27:20 An-Naml (The Ant)

ثم ذكر نموذجا آخر من مخاطبته للطير فقال: وَتَفَقَّدَ الطَّيْرَ دل هذا على كمال عزمه وحزمه وحسن تنظيمه لجنوده وتدبيره بنفسه للأمور الصغار والكبار، حتى إنه لم يهمل هذا الأمر وهو تفقد الطيور والنظر: هل هي موجودة كلها أم مفقود منها شيء؟ وهذا هو المعنى للآية. ولم يصنع شيئا من قال: إنه تفقد الطير لينظر أين الهدهد منها ليدله على بعد الماء وقربه، كما زعموا عن الهدهد أنه يبصر الماء تحت الأرض الكثيفة، فإن هذا القول لا يدل عليه دليل بل الدليل العقلي واللفظي دال على بطلانه، أما العقلي فإنه قد عرف بالعادة والتجارب والمشاهدات أن هذه الحيوانات كلها، ليس منها شيء يبصر هذا البصر الخارق للعادة، ينظر الماء تحت الأرض الكثيفة، ولو كان كذلك لذكره الله لأنه من أكبر الآيات. وأما الدليل اللفظي فلو أريد هذا المعنى لقال: \" وطلب الهدهد لينظر له الماء فلما فقده قال ما قال \" أو \" فتش عن الهدهد \"أو: \" بحث عنه \"ونحو ذلك من العبارات، وإنما تفقد الطير لينظر الحاضر منها والغائب ولزومها للمراكز والمواضع التي عينها لها. وأيضا فإن سليمان عليه السلام لا يحتاج ولا يضطر إلى الماء بحيث يحتاج لهندسة الهدهد، فإن عنده من الشياطين والعفاريت ما يحفرون له الماء، ولو بلغ في العمق ما بلغ. وسخر الله له الريح غدوها شهر ورواحها شهر، فكيف -مع ذلك- يحتاج إلى الهدهد؟\" وهذه التفاسير التي توجد وتشتهر بها أقوال لا يعرف غيرها، تنقل هذه الأقوال عن بني إسرائيل مجردة ويغفل الناقل عن مناقضتها للمعاني الصحيحة وتطبيقها على الأقوال، ثم لا تزال تتناقل وينقلها المتأخر مسلما للمتقدم حتى يظن أنها الحق، فيقع من الأقوال الردية في التفاسير ما يقع، واللبيب الفطن يعرف أن هذا القرآن الكريم العربي المبين الذي خاطب الله به الخلق كلهم عالمهم وجاهلهم وأمرهم بالتفكر في معانيه، وتطبيقها على ألفاظه العربية المعروفة المعاني التي لا تجهلها العرب العرباء، وإذا وجد أقوالا منقولة عن غير رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ردها إلى هذا الأصل، فإن وافقته قبلها لكون اللفظ دالا عليها، وإن خالفته لفظا ومعنى أو لفظا أو معنى ردها وجزم ببطلانها، لأن عنده أصلا معلوما مناقضا لها وهو ما يعرفه من معنى الكلام ودلالته. والشاهد أن تفقد سليمان عليه السلام للطير، وفقده الهدهد يدل على كمال حزمه وتدبيره للملك بنفسه وكمال فطنته حتى فقد هذا الطائر الصغير فَقَالَ مَا لِيَ لا أَرَى الْهُدْهُدَ أَمْ كَانَ مِنَ الْغَائِبِينَ أي: هل عدم رؤيتي إياه لقلة فطنتي به لكونه خفيا بين هذه الأمم الكثيرة؟ أم على بابها بأن كان غائبا من غير إذني ولا أمري؟.

