space and time.

Shaykh Fadhlalla uses this surah to present the universal journey of life from the unfathomable origin in precreation to manifestation as sentience, life, and human being. Human consciousness reflects and encompasses both celestial and terrestrial realities. The patterns for fulfillment and ease, or hardship and difficulty exist within us. This discourse emphasises conduct as the key to refinement and access to soul consciousness. Human beings have natural self-checking mechanisms in the interplay of self and soul, which help the evolving self grow and mature in its resonance with the constancy of the soul. Shaykh Fadhlalla presents key descriptions from the prophetic heritage which indicate how service, generosity, and loyalty enhance awareness and access to the divine attributes and qualities. The theme of conduct is returned to often as the most appropriate way to practice virtue and cultivate the best possible attitude, which leads to maturing wisdom and the experience of one cosmic destiny caught in constant awareness and resonance with the divine presence.