Tafsir Ruh al-Ma`ani

Imam al-Sayyid Mahmud Alusi, Tafsir Ruh al-Ma`ani, Publish Dar al Ihya al-Turath al-Arabi, Beirut, Lebanon

Imam Alusi (al-Sayyid Mahmud) in his commentary of Qur’an said: “The Prophet’s being a mercy to all is linked to the fact that he is the intermediary of the divine outpouring over all contingencies [i.e. all created things without exception], from the very beginnings (wasitat al-fayd al-ilahi `ala al-mumkinat `ala hasab al-qawabil), and that is why his light was the first of all things created, as stated in the report that “The first thing Allah created was the light of your Prophet, O Jabir,” and also cited is: “Allah is the Giver and I am the Distributor.” The Sufis — may Allah sanctify their secrets — have more to say on that chapter.” [Tafsir Ruh al-Ma`ani, Volume 017, Page No. 105]

There is a notable explanation among Ahl al-Sunna which ascribes the meaning of the Prophet to both the Light and the Book. al-Sayyid al-Alusi said in Ruh al-ma`ani said: “I do not consider it far-fetched that what is meant by both the Light and the Manifest Book is the Prophet, the conjunction being in the same way as what was said by al-Jubba’i [in that that both the Light and the Book were the Qur’an]. There is no doubt that all can be said to refer to the Prophet. Perhaps you will be reluctant to accept this from the viewpoint of expression (`ibara); then let it be from the viewpoint of subtle allusion (ishara).” [Tafsir Ruh al-Ma`ani, Volume 006, Page No. 97-8]