قال مجاهد وسعيد بن جبير وغيرهما عن ابن عباس وغيره: كان الهدهد مهندسا يدل سليمان عليه السلام على الماء إذا كان بأرض فلاة طلبه فنظر له الماء في تخوم الأرض كما يرى الإنسان الشيء الظاهر على وجه الأرض ويعرف كم مساحة بعده من وجه الأرض فإذا دلهم عليه أمر سليمان عليه السلام الجان فحفروا ذلك المكان حتى يستنبط الماء من قراره فنزل سليمان عليه السلام يوما بفلاة من الأرض فتفقد الطير ليرى الهدهد فلم يره "فقال مالي لا أرى الهدهد أم كان من الغائبين" حدث يوما عبد الله بن عباس بنحو هذا وفي القوم رجل من الخوارج يقال له نافع بن الأزرق وكان كثير الاعتراض على ابن عباس فقال له قف يا ابن عباس غلبت اليوم قال ولم؟ قال إنك تخبر عن الهدهد أنه يرى الماء فى تخوم الأرض وأن الصبي ليضع له الحبة في الفخ ويحثو على الفخ ترابا فيجيء الهدهد ليأخذها فيقع في الفخ فيصيده الصبي فقال ابن عباس لولا أن يذهب هذا فيقول رددت على ابن عباس لما أجبته ثم قال له ويحك إنه إذا نزل القدر عمي البصر وذهب الحذر فقال له نافع: والله لا أجادلك في شيء من القرآن أبدا وقد ذكر الحافظ ابن عساكر في ترجمة أبي عبد الله البرزي من أهل برزة من غوطة دمشق وكان من الصالحين يصوم الاثنين والخميس وكان أعور قد بلغ الثمانين فروى ابن عساكر بسنده إلى أبي سليمان بن زيد أنه سأله عن سبب عوره فامتنع عليه فألح عليه شهورا فأخبره أن رجلين من أهل خراسان نزلا عنده جمعة في قرية برزة وسألاه عن واد بها فأريتهما إياه فأخرجا مجامر وأوقدا فيها بخورا كثيرا حتى عجعج الوادي بالدخان فأخذا يعزمان والحيات تقبل من كل مكان إليهما فلا يلتفتان إلى شيء منها حتى أقبلت حية نحو الذراع وعيناها تتوقدان مثل الدينار فاستبشرا بها عظيما وقالا الحمد لله الذي لم يخيب سفرنا من سنة وكسرا المجامر وأخذا الحية فأدخلا في عينها ميلا فاكتحلا به فسألتهما أن يكحلاني فأبيا فألححت عليهما وقلت لا بد من ذلك وتوعدتهما بالدولة فكحلا عيني الواحدة اليمنى فحين وقع في عيني نظرت إلى الأرض تحتي مثل المرآة أنظر ما تحتها كما ترى المرآة ثم قالا لي: سر معنا قليلا فسرت معهما وهما يحدثان حتى إذا بعدت عن القرية أخذاني فكتفاني وأدخل أحدهما يده في عيني ففقأها ورمى بها ومضيا فلم أزل كذلك ملقى مكتوفا حتى مر بي نفر ففك وثاقي فهذا ما كان من خبر عيني وقال ابن أبي حاتم حدثنا علي بن الحسين حدثنا هشام بن عمار حدثنا صدقة بن عمرو الغساني حدثنا عباد بن ميسرة المنقري عن الحسن فال: اسم هدهد سليمان عليه السلام عنبر وقال محمد بن إسحاق: كان سليمان عليه السلام إذا غدا إلى مجلسه الذي كان يجلس فيه تفقد الطير وكان فيما يزعمون يأتيه نوب من كل صنف من الطير كل يوم طائر فنظر فرأى من أصناف الطير كلها من حضره إلا الهدهد "فقال مالي لا أرى الهدهد أم كان من الغائبين" أخطأه بصري من الطير أم غاب فلم يحضر؟.

The Absence of the Hoopoe

Mujahid, Sa`id bin Jubayr and others narrated from Ibn `Abbas and others that the hoopoe was an expert who used to show Sulayman where water was if he was out in open land and needed water. The hoopoe would look for water for him in the various strata of the earth, just as a man looks at things on the surface of the earth, and he would know just how far below the surface the water was. When the hoopoe showed him where the water was, Sulayman would command the Jinn to dig in that place until they brought water from the depths of the earth. One day Sulayman went to some open land and checked on the birds, but he could not see the hoopoe.

