Ramadan Day Twenty-Seven
The Levels of Guidance (5): al-If'haam (Making to Understand)
The fifth level is al-If'haam. Allaah the Majestic said in the matter of the flock of sheep that strayed into a person's farm during the time of Nabeel Daawud, as mentioned in Suratul Anbiyaa, 78-79. He the Majestic said 'We made Sulaiman to understand (the matter better).'
He the Majestic mentioned the two Noble Prophets and what He granted of knowledge and wisdom, but in that particular incident, He said He granted Sulaiman the proper understanding.
Alee bn Abee Taalib, radiyallahu anhu, was asked if the Messenger of Allaah - sallallahu alayhi wa sallam - used to have special time for some of the Sahabah while others were not there, he said no, then he swore by Allaah and said that what made some Sahabah had more knowledge was the gift of understanding Allaah granted them over others. (Recorded by Al-Bukhari and others).
In a letter written by Umar bn Al-Khattab to Abu Musa al-Ash'aree, may Allaah be pleased with both, he said 'O Abu Musa, upon you is understanding from what I am pointing to you.'
The proper understanding of the matters of the Deen is a bounty from Allaah upon the slave, it is also light Allaah casts into the heart of the slave. With it, he will understand what others can't understand in matters.
This understanding that stems from Allaah and His Messenger's Sunnah is one of the emblems of a siddeeq, it is pivotal to the legal friendship with Allaah, and this is where scholars surpass one another such that a scholar will be held to be better than about one thousand other people.
You can recall the understanding Allaah granted Ibn Abbaas - radiyallahu anhuma - when Umar - radiyallahu anhu - asked him about the meaning of the Verses in Suratun Nasr while other Sahabah like those who fought in the Battle of Badr were there, then the answer given by Ibn Abbaas that Allaah was announcing the closeness of the death of the Messenger of Allaah - sallallahu alayhi wa sallam - to him by Himself.
Umar - radiyallahu anhu - had to agree with him when that was not known to him and the Sahabah present there before. Yet Ibn Abbaas - radiyallahu anhuma - was a chap then.
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