فَقَالَ مَالِيَ لاَ أَرَى الْهُدْهُدَ أَمْ كَانَ مِنَ الْغَآئِبِينَ

(and (Sulayman) said: "What is the matter that I see not the hoopoe Or is he among the absentees") One day `Abdullah bin `Abbas told a similar story, and among the people was a man from the Khawarij whose name was Nafi` bin Al-Azraq, who often used to raise objections to Ibn `Abbas. He said to him, "Stop, O Ibn `Abbas; you will be defeated (in argument) today!" Ibn `Abbas said: "Why" Nafi` said: "You are telling us that the hoopoe can see water beneath the ground, but any boy can put seed in a trap and cover the trap with dirt, and the hoopoe will come and take the seed, so the boy can catch him in the trap." Ibn `Abbas said, "If it was not for the fact that this man would go and tell others that he had defeated Ibn `Abbas in argument, I would not even answer." Then he said to Nafi`: "Woe to you! When the decree strikes a person, his eyes become blind and he loses all caution." Nafi` said: "By Allah I will never dispute with you concerning anything in the Qur'an. "

لأُعَذِّبَنَّهُ عَذَاباً شَدِيداً

(I will surely punish him with a severe torment) Al-A`mash said, narrating from Al-Minhal bin `Amr from Sa`id that Ibn `Abbas said: "He meant, by plucking his feathers." `Abdullah bin Shaddad said: "By plucking his feathers and exposing him to the sun." This was also the view of more than one of the Salaf, that it means plucking his feathers and leaving him exposed to be eaten by ants.

أَوْ لاّذْبَحَنَّهُ

(or slaughter him,) means, killing him.

أَوْ لَيَأْتِيَنِّى بِسُلْطَـنٍ مُّبِينٍ

(unless he brings me a clear reason.) i.e., a valid excuse. Sufyan bin `Uyaynah and `Abdullah bin Shaddad said: "When the hoopoe came back, the other birds said to him: "What kept you Sulayman has vowed to shed your blood." The hoopoe said: "Did he make any exception did he say `unless"' They said, "Yes, he said:

لأُعَذِّبَنَّهُ عَذَاباً شَدِيداً أَوْ لاّذْبَحَنَّهُ أَوْ لَيَأْتِيَنِّى بِسُلْطَـنٍ مُّبِينٍ

(I will surely punish him with a severe torment or slaughter him, unless he brings me a clear reason.) The hoopoe said, "Then I am saved."

And he reviewed the birds to see the hoopoe — which would locate water beneath the ground and indicate its location by pecking at it whereupon the devils would extract it for Solomon required it for when he prayed; but he could not see him — then he said ‘Why is it that I do not see the hoopoe? in other words is there something preventing me from seeing him? Or is he among the absent? and so I cannot see him because he is absent?’ And when he became certain of the hoopoe’s absence

Commentary

وَتَفَقَّدَ الطَّيْرَ‌ (And he checked the birds - 27:20). The word تَفَقَّدَ (tafaqqud) means to verify about the presence or absence of some people. Hence it is translated as to check. Sayyidna Sulaiman (علیہ السلام) was bestowed by Allah Ta’ ala the rule over Jinns, the beasts and the birds, apart from humans. As it is customary for the ruler to look after and take care of all of his subjects, it is stated in this verse وَتَفَقَّدَ الطَّيْرَ‌ That is Sayyidna Sulaiman (علیہ السلام) inspected the birds from his subjects, and made a note of the presence and absence of them all. The Holy Prophet ﷺ also had the habit to keep himself informed about the wellbeing of his companions. If someone was absent, he used to go to his house to find out his welfare. If anyone was sick, he would go and visit him and do the needful nursing. If someone was afflicted with any trouble, he would make the effort to remove it.

It is necessary for the rulers to take care of their subjects and for the saints of their disciples and students

This verse has proved that Sayyidna Sulaiman (علیہ السلام) used to keep an eye on all types of his subjects, and used to keep himself fully informed about them, so much so that the absence of a small and weak bird like a hoopoe which has a small population compared to other birds, did not go unnoticed from him. It is also possible that his specific enquiry about the hoopoe was due to its small population and weak make-up among the species of birds. Therefore, he made special effort to keep his eyes on the weaker section of his subjects.

Among the companions, Sayyidna ` Umar ؓ established the traditions of the Holy Prophet ﷺ in totality during his tenure as caliph. He used to go round the streets of Madinah during the nights to keep him fully abreast with the state of affairs. If he found any one in distress or need, he would help him out. A number of such incidents are related in his biography: He used to say "If a wolf kills a lamb by the side of river Euphrates, for that too Umar will be answerable". (Qurtubi)

Such were the principles of rule and administration, which were taught by the prophets and practically demonstrated by the revered companions of the Holy Prophet ﷺ . Because of these practices, the entire populace, both Muslims and non-Muslims, used to live in complete harmony and tranquility. Such justice and fair play, composure and tranquility were never witnessed ever in the whole world after their time.

مَا لِيَ لَا أَرَ‌ى الْهُدْهُدَ أَمْ كَانَ مِنَ الْغَائِبِينَ

"What is wrong with me that I do not see the hoopoe; rather he has disappeared? - 27:20

Taking account of one's own Self

Apparently Sulaiman (علیہ السلام) should have said at this occasion, “ What is wrong with the hoopoe that he is absent?" But Sulaiman (علیہ السلام) asked about his own wrong when he said, "What is wrong with me?" Perhaps, it was because the hoopoe and all other birds were put under his control as a special reward. Initially it crossed his mind momentarily that probably His blessings have been curtailed for some slip on his part that a species of birds (the hoopoe) was not present. So, he made some soul searching to find out what could have been the reason for its absence? It was a case similar to that of the mystic saints who make enquiries from their Self before looking into the material causes for the relief of any distress, or when any blessing is reduced for them. It is their practice to take into account of any possible slips on their part in paying gratitude to Allah Ta’ ala for His bounties, which might have caused the withdrawal of the blessings from them. Qurtubi has quoted here the practice of these saints on the authority of Ibn al-` Arabi in the following words:

اِذا فقدوا امالھم تفقّدوا اعمالھم That is ` when these saints do not succeed in their objectives, they take stock of their deeds to find out where have they committed the mistake'.

After this initial stock-taking of Self and due considerations and deliberations it is said أَمْ كَانَ مِنَ الْغَائِبِينَ (rather, he has disappeared - 27:20). Here the word اَم is used for the meaning of the word بَل (rather) (Qurtubi). Therefore, the meaning of the sentence is ` It is not that my sight has faltered in locating the hoopoe, but in fact it is not present'.

Reason for picking up hoopoe from among the birds, and an important warning

Sayyidna ` Abdullah Ibn 'Abbas ؓ was asked as to what was the reason that the hoopoe was picked up from all the birds. He replied that Sayyidna Sulaiman (علیہ السلام) had camped at a place where there was no water, and Allah Ta’ ala has bestowed such a peculiar instinct to hoopoe that it can see things under the ground and can also locate the underground water. Sayyidna Sulaiman (علیہ السلام) wanted to find out, through the proficiency of the hoopoe, the depth and extent of the underground water. Having known the location of the underground water, he would have commanded the Jinns to excavate the ground to bring the water up - a task they would have performed very quickly. Paradoxically, despite having the piercing sight, the hoopoe gets entrapped in the nets of the hunters. Sayyidna Ibn ` Abbas ؓ has commented on this:

قف یا وقّاف کیف یری الھدھد باطن الارض وھو لا یرٰی الفخّ حین یقع فیہ (قرطبی)

` 0 the people of knowledge! try to understand this fact that the hoopoe has the ability to see things under the ground, but the net spread out over the ground gets obscured from its sight, and hence it gets entrapped in that'.

The bottom line to understand is that whatever is destined for a person through the divine decree, whether it is trouble or comfort, has to be enforced, and no one can escape from it by his wisdom, insight or through the use of force or